Christmas Fun and Happy New Year!

We had a very blessed Christmas and enjoyed seeing lots of family over the holiday weekend. The kids were more than blessed with lots of opening to do and enjoyed every minute. Elizabeth even got the hang of it and cried "open open" as she delighted in seeing the new things.

Santa was very good to both kids. The highlights included a new baby with a horse stroller for E and Stinky the Garbage Truck and a new dog (stuffed, of course) for Ben.

We have enjoyed some time off from work and school this week and made our annual trip to see the lights at Rhema. The picture is awful, but shows you that Ben was pretty much a blur the whole time dashing from one display to the next. We all enjoyed the light tunnel several times and look forward to going again next year.

Briefly pausing by the fountain for a picture

It may seem early to be posting this, but we have rung in the New Year McCullough style. The kids enjoyed watching Toy Story 3, eating Spaghetti-o's and playing some Wii games. Then at the stroke of 6pm we popped bubble wrap (thanks to Grandma Lyn and Grandpa David for those supplies!), wore fancy hats and shouted Happy New Year! The realistic element was added courtesy of CNN with shots of London and Moscow and their celebrations. Ben knew the routine pretty well, but even Elizabeth got into it and shouted "Appy Newear!" to all of us.

E's Christmas Party

Just before Christmas Elizabeth's class had their Christmas party. The kids were assigned a "secret Santa" for a gift exchange. Elizabeth got a little boy that we shopped for. Ben directed the shopping and we got a toy boat with blocks. Elizabeth's name was drawn by one of the little girls in class who must have similar tastes with Elizabeth. The gift was a baby doll complete with pacifier, bottle and teether - it couldn't have been more perfect! The kids also ate a festive snack and did a Christmas tree craft. It was a fun afternoon on the last day of school before Christmas break!

Eating yummy snack

E opening her new baby

The recipient of the boat

Christmas School Party and Program

Ben’s class party was Thursday. He enjoyed lots of treats and got to bring a gift to share with the class. The next day was the all school program. Ben’s class sang “Everyone Clap Hands for Santa Claus”. It is a “rock and roll” song and the kids had tie-dyed t-shirts and got to rock out. Ben even did parts of the song in a low Elvis type voice when he practiced. They knew that one of the staff members was going to dress up as Santa and come out during their performance. Even though they were prepared,

they all stopped singing and moving and just stared with open mouths at Santa when he came out. Ben was so excited to ask me about it later and is still wondering if it was Mr. Jeremy or the real Santa.

Elizabeth’s class sang Jingle Bells. All week during rehearsal time she wouldn’t even go on the stage and had to be held. Miraculously the large crowd must have scared her into doing anything her teachers asked. She sat on stage politely (with pacifier) and even shook her bells now and then. She had a special shirt with bells on it that she was pretty proud of and will probably wear more this week to show off to other friends and family.