The Hallberg's have finally gotten our health back!! It's so nice to feel well when you've been sick for what seems like an eternity. Just a few lingering coughs are all that's left of the "plague" of 2007. Okay, so maybe we weren't on our death beds, but when you've got little ones up all hours of the night ( at different times nonetheless!) - it drags on for what seems an eternity!
The kids are getting so excited for Christmas. I got a little carried away with the countdown methods this year. Grandma T. gave Had and Ellie little chocolate advent boxes - so they've been having fun eating a piece of chocolate every morning right when they wake up. You know it's the holidays when Mom actually lets the kids have candy before breakfast for 25 days straight! While we were decorating the real tree, Haddon asked if they could each have a tree in their room, just like Mom used to when she was a kid. (Thanks grandma!) So being the ever frugal one, we took white butcher paper and made trees as tall as the kids. They colored them with a green crayon, which bought Mom an entire afternoon to do as I wanted - can you say "heaven-sent! Then we made 25 ornaments out of more butcher paper, and the kids have had fun decorating them and taping them to their very own tree. Finally, Haddon begged me to make a paper chain countdown, so we did. Like I said - a bit overboard this year, but it seems to add to the excitement of getting to that wonderful day of the year!
Haddon has purchased gifts for each family member with his own money. Mom and Dad had to help him wrap them the moment he got home from school. He keeps trying to give up hints as to what they are, but we won't let him spoil the surprise. He's doing so well in school. He got A's on his first report card, along with a note from the teacher congratulating him on already being able to read. We're so proud of our little guy! He was just selected to try out for a gifted program that he would attend full time next year - Mom and Dad are already a bit nervous about taking him away from his friends next year - but he's so social, I doubt he'll have any issues! Needless to say, he keeps us on our toes daily.
Ellie just finished her dance class for the semester. Miss Kris, her teacher, did such a great job that Ellie can't wait to take the next class available in January. We got to videotape one of her classes, and it's fun to see how seriously Ellie takes her dancing! Most of the other girls flail around, but Ellie is very deliberate in her movements. Plus she just looks dang cute in a leotard!
Every Wednesday, Ellie makes mom take her to the library to pick out new Christmas books. We read them throughout the day, and especially at bedtime. All of the kids love snuggling up to hear a great story about the birth of Jesus, Snowmen, Santa, or whatever. Such fun!
We've had quite a bit of snow, and the older kids love being able to throw snowballs and make snowmen. Sydney wasn't quite as excited about the cold white stuff though. My parents have a picture of me at age two standing up to my knees in snow and screaming. I just happened to get an almost dentical one of Sydney. She had yet to touch the stuff, so I thought I'd just make her jump in. The poor little girl did fine until she fell over and got her hands wet - then she was not happy! It made for an adorable moment though - I'll have to get a copy of my picture to compare.
We're having fun with this Christmas at any rate. What a blessing it is to have children to enjoy the season with - it's so much more fun that way!
The kids are getting so excited for Christmas. I got a little carried away with the countdown methods this year. Grandma T. gave Had and Ellie little chocolate advent boxes - so they've been having fun eating a piece of chocolate every morning right when they wake up. You know it's the holidays when Mom actually lets the kids have candy before breakfast for 25 days straight! While we were decorating the real tree, Haddon asked if they could each have a tree in their room, just like Mom used to when she was a kid. (Thanks grandma!) So being the ever frugal one, we took white butcher paper and made trees as tall as the kids. They colored them with a green crayon, which bought Mom an entire afternoon to do as I wanted - can you say "heaven-sent! Then we made 25 ornaments out of more butcher paper, and the kids have had fun decorating them and taping them to their very own tree. Finally, Haddon begged me to make a paper chain countdown, so we did. Like I said - a bit overboard this year, but it seems to add to the excitement of getting to that wonderful day of the year!
Haddon has purchased gifts for each family member with his own money. Mom and Dad had to help him wrap them the moment he got home from school. He keeps trying to give up hints as to what they are, but we won't let him spoil the surprise. He's doing so well in school. He got A's on his first report card, along with a note from the teacher congratulating him on already being able to read. We're so proud of our little guy! He was just selected to try out for a gifted program that he would attend full time next year - Mom and Dad are already a bit nervous about taking him away from his friends next year - but he's so social, I doubt he'll have any issues! Needless to say, he keeps us on our toes daily.
Ellie just finished her dance class for the semester. Miss Kris, her teacher, did such a great job that Ellie can't wait to take the next class available in January. We got to videotape one of her classes, and it's fun to see how seriously Ellie takes her dancing! Most of the other girls flail around, but Ellie is very deliberate in her movements. Plus she just looks dang cute in a leotard!
Every Wednesday, Ellie makes mom take her to the library to pick out new Christmas books. We read them throughout the day, and especially at bedtime. All of the kids love snuggling up to hear a great story about the birth of Jesus, Snowmen, Santa, or whatever. Such fun!
We've had quite a bit of snow, and the older kids love being able to throw snowballs and make snowmen. Sydney wasn't quite as excited about the cold white stuff though. My parents have a picture of me at age two standing up to my knees in snow and screaming. I just happened to get an almost dentical one of Sydney. She had yet to touch the stuff, so I thought I'd just make her jump in. The poor little girl did fine until she fell over and got her hands wet - then she was not happy! It made for an adorable moment though - I'll have to get a copy of my picture to compare.
We're having fun with this Christmas at any rate. What a blessing it is to have children to enjoy the season with - it's so much more fun that way!
Way cute! It was so great to see you guys at Thanksgiving. Your family is so cute.
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