Fun Christmas Activities

Merry Christmas!!!  Christmas was a busy, but super fun time around here!  We really tried to help keep the kids focus on the real meaning of Christmas and the fact that it's not all about presents and Santa, but about Jesus.  Now don't worry, we did Santa; the kids got a letter from him, he sent a special Elf (penguin) to hang out at our house, and we even got to see Santa twice!  But when we talked about Christmas and the reason we celebrate we always tried to bring it back to Jesus, and I think they get it. 
This season was full of fun activities.  I'll try to shortly recap each one...

• Sinterklaas - Oma and I took the kids to see Sinterklaas in Old Town Spring.  I wasn't sure how Luke and Hannah would do with him (Hannah has just entered the stranger anxiety phase), but they both surprised me!  As we walked up to the store we saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse hanging out in front...the boys were so excited!  They didn't hesitate to go get their picture made with their Disney friends.  Once it was time for Sinterklaas the kids were ready!  All three of them were happy to see him, the boys talked to him (even in Dutch), and all three smiled pretty for my pictures. 
• The very next day we took the kids to see Santa Claus at K2 (the place where Isaac does gymnastics)...it was a fun day!  They had a station to make snow, drink hot cocoa, decorate cookies, and of course open play!   It was set up so great, they called each family back a few at a time, which made the wait time short.  Once it was our turn the boys were so excited!  They both sat on his lap individually and told him what they wanted for Christmas (Isaac - cars, Luke - trains).  Luke was funny, he was a little nervous, but still happy.  Santa asked what he wanted, he quickly said, "Trains."  Then he turned to me and said, "Cheese" without listening to anything else Santa had to say.  It was really funny.  Then Hannah's turn came, she was all smiles, until he touched her...oh man, she was not happy about sitting in his lap.  We got a great picture of all three, the boys smiling and Hannah screaming!
• Isaac went to Christmas Choir Camp at his school (church)...he loved it!  It was once a week for two hours, they sang, did crafts, and played games.  I worked two of the days, but he went alone the other two days.  He did get nervous before each time, but always had the best time!  The first week the church worship band began setting up to practice as we were finishing up.  Isaac noticed the guitars and was hooked, he had to watch.  That was his favorite part of the night!  He and his camp buddies performed at the Christmas Eve service at church...I'll save that for another entry.
• We had our own little Christmas Polar Express one night.  Isaac had choir camp, so Carl and I took the little ones to Chick Fil A for dinner, then headed over to pick up Isaac.  We let him eat dinner in the truck (not the norm in our family) as we drove around two neighborhoods to check out the fun displays.  The boys loved it, and Hannah slept through most of it.
• The Friday before Christmas was a big day.  Isaac had a performance at school, so of course we all attended, along with Oma and Opa and Emmy and Gumby.  Isaac sang, but didn't do many of the motions, he had fun though, and we were so proud!  After the performance we went to his classroom for cookies, he loved showing off his room.  That evening Isaac and I had a big night, we headed over to his friend Taylor's church.  They had a fun event that included Santa and Ms. Claus, hot dogs  and smores cooked over the fire, even a hay ride to look at Christmas lights.  We all had so much fun...it was special to have some time with only my big boy!

I wish I could include pictures, but my blog is not cooperating.  I'll post about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day another time...it's time for bed now.