Christmas Eve

At midnight Christmas Eve Mike and I sat down, wiped our brows and sighed big sighs of relief.  We'd worked like crazy people all day long.  It was a good feeling of hard work but we were exhausted!  

Mike got up and went to work checking a few things on the van as the brake light is on.  We think it's from a wheel baring, which is the story of our lives with this van.  Anyhow, he and Xavier went to the parts store and the lumberyard.  Ameliya was SO disappointed that she didn't get chosen to run errands with daddy.

She chased Xavier until he slipped out the door without her.

While the boys were away, us girls kept our eyes peeled for the garbage truck.  You see, we have a sweet, generous garbage collector who always makes a point to look to the window and wave to the children, or, if the are outside, to holler hello at them.  It makes them feel so special and brought our study of community helpers to life this fall.  At the children's request we gave our friend (whose name we later learned is Daniel) caramel rolls, cards, and a fruit basket (bag).

 

After the children delivered their packages to Daniel we made cookies for Santa.  The Honest Company sent me a free gift of organic sugar cookie mix with my last order, which was a nice cheating way to hammer out a few cookies for the kids to decorate. We also made a batch of chocolate chip cookies at Daddy's request.

 We used India Tree natural food dyes to frost them and to color our sugar.

After cookie making Natalee and Daddy ran to the church to set up for Christmas Eve service and then we sent the kids for naps and I got busy making the curtains for the Christmas puppet theater.  Apparently I work best under pressure and got the curtains whipped out in a couple of hours.

(We followed this tutorial.  Skip the plastic spray paint though - it scratches off.)

Whew!  After the sewing frenzy, we re-hid the puppet theater and put out a yummy early supper of roast, potatoes & gravy and green beans.  Then we all got ready for Christmas Eve service at the church.  We went early to turn on all the candles and trees and were blown away by the attendance of 147 (last year was 50-60).  

When we got home the children left reindeer food on the porch and cookies on the table and headed to bed.  Natalee fell asleep right away but at 11:30 Xavier was STILL awake.

 

(leaving the Santa key)

Mr. Claus and I could stay awake no longer so we crept around and did our thing as quietly as possible and went to bed ourselves - exhausted but fulfilled from a busy day spent together!