Third Graders see The Tale of Desperaux

December 20, 2008. Clayton's third grade teacher, Ms. Hoke, took their class to go see The Tale of Desperaux. They read the book about 2 weeks ago, so they knew all about the story line! Kevin, me, Papa Mac, Nicholas, and Kaylee tagged along to see it also. It was a cute movie and turned out to be a little different from the book. We gave it two thumbs up.

Zoolight Safari at Birmingham Zoo 12.23.08

We took Papa Mac to the Birmingham Zoo to see the Zoolight Safari. The Zoo puts up over half a million lights and lots of Winter/Christmas stuff. It was beautiful to see all the lights shining bright in the night! They even make it "snow" as you come in - so cool!

Visit From Papa Mac

Papa Mac came in from New York City, NY to spend a few days with us. We took him to eat at all our local favorites including the famous Irondale Cafe (home of the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes). We saw a local performance of the Nutcracker, where the kids of some friends of ours played some parts (Abbey and Jackson Macklin). Then we took him to the most visited place in Birmingham - Vulcan Park - to see the well known Vulcan statue. Atop of the Vulcan, you can see all of Birmingham. There is a museum inside the park that walks you throughout the history of Birmingham as well. The kids had so much fun with Papa Mac, especially when he agreed to play endless hours of football with them in the backyard! We will miss you Papa Mac.

Another Surprise Package!

Wow, this was our second surprise Christmas package in one day! This one was from Uncle Matt in New York. He sent us a fabulous set of four canvases for the kids to paint their hand prints on from Red Envelope (one of my favorite stores)- what a perfect gift! We love it and can't wait to paint on them! Thank you Uncle Matt!

A Surprise Christmas Package!

What a surprise we found on our front doorstep today! A huge box full of Christmas presents for the kids from Granny GG and Grampy Mike. Clayton and Nicholas could hardly contain themselves when they unwrapped their Pokemon cards, Legoland Gift cards, and the Nerf Strike set. Kaylee practically jumped off the floor when she saw she got her very own Tinkerbell sleeping bag (she is sleeping in it tonight by the way)! She also adores her new ice skater bear that sings "Let it Snow" and her new Jammies that have her name monogrammed on them with matching slippers. Thank you Granny GG and Grampy Mike and have a Merry Christmas!

Clayton and Nicholas' School Holiday Parties

December 19, 2008. Clayton and Nicholas had their last day of school today before Winter Break. They had parties with pizza, tons of sugar foods, games, and gifts. Aren't those cupcakes so cute? Someone from Clayton's class made them.

Nicholas Singing in BWF's Holiday Program

This is Nicholas singing a Christmas song with all the 1st graders of BWF. He is right behind the kid in the green and white striped shirt. I did not video Clayton because he went first in the program and I thought he would be singing more than 3 songs, but by time I realized he was only singing 3, they were already onto the last song and it was a Jewish Hanukkah song. I did not want to video him singing a Jewish song. I did get a picture of him though.

Clayton & Nicholas' School Holiday Program 12.18.08

3rd Graders singing (Clayton)

Clayton is 2nd row from the top - to the right of the microphone.

1st Graders singing (Nicholas)

Nicholas is behind and to the left of the kid in the green and white stripes.

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Clayton and Nicholas sang in their school's Holiday Program today. The area we live in has a big Christian influence and ironically, a big Jewish influence as well. So, the Holiday Program incorporates both into it's program - the kids sing a song about Jesus, a Hanukkah song, and a Christmas song. The boys did a wonderful job, and at least this year, the kids did not come home asking if we were Jewish :)

Work Christmas Brunch 12.17.08

The Preschool I have been working at for the last 2 years, Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, had a Christmas Brunch for us to celebrate the season. Also, throughout the month of December, we did something called secret santa. We drew names and then bought small gifts for that person and then revealed who we were at the brunch. My secret santa was Christy (pictured above), and the person I bought for was unable to make it to the brunch. It was a nice get together. I will no longer be working there, so it was nice to see everyone one last time.

Video of Kaylee's Preschool Christmas Pageant

Here is a brief clip of Kaylee as an angel singing in her Preschool Christmas Pageant. Enjoy!