This year we started the Elf on the Shelf. Even though Mason doesn't understand the point behind it (that he is watching and reporting behavior to Santa) he absolutely loves looking for him everyday. Matthew named the elf, Roger. It wasn't my favorite and I haven't written down in the book yet (I'm going to wait to see if Mason names it something better next year), but it is pretty cute every morning when Mason wakes up calling out for Roger! He goes up and talks to him throughout the day and tells him goodbye and night night.
Opening up "Roger" and reading the story
One of the places Roger has been.
We also have this advent calender that I put Hershey's kisses in. He knows after dinner each night he gets his candy and loves to look for the correct number. Next year, I am also going to put a little activity in each box for us to do as a family.
If you know Matthew's mom, you know that she loves Christmas more than anyone! She is the only mom of adult children that I know of that still does Santa, and I love that! (Sadly, this is my first year not to have Santa come for me. She sends us all to bed early and stays up late making sure everything is just right. Last year, Matthew was a first time "elf" and helped her, but I thought I needed one more year for Santa to come for me! ha!) Anyways, every year since we have been married she gets me a Christmas book and some sort of Christmas decoration. It is always my favorite gift!
The first Christmas book I received
The basket of books she has given me. I love pulling this out of the attic each year.
This has to be my favorite Christmas decoration she has given me. She and Caroline went to Guatemala one summer and she found this hand-made clay nativity scene. She wrapped up each piece and carried it on the plane and luckily none of them broke! I keep this in my closet during the year because I can't stand the thought of something happening to it in the attic.
Another thing that I am so glad I started was getting a Christmas ornament from every place Matthew and I have been back from us dating until now. I also get special "firsts" and now I have started getting Mason Hallmark ornaments each year and try to find something that describes what he liked throughout the year. (this year it was Mickey and Buzz) This year we went to San Diego and to all the places in Europe so I got to add those to the tree. I love pulling out ornaments each year and being reminded of all the fun places we have been. Here a few new ones from this year:
Mason's first plane ride to San Diego
Our trip to San Diego in May
Our cruise ship. I also got one from each city visited.
I really love this Santa praying over a sleeping child. I have it next to the pictures of Mason with Santa. I can't wait until this cabinet fills up with pictures of all of our kids and Santa!
We have a few other traditions that we do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that I am so excited about. I will blog about them as we do them! Only a few more days and Matthew's family will be here to celebrate and then the next weekend my family is coming in. Should be a great holiday!
Great seeing you the other day in Sunday School! I hope you had wonderful Christmas!
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