Bits of Cheer {Week #2}

First of all, can the merriest of months please SLOW DOWN!!! I feel that the month of December is just flying by and it makes me a little sad! I have moments of being torn because I am ready for next week to come and go because I will be on holiday for 2 weeks but then Christmas will also be coming and going and it makes me a little depressed to think about. So, I plan to soak up every single minute of every day (whether at work or home) and enjoy all of the magic and bliss this season brings! 

Now on to a few "Bits of Cheer" from this past week!

-ONE-

We have a nativity especially for littles. It is exciting to bring it out for Levi every year because it is like having a brand new toy. J and I spend time telling him the true reason that we celebrate Christmas and reading the Christmas story to him. He does understand that the baby Baby Jesus and that we are celebrating his birthday. We have not quite mastered the names of Mary and Joseph but do know that they are Jesus' mommy and daddy. In our storytelling and conversations, we have told him that Baby Jesus did not have a bed and so he had to sleep in a manger with hay. He refuses to call it a manger and consistently refers to the manger as a "stoo" (stool). I love watching his sweet little mind process everything around him and make connections to vocabulary that he knows. Such a precious little one...I love him so!

He also holds Baby Jesus very carefully and often asks me if I want to pet him. Bless his sweet little heart!

-TWO-

After over a week of work, our Christmas decorations are finally completely finished and the boxes have been tucked away until after the season. I am SO glad that this is done and my living room is no longer a storage unit for large tubs of decor. It was making me CrAzY!!! We are enjoying them and Levi's favorites are "all the toys (ornaments)" on the tree and the loud, obnoxious train that circles the foot of the tree. 

-THREE-

Saturday we took Levi to see Santa. We were not quite sure how he would respond to the jolly old elf. Last year's visit included kicking, screaming, and flailing to get away. This year proved to be quite different and I must say that J and I were in complete shock. I mean...how stinking precious is this picture?!? I die!

-FOUR-

While our precious Brady has not made his grand entrance, we are including him in all of our Christmas giving this year! So this week his sweet little stocking came and has joined the rest of the stockings hanging by the chimney with care. I'm sure that Santa will be sure to fill his stocking too!

-FIVE-

JiNgLe has been showing up in some crazy places after his nightly adventures at the North Pole. Friday night he brought a fun Christmas cookie baking set. Levi has had so much fun cutting, baking, and sharing these cookies. I love that Levi is understanding JiNgLe more this year and wakes up anxious to find him every morning. We cannot wait to see what else our silly elf has up under his hat. 

We tried to get Levi to help bake real cookies but he only wanted to bake the pretend ones. I'm sure when the frosting and sprinkles come out he will be a little more excited! 

I am excited to see what other "Bits of Cheer" show up in our home this week! We have a busy week with lots of events so I am sure there will be lots of fun to share!