A "Special" Family Home Evening

The Monday before Christmas, we were invited over to Terry & Kristol's house for Family Home Evening with their family. Our kids were to act out the Nativity. That was a disaster! I had a Nativity program we had used in Primary Sharing Time the day before. It was cute and easy. However, like usual, you just can't predict the behavior of your children! Just after we had started the Nativity story, Gavin said he had to go to the bathroom - and he couldn't wait. Soon, Alyssa had to go to the bathroom. Annoying!! The kids wouldn't act the way we wanted them to as Mary or Joseph - they didn't want to pretend they actually loved each other. Rylan was singing the Iron Man Song (even though he was supposed to be an angel), and Terry was trying to rescue baby Jesus (Cambrie) from being pushed over by her loving mother Mary (Alyssa). Cambrie was crying....so to end it all, "Jesus wept!" It was very comical. Everyone was laughing. Nobody was listening. Was the Spirit present???? I don't know!! :) It probably wasn't the spiritual presentation Kristol and Terry were hoping for!

After we finished with our disaster Nativity. Terry....aka "Paco"....went upstairs to "use the bathroom". Kristol tried to read the kids 'The Crippled Lamb'. I love that book! I just realized I don't even own that book. Our kids were rude and hyper and were not really listening. They just kept playing on the luv sac and playing with Blake. I was going crazy.

Soon, there were jingle bells and Santa came down the stairs. He looked awesome. Our kids were such brats. Gavin immediately yelled, "It's Paco!!" Alyssa quickly followed suit. They just kept saying over and over again that it wasn't really Santa. They knew it was Paco. "We know Paco just said he had to go to the bathroom so he could change!" Holy cow. I was irritated. I know Mrs. Claus went to A LOT of work that day and had cute gift bags for the children. We really are grateful for all Santa and Mrs. Claus did. Sorry our kids ruined it all!

After the Nativity and Santa disaster, we went upstairs and decorated sugar cookies. Kristol had made a ton of cookies and had a wonderful spread of frostings and decorations for the kids to use. They had a great time - and the cookies were delicious! I definitely need that recipe. We learned cookie decorating is a serious event for some people....Blake!! It was such a great night. Thank you Terry, Kristol, and family for sharing your special Family Home Evening with us!