Catchin' Up

Today was Jackson's Christmas school program. He's been singing Christmas songs for weeks now...we were ready for the big performance!
I thought we had arrived early enough to get to the church, but as you can see we had to sit way in the back..[overachiever parents, sheesh!] and I don't own the telephoto lens for this camera...so this was the best I could do.
I wasn't about to hightail it down to the front row and park it in the floor....not that brave. Plus it was all James and I could do to keep Charlie from not interrupting everyone in the church during the process. He was standing on James' lap yelling, "Jaaaaaaaaasssssson" [minus the "K"] and waving and giving thumbs up. Then I settled him on the pew with a bag of goldfish and got up and started trying to pass out the goldfish to people around us like he was in charge of refreshments! THEN, he thought it was arts and crafts time and found a pen in the back of the pew in front of us and thought he'd scribble scrabble something in the Hymn book. Then he fell off the pew and cried. A lot.

Back to Jackson...Second row 2nd in from the right in a cream sweater. Poor lighting. Poor seating. Sorry.

Then it was time to head to the banquet hall and have punch and cookies. Snapped this en route...

Charlie looking all Mr. Innocent..grrrr

Jackson and his teacher, Ms. Tina!

He has truly loved his new school this year and I am so thankful. Everyone at his school is so nice.

On Another Note:

I am going to compare advent calendars to my two children. Here I go.

The above advent calendar is Jackson's. It is neat and orderly. There dare not be an opened door with the chocolate ripped out a DAY before it is supposed to be. This advent calendar is a rule follower.

This is Charlie's advent calendar. He wanted to eat ALL the chocolate on December 1st. He almost succeeded....as you can see. This advent calendar is far from neat and orderly. The rules are clearly not being followed. This advent calendar looks like it has seen better days....

On Yet Another Note:

Elf on the Shelf arrived at our front door yesterday! I'd seen this in the book store and didn't really understand it's concept...until yesterday.

The whole idea is that the elf moves around from day to day and reports back to Santa at the end of every day if the kids have been "naughty" or "nice" that day. You name the elf, "Snelf", is what our poor elf's name is, and register him online.

It comes with a book to explain to the kids how he "works" and I think it's a really cute tradition. We're only going on day 2 of "Snelf" and the boys were so excited looking for him this morning.

Lo and behold! He was right above them as they were eating their oatmeal this morning in the chandelier!

The magic of Christmas is in full force around here, Ladies and Gentlemen!

ON Yet Another, Another Note:

Thought I'd share some decorations with you all! My mantle this year. Simple. I love it! The stockings are going down the staircase this year...
forgot to snap a pic of that...

My last minute pot rack decoration all from Micheal's at 50% off! Two ornaments have come to an early death. Charlie launched his loaded diaper across the room the other night and took out two of them in the process. Such is life with boys right?

Our Christmas Tree :)

It's big and smells wonderful, and sucks up water like a cactus!

Merry Christmas!