Christmas time is here

I am starting with Christmas morning then rewinding since I was super behind once again. Our morning started at 5:00! I was expecting the kids to be up early, but 5:00. seriously?
After seeing all of the fun toys that Santa left, we opened presents before eating breakfast and heading off to church. The boys loved their guitar and drums from Papa Don and Grandma Tonya.

Claire is modeling her princess crown and high heels.

The boys like to rip through all the presents taking little time in between opening each new package. Claire would open a gift and want us to take it out of the box right then. She would play with it for a while before she was even willing to open another one. When we opened presents at my mom's later in the day she opened a play picnic basket set first. Papa Fred tried to get her to open a gift from him, and she kept telling him no that she liked this one. She didn't open another gift for about 10 minutes!

Claire on her Disney princess bike from Santa.

Mommy and Claire making cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Claire was not very happy about having to sit in Santa's lap. The boys love visiting Santa!

playing at the mall

Another big event this month was the sudden transition to the big girl bed. Claire started crib jumping both in and out, and we were afraid that she was going to get hurt. She loves her big girl bed, and doesn't even get out of it until I come get her in the morning which I find odd. Doug took the crib down for the final time, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't shed a few tears. The final removal of the crib marks the end of an era for the family, and that is always going to be emotional. It is a little sad, but that doesn't mean I want to go back to baby days. Even though I will miss them at times, I am looking forward to the next stage for our family.
Another unexpected event of the month was me being on the ballot for teacher of the year at my school. Julie Cramer, an outstanding and well deserving kindergarten teacher was elected. It was such a blessing and honor to me just to be nominated. To know that there are colleagues in my building who define me as a teacher that goes above and beyond. As an outstanding teacher. It did my heart more good, and blessed me more than they will ever even know.

Mrs. Erickson played flute for us; me; and Mr. Nick our accompanist

December is a time of many concert opportunities for most musicians, and we had several very fun seasonal performances. The GRE Gator choir gave 2 very nice holiday performances. I love the choir at my school. They are such great kids, and most of them try so very hard. As a teacher there are many moments you will never forget with your students, and one for me came this December. After teaching my 4th grade a lesson on Baroque music, what is a harpsichord, oratorio, Handel, SATB, etc. we followed a listening map to Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah. I do mention that Messiah is another name for Jesus, but that is as "relegious" as I get. One of my students raised their hand at the completion of the piece to make this comment: Mrs Seale, Jesus must have been a very special person for someone to write a song about him that sounds like that.

My boys sang in the TCOC Children's choir that I had the privilege of leading this year. I had so much fun getting to know the children of our church. I should be getting more awesome pics of a TCOC Christmas from the photographer soon. They looked so handsome in their ties!
Ethan and I both played in our first piano recital this December as well. Ethan did an awesome job, and I did pretty alright. One New Year's resolution I am making for both of us is to practice more diligently. The ironic thing is I don't mind practicing now. In fact, I enjoy it. The problem is the lack of time! I wish I could talk to that younger me that wasted so much time.
Davin performed in the Christmas program at CCDC, and it was so cute. Some of the kids laughed, some cried, some shouted, some didn't move their mouth one bit. You never know what a kid is going to do on stage.

Claire helped Grandma put bows on presents while Davin was at school.

I am thankful for this very busy Christmas time. I am thankful we have this beautiful time of year to celebrate the birth that forever changed our destiny. I am also thankful that it has come and gone this year, but will be anxiously awaiting it's return next year :) This Mom is ready for a calmer schedule if only for a moment.