Santa Claus Came to Town

Kayleigh said, "Everything she received
this year was her favorite."

Every year I tease my children that they better watch out, and they better not cry, they better not pout, and I'm telling you why...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

And he always does!

Everett's favorites are his Air soft rifle and Nerf dart laser tag.

Cozette loved running through the opened boxes.
She is showing interest in her new baby doll.
She loves to pick her baby stroller up while she walks.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Deck the Halls with BAUGHS of Holly

Fa la la la la la la la la.

We celebrated Christmas Eve with our dear friends, Mike and Betsy Baugh. (Baugh rhymes with open up and say, "Ahh.") It's a real blessing having such good friends, especially when your family is away. We had a fantastic time playing games.

Wii played doubles tennis.

Wii boxed. (Brad knocked me out really good. I got him back today when wii raced, I left him in the dust.)

And...

The highlight of the evening was playing a very competitive game of Bingo. The stakes were high because there were some fabulous gifts for the winners. Every one went home happy.

We are so grateful for our friends having us over for such a special evening.

Before we went to bed, we watched the DVD "Joy to the World" and read from the third chapter of Luke.

It was a wonderful way to end a happy day.

Just That I Dread It

For the sake of her posterity, it is important to document that when asked if she had any special feelings about Christmastime or our family celebration tonight, "Just that I dread it." was Mommom's response.

Of course, we all laughed. We know that she was just teasing. Mommom has a keen sense of humor and knows just how to push our buttons. We celebrated Christmas early this year because Mom, Dad, and Nikki are going to Huntsville to be with Quincy's family.

Papa said, "He enjoyed our spontaneous laughter the most."

We really do have fun when we're together.

Nikki told me her favorite part of our celebration was sitting by me in the restaurant.

Kayleigh and Everett both had the same response:

Opening the Christmas presents!

Here are a few pictures of our wonderful celebration:

Mmm...Mmm...Good!

Eating nut balls is what I loved the most tonight. Mom has been making nut balls since she and Dad were first married. I can remember sitting at the kitchen table when I was about five years old sipping ginger ale and eating those delicious nut balls. It's the perfect combination.

As we were leaving tonight, Mom expressed her love for our Savior. He is the center of all our family celebrations. We are grateful for His humble birth and exemplary life.

Mostly, we are thankful that because of Him, we are an eternal family.

Sing Noel

Someone has a halo above her head.

The sounds of Christmas have always been my favorite. Tonight was Kayleigh's final choral performance. She was granted an opportunity to sing a song with the 7th and 8th grade ensemble. It is a blessing living in the "Bible belt." Somehow, separation of church and state has no bearing on our middle-school chorus. It was a pleasure hearing Christ centered songs; along with some of my favorite traditional Christmas carols.

I wish that everyone could have an opportunity to hear African-American spirituals.

This music is stirring beyond words.

Some of the highlights of the performances were other songs about Hanukkah, a crooning version of Rudolph, and my personal favorite, "Carol of the Bells. "

Tonight's finale was a special arrangement of the chorus singing 23 carols in three minutes! After counting about 11, I lost track because the harmony and descant was so beautiful. I think at one point, the chorus was singing three different songs at the same time.

It was absolutely incredible.

I do have to mention that Cozette was a little rooster because she was not on her best behavior during some of the songs. However, in her defense, I must praise her for being very gracious at the end of every song giving the singers a big round of applause.

It was really funny.

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Whoa, Nellie!

You will get a sentimental feeling when you see,

Cozette rocking on her horsey,

right beside our Christmas tree.

Rocking around the Christmas tree,

and I think that you'll agree,

Cozette playing "pee-pie" on her horse

will bring you jubilee!

The Christmas Song

A true Boy Scout!

A glance at our week in song:

Everett roasts his hot dogs on our stove top's fire.

Cozette has a stuffy nose.

Kayleigh and Everett sang in their school's choirs,

And we were pleased from head to toe.


Everybody knows that we have had some recent woes,

But we believe it will be all right.

If we could find our family a new P.P.O.,

It won't be hard to sleep tonight!


We know that Lawnscapes is on its way.

To be blessed with lots of accounts is what we pray.

And, today, my mother even smiled,

When Cozette came over and went a little wild.


And so I'm offering this happy phrase,

My Christmas shopping is done; it's really true.

We're so excited for it to be Christmas day,

And we believe that you are too!

A Season of Joy

Put aside your work
Put aside your worries.
Put aside your troubles.
It's the season of joy!

Everett surprised us when he expressed his interest in singing in the school chorus. I like to secretly listen to him while driving in the van. I never make a comment. I know he will not sing if he thinks I am listening to him. I have this happy little secret of knowing that Mr. Baseball can carry a tune.

His secret is out now.


Tonight was Everett's Christmas choral performance. The fourth and fifth graders proudly presented, "A Season of Joy."

I thought Mr. Baseball's fans would like to know some of his feelings about this very important event. Please keep in mind that he is a man of few words AND I have to call him Everett since baseball season is over.

Me: Thank you, again, for your time.

Everett: OK.

Me: What made you decide to be in the chorus?

Everett: I thought it would be fun.

Me: Was it hard having to get up at 6:45 in the morning for practice?

Everett: Yes.

Me: Did Mrs. Johnson have you warm up your voice?

Everett: Mrs. Johnson had us sing, "I like ice cream scales." Everett then breaks out singing these scales for me. It was very amusing.

Me: That is very nice. Did you have a favorite song tonight?

Everett: Yes. The Santa Claus Rock.

Me: Will you sing some of the lyrics for me again?

Everett: (hesitates and starts to laugh) Wave to the people. Stomp with your feet. Hands on your hips. Now, twist with the beat. And rock. The Santa Claus rock.

Me: Oh, I loved that song.

Everett: Did you see the principal doing the twist?.

Me: Yes, that was great. Do you want to know my favorite song?

Everett: Oh, Yeah...

Me: "Yankee Doodle Santa." I loved the line that said, " Yankee doodle came to town a riding on a reindeer. Santa's a Yankee doodle boy." Do you think Santa Claus is really patriotic?

Everett: (smiles sheepishly) Yes, because he wears red and white.

Me: Do you think we could sing a duet together?

Everett: Hmm. I guess.

Me: In church?

Everett: NO WAY!

I went too far on that one.

Me: What was the best thing about tonight?

Everett: Going to Dairy Queen to get a treat after the concert was over.

Everett: Good night, Mom.


I guess the interview is over.

Christmastime is a season of joy!

Another highlight of the evening was the Gwinnett Gladiators' mascot coming to the school. Cozette liked him from afar. Kayleigh's chorus recently sang at a Gladiators game.
Stay tuned for her Christmas concert.

Up on the Table Top

Up on the table, we all paused.

Cozette is sitting and thinks we'll applause,

"Please get down," I will say.

But climbing on the table brings Cozette joy every day.

Ho, ho, ho!

Please don't go.

Ho, ho, ho!

Please don't go.

Up on the table,

Click, click, click.

And playing in the chimney isn't to become your new trick!

Christmas Cookies

Baking Christmas cookies is a favorite holiday treat. It was cold and dreary today. Brad, Kayleigh, and Cozette woke up sick, so I decided to make some sugar cookies to cheer us up. Kayleigh is at the perfect age where she loves to help and immediately perked up, so she could assist me. There is something nostalgic about baking cookies with Christmas carols playing in the background. I have fond memories of helping my Mom with the Christmas baking. I hope that Kayleigh will have happy memories too.

Brad and Everett are the most excellent taste testers.

The verdict: two thumbs up.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!

Thou tree most fair and lovely!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!
The sight of thee at Christmastide
Spreads hope and gladness far and wide
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

The most wonderful time of year has arrived. I love everything about Christmastime except for one little thing; buying the Christmas tree. Finding the perfect Christmas tree is such a difficult task. (and then there is the tedious task of stringing the lights perfectly.) Last night, Mommom and Papa came with us to Lowe's to buy their Christmas tree too. It was bitterly cold and the selection of trees was the most pitiful I have seen in years. Poor Brad and Papa, they must have pulled out about 20 trees for us to approve. We were shivering in the cold and Brad's hands looked like they were going to fall off.

"Are we having fun yet?" just about describes how we felt.

Everett informed us that he had to go to the little boys room. After looking at a few more trees, we gave up and went inside to get warm. We were waiting for Brad and Everett to return, so we could go to Home Depot to try and find a Christmas tree there.

Guess where we were waiting for them?

Right by the artificial Christmas tree section.

Those trees were so lovely.

We all ended up bringing one of those lovely Christmas trees home.

Tonight Mommom called and asked to speak with Everett. After they hung up, I asked him what they talked about.

"She called to say thank you to me for having to go to the bathroom last night."

I started to laugh. We can all thank Everett for solving our Christmas tree dilemma.

Now, I truly love everything about Christmastime!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
I hope you keep your beauty.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
I hope you keep your beauty.
You see, we have a sneaky Christmas elf,
who cannot keep her little hands to herself.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
I hope you keep your beauty.