Baby Jesus Birthday Party, Our little angel, and a visit with Santa

We have had a very busy week here at the Cook house hold. We have had four parties (all potlucks), a small Christmas pageant, gift exchanges, and a trip to the mall to visit Santa. We are relieved that all of our running around is finished, and that we can finally stay at home and prepare for Christmas.

Ben attended two Baby Jesus Birthday parties at preschool. The students all bring in presents for Baby Jesus which are then donated to Birth Line, a local shelter for moms in need. They even have a cake and sing to Baby Jesus. I only attended one party, because it is a lot of work to take Sophie into the preschool classroom. Nick and I always sing "Markers, and Scissors and Glue, Oh my!" when we take her into Ben's class. She is like a kid in a candy store, and I can barely keep up with her. Anyway, the kids had a great party, and Sophie and I had fun too!

On Wednesday evening, Benny's CCD class was part of the CCD Christmas pageant. Some kids from the fourth grade class read from the gospel of Luke, and the preschool class arrived as angels. They were the cutest little angels you ever did see. Benny was so excited for "his play". He was worried that we wouldn't be able to remember his lines (he didn't have any....).

Finally, yesterday we braved the crowds at the mall and went to visit Santa. We were pretty sure that Sophie wouldn't sit on Santa's lap (she wouldn't), but Benny really wanted to go. Benny was 3 before he would sit on Santa's lap. We waited in line, and when it was our turn Benny marched right up to Santa and sat next to him. He told Santa that he had been a good boy and that he would like some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (this was news to Santa....), and that his sister would like some things to go with her baby doll. And then it was done. Luckily they let us take our own photos. I can't believe a picture with Santa cost anywhere from $13 - $24!!! Seems like highway robbery in these times, and where is the Christmas spirit? We had a nice lunch at the mall, and then left the crowds in favor for a cozy afternoon at home. Can't wait for Christmas!