Eggnog toasts, creamy chocolate messages, and lots o' love

This is the kids' favorite Home evening.

It's pretty simple:
Eggnog toasts, secret compliments, and messages.

I also added a Christmas story as well.

I lit candles and turned out the lights and left the Christmas tree glowing.

I played Christmas music in the background..

Then I read the Christmas story, "The Christmas Oranges."

If you want a message that teaches your kids gratitude and service,

this book is for

you.

I almost couldn't read the darn story out loud without crying b/c it was

about a orphan little girl missing Christmas, but the message ended up so sweet when her fellow friends came through on Christmas day.(And yes, do have to admit, we were all a little teary-eyed, (okay crying) when it was over.. it sure puts life in perspective...:)

After the story, they each said one word about something they are

Grateful for about Christmas...

Mace's response, Jesus! Then of course family, Santa, a warm home, Grandma and Grandpa's and presents!

Then they each wrote compliments or nice things about each other....

(which was good for today because Aus and Jake have been arguing lots!)

Even Mace scribbled his words...talking as he was going.

He said to Jake, "thanks for being my best buddy...."

"Mace refers to Jake as Buddy. It's sweet in his squeaky little 3 yr old voice.

Ashlyn even did one for Layla the kitty. The kids were kind and said cute compliments to each other.

I had them read them quietly but those who wanted to read out loud could.
After each kid read their compliments, we would "toast" to them.

Just simple, but the kids loved to read the kind words about themselves....

We were about done. We decided to "cheer to Christmas" and think of all the reasons we love it....

At the end, we open the Dove Chocolates and read the creamy messages inside...

They say sweet things about family and love. BUT this year I accidentally picked up the Martha Stewart Holiday tips dove Chocolates...whoops!

Austin first read, "add a touch of glitter to sparkle anything up!" Well true, okay. But not what I was going for....So we decided to sing a few Christmas songs and call it a night.

Mace insisted he sing his preschool songs A L O N E. None of us could sing. Mace's solo:

Twinkle, Twinkle, Christmas Star. It was cute.

We are all excited! Christmas is so close!

WE have Ry's sis coming in town today, family dinners, and the Brown adult Christmas party this weekend.....We are doing the 12 days of Christmas for a cute little boy and that is by far the most exciting thing the kids have done yet!



Hope you are all having a "magical Christmas!"
Off to Austin's choir performance and a million Christmas errands!
Loving it!