Ho Ho Ho!

Evan and Makiah have been so very excited for Christmas. Evan is constantly asking if it is Christmas yet and Makiah has been dying to sit on Santa's lap. She is quite insistent on what she wants for Christmas and she couldn't wait to tell Santa. We have been prepping the kids for this moment... we didn't want tears this year and we succeeded! Makiah walked right up to Santa without hesitating. Evan was excited, but he did NOT want to sit on his lap. Which was just fine. (Here are the photo's from last year... and the year before)

We had rehearsed this many times... the kids liked to put on our Santa hat and pretend to be Santa. Evan would ask for a truck, a bear, and a big kitchen (instead of a little one). Kiah would ask for a Dora bike. The girl knows what she wants. Kiah talks about Santa all the time, she even tells me what Evan wants for Christmas. So when it came time to tell Santa what they wanted, they knew exactly what to say.

We've been talking about Santa so much that I've been trying to explain to the kids that Christmas isn't all about Santa and getting gifts. It's also fun to serve and help others as well. Evan had some great lessons at joy school last week about serving and giving. His teacher helped the kids get a treat and note prepared to take home and surprise their parents. When Evan got home he sneaked the treat into my room and surprised me with it on my pillow. Then later we surprised Dallas with it. He had fun sneaking around and serving his parents. I haven't planned anything yet, but I am hoping to help the kids make or shop for gifts to give each other. I think  most of the excitement that comes from Christmas is surprising others with what you picked out for them. 

The kids also have fun with a toy nativity that Dallas' parents gave the kids two years back. They LOVE playing with it and we have enjoyed sharing the story of baby Jesus with the them. Kiah loves to pretend with the nativity and she knows Mary and Jesus' name. This year has been so much fun since the kids are finally old enough to understand and enjoy learning more about Christmas.