The Days Before Christmas

The time preceding Christmas is always my favorite, when there is a cozy anticipation in the air, along with the smell of baking goodies and the sounds of classic holiday tunes. The only thing missing was the snow, so we had to make extra paper snowflakes this year. For Misha's holiday party in school, the children threw crumpled paper snowballs at each other and then taped them together to make a snowman. Oh, poor Texas children!

First things first - let's get that Christmas Countdown calendar going!

Sebby made one too this year.

Making greeting cards with tons of glitter.

Paper chains unlimited 

The boys created a hammock.

Up next - gingerbread houses from graham crackers, frosting, and baby m&ms.

Our best work.

We visited a Festival of Lights at a park.

No shoveling, but we swept up leaves!

Face of contentment

Daddy's rubber-band instrument turned out great.

Projects in the house - painting the front room

We painted mountains up the stairs. 

Sebby came home from school saying, "I saw Santa AND Elmo!"

Trips to the park to admire the snails.

Making 3D snowflakes.

Misha winterized his room.

Decorating stockings

Making up their own Stratego rules

Sharing a shake

Delicious fudge - four flavors

Peanut butter balls!

Sugar cookies with seven colors of frosting. My most elaborate yet!

We found some great second-hand bikes!

Josh has since painted Sebby's white. :)

Trying out the pogo stick we found for Bud.

Brothers

Christmas Eve dinner!

A view from outside

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Merry Christmas.