Christmas Lunch with Friends

Yesterday, the girls and I met Rachel, Kim, Nicole, and Mandy at Mimi's for a little Christmas lunch and gift exchange.

The kids out numbered the adults and as you can imagine, it was pretty nuts at times. But, we had a blast. We all exchanged gifts and left a trail of wrapping paper, boxes and bags behind us.

We had so much fun and I just love getting together with all these girls. We probably won't see them again until after Christmas, so it was good to have one last get together! (We missed you, Tara!)

This is the last post I will have until after Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys the time they have with their loved ones. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Maybe we will write letters next year...

Saturday, we took the girls to visit Santa, watch Tangled! and shop for each other. Our first stop was Santa. I fully expected to wait about an hour to visit with the big guy. However, we got there and the wait was only about 10 minutes.

While we were waiting, we ran into the Brown's. Perfect time for a picture of the big girls together!

Shortly after we visited with them, it was the girls turn to sit on Santa's lap.

Emma had it down to an art. She knew exactly what she wanted and was ready with her little list. She waltzed right up to him, climbed in his lap and immediately rattled off, "I have been a good girl. I want a cookbook, an art book and some zhu zhu pets. (Insert big grin and batting eyelashes)"

Hannah was a little "star struck". She had no issues climbing in his lap. She listened to Emma tell Santa what she wanted. Then, he turned to her and asked her what she wanted. She froze. It was just like on "The Christmas Story". All she could muster was her biggest, dimpliest grin and a "I want an umbrella".

(Note: Christmas shopping had been done for weeks. This is the first I had heard of an umbrella. Snagged one at Target the next afternoon because how could the child not get the ONE thing she was actually able to ask Santa for!?)

Next up, Catherine. I carried her up there and tried to put her in his lap. She immediately went into Spider Monkey mode and climbed me trying to get away from that big old man. Finally, I pryed her from my face and put her in his lap.

The first picture I snapped looked like this: (The look on Catherine's face is hilarious!)

Finally, she calmed down. I think she knew that if she gave me a semi-good picture, Daddy would come rescue her!

After we traumatized Catherine with her Santa visit, we went to watch Tangled. It was so cute. The girls loved it. Travis even chuckled a few times (even though the entire way there he was trying to convince the girls to "change their minds" and go watch Yogi Bear instead!).

When the movie was over, we split up and let the girls shop for each other. That's always so fun to see what they will pick out for the other ones. I am 99% sure Emma and Hannah have already told what they got for each other.

We had a great weekend spending time together and continuing some of our Christmas traditions. However, due to the ever changing lists, I think we will write Santa a letter in early December next year and just go visit to remind him! (It's the only way this Mommy is going to be able to keep her sanity!)

Christmas Party Chaos

Last week, Emma's Christmas party was on Thursday. Hannah and Catherine's PJ parties were on Friday. Luckily, I work for a great company with a kind boss who lets me off work to go to all of the girls' school functions.

Thursday morning, I dressed the girls in their fun Christmas outfits. Of course, I had to snap a picture...AND GOT A GOOD ONE ON THE FIRST TRY!

Thursday afternoon, I headed up to Emma's school. I am one of the room mothers (and the only one who works. So, I usually bring the snacks and help at a station, while the others meet and plan out all the events). I got up there before the kids got back to the class and helped finish setting up. Then, I was assigned my station: Making a Rudolph Ornament. (These were made from big jingle bells, pipe cleaners, googlie eyes and fuzzy balls).

I was assigned the hardest station, by far! (why do I never get the pizza station or the cooking making station?)

Anyway. The kids had tons of fun and no matter how many times I told them my name, they always called me "Emma's Mom". Emma LOVED the party. They ate pizza, decorated sugar cookies, made a hand print Christmas tree, filled a bag of reindeer food...and of course the Jingle Bell Rudolph.

I really enjoyed helping out in her class. However, I was so busy helping the kids stick the googlie eyes and twist the pipe cleaners, I only snapped a couple of pictures.

(So glad she's not the only snaggle-toothed 1st grader!)

I also learned two important things that day: #1 The best decision of my life was not to become a teacher and #2 Teachers are WAY under-paid (I don't know how much they make...but it's really not enough!).

Friday, it was pajama day at all of the girls' schools. Since I am a stickler for waiting until at least Christmas Eve to open a gift, none of the girls had any Christmas PJs. (That's what I always get them and let them open and wear them on Christmas Eve.) So, we went with some other fun ones for that day!

Friday afternoon, I went to help with Hannah's party. Again, I was so busy helping them, I only got a couple of pictures. (No, I didn't go to Catherine's party. She is young enough she doesn't care if I am there to watch her eat a cupcake or not!)

It was lots of fun because I just love seeing the girls with their friends in their natural habitat. Some of the things those kids said had me laughing almost to tears! It was a fun way to end our week and start off a Christmas-fun-filled weekend!

Lights, Decorations and Christmas Outfits

I LOVE Christmas time. I love the lights, the decorations, the feeling, the family time and the reason for the season.

A few weeks ago, we met the Brown's at Joe's for some yummy pasta and wine. Then, headed to the square to look at the lights. It was FREEZING! We made one quick lap, snapped a couple of pictures and headed home.

I spent some time a few evenings getting our Christmas decorations up. (Actually, Rachel came over, we had some wine and she did most of the decorating!). I just LOVE having everything up in the house. With a fire in the wood-burning stove and all the lights one, it's so cozy!

Finally, this weekend, we didn't do a whole lot. Travis was hunting, so the big girls and I decided to make some candy. (They were going nuts with cabin fever and it was TOO windy to get out.) I put on my patient pants and we made Yummies, Chocolate pretzel rods, Chocolate covered pretzels and Reindeer Pops. (There were a couple of other things on the list, but my patient pants wore thin, so we stopped there!)

One of my other favorite things to do, is dress the girls up for Christmas. Here are their outfits today. LOVE. THEM!

We have a ton more Christmas traditions (and outfits) left. So, stay tuned for Emma's Christmas party, Hannah's Christmas party, a visit with Santa, Christmas Eve Dinner and Church service, etc.

Time...

When I look at my girls, I am usually begging for time to slow down.

(except when they are fighting, whinning or tattling, then, I think "How much long until they stop this stuff!?")

All of them are growing so quickly. But, I seem to notice it most with Emma. She is getting so tall and what small amount of "baby" look she had is completely gone. She is a young lady (with a sassy attitude).

Not to mention, she can read anything you give to her with little to no assistance and is getting incredibly smart. She is so patient and a great helper. She and I really enjoy our drive to school talking about what she is going to do that day, etc. 

Its at these moments, I beg for time to slow down, for me to remember each and every conversation we have and the way she sounds when she says "Bye, Mommy" as she jumps out of the car.

And then, she fights with Hannah and I remember "this too shall pass" with a big smile on my face. :)

Nana

Catherine calls Hannah, "Nana". Sometimes, when Hannah is ignoring/aggravating/taking her stuff, it comes out "NANANANNANANA".

But, I would venture to say that her favorite person in the world is "Nana". (It used to be Emma, but Hannah has stolen her love and affection.)

"Thanks for the toboggan, Great-GrandDa! I love it!"