The End of Christmas

As I hope to finally vacuum the final pine needles from the carpet, I thought I would share some of my favorite Christmas pictures - that didn't actually make the Christmas post. My Sweet girl in another of her super cute Christmas dresses.

I had been told that girls actually have opinions about the clothes they wear. While I'll admit we re still early on in the process, I have to admit I think it is pretty cute when she insists on wearing her "birdhouse dress" day after day. Now, her brother also picked out his outfit.

Right down to the tie. Nope - no special occasion. He just came down dressed this way for a stay-at-home day. (Outfit was completed with his purple spider socks - sorry that can't be seen in the picture.) And he was soooo pleased with himself and his outfit choice also. Next up? I guess my boys were hinting that they needed some better seating options.

(Notice their backs were towards the turned-off TV. I have no idea what they were doing in their chairs.) Perhaps they were hoping to get them for Christmas? Sorry, boys. We didn't get the hint... The kids got a movie gift from the Potts family that included a movie for each, a popcorn bowl, and some popcorn. They could not wait to break them all out.

Because we had nothing going on the net day, we offered to let Noah sleep on the fold-out couch. He lives for this. Here were my two favorite Christmas gifts.

Noah's ornament had this poem on the back: "Sometimes you get discouraged, Because I am so small, And always leave my fingerprints, On furniture and walls. But everyday I am growing up, And soon I'll be so tall, Then all these little fingerprints, Will be gone from all the walls. But here's a final handprint, For you always to recall, Those many little fingers, You washed from door and wall." Isn't that beautiful? I do not deny that it breaks my heart when I think of him growing up. I will cherish this ornament for.ever. And am seriously considering getting it out of the Christmas box and finding it a permanent location in my house. (If I can convince him that is acceptable, that is.) Benjamin actually gave us an ornament also which was very pretty but it was just an angel - ceramic, painted white with glitter. There was no real personalization, but it did come with this sweet angel that he colored himself.

Can you read the poem on this one? "You may not see my wings, Or how my halo glows, But I am surely heaven-sent, From my head down to my toes." Is that not the sweetest child poem? And what a great reminder - even when you are pulling your hair out, they are truly little gifts straight from God. And last but not least, our mantle.

I love a good tree but I love, love, love this mantle. When Christopher bought this house, it was our favorite part. And I didn't even imagine what it would look like with our family's stockings and a roaring fire. Of course, the stockings play a big part in that (thanks, Cam) but it is really the whole package that I love. It was kind of sad as we [literally] dismantled it thinking that this could very well be our last Christmas with this pretty fireplace. But, don't worry, we won't let that deter us... And I should mention in closing, we are the last house on the street with Christmas lights. We. just. can't. let. it. go...