Polar Express

All of my sons were train boys. Thomas was a favorite, but any engine would do. When stopped at a railroad crossing we were usually the only car that rolled the windows down to get a better listen to the rail's clickitty-clack. My youngest son has grown up with a love of all things Polar Express because it had the added bonus of staring his favorite person: Santa! This year I was thrilled when CurrClick offered the lap book for free. I quickly snapped it up and printed it out to go through with G over the Christmas season. His favorite thing so far was from his favorite scene in the movie.

Yeah, we got it!

Here is the recipe to make your very own REAL Polar Express Hot Chocolate mix.

6 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 (5 ounce) package non-instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

In a large bowl, combine powdered milk, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate drink mix powder, creamer, confectioners' sugar, and cocoa. Divide the mixture between two 1 quart jars. Seal, and decorate as desired. These can be stored in a dry area for up to 3 months.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:
Hot Cocoa: Dissolve 1/3 cup cocoa mix in one cup boiling water.

Warning - this makes a LOT of hot chocolate mix, but at 1/3 cup per serving it goes fast! We actually made one batch and saved the rest of the ingredients for another batch later - likely next week at this rate!

Looking like Christmas Inside and Out

 This is our Jesse Tree. We love the free Advent book we've been working through from A Holy Experience.

 Ignore the junk on the counter and table. I'm getting ready for a party and things are in a bit of disarray.

New Ornaments

We have several new ornaments this year. For the past few years we have been picking out ornaments when we travel instead of the junk we used to come home with. Not only is it more practical to carry home only an ornament from vacation, but it makes putting up the tree mean that much more to everyone. Here are the new comers:

 This one is from my Mom. She gave it to me for Christmas last year as a remembrance of my trip to London. Since it is the first year I get to display it, it's up here.

 We took a family trip to Chattanooga with my Sister in Law, her two boys, my in-laws and husband's aunt and girls. The highlight of the trip was the Tennessee Aquarium. 

 The boys and I go on field trips all the time, but one in particular stood out for this year; SIFAT. This ornament was hand made overseas and the proceeds go into the SIFAT program.

 This one is Griffin's pick for this year. He found this one early in the season and HAD to have it. I have more trains on my tree than anyone I know...

 Constance made these adorable spoon snowmen for each family in NACHO (our homschool support group). Isn't it cute?

 Griffin's hand ornament that he made last Christmas.

 This is the ornament I pick up IN London at the Tower. Again it is the first time it's been in the tree and I LOVE it.

 Carson's hand print ornament from last year... his hand was almost an inch longer!

 This was the trip I had a hard time finding an ornament to buy. DC is such a mecca of travelers you would think that in July they would have had more ornaments, but no. I couldn't find one I liked, so Lou picked this one.

The one trip I didn't get an ornament for was the trip we just took to the beach. I really wanted something "beachy", but all I could find after a full day of shopping was a goldfish or a hounds-tooth ball with monogram. Sheesh. I think I was at the wrong shopping center. I am thinking that I will print this picture of the Man-o-Wars on the beach and put it in a frame ornament. Unless anyone can find a Man-o-War ornament. LOL!

A Finely Dressed Christmas Tree

I would love to say that I have one of those Christmas trees. You know, the ones with the beautiful color scheme:

the one with the great theme:

or the just plain pretty one:

Mine falls squarely in the homey and traditional category with lots of children's ornaments and helpers that put them up. 

I'm just thankful that it is finally up!

Ugh, Christmas Tree

Ever have one of those days? We've been having one after the other around here. The last few days of illness free days have freed us up to do things like catch up on school, clean up the house and decorating for Christmas. But even that hasn't gone off without a hitch!

Friday's Skate Day

Ever seen over one hundred homeschoolers in one place? Ever meet every one of them by name? We did! LOL! The December Skate Day was loads of fun.

Saturday afternoon date to See Deathly Hallows followed by some of the prettiest skies I've seen in months.

 Sunday evening aggravation; the "Pre-Lit" tree.

 Monday patch up. Three strands of lights later it looks right again.

Ugh, stupid Christmas tree! Now to decorate it!

A Beachy Thanksgiving

Beach bum weather for two days of swimming fun, cold wind and stomach bug for two... but still SO much fun and totally worth it!

Tiny Man O' War

My Dad

Large Man O' War

Building a Highway

Thanksgiving Lunch

The boys hanging out upstairs in the "kids lounge".

Many thanks to Uncle Randy and Aunt Kim for hosting us this weekend. We loved being with you all for the holiday!

And the Band Played On...

Pictures from the boys' first band recital. They were REALLY nervous, but played Jingle Bells and Aura Lee without a hitch or squawk.

Griffin was REALLY wiggly. Poor Lou.

Carson's Clarinet

Austin's Trumpet was harder to see

G is SO excited about starting in two years. He wants a sax like Daddy.

Great job guys!