As a finishing touch on their poetry unit, the kids in Savannah's 3rd grade class invited the parents to their Poetry Cafe. While we sipped on cocoa, each student recited a favorite poem he or she had written during the unit.
Savannah's poem was a list poem:
Friday Noah's preschool class celebrated the holiday season with a Christmas program and party. The children entertained us with several poems and songs, including Jingle Bells, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and, my personal favorite, I'm a Little Snowman.
Athough it wasn't much, the snow we received Thursday is our first snowfall of the season and boy, was Noah excited! I was upstairs getting ready when I heard him go out on the back deck. I found him playing out there minus a coat...I guess I should be grateful he at least had clothes on! And he had even put on some shoes!!!
Once we had him outfitted with a warm coat and some gloves, he was ready to spend some serious time out there, clearing the snow off the table and trying to engage Googie in a snowball fight. Googie was NOT pleased!
My friend Catherine did this on her blog and I thought it was a great idea! What fun it was to look back through our pictures and remember all the fun Christmases we have celebrated together as a family.
When there was only one...our little cutie Savannah in 2002, age 6 months.
Christmas, 2007...can you believe it? I could not find a single picture of Savannah in front of a Christmas tree! What a slacker mom I was that year.
Along came goofy little Xander - Christmas 2004, Savannah 2, Xander 2 months.
Christmas morning, 2005. At Grandma and Grandpa Schaeffer's house, waiting to go downstairs and see what Santa brought.
Christmas 2006
And then there were three...it was fun to look at this picture and remember what a chunk Noah was and that Xander couldn't keep his eyes open for a picture to save his life.
2008
And then last year...we headed to Cincinnati, hoping to have a wonderful Christmas despite David's layoff. The favorite waiting spot at the top of the stairs.
I encourage everyone to go check out your Christmases past and enjoy the memories!
With pencils (and crayons) in hand and a little cocoa to sip, the kids got busy writing letters to Santa Claus.
They all have some definite toys they've had their eyes on for several months. Noah wants the Joker's car...
Savannah wants the Monster High dolls...
and Xander is hoping for more Star Wars guys along with a Star Wars tank.
We dropped the letters off at the Santa mailbox at the local Macys and now we'll see what Santa thinks of their requests.
For the most part Savannah, Xander, and Noah have all been pretty good so there shouldn't be a problem with Santa delivering the goods. However, David and I have discovered over the years that we don't like that Santa gets all the credit for the really GOOD gifts each Christmas. This year we've asked Santa (without the kids' knowledge) to bring just a small gift for each of them and Mom and Dad will swoop in with the most desired presents. Sorry, Santa...this year my kids are going to love me a little bit more than you.
We spent a lovely Saturday evening at our church's annual Christmas party. We started in the chapel for a spiritual Christmas message and from there went on to some various activities. One of the highlights was the visit with Santa.
This year Savannah and her friend Kaia were Santa's helpers, handing out the candy canes and special gift to all the kids. What cute elves!
David and the boys spent some time in the craft room making some beautiful snowflakes.
Later in the evening Savannah and the other Activity Day girls sang Away in a Manger.
The family photo by the Christmas tree.
Last night Savannah participated in her very first piano recital and she did such a fabulous job! Here she is with two of her friends, Rebekah and Kaia, who also played in the recital.
I could tell that she was very nervous but who wouldn't be? I remember being scared out of my mind to play in front of a bunch of people.
Her first piece was Silent Night.
Savannah's second piece was Jolly Old St. Nicholas, a duet with her Christmas time piano teacher, Kamberlynne. One would think that I would have taken a picture while they were both playing but oh, well.
Each piano student received a Christmas ornament with their name and the piece they played on it. 
We are so proud of Savannah for the great job she did and the dedication she has shown in playing the piano.
It's 25 degrees outside? And...?
That's our Noah - he's our little minimalist! I think he would be a nudist if he had his way; as it is, I make him put SOME clothes on each day.
Although I am a history buff, I have never been a stickler for dates; I believe people should know the chronological order of historical events rather than specific dates. There are, however, a few dates that I think are important enough that every person should know them - December 7, 1941 is one of them.
The attack on Pearl Harbor will "live in infamy" and I think it is so important that we never forget what happened that day (and date) and the events that transpired as a result.
If you happen to see a WWII veteran today, please thank them for their service.
Ever since David almost sawed off a finger rather than a Christmas tree a few years back, we now head to the local Home Depot to get our tree. We are definitely a "real tree" family and we love the Douglass Fir. While David untangled the lights, 
the kids unpacked the ornaments...and that's when the trouble started. I often wonder if there will ever be a time when we can just get through a nice family event, like decorating the Christmas tree, for pete's sake, without a fight breaking out. Here is Noah, starting to melt...notice sweet Savannah in the background; the girl hardly ever causes a problem.
Who knew that a Nutcracker ornament could cause such problems?
Thank goodness it didn't last long and the boys were able to pull it together. Definitely a happier moment!
The lights are on and it's time to decorate!
It was Savannah's year to put the angel on the top of the tree.
My cute little tree-decorators.
