We had some fun pictures taken with Santa this year. Actually, my friend bought a Santa suit and the backdrop and offered (in exchange for money) to take pictures. We dressed up, read a story, handed out a candy cane, ate cookies, you know the drill. We made sure Rylee knew we were just dressing up to take some pictures.
Kelsey had a bit of a rough time. . . . she was absolutely TERRIFIED of the beard. We tried a different day and things were much better.
oh, you know, just a little Mommy kissing Santa Claus. . . . .
What kid (and this adult) isn't exstatic once jammies are on ready for bed on Christmas Eve? Knowing Santa can't come until they're asleep which makes it that much harder to settle down?
maybe its the sugar from the cookies. . . . .
This picture is by far my favorite. Kelsey's like "do whatever you want, just leave the cookies"
then she's double fisting it here.
I'm so glad we did this. I think they turned out really cute!
Then came Christmas Service at Church. Its always fun to see everyone dressed all festive. I obviously have a thing for red shoes (and as my sister mentioned a thing for pictures of feet :)) For the first time in a LONG time I sang in a group in church. A quartet even (I was a bit nervous) but it was fun. We sang What Child is This? and people said they liked it, so that's good.
Michael and I have the same great debate every year. All about the Christmas tree. Artificial vs Real.
Michael wants real, its what he grew up with. He likes the smell, the "experience" yada yada.
I think artificial is the way to go. Yes, the majority of my childhood we had artificial, but not always. I love the idea of being able to put the tree away with the lights on - and come-on, its much more cost effective over time. Not to mention the fact that we live in Texas - where beautiful pine trees don't grow. So by the time a tree is shipped to our area its practically dead anyway which does not bode well for me need to have a tree up by Thanksgiving.
Because we can't agree on the initial 'fake' investment we are at a stand still. until. . . . .
we had a similar conversaton with our home teachers where they shared personal experience. Apparently you can buy pine bows or clippings by the bundle for about $5 (less even for us since we went late in the month). After a little researching as to what we would DO with said bundle one night after the kids were in bed we made a wreath, garland and center piece.
I'd say for a first time attempting anything like this it turned out pretty well. Unfortunatley I don't really have anything else on hand to decorate with but its a start. Perhaps next year I'll be more prepared. Since we were busy cutting the brances the house filled with the lovely smell of pine and we were both pleased. New tradition maybe??
Have I mentioned how much Rylee loves listening to Christmas music? She insists it be played at all times if she is awake. Prefereable through pandora on the tv (so she can see the album covers/pictures). She's asking me for song titles less often as she is remembering them on her own. It kindof amazes me. There's been several songs I don't think she'd know the words to and again I'm surprised. She seriously is a sponge. It can be a little scary to think about.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town is still her favorite. The other day we went to story time at the library where they were having a Christmas Party. A movie was on so she didn't really want to do anything else and was actually being quite grumpy about it. While the other kids sang songs and made a craft she just pouted in her chair. I asked her if she wanted to sing santa claus is coming to town, she said yes but refused to actually sing . . . . still frowing all the way. That is until the magic phrase. . . .. she couldn't stay grumpy anymore and let out a smile. The teacher and other parents laughed. little stinker.
When she was in a better mood she let me record her singing. I think she lets me because she likes to watch them herself :)
She is excited for "Santa come to my house! and Bring lots of presents"
They of course get on each others nerves every now and then, but for the most part they are sweet to each other. My favorite is when I can catch them playing from a distance. Rylee making Kelsey laugh, or actually letting her play with a toy. We're very blessed.
Kelsey watches her like a hawk.
They both have liked the little people nativity we have. Rylee lines all the pieces up and will say "look Momma, a Family!" :) Every now and then she'll add pieces from other toys - its funny.
Turns out Miss Kelsey won't be toothless for her birthday after all- she just cut her first one this week.
Both of the girls have been sick this past week. They'd almost get better and then back worse again, so I finally took them in to see their Dr. Kelsey has the start of an ear infection and Rylee's ear wasn't infected at all yet, but there's fluid in them so we'll put them both on antibiotics anyway since they've been congested for so long we decided not to risk having to go back. 1st time for both of them. The pediatrician (it wasn't the lady we see regularly) was shocked that this was the first time Rylee had even run a fever. One more blessing to count I suppose :)
Michael was busy the other day so I took the opportunity to take the girls to SeaWorld. (Kelsey was there, just in the stroller). I love that their "snow machine" is a bubble maker :)
Rylee loved one of the Sesame Street shows. Santa Claus is Coming to Town is her favorite Christmas songs and I wish I'd taken a video of it/her, as when Elmo and the crew started singing that song . . . . . PURE JOY!!! her entire face lit up and she did this little jump and yelled "Santa Claus is coming to town!"
There's all sorts of more Christmas shows and things going on so we'll be back :)
I always get a little sentimental when putting up our Christmas decor - as most of the stuff we have has been given to us, and mostly by by Grandmothers who both passed away last year. Everyone loved my Grandma Huff's nativity so one year she gave each granddaughter a similar nativity. My other Grandma had a few Christmas traditions as well. I think it started after shhe served her mission in Australia but she made a stuffed and embroidered camel for everyone. She kept them on her tree (where we would always search for our camel when we visited her) then when we were married, she made our spouse one and then sent them for her great grand kids. Keep in mind she has 50ish grandchildren. She passed away before Kelsey was born but she had a camel ready to be embroidered for our soon to be baby girl. My Aunt finished it and sent it to us. If only I was less of a procrastinator and more like my sweet Grandmother. On top of that, once married, we'd get an ornament or ornament-like trinket each year. The first ornament she gave us is one of my favorite. Two glass doves kissing.
Oh Grandmother's, I love and miss you both dearly. . . . . .
Onto the less sappy topic- our tree(s).
Maybe next year we'll get a proper sized tree. (how many years have I been saying that now?)
"um, Mom, Why did you put me up on this ledge? I'm so far from the ground"
"Seriously!? Mom!! Help!"
"Ah, sweet freedom to discover on my own"
Rylee also received her own special *female* Elf on the Shelf. I refused to let her name be "Elf" so with a little coersion her name is Elf Noel. Her skirt kills me.
We're repeating our story advent as well. And every night Rylee gets to open a "prize" and read a Christmas (or winter) book to read as a family.
We love this time of year. . . .even if the to-do list seems to get longer every day instead of shorter. . . . . guess I'd better get to work!!
