Kaitlyn's First Christmas Verse

Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulders. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

Live Nativity

Last Saturday night we bundled up and headed to a church in Grand Haven to watch an outdoor Live Nativity performance. There were two large fire pits for the spectators to hover over to keep warm during the show. Kaitlyn enjoyed most of it. She decided she had had enough after the Shepherds came to visit Baby Jesus, so we left and missed the Three Kings, but all in all it was fun. We headed to Panera Bread and sat in a cozy booth by the fire place and enjoyed desserts and warm drinks. It was a fun family night that certainly got us in the Christmas spirit.

Glowing Bright

Here is a look at the ice candles as they lined our front steps to welcome guests to my Dad's 61st birthday party last Tuesday night. Jeff worked so hard to make sure that the candles stayed lit. Thanks, honey!

Ice Candles

Last Saturday we tried out another idea that I had found in a magazine - making ice candles. We gathered some buckets, some potpourri some little cups and some sand. I was hoping that some of the items in the potpourri would actually sink so the candles would be decorated all the way to the bottom; but it all floated which made it quite a challenge. Anyway, we got the buckets filled with water and the potpourri added. Then Kaitlyn filled the little cups with sand and Jeff attached the cups. The idea was to have the water freeze and the cups make a perfect spot in the frozen cylinder for a candle to sit. It took a few days for the buckets to freeze all the way through. Jeff put forth a valiant effort on Tuesday night to get the ice out of the buckets and keep candles lit in them for my dad's birthday party. We learned lots from this attempt; I'm sure they'll turn out a lot better next year! Pictures of the finished candles to be posted soon!

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Last week Kaitlyn helped me finish up my Christmas baking. She was a great helper with all of the goodies and she loved being the taste-tester! Somehow in a week she went from making healthy food choices to asking for cookies, cake or brownies for every meal! I think we'll have to get rid of the sweets once the holidays are over so we can get her back on track. Thank goodness she doesn't mind getting her teeth brushed anymore! Last Saturday we divided up all the Christmas treats and made plates for our neighbors and close friends. Then we loaded Kaitlyn up in her "sleigh" (sled) and but the goodies in a box and headed down the street for some caroling fun. We found a Christmas music tape to put in K's tape player. Kaitlyn shook her bells and sang Jingle Bells the whole way to the neighbors house. It was actually colder than we expected so we only walked to two houses and then drove to the rest, but it was a fun outing none the less and we were enamored by our daughter's Christmas spirit!

Going up the neighbors driveway.

Where's Santa?

This morning when K woke up she sat up as soon as I came in the room. Where's Santa? she asked. I told her that Santa was busy loading his sleigh getting ready for tonight. Which room is Santa in? she asked. I told her he wasn't here yet, not till tonight. But mom, she said. I saw Santa here. I saw his boots walk into the toy room. He had a present in his arms! I told her that he must've been scoping out our house to find out where the Christmas tree was.

Can you tell what she was dreaming about last night? Her excitement is so contagious. The next 24 hours are going to be splendid as we anticipate the birth of our Savior and Santa's arrival.

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! May you join my little daughter in sharing in the excitement of this day!

Reading already?!

No, Kaitlyn can't read yet. She does know her letters and all of their sounds but she can't read just yet. We'll let her turn three before we attempt that. :) However, if you sit next to her while she is "reading" one of her bazillion books that I read to her - you will think she is reading because she memorizes ALL of the words. If you so much as paraphrase a sentence or skip a word - she will correct you. Its the most impressive thing. Check out the video below; my mom was convinced that she was reading. You have to turn your volume way up to hear her sweet voice! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bkxqkz2qxs