like Christmas!

It seems like every five minutes right now Liam says, "It's Christmastime mama?" or "It's Christmastime!" See... for him right now Christmastime means we're heading to Florida to see Grandma and Grandpa, so he's extra super excited for it to be Christmastime! :) Slowly we've begun doing some things around the house to prepare.

I just love this time of year. I love seeing the kids grow more and more understanding of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I love hearing Braeden saying, "Christmas isn't about GETTING gifts, it's about Jesus and giving." (Even though I'm still pretty sure he'd be devastated were there nothing under the tree, but we're working on it!) :) I love seeing Olivia get excited about making her siblings' gifts this year. And I think it's hilarious that Liam keeps trying to talk himself into the fact that "Santa's a nice man mom. I sit on his lap." Yeah, we'll see if that happens buddy! I'm thinking not so much! :)

Since we do go to FL over our break, and since I LOVE LOVE LOVE real trees and my parents sadly don't do one any longer, I try to put one up at home before we go. Hopefully we'll be able to do that this weekend. I had hoped for last weekend, but no one had them out yet. So instead, we got out a set of Christmas ornaments that the kids are working on making for friends and family (cat's out of the bag!). :)

The boys had a blast! Olivia was busy with the dreaded homework, but we still have many more to make so she'll get a chance this weekend.

My favorite part was one I hadn't even anticipated. Liam had a hard time stringing the tiny beads and I was doing those for him at the beginning.

But by his second ornament, he was doing them ALL by himself! I was so extremely proud of him! That is a big accomplishment for my guy! :)

We had lots of fun and can't wait to attach them to teacher and family gifts!