New Year's Eve (Sort of Tradition)

 New Year's Eve a few years a go we started a tradition of having the kids stay up late.  Playing silly games, watching movies, and doing crafts.  Two years ago plans had to change because we finally got to go and pick up Jonathan from Ethiopia leaving the day after Christmas and coming home just after the New Year.  Needless to say both of our parents were here, but I think although they enjoyed being with the 6 children on their own....it was more survival than let's throw in some extra late night fun :)  he he he.  Then there was last year......and well hearing from uscis that we weren't going to be able to get Naomi....crushed our world and we spent New Year's with my cousin.  They too had  adoption loss just a month and a half prior.  We consoled and cried together.

So we have kind of missed doing our crazy New Year' Fun Time!  You know playing silly games like this one where daddy hid all kinds of little chocolates all over and the kids found them.  He he he- if you look closely at the above picture to make the game last longer he would turn around and hide the "loot" they just found and had put on the table. 

 Yeah, Jason is like that- got to watch out for those English men :). 

 Then we played a game where you pack flour into a bowl.  Type it upside down and put a chocolate on top.  The below was a candy cane chocolate.  Yep, those are Andrew's fingerprints because there is always at least one that just can't help it.  In our case several.  :)

 You "cut away" some of the flour. 

 Look this is Joanna laughing at our silly games......Yes Joanna just wait one day you will get to do this-

 Yep, Elizabeth knocked down the tower of flour holding up the chocolate and got to stick her face in the flour to get the chocolate. 

 Then we decided to make some party hats with stickers and pipe cleaners you know because what is New Year's without crazy hats???

 Some coloring......

 Some cuteness from the kids.......

What's this?  You mean your 9 month old doesn't do laundry?  Ha ha- Joanna loves to do laundry the old fashioned way.....

 By sucking it clean :)  Thanks Joanna.

We played blow your brains out....can you tell I made that title up?  Anywho it is blowing a ball from one end of the room to the other, with obstacles of course because I am one for a challenge.  Which seemed like a great idea until Jason and I did it. 

 Take a close look at this picture what does it tell you?  Hmmmmm....Maybe the mommy and daddy have really lost it by this time at night and decided why not give the kids a can of coke as they call it here in the south (you northerners may call it pop or soda) along with a packet of candy.  This is when you know you are really out of your mind!!!

 What should you do then after the caffeine and sugar kicks in (besides pray for a sugar crash)?  Get them more active by playing indoor foot volleyball.  Just need a bit of string and two chairs and it uses lots of energy!  :)  YEAH!!!  

 Of course you can't have a silly games night without musical chairs.......

 Uh oh.....mr. grumpy (hmmm no wonder he is only 3 1/2 and it is 11pm!!!) 

 Yes, this in Andrew being dramatic for the camera.  Can you tell he takes after me???

Sooo......the total damage?  Playing find the candies, making crazy hats, coloring New Year's coloring sheets, making necklaces, cans of coke and candy, playing with glow in the dark bracelets, balloon fun, blowing your brains out, cutting the flour, flamingo stance, what's on the tray memory game, indoor foot volleyball, musical chairs, simon says, watching "Fly Me To The Moon" & "Velveteen Rabbit"....that all ended in......

Praise and Worship time and a time of prayer to start off our New Year.
Guess who wasn't tired at midnight?  REALLY???  But who can resist that cute face? 
Praying all of you had a great New Year's Eve and got to spend it with those you love the most!  :)
HAPPY 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!