A Snow White Christmas

"A Snow White Christmas" is the name of the play that I took the boys to a couple days before our real snow white Christmas! There is a Children's Theater not far from our house that I have wanted to go to for some time. I haven't gone because of Ben's age, but decided he was finally old enough, and the tickets are only $5 each, so if I had to leave, I wouldn't be out too much.
Thankfully he did great and the 3 of us had a great day! We started with a big yummy breakfast at IHOP! The play was at noon, which is when the boys and I usually eat lunch, so I decided a big breakfast would be best!

At IHOP! These guys can be picky eaters from time to time, but these will always eat PANCAKES!

In our seats! So excited!



I brought Ben's portable booster chair that I can strap him into! It worked beautifully!

It was a cute production! It is all children (or at least 16 and under). The seats surround the stage, kind of like how Casa Manana used to be.

The "elf's" (not dwarf's) I guess because of copy right issues. They were cute! My boys thought they were so funny!

J and B were so good. I didn't have a single issue. They stayed glued to the show! (I love their profiles)

Yay! Prince Charming has come to rescue her!

And Santa makes an appearance!

Back at home, we cuddled and rested after a long day of fun!

Santa's New Ride

The week before Christmas I found out that Santa arrives at each Elementary school in the HEB area via HELICOPTER! Anyone can come and watch his arrival! So I found out that Santa would be coming to J's future elementary school on Tues at 11, and we were there with bells on! (Bell Helicopter's headquarters is located in Hurst, so I believe that has something to do with it!)

Here is my little 2 minute video of him arriving! So cool!

 

He was so excited to see Santa again!

 

With Santa's Helper!

Ben wanted out of his stroller so bad!!!

J really wanted Rudolph to wave at him!

So I encouraged him to get closer, but Rudolph still didn't see him. He was bummed!

But thankfully Frosty came around and took a picture with the boys!

Ben was very curious.

Santa getting strapped in and ready to leave!

Bye-Bye Santa!!!!

I found this funny, we just watched the movie "Prep and Landing" - a new-ish Christmas cartoon. And these guys are the real Prep and Landing team! Plus check out the new passenger bridge!

Bye-Bye Santa!
It's hard to believe that Jonathan will actually be attending this school next year...NOOOOOO!!!!

  

Shoe Boxes for Kids

Now I am going to rewind a few weeks, because there were a few cool things that we did that I didn't get a chance to post!

Starting with the Shoe Boxes for Kids Ministry that our church does. Every Christmas they collect shoe boxes of pre-filled goodies for local under privileged children. They then take the boxes to the Hurst Police Department and the Police distribute the boxes to the children on Christmas Morning. They ask you to put toys, hygiene items, coloring books, books, anything that that you think a child might need and want.

I thought it sounded pretty neat, so about a month ago the boys and I went to Walgreen's with our shoe boxes and had fun picking out items for both a boy and a girl. We took it home, wrapped it up and the next time we were up at church, the boys helped put them under the tree. They were very proud of their shoe boxes!

A week before Christmas, our Children's Minister at church posted on Facebook that she needed help taking the boxes from church and delivering them to the Police Department! So I jumped at the chance! I knew Jonathan would love going up to the Police Department! PLUS - I am really trying to teach the boys that Christmas is not just about receiving presents! It is about giving to others too! We had lots of fun and I hope this is a new tradition!

My little Elf helper! We got the van loaded up! It doesn't seem like much, but there were 90 boxes!

Jonathan heading up to the front with Holly (the Children's Minister) and the Police Officer!

Little Elf #2 doing his part!

I was so proud of Jonathan, he was really helpful! We didn't have to ask him to do anything, he would just do it. He ran ahead of them and opened the door! He is becoming such a sweet little gentleman!

I let Ben out of the stroller and he went right to work!

He was so happy!

They posted this picture on our church site!

I did help, by the way...I unloaded almost all of the first dolly and then I put the camera down and helped put the rest of this load! ;-)

The room where we dropped the gifts was also a Combat Training room. The top left to can see what looks like a camera. It is actually a gun that shoots Styrofoam balls. When the Police Officer first told us about it, Jonathan was very uneasy, so we asked him what was wrong and he said, "I don't want to get shot!" So once the Officer promised that the gun was turned off, J finally relaxed. The boys loved running up and down this foam mat!

The nice Officer let the boys take a ride on the dolly!

A fun, fun experience!

Snow Day!

We had a White Christmas 2012! And thankfully the day after it was still on the ground, so 12/26/12 we played and played and played in the snow, until there wasn't anymore snow in our backyard because we walked every square inch of it!

 

 

Ben's face just cracked me up! He insisted on bringing out his new Bus the Anna Marie and Brian had just given him the day before. His disappointment was obvious that there was still white cold stuff on the ground! But thankfully he soon got over it and he was that last one in the house kicking and screaming hours later!

Saying "Hi" and showing his snowy hand!

Panoramic of the Backyard!!! It kind of distorts it, but you can see everything! Michael and J are making snow balls and Ben is heading to the porch to play with his Bus!

Jonathan in mid motion about to nail Michael with a snow ball. He doesn't grasp the concept of a "cheap shot" just yet! ;-) 

Another mid air snow ball! Michael is unaffected as he builds our pint sized Snowman!  

Ben is ready to join in on the fun!

Little bitty Snowman!

I will take credit for our poorly decorated Snowman. I got chocolate chips for his eyes and nose, but they kept falling out. Pine needles are everywhere back there, so that is what I used!

Okay, bad idea to slide in the snow. Michael's face is priceless! To our defense, Ben was insistent that he slide!

Ben cried for 30 seconds and then he was fine, as usual!

The see-saw was much better!

Yay daddy!!!

JJ is having so much fun too!!

Yet another snow ball!

I love his reaction!

Boom! Pay back baby!

Poor Benny had a face plant in the snow. Once again, he cried for a few seconds and then ran away! He is a very resilient child! (sorry about the snot bubble, I thought it was a cute picture despite it!)

My sweet snow angel!

Buddies! They marched all of the yard. J with his stick and Ben following close behind! They would stop at this cement slab and dance, then keep marching! It was lots and lots of fun!