A Holly Jolly Weekend

Birthday Kids, a photo by Justin and Kelly Webb on Flickr.

The weekend before Christmas will always be the start of a week of birthday celebrations and holiday festivities. They will most likely always look very similar to the fun weekend we all just had:

Saturday Sam had his birthday party! 17 kids in a big gym at our YMCA...the Y actually did a great job and the kids were unbelievably well behaved. They all had a blast and played hard...so hard, that during ice cream & cake the room was silent. Phew. Sam felt so special with so many friends around and Izzy & Caleb had a great time as well.

After the big party, we headed to Santa Land. Izzy still won't sit on Santa's lap, but she does have plenty of questions for him and talks ALOT...but always stays an arm's length away from him. Sam told him that he has been good and that he wanted Star Wars things and Caleb again said he wanted Pokemon stuff and his two front teeth (but still only 1 tooth missing - ha). After Santa, we headed to one of our favorite restaurants for an early dinner and then back home to play with Sam's new toys! Great day!!

Sunday, my family came over to celebrate Izzy & Sam's birthday. We were missing Casey (at the Packer game) & Brayden, but the rest were here to eat, play & watch the Packer game. I made tacos & chicken enchiladas and my mom brought the cute (and yummy) cake. Kids opened some fun presents that they have already spent lots of time playing with.

This evening we went to school for a preschool gingerbread house making event. It was fun to see Caleb helping Izzy with a project and I always love seeing Izzy really getting into and actually able to do a project. I think she will be crafty (something I really am not).

Tomorrow Izzy & Sam have their Playschool Christmas Party in the morning and Caleb & Sam have their Christmas Program at school (Caleb actually has 2 performances, Sam just 1). I'm so looking forward to this! Wednesday is Sam's Birthday, Thursday is Izzy's Birthday and Friday Kay arrives (staying w/ my parents) and Justin's parents arrive at our place. And of course, Saturday is Christmas Eve! It's a crazy, joyful, exhausting, wonderful week.