Advent

We are waiting...and enjoying the holiday season as we wait.  Ms. Trena gave us a Jacquie Lawson Advent calendar that we installed on the computer, and the kids eagerly await when I let them click on their ornament for the day.  Seth's class went on a field trip to the Children's Theatre Friday to see A Christmas Carol.  They rode the school bus all the way into town.  It was Seth's first time on a bus.  Agh!  (He did fine.  Mommy, on the other hand, was a huge worrywart all day.  First time on the bus and on the interstate to boot!)  Friday afternoon, we bought our Christmas tree.  This picture was a misfire, but I think it turned out kind of neat.

I hadn't planned on bringing my camera, but Seth asked me to, so I could take their pictures in front of all the inflatables:

Here is the finished product.  We have upgraded to LED lights on the tree.  I am actually going to recycle our old lights as soon as I finish this post.  Nathan added garland to the mantle this year.  If you look very closely, you can see Cricket, our elf, in front of one of the houses:

Seth made this bell at school.  Each night he is to tear off a ring, and when he reaches the top, it will be Christmas Eve!

I haven't started cards, or baking, but I have made a good dent in the shopping!  :)