It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

In the lead up to Christmas the kids did lots of different activities. We started our Christmas tree countdowns. Even though we weren't going to be able to finish them because of heading to Hervey Bay, we decided that we would still start and the kids were enthusiastic about doing it which was lovely.

Alexander putting on his decoration

Eliza putting on her decoration

Daniel putting on his decoration

We also started doing our Christmas book countdown too which was fun to open each book and read them. It also provided us with an activity during the 2 weeks after Daniel's operation.

Day 1 Christmas book count down

The kids even had Nana and Poppy join in one day.

And we started our Christmas nativity as well. I still love this ornament from our New Zealand holiday.

Daniel doing day 1

Alexander's first time doing the nativity on Day 3

Daniel decided that he wanted to write Christmas cards for his preschool class mates. This was a bit of a tedious task but he was keen to do it so I was happy to help (although his motivation started to lack part way though). I'm proud of him though for pushing through to the end. I'm sure his friends all liked getting a card from people.

For the last Mainly Music the kids did a little performance for the Tuesday congregation. They sang a couple of songs. It was lovely to have Daniel come along for this week as he was still recovering from his tonsil operation and he picked up the songs and actions really well. He was so good with Alexander too and I'm sure really helped Alexander be ok on stage.

The wise men told that a King is born

Ready to sing

We had our yearly Gingerbread house making night at church with the addition of wreaths. It was another fun night and some fantastic creations!

Our houses

The 2 wreaths

Here is my house.

The fire brigade did their annual Santa run which the kids were very excited to see and really enjoyed the lollies that Santa and his helpers threw out to us.

Here they come

Hi Santa

Poor Alexander didn't cope with the loud sirens

Watching them go back down our street

 Our church put on Carols in the park again this year. James' band, Ministry of Rock, were openning the event. The kids have been desperate to go and watch his band play so I decided to take them and to stay for some of the carols. It was a very fun night. I'm glad that Mum and Dad decided to come so there were some extra hands too.

It was an effort to get there - 2 in the pram, 1 on my back

The kids loved dancing to the music! Alexander was especially into it.

It was a lovely night!

The kids having fun dancing to Ministry of Rock

Lemon anyone?

Telling Nana about the songs

With Nana and Poppy

Dancing with Nana

Dancing during the kids song - Aussie Jingle Bells

More dancing with Nana

We walked home from the Carols via some Christmas lights. This was the first year that the kids had seen the lights up close and they loved them! We will definitely need to go and see more lights next year I think!

It was definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas.