Sam's 8th Birthday

Picture of Sam eating his birthday donuts with his class before they got out for the holiday break. 

Our Christmas Eve baby boy turned 8 this year. His three gifts were: bracelet loom making kit that he had been wanting since this summer, a Big Boots set - also something he had been wanting and a lego city set.

He had the best birthday. Sometimes it is hard for Sam to express his happiness with gifts. He usually has something in his head and when it is different - it confuses him. But not this year. He got everything he wanted.

Sam and Liam Whittington hugging after Christmas Eve Mass. 

Christmas Eve

I love that our family's Christmas Eve is a tradition. Abby even told me this year that Christmas Eve is one her favorites because our tradition is so fun.

My parents get into town on Dec 23rd. So they are here for Sam's birthday fun. Then they help the boys with a graham cookie Christmas house. This year the house was already put together - so they just had to decorate it.

We still get ready for red, beans and rice. This year Owen took that over. The house smells good. The kids are happy. And making memories with their grandparents.

Then we go to mass at 4:00 pm. Owen's family joins us. This year it was just his mom. Then his parents come over for dinner.

It is probably one of my favorite day of the year.

Christmas Mouse - Sam's invention

This year Sam asked alot about an Elf on a Shelf. It is a fad that started when Andrew was born. Or maybe that is just when I realized there is an Elf that comes to your house. He watches you and reports to Santa when you have been good. If you have been good the Elf is in a different spot in the house to show that he left to go to the North Pole and came back to visit your house.

The Elf has not come to our house. For whatever reason - probably because that is not a family tradition of Owen's or mine. We didn't have that growing up and did not invite or introduce it to our children.

For years, this has not been an issue. Except this year. Sam really wanted to get one.

So instead he created the Christmas mouse. I think his name was Tawny. Here are a few pictures of Tawny the mouse moving around our house.

Friend Birthday Party for Andrew

One last celebration for Andrew. We invited our neighborhood friends over for football and birthday fun. Andrew wanted Owen to make a banana chocolate dessert on a fire. He learned about this from a cub scout camp out.

We had not had friends over in a while, so it was fun to hang out at the house and celebrate our oldest son.

Andrew is 10

Andrew's birthday was full of celebration. He received three gifts for turning 10.
1.  A dream catcher with a dream journal
2. The harry potter train lego set (he has wanted this for months)
3. Madden 20 PS4 game - (another item he wanted)

He had birthday donuts that morning with really big balloons. Owen and I had a time blowing up those balloons.

Then he had a school donut party that afternoon. Sam's teacher let him stay behind and celebrate with Andrew and his class.

Andrew picked Cinco De Mayo for dinner - his favorite Mexican restaurant. After dinner we went to 32 degree yogurt and had dessert.

Super fun day for a super fun kid.

Birthday Party at the Pelicans

For Andrew's double digit birthday - TEN!! he decided to a smaller party. He invited 3 of his friends from school and we took the 5 kids (including Sam and Andrew) to the Pelicans game in New Orleans. It was so much fun. The kids were good and they even got on the jumbo tron. I got the 5 boys matching Pelicans shirts (their party favor). It was a neat way to have a birthday party and I think Andrew felt very special and loved - because he is so loved and is so special.

Andrew invited Kaden Grisset, Satchel Mercier and Andrew Brock. the Pelicans lost - but it was fun anyways.

Andrew's First Time to Alter Serve - Nov 2019

Andrew had his turn to be an alter server during a school mass in November. I also was asked to read for Sam's class on the same day. It was a sweet day. I sat with Sam's class - on the front row - and watched my baby boy alter serve. It is a precious moment for me.

He did so great for it to be his first time ever.