It's December!!! Bring on the holiday fun!

I'm so excited it's December.  It seems like I plan for the season forever.  I start in the summer because if not, I would be super-stressed come this time of year.  Especially with a birthday party to plan that's just 4 days before Christmas.  I had read on a website a few weeks ago that you should make a December "bucket list" so that you don't get swept up into the hustle and bustle and not get to do all the special, meaningful things with your family.  I love to shop early so I don't have to be shopping during the month of December.  I am going on Saturday shopping for a few last minute, birthday party things because my mom offered to babysit the kiddos.  I need to hit the cake shop, craft store, party store. 
Anyway, here are the things I hope OUR family can do this month.  What all do you want to do with your family this month?   Don't overbook!  It's easy to get too busy this time of year! 

• Ride to look at Christmas lights- we'll do this several times.  We went tonight for about an hour or so.  We planned to stay longer but the kids asked to go home and we were all really tired by 8:30.  Yes, we are starting to go to bed earlier!   I can hear all kinds of logs being sawed all around me right now-music to my ears!!!!  :-) 
• Church Cantata- that is tomorrow night.  I look forward to this every year.  It is always beautiful!  Dustin is going to keep the kids at home because they won't sit still and be quiet for the whole thing-we've tried.  Last year they had outside people do nursery and Carson cried the entire time, so I don't want to put the kids through that.  I will enjoy a little time to myself and Dustin will hear the Cantata during worship service later in the month.
• Christmas parade-in a few weeks.  Henry probably won't go if we can find someone to keep him indoors.  We'll see.  We may have to divide and conquer. 
• Drive-thru nativity.  I can't wait to see what the kids think of this.  I look forward to it each year.  It's a whole story, with about 10 different scenes. 
• Make gingerbread houses-I'll probably get cousin Hunter for this too- cause you know I love a project that involves messy toddlers!
• Bake cookies with cousins Shelby, Hunter, Kelsey, & Riley.  We are doing this instead of exchanging gifts. 
• Visit the train display at our local hardware store.  Going here Monday after my dentist's appointment. 
• I also hope to let the kids walk around the park and look at all the lights and see the different scenes in the little houses. 

This is all I think we'll do so far.  We also may go to the local zoo for their presentation of the Christmas story using the zoo animals.  Also, we've been thinking about caroling with church.  I don't know if we'll do all of this, but we'll do what we can and not stress about the rest. 
Making a list will help us keep things in check and not overbook ourselves.