Christmas Happenings

We've been busy over this past week with lots of Christmas parties, Christmas programs, and other Christmas activities with the boys. Colby had his class Christmas party which was a Happy Birthday Jesus party, hence the birthday hat and plate in the picture. The kids also took part in a book exchange in which some of the kids just couldn't understand why some of the other kids were opening the presents that they brought. Many of the children wanted to open the same present that they brought. A few of the kids had minor meltdowns because of this, and yes, one of them was Colby.


The next day, Friday, Dalton had his class party as well as having their class go to sing at a nursing home. I thought it was such a sweet field trip for his class to go and sing for these sweet senior citizens, but some of the parents that also went on the trip were just rude. Some of them plopped themselves down in front, along with all their camera equipment and tripods, making it difficult for the residents and everyone else to see. Needless to say, I didn't get very good pictures of this event, but the children did a great job with their Christmas songs and verses they recited. After the trip to the nursing home, the kindergarten class came back to the school where they had their class party. They made Christmas trees out of upside down sugar cones and decorated it with icing and "ornaments". I'm really going to enjoy the Christmas break and not having to go back and forth to their schools and just having the boys home and getting to sleep later.



Finally, today, the boys and I made a gingerbread house out of one of those kits that you buy in the stores this time of year. I wanted to try it last year but didn't get around to buying one. I figured the boys were old enough now that they wouldn't be too crazy with the icing and candy parts. This was the first time I had ever tried to make one of these. I'm not exactly the craftiest person in the world so I was a bit worried about how it would turn out. The boys were so excited about making this. They so enjoyed helping to decorate the house with all of the candy decorations. They would try to sneak a little taste of the decorations when they thought I wasn't looking. It ended up looking pretty good and we all had such a fun time creating our little masterpiece.

First Tooth

BEFORE

Big day in the Self house today. Dalton lost his first tooth. It kind of makes me sad. It's just another sign that my little boy is growing up before my eyes. His little tooth was practically able to be pushed horizontally so we knew it was time for it to come out. He was very nervous about us pulling it, and when I was finally able to pull it out, he seemed a bit shocked at first. I also think he was a bit surprised that there was blood coming from the hole in his mouth, although it was very little. I'm a little sad that he won't have those sweet little boy teeth anymore. Sigh.

AFTER

Colby's First Performance

Colby jingling his bells while singing Jingle Bells

Colby had his Christmas program at his preschool this morning. Colby was just too cute. This was his first time performing in front of people like this so I wasn't sure how he would do. He was actually singing and appeared to be having a fun time up there. One of the funny things that Colby has said or sung actually while singing Jingle Bells at home is, "...Oh what fun it is to ride in a Wal-Mart open sleigh...Hey!" I may have to try to upload a little video snipit of the performance. I had planned all along for Colby to wear a cute winter/Christmas type sweater but the weather turned off unseasonable warm this week. I made him wear it anyway and just whipped it off of him as soon as we got home. We've seriously had some crazy weather recently. The highs for the next 3 days are going to be around 78/79 degrees. UGH!! Granted, I'm not a big fan of cold weather, but I do like to see it a bit cooler than this around Christmas. Fortunately I believe the weather is supposed to get cooler again next week just in time for Christmas.

Dalton even stayed home from school today so he could go to Colby's program

Hometown Parade

Awaiting the parade to begin

Floats being pulled along by tractors. That's how we roll in Perry.

Tiny ponies. Some of them stopped for the kids to pet them.

We went to the Perry Christmas Parade this past Saturday. It has become a little bit of a tradition for us to go to the parade. Usually it's just me and the boys, but this year I guess I twisted Shane's arm enough that he came along as well. Shane's mom and my niece, Walker, also came along with us. I love small, hometown parades. There were only 2 bands and it's not very long, but it's always easy to find a good spot to watch and chase after the candy that is thrown out to you. The kids loved it!!! They came back with quite a stash of candy. We watched the parade in a spot that was very near where the parade began so the people in the parade are usually more liberal in throwing out more in the beginning. It was like Halloween again for the kids.

Santa on top of the fire truck

The stash of candy the kids ended up with.

"Saxby...You Betcha!!"

Saxby Chambliss

Sarah Palin

I went to a campaign rally today in Perry for Saxby Chambliss with Sarah Palin as the guest speaker. It was a lot of fun. Chambliss is up against Jim Martin in the runoff election for senator tomorrow. There's always so much excitement associated with elections. I met up with some of my aunts and an uncle who were also going to the rally. We ended up getting there too late to get a good spot and were standing pretty far away toward the back but still ended up with some decent pictures. Sarah Palin is such a rock star. When Saxby Chambliss was introduced he received a lot of good cheers, but when Sarah Palin was introduced she received tons of screams with cheers as well. Good luck to Saxby tomorrow!