Bingo and Bells

This afternoon I have been watching it snow out the kitchen window.  I really enjoy watching how snow transforms the landscape from blah to a winter wonderland.  Especially if it is on the weekend so Arthur and I don't have to tackle our commute in it.  I have been cooking up my own storm in the kitchen and listening to Christmas music.  The past few weeks has been full of Christmas activities.  We have watched a few Christmas movies and had an impromptu Christmas carol sing.  Each morning we have been singing a Christmas carol during our hymn and devotional time.  Let's just say that a lot of these traditional Christmas tunes have about 5 more verses than anyone ever sings.

Here is our festive center piece on the kitchen table

Our church's youth Christmas program was a few weeks ago.  Nothing like watching 3 and 4 year old preschoolers beat on an oatmeal can for Little Drummer Boy.  Also the program involved glow sticks and party poppers with lots of confetti during Joy to the World.  Not too shabby but the mark of a truly great Christmas program is live animals (which are even more unpredictable than preschoolers).

Wednesday night at church we helped pack Christmas meal food boxes.  Arthur and I had quite the system down.  It was decided that I would wrap the boxes.  Arthur attempted one and an executive decision was made that his skills were more suited for hauling the bags of potatoes we would put in each box.   As a general guideline, I am in charge of crafty and artsy tasks while Arthur has brute, manual labor covered.  We also decided that even though it was only the two of us we were much more efficient and productive compared to the families around us with a gaggle of kids under the age of 9.

That evening we decided to take a walk to enjoy the Christmas lights.  We thought we better take advantage of the warm temperatures at night and really enjoyed partaking in the lighted splendor of town.

On Friday at work in the middle of the afternoon a group of about 10 ladies wandered in wearing Santa hats.  They were part of the bell choir from the church my boss attends so there was a wonderful 10 minute hand bell concert in the middle of our therapy gym.  Have I mentioned I have one of the best jobs ever?

 We also helped with Jesus' birthday party.  The director of children's ministries put us in charge of Christmas bingo "because we would just make the cutest bingo calling couple".  Who knew cuteness was a prerequisite?  Arthur was the official caller and I was crowd control.  I didn't know Arthur had such good bingo calling skills when I married him-- definitely a great catch.  I also cracked up when a group of 10 year old girls told him that the "blue ornament" space he had called was actually green.  This then resulted in a discussion that it was more of a teal.  He just can't get away from women telling him about the importance of color in decorating.  Of course Jesus showed up to his birthday party, not sure what connections the director of children's ministries has but that is impressive.  And after singing Happy Birthday the kids got to get their pictures taken with Jesus at the photo booth-- quite the birthday party.

So neither of us have actually started Christmas shopping yet.  We still have a few days left, right? 

I found these skates at a garage sale for a dollar a few summers ago and my sister-in-law helped me decorate them

 I think both Arthur and I have enjoyed getting to share the season's festivities with one another this year.  We have introduced each other to different Christmas traditions we grew up to and maybe even started some new traditions for our new family together.  Omnia Vincit Amor.

As I finished writing this Arthur is down in the basement riding our indoor bike belting out the chorus from Angels We Have Heard on High. (I'm not quite sure how he can sing, breathe, and ride at the same time.)  "After all the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear."