From Christmas lights...to little sheep (and lots of things in between!)

Well, it has been a fun week in our home! Clark was able to experience his first "drive around town looking at lights" night! We made a stop at a local park here in Dickinson for their Festival of Lights to start our evening off. It was wonderful, except for the fact that it was around 80 degrees...just didn't feel all that much like Christmas. We nixed our usual stop at Starbucks as we just couldn't bring ourselves to walk around drinking hot chocolate or coffee. Anyway, the kids loved it and we ended our visit with a stop off to see Santa...I mean Noah! Then, we headed around town in search of lights. Who knew we would find beautiful lights right in our own neighborhood. When we wound up back at home Clark just burst into tears as he just LOVED seeing all the lights. He said "no home, more lights."

Yesterday the church we are attending held something called "Bethlehem Village" for the children. It was the neatest thing and the kids had a great time. They made a little mock town in the children's building and had different "shops" that you visited. The children made a mosaic box, formed baby Jesus out of clay, made perfume necklaces, kneaded dough for bread, ground grain for the bread, made a little musical instrument, etc. It was a lot of fun. Yesterday we also made our gingerbread house. Clark thought that every time I handed him candy that it was for him to eat. I believe he about had his fill of sugar! It took me a minute to realize that his side of the house didn't have candy on it...and the fact that his mouth was full just gave it away. Ali did most of the hard work herself!

Today was the children's music at church. Ali hates standing in front of crowds...so she cried half way to church dreading it...and our son sat blissfully unaware (in his car seat) that he was about to wear a sheep hat for an hour in front of the whole church! Ha...gotta love it. So...there we were proud parents as our children march in with all the other children...in walks Ali...then Clark the sheep. They each take their places...all seems to be going well. Ali realizes it isn't all that bad standing in front...and Clark actually does the arm motions for the first song...ahhh, I breathe a sigh of relief. Then song 2..3..come along...so far so good. Then, that's it...he suddenly realizes it isn't all that much fun anymore...and we loose him. Yep...he looses total interest. The remainder of the time he could either be found turned completely around on the risers staring at the kids behind him...or playing with the little girl's dress beside him (she kept telling him to scoot over by the way!). Then while everyone else was standing (oh not our boy) he begins playing with the hem of the little girls dress...yes, same girl...and I take a deep breath HOPING he doesn't lift her dress up!!! Shew....he doesn't and they finish the musical. However, the funniest part was at the very end...he decides to finish with gusto and actually does the very last arm movements!! Guess he wanted to have a strong finish.

Christmas fun!