Traditions to cherish

As a young girl Christmas Eve was always a highly anticipated day. I always looked forward to the large party at grandma's house with lots of yummy food, the white elephant game and our own production of the nativity. As I got older that did not change, a large Christmas Eve party was a must. Christmas would not be Christmas without it. Last year was the first Christmas we lived in Virginia and as such was also the first Christmas there would be no large family gathering. I will admit that my stomach was in knots as I thought about all of the family so far away gather together participating in one of my most beloved traditions. That is when I realized I had an opportunity to create my own new traditions. Things that my kids could hold on to and cherish as they grew into adult hood. So now Christmas Eve in the Clayton House looks a little like this.

Jimmy our Elf brings us a departing breakfast from the North Pole as it is his last day in our house until next year.  This year it was Santa cinnamon rolls, snowman milk and an egg sausage casserole.

After breakfast we started our 2nd annual Christmas olympics. We kept some favorite events from last year such as the snowman building competition, the gingerbread towers and the marshmallow toss and added some new events like the candy cane races and the ornament hang. 

There was not puppy choke-hold event, this is just how Addi prefers to transport Phoebe. Phoebe is a very very good dog and allows such torture. 

Before we started the candy cane race I was explaining to the kids that carrying the candy canes with their teeth would be easier that their lips. As they were practicing Kaden was dropping candy canes left and right and a few of them broke. I said "Kaden! If you keep dropping these and breaking them we won't be able to play the game." he exasperatedly replied, "BUT MOM! I don't have any teeth!! They keep falling through." We all got a good laugh. I had forgot he was still missing his front two teeth. Afterwards I told him lip holding would probably be his best option. 

After our Olympics we made a delicious turkey dinner and then opened up Christmas jammies.

I tried to get a nice picture of all the kids in their jammies in front of the tree but it just wasn't happening. 

We ended the day making a batch of our Christmas M&M cookies for Santa and sent the kids off to bed. 

It was a busy fun, FULL day, and I didn't even have a twinge of homesickness. I am so very grateful to have my own family to create Christmas magic with. 

I think I captured over 80 pictures on Christmas Eve. I tried to pick and choose the best for the blog but I put them all into this video.

Santa's Helpers

Every year we try to do something around Christmas time to help the kids focus on the GIVING part of Christmas. This year they were extra good about remembering why we celebrate Christmas and during family prayer it was common to hear one of them say "Please help us to remember Christmas is about Jesus and not to worry about Santa and presents." They are such good kids with such tender hearts. Little things daily remind be of the strength of their spirits and the important role they were sent here to play. It is a humbling and at times daunting job to be the mom in charge of molding and directing these precious little ones. 

This year we decided to make cookies and hot cocoa and deliver plates and cups to the homeless around downtown Richmond. The kids were such great helpers getting everything ready. 

The kids got out and delivered each plate and cup (with Chris standing right next to them). I will admit I was slightly nervous about the safety of this whole operation. My nerves turned out to be completely unfounded. The people were so sweet and gracious, and each time we pulled away in our heated car my heart ached a little that we couldn't do more. Kaden echoed my feelings as we pulled away from one man and said "Mom! We are just going to leave him? We can't take him home?" Taycee had a few questions about what homeless really meant and after we explained to her the situation these people were in she said, "I think this is exactly what Jesus want us to do. This is our birthday present to him." and so it was. 

December Shtuff

December came and then I blinked and it was gone. Yet in that same breath I must say that it was so full. Full of fun and friends and crafts and shopping. We put our tree up in November. Normally by the time December 26th comes I am so ready for it to be down along with all the Christmas clutter but this year I was sad to see it go. There is something so magical about Christmas time.

I felt our red black and white stocking didn't quite flow with my Christmas decor so this year I made new stockings. 

We went to the mall to see Santa with our good friends the Meyers. When we got there they told us we couldn't take pictures on the Santa set. I am wasn't about to pay $14 for a Santa shot so I just stood off set and snapped this. As you can see Brie was NOT a Santa fan. Addi on the other hand snuggled right in. 

The littles had to take a quick ride on the carousel before we left.

This is Donovan, the Meyers youngest. He is Addison's age and we have lots of play dates together. 

After the mall we made Christmas trees, I decided to forgo gingerbread houses this year. I just really really don't like making them. I thought candy trees would be a really close second.  

Kaden and Bobby. They were instant best friends the moment they met. They are two of a kind!

Dono preferred eating the candy by handfuls to putting them on his tree.

We had Chris's annual work Christmas party again this year. It is the one time every year we get all dressed up for a night out. The party actually goes from 7-12pm but by about 10pm everyone is pretty drunk, complements of the open bar in all 6 rooms at the country club, so we head out early.