Christmas Morning

Our sweet boy was up at five coughing and a little upset because we had turned off his milk jug snowman light(really didn't want a fire to start our Christmas...), so we put him in bed with us and he slept until 7:45. A much better time to begin Christmas morning according to Mommy and Daddy. :)

Before we got up, Camden asked if Santa had left presents and I told him we would have to go see. He loved all his presents! He got a Chase RescueBot, a Captain America figurine and a monster truck from Santa. Mommy and Daddy got him new "power shoes", a Captain America shirt, twow Little Heroes figures, a V-tech Innotab and lots of books(Scholastic bonus points are awesome!).

Cookies for Santa

Camden picked out 2 heart cookies that he and I had baked and decorated to leave for Santa.

He was so excited to see that Santa had eaten the cookies we left and drank all his milk!

The Real Reason

Todd and I believe strongly that Christmas should be about Jesus, not Santa and we are trying to stress that to Camden. He understands, as much as he can at his age, the real reason we celebrate Christmas and that Christmas is Jesus's birthday. I love this book Mom got for Camden while on vacation because it connects giving and getting presents to the true gift of salvation.

I am also thankful that his preschool puts the emphasis on Jesus, not Santa. So, while he did see Santa and will get presents from him, my hope is that he grows up understanding the true meaning of Christmas.
Here are some things I want to remember from this Christmas:

• I was reading Camden a Christmas book at bedtime and the book mentioned Bethlehem. He said to me, "Bethlehem is in our living room!" (He was talking about our nativity scene).
• He calls the sheperds -the heperds

Doesn't your nativity scene have Ironman and a Power Ranger?

• He also pointed to the angels in another Christmas book and said they bring good news! It warms my heart when I hear him repeat stuff he has heard Ms. Sue say at school. I love that he is in a Christian environment all day.
• He told me the other day that Rudolph is the line leader. (Being the line leader is a big deal when you are almost 4!)
• We were reading another book and he pointed at an angel and said, "That's Gabriel!". I said, "Yep, it sure is, buddy! Who taught you about Gabriel? " He said, "My church teachers."

Camden's tree and our Christmas books

Partyin' with Papa

I am trying to save my days for Baby #2 and asked Mom if she would go to Camden's Christmas party at preschool. She mentioned Dad was off work and that he might like to go-great idea, Mom!
Dad said he had 3 boys on his lap at one point, so I think he was a hit. Camden was very excited and I am glad he and Dad have such a close relationship. I asked Ms. Kim to sneak in and get a picture for me. Love her!

I loved seeing Dad's handwriting on the back of one of the craft centers they did.

Monkey see, Monkey do

Nick came down with Dad the other day to work on the cabinets and it was so sweet to watch him with Camden. He played with him and kept him entertained pretty well. It does drive Nick nuts that Camden copies everything he does, but Nick is very patient with him. I love that Camden is growing up with his cousins.

Prayers

 

As a elementary teacher and a mommy, last Friday's tragedy affected me deeply. We met as a staff this morning in a fellow teacher's classroom to pray for our school, our nation and the families affected by this sad event. I was blessed to see the number of teachers who came, even those who I am not sure are Christians, to pray. We also wore green and white to honor those 26 lives that were lost. I have many questions and no answers, but one thing I am confident of and that is this: 

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91

Wild Lights at the Zoo