The boys meet Santa Claus

While at the MOMS club party, Santa and Mrs. Claus dropped by to visit the children. Mikie was very eager to tell him that he would like "Blue Thunder and El Torro Loco" for Christmas. In case your wondering why he is asking for a form of weather and a crazy bull....they are the names of Monster Trucks. He also made sure to tell Santa that Zachary would like Monster Mutt and Donkey Kong. Santa took special interest in Mikie's sweater and Mikie was quick to point out that all the reindeer were accounted for except Rudolph.

Zachary's reaction to Santa was just as I expected.....he was terrified!

Santa asked Mikie three questions: Do you brush your teeth everyday? Do you pick up your toys? Do you give someone a hug everyday?

Just a warning: In the video below, Zachary was still upset about seeing Santa so there is a lot of screaming caught on here.

Santa brought all of the children books. Mikie received a Curious George book and Zachary got Rudolph's First Christmas.

Mikie asked Mrs. Claus if she would read him his book.

After Santa left, the kids made crafts. It looks as if Zachary is participating; however, he is really just eating the Trix that were suppose to be used for decorating the trees.

Festival of Lights Carnival

One Saturday afternoon, we drove up to Michael's sister's house to let the cousins exchange gifts. Then we all piled into the mini-van and went to the Bull Run Festival of Lights. We let both boys get out of their car seats while we drove through the light display. Mikie was excited and watched the whole time, but Zachary was more interested in climbing around the mini-van and throwing his blankie.

At the end of the lighted path, they have a carnival. Whose idea was it to have a winter carnival? It was freezing!

Is that metal seat just a little cold, Mikie? This is a good time for me to write about my child's phobia of zippers. Yes, I did say zippers! He will not wear anything with a zipper....that means...elastic pants and pull over hoodies. So it may look as if I didn't dress my child appropriately for the cold weather, but rest assured he has on 3 layers of shirts. Strange phobia, I know, but I think I traumatized him when he was younger by catching his belly skin in a jacket's zipper.

Cousin Caitlin rides the never ending dragon coaster with Mikie. It went around the little track about 20 times before finally stopping. Normally, we would love a long ride...but it was FREEZING!

Bethleham Market

Another evening we took the boys the Resurrection Lutheran Church and walked through their Bethlehem Market. We had to wake both boys up from their naps in the car so it took Mikie awhile to become interested. After "making our mark" on the scroll to be counted for the census, we walked around the 2 dozen booths where people were dressed in period clothes telling about the different goods you could buy during Jesus' time on earth. My favorite booth was the Carpenter because they had tools made of wood that I had just taught my Sunday School kids about that morning. We got to see and touch the exact tools we had just learned about a few hours ago playing carpenter bingo! Mikie said he liked the dying booth because he learned that they used bugs to make pink dye for cloths. At some of the other booths, we also smelled perfumes and spices, ate bread and nuts & raisins, watched them weave baskets and shape pottery, saw them spin and weave sheep's wool, and Mikie could have even stomped on some grapes to make wine but he didn't want to remove his shoes. They even had an Inn with the inn keepers standing out front. Mikie asked them if there was any room at their Inn and they replied that they had no room and they had already given their stable to a young couple about to have a baby. Then we walked outside and saw the nativity scene with real animals. It was a very educational night and a great experience to learn about life in Bethlehem.
There was also a Synagogue where Mikie wrote on a clay tablet. They wanted you to write a Hebrew word, but.....can you guess what he wrote? Of course.......NUMBERS!