Church dancing, Jesus' birthday, and Christmas elves

Holden loves going to church each week. He looks forward to having Memaw (Jay's mom) join us, seeing Grammy and Papa, (my parents) and playing with his friends in the toddler room. But his most favorite part is the music! He comes in to the beginning of each service for the music and worship portion. He has loved music since the day he was born, and recently he has started dancing when the singing starts up. He is such a "white boy" dancer; arms up and down over his head and a little bob/bounce in his step. :) I snapped a few pictures the other morning when he was dancing in the doorway to the sanctuary, "helping" Papa pass out the programs. The lead singer told me that she actually got off beat a few times because she was having so much fun watching him! I also had a man stop me after church and tell me that Holden's dancing "made his morning," and that we all need to be that joyful at this time of year. :)

Recently we went to our church's evening children's Christmas program. Holden will participate in this next year when he is 3. We brought him along to watch and he loved it, as I knew he would. We had a yummy catered dinner, sang Christmas carols, and then watched the little ones perform.

Sitting with Grammy and Papa

Holden, Mommy, Grammy, and Papa

Mommy, Daddy, and Holden...our last Christmas as a family of three!

I don't even know this little girl's name, but she sat at the table behind us and took a liking to Holden. It was hilarious watching them! They were dancing to the caroling music, and she kept putting her arm around him. At one point, it was kind of a choke hold and her grandma had to tell her to "back off" a bit! :) He is already making the ladies crazy.

More dancing! This was while the kids were singing. :)

The last song they sang was "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Holden knows Christmas is Jesus' birthday, even if he doesn't quite understand all that entails just yet. On the way to church that night, he sang "Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus!" at the top of his lungs. :) He was SO excited that we got to eat cake in celebration. He thoroughly enjoyed it...all he does is eat every last drop of frosting off the top.

I came downstairs the other night to this adorable sight. Holden and Daddy were waiting for Memaw to come down the street. They put hats on and watched out the front door.

Great Grandpa Schulz brought Holden a little Santa lantern. It is so cute! Holden loves to wear his Santa hat and carry his lantern around.