We're still here...

I know, once again its been forever since I've posted. We've been super busy, as I'm sure most of you have too. We've been shopping, baking cookies, sent out cards, wrapping presents, and giving out cookies. Claire, Emilie, and Elise have had classroom parties.

Emilie and Elise had Christmas programs. Elise was the loudest one in her class. Her teacher told me the next day that it was funny because when they practiced, Elise didn't pay a lot of attention or participate much. Well, evidently she was paying attention, because she knew every word. I had so many moms stop me and say, "I heard Elise last night" :-)

Emilie's class recited "The Night Before Christmas " interspersed with Christmas carols (Its still OK to celebrate Christmas in Jefferson County schools :-P) Emilie's line was "Now dash away, dash away, dash away all." She practiced a lot. Elise practiced with her. Emilie said her line slowly and loudly and did a great job.

We also went up to Harvester Christian Church's Journey to Bethlehem. It is a really awesome production. They give you a Hebrew name and you're supposed to be on your way to Bethlehem for the census. The Roman soldiers pop up along your way. You travel along a road and stop and talk to different characters along the way and learn what they're doing and what they've seen. You stop in the market place in Bethlehem and then eventually get to the stable for the Nativity scene. Really neat, especially for the kids. The volunteers do an excellent job recreating the scene. They have great costumes and sets, and real animals (which Chloe loved). I didn't get any pictures however, as it was too hard juggling all the kids in the crowds. There were a ton of people there!

We were supposed to hear Claire and Emilie sing with their choirs this morning. Unfortunately, Emilie brought home a stomach bug Friday, and Claire came down with it yesterday. We are hoping that no one else is going to catch it! All I've got left to do is clean the house (although with 4 children off of school, cleaning and then keeping it clean is no small feat!)

On Christmas Eve, Claire's choir will be singing again, and Emilie is going to be an angel in the nativity scene. We have "angel practice" on Tuesday. (I want to know if the "angel" part will rub off.) We're having a small family dinner with my parents and my neighbor on Christmas Eve. We're going to watch "The Nativity Story" after dinner- kinda make it the no presents, remember Jesus' birthday part of the holiday. Christmas day will bring Santa in the morning and my parent's house for an extended family dinner/more presents. The 26th we'll see Eric's family for lunch and presents, and the 27th we're having a neighborhood party. It will be a crazy, but fun week. I'll put up some pictures towards the end of the week.