Christmas Days 13-15

On the thirteenth day of Christmas, we mailed our letters to Santa.

On the fourteenth day of Christmas, we wrote Christmas cards for our teacher gifts.

On the fifteenth day of Christmas, the boys went to the annual Wreaths Across America event with scouts to lay wreaths at the nearby military cemetery.

Meanwhile, Charlotte and I went to a princess lunch at the culinary academy. We met Belle, Elsa, and Anna and decorated princess cookies. Charlotte dressed as Rapunzel, who was not in attendance.

 

Charlotte also got a goodie bag with cute princess-themed trinkets and we had a dance party.

 

Later that evening, we all went to a take a ride on a Holiday Train at the train museum. First, we toured the museum looking at all the old train cars and trolleys.

This train was built in 1918, the same year Great Grammy was born.

Then it was time to board for our journey.

The kids had on their matching pajamas.

The train was decked out for Christmas. They played Christmas carols, served us hot chocolate and cookies, and Santa came to deliver silver bells to the kids and mugs for the grown-ups.

 We let Noah climb up to the second level for a little while.

We had a great time on our first Christmas train experience.

Christmas Days 10-12

The tenth day of Christmas was craft day. We all pitched in and made a Santa sleigh project and then they each made a Christmas owl.

The eleventh day of Christmas was Noah's First Reconciliation.

How lucky were we that the Pope was also there.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, we wrote our letters to Santa.

Christmas Days 7-9

On the seventh day of Christmas, it was Polar Express day at school. Wyatt and Charlotte wore their matching jammies.

On the eighth day of Christmas, we went out to Cantigny to check out the Lego train show. The boys were really into it and wanted to build their Legos as soon as we returned home.

Wyatt loved the shark in the swimming pool

Someone built the museum that's at Cantigny

Noah spotted this sleigh through the window and so we had to go out and get a picture in it

There were a dozen characters roaming around as well. We said hello to Spiderman on our way out.

Later we went to a live nativity event at a local church (not our church)

While we waited for our turn, we made our own wooden nativity with stencils and paint

The nativity was shorter than I expected, but we enjoyed it. Next year I'm going to check out a different one in town. Wyatt and I skipped out as soon as the nativity ended so he could get to cookie decorating class with his friend.

On the ninth day of Christmas, the boys woke up and built cars with their Legos

And then they went on a scout hike

Later, we napped on the way to the Svithiod Christmas Party. It was a lovely party as usual and the last day that we spent with Great Grammy.