The weekend after Thanksgiving was spent putting up the Christmas tree. Putting up the tree is a 2-day event for us. After sorting through the branches, the kids helped put them on one by one until the tree was complete.
The next day came the ornaments. There were three eager kiddos hanging ornaments (and often fighting over the same one!), but eventually the last ornament was placed on the tree.
The tree looked beautiful and Owen requested to be the one to place the star on top. I thought there was no way he'd be able to reach, but he sure did!
Ta-da! Our beautiful Christmas tree...which won't last long with 3 mischievous cats in the house!
Of course, some ornaments were just too much fun to leave on the tree. Instead they have been played with all over the house and even in the car!
December 1st was a much anticipated day! Every year on this day, Elfy our scout elf arrives at our house, hanging onto the front door.
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| Elfy is here! |
Although this year was a bit different as Owen is no longer a believer (sniff, sniff). He is still having fun this year and taking a huge load off my plate by being in charge of Elfy. Each morning Owen moves our friendly elf to a new spot so that Cole and Rose can find him. He thinks it's a pretty fun duty and has taken it a bit too seriously. In just one evening, Elfy was trapped under a box of candles, then he suddenly appeared on my computer. And before I knew it he magically jumped onto my water bottle! The little ones did not like seeing Elfy injured and were a bit freaked out by all the movement. So now he's back to only moving once a day and no more serious injuries!
December 1st also marks the first day of our Advent Christmas Chest. Each year Nana Judy, Great Nana Dineen and Great Aunt Donna put together 24 bags of goodies and place them in the chest. Each day the kids pick out the bag corresponding to the date and are treated to a fun surprise...candies, crafts, toys, oh my!
The nativity went up a couple days later. I had two very eager little helpers carefully move each piece from the table and place it next to the stable. They were quite proud of their work...and then Owen came in and started rearranging it all. He's quite particular on where all the statues should go.
We celebrated El Dia de las Velitas ("the day of the little candles") one day late this year. It is a Colombian holiday tradition celebrated on December 7th, the Eve of the Immaculate Conception, where families get together, enjoy some yummy foods while lighting up the neighborhood with lanterns. It was fun being able to celebrate the special day with Shane he always seems to be out of town on the actual day. The festivities started out with homemade cookies - Rose was a great little helper!
And then came eating the cookies...
For dinner, Shane swung by Arepa Bite and picked up some yummy yuca, tequenos and empanadas.
This year we braved the frigid temperatures and ventured outside with candles. Of course, the wind was howling and the snow was falling causing our candles to go out, so we improvised with battery operated ones.
And then we all warmed up with hot chocolate. ¡Feliz Dia de las Velitas! (Happy Day of the Little Candles!) Christmas will be here before we know it!
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