Elves at Work

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!  This has been a really fun week because the kids have been very involved in decorating and getting into the spirit of things.  I set up the tree while they were at school and from the minute Ben got home, he and Alex were busy hanging ornaments.

This is a sweet new addition that Ben made in Sunday school.

I think using the step stool was a big plus in the ornament hanging.

The boys looked through every ornament and really enjoyed finding the ones that related to them.  This had a picture of Ben as a baby and he wanted a picture with it.  (And a mommy confession - I have no similar ornaments of Alex as a baby...maybe I can slip a few in before next year?)

Ben's friend Presley came over and jumped right in as well.  Between the three of them, they got every single ornament on the tree in an hour!  Granted, most of them are clustered together and 4 feet or below, but I think the tree looks beautiful.  I did help out by getting a few closer to the top but these little elves were quick!

 I think the final result is perfect...I'm not going to change a thing.

After one of Ben's handmade ornaments ended up in pieces on the floor, it seemed like a good time to pull out a box of ornaments for the kids to paint themselves.

They were busy!  The next day after school, Ben and Alex painted a different set of ornaments, and the following day we made cookies from scratch at Ben's request.

This little elf, Bart, has been busy, too.   He's been a bit naughtier this year and the kids have been loving it!

 

I wrapped up a few last things on my to-do list at the Galleria with Alex and we made a stop at the waterwall in Houston.  He loved it!

 

 

 

The Christmas tree on the ice rink was pretty impressive, too.  My little shopping buddy was great and we had a good time at the mall.

 

One last major thing on our to-do list this week - visit the big guy in red.  I really enjoyed seeing their excitement at talking to Santa because I have the feeling this may be our last year of true magic.   Ben asks a lot of tough questions and I know he's going to overhear something sooner or later to burst the bubble.  We're going to enjoy it as long as it lasts, though!

After our visit, we had a quick train ride around the mall and visited the "dancing lights", the house with thousands of lights set to Christmas music.

I love getting ready for Christmas!  Now we're visiting a couple of church programs to prepare our hearts, as well.  I'm enjoying this year because the kids are old enough to understand and appreciate that Christmas is more than just presents.  We are celebrating the birth of our Savior!