Kids ARE the Magic of Christmas

Lots of childlike things have been going on in our world through this Christmas month... a couple of weeks ago, Cooper had fun coloring and stamping a letter to Santa. I dictated as he told me what to write, which was mainly letting Santa know how much he likes birds and frogs and snakes. :) I think somewhere in there he mentioned what he wanted for Christmas... When I told him we would need to get a stamp for the letter from Dad, he said, "Oh, wait, I have stamps!" and excitedly went to his desk and dug out a small orange stamp that Grammie had sent for Halloween! So Santa was sent the adorable letter with a skull and crossbones in the upper right corner...

 Ry did his part by dipping his hand in an inkpad...

And just a short week of so later, Coop was the oh so excited recipient of a response from Mr. Claus himself! Look at the sparkle in his eyes- magic :)

The boys also got to meet Santa in person this year at our Ward Christmas party... When Cooper got up on his lap all he ended up saying was "I want a Christmas." :) And Ryder took a few steps up to them, but didn't actually make it onto his lap- so cute!

Ya know, I admit that I've not been so much a Santa fan and he is certainly not my favorite concept behind Christmas, but this year, with Cooper being at the perfect age for it all, I confess that Santa has been a significant part of the energy of Christmastime for us. I know that he really enjoys the story of the birth of Jesus and knows it well. I know that he knows that that is why we celebrate Christmas. And I also know that Santa Claus is helping him to feel the thrill of the holiday season too. Indeed...

Between my brother's wedding, my newborn niece (whom I am hating that I have yet to meet!) and my youngest sister's homecoming from BYU-Hawaii this last semester, the annual candy making day with my Mom and sisters was put on hold until next year. Pretty good reasons! So, Monica and I got together at her house to do some kid-friendly candy making on the fly. Coop loved dipping the marshmellows in choclolate and then hot chocolate powder! Suprising, but these little treats turned out so yummy!

Stephen and I really enjoy hosting parties and generally plan one for Christmas, but this year instead of throwing an event for our adult friends and families, we helped Cooper have his own little playdate party! He helped in most every step, from the invites...

 ...to making cupcakes so his little friends could gather around and make a moderate mess of frosting and sprinkles! They were all so adorable- this really was a fun event for him and me! Nothing fancy- just a really simple little party that the kids all loved!

Hopefully the childishness of Christmas is finding it's way into your home right now too... :)