2011 Girls Weekend

So thankful for these girls, their hearts, fun visiting and godly wisdom they share as we all seek His will for our lives and families.  We were low-key this year with a weekend of eating, talking, painting, game-playing and sleeping.  (And we were fighting some sickness and tiredness...guess we're getting a little old.  :))  Major props to the dads for not only hanging out with, but having lots of fun with all the babies...they are the best!

Dinner on Friday night...great sushi!

We relaxed on Saturday and got out to the Marietta Square for a late lunch at Sugar Cakes.  It was delicious!

We saw Santa there too :)

Really pretty and festive on the Square :)

On to Corkscrews & Canvas...getting ready to paint

Working on the borders...learned some good tricks, but still not what I would call easy!

And the finished products!  Katie had to get back so we got a pic of hers before she left.

All in all, it was a great activity and super fun!  Maybe my favorite that we've done actually :).  And now for some game-playing :)

The winner and the scorecard :).  Steph has mad "Truth Be Told" skills!

 

Love you girls and missed you Suz!  And thanks so much, Mom, for letting us crash at your condo!  It was super comfy and nice to be all together.  Can't wait until next time :))

Advent: Days 6-10

Day 6: Leave dollar bills in toy section at the dollar store for other kids to find

Day 7: Hot chocolate and candy canes on the back porch

Day 8: Co-op Christmas party and Hayride Through the Life of Christ

 Day 9: Campout in front of the Christmas tree with Daddy while Mommy is out of town

 Day 10: Christmas craft night

Some notes to mention:

It didn't really work out like we had hoped at the dollar store because people kept turning the dollars in to the employees, thinking that a child may have accidentally dropped it.  (Which was very nice, of course.)  So, we finally ended up gathering them up and giving them to the cashier.  We asked her to give to the next few kids as they were checking out with their parents, to go and find a toy to take home as a special treat.  Hope it worked out!  Either way, B reminded me that the point was accomplished and our kids were able to enjoy the thought of surprising kids with a dollar to get something with.

If you happened to notice Greer's pjs in day 6, yes, they are Gehr's and she loves to wear them!  It cracks us up.  :)  Going to the hayride with so many buddies was awesome.  We have always loved it, but it was really nice to ride and listen and worship together with the Pierces, Ruckers, Buckalews, Popes and Sharpes this year.  And B did an awesome job the last two days while I was away, not only with the Advent activities themselves, but capturing them on film for me while also keeping up with the Jesse tree (and feeding, clothing, cleaning etc).  Love :)

Advent: Days 1-5

Day 1: Go get and decorate our tree

Day 2: Trip to Hallmark for 2011 ornaments

Day 3: Read Christmas books

Day 4: Kids wrap some gifts themselves :)

Day 5: Shop for gifts for Share the Light service

And the calendar itself has the Star of David, moon and other stars on it.  :)  The kids are loving going to the calendar each morning to move the next figure and see what we have for the day.  It's making for a really fun and special December...wish we would've done this all along!

Advent, the Coming

As we celebrate this time of Advent, of the coming of our Savior to rescue us, we love that B is in his off-season and many normal activities are on hold (co-op, for example).  It allows for great family time and much reflection on the most amazing gift of Love ever.

We have looked for a nativity advent calendar the past few years and found a great kid-friendly one this year.  The Gs love it!  In addition to adding a character to the nativity scene each day, B and I made a list of activities we will do and plan to put one in each morning for the kids to find.  Every few days, I'll post about our experiences.  It has been fun so far.  :) 

And in the evenings, another way to wait expectantly and prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth:  A Jesse Tree.  We so enjoyed Ann Voskamp's Easter Tree with devotional this spring and were so glad to find a similar option for Advent.

B reads aloud the devotion, an account of the ways that God has loved us and kept His promises since the beginning...all leading up to THE display of love and promise-kept in Jesus.  The kids place the picture-representing and an ornament for fun (and so both can participate each time :)).

With the reminders in pictures each day in front of us this December, I pray that our hearts will be turned towards Him like never before.  Thank You, Lord, for the Coming.  The Christmas season would be nothing without Your gift!