New Traditions....

So most of you know I like to buy something new each holiday season for the kids to do. A few years ago it was the Little People Nativity which goes under the tree......(see below why it isn't out yet)....

Then it was Clarke (who has returned)...

Then it was the Lego Advent Calendar last year. And we had so much fun with it, we got it again...

This year, for something new, I found this neat little book with cardboard stickers to make the nativity:

I really like this book as it is really short and to the point. It introduces a new person or thing and then gives a bible verse to back it up, or tell about the person, and then also an application on how they can do something pleasing to God each day. And it reminds them and helps them to focus on the real meaning of this holiday season... the birth of Jesus.

A few months ago we had decided we were going to update our house....but the timing was poor. So a few weeks ago Frank had called and got the tile part set up. Friday and Saturday our kitchen looked like this:

Saturday the tile guys showed up with the wrong tile. Thankfully I was home to see the mistake. That pushed us back a day. And we got pushed back another day today. Even though we had spent A LOT of time putting up plastic sheets in the doorways, the dust is laying all over my house. Five days of a dusty, messy house is NO FUN. Trust me. And living without a kitchen is hard work. We have pretty much been living upstairs because the downstairs looks like this:

Pretty isn't it? Yes that is our refrigerator, washer and dryer in the middle of our den. And the dining room is just as bad.

So, with the house a complete dirty disaster, we haven't decorated the inside of the house with any decorations. And I HATE THAT!!! We usually are early birds getting the house and tree decorated before Thanksgiving. I can not wait for the house to be somewhat back together so we can decorate this weekend.

While the kids were at school today, I decided to do ONE MORE fun little Christmas surprise. :) I decorated their rooms with ornament, snowflakes, and lights. I was quite pleased with their reactions. They are so loving their decorated rooms. And hey, I feel better having something inside my house decorated for the season.

Ellie's Room:

Hadley's Room:

And Gavin's Room:

Their Reactions to each of their rooms:

They were so excited tonight when they got in bed and have the glow of the lights shining on them. I got a big Thank you and I love you from each of them. It was so worth the fall I took off the chair while hanging the ornaments that hurt my back, thigh, and arm. LOL. :)

Hopefully we will have a decorated house and tree by Saturday!!!