Is it terrible to admit that before this weekend, I just didn't have a whole lot of Christmas spirit?
Don't call me Grinch yet!
I knew I needed to step up my game. Kids must get crazy excited before Christmas, that's just part of the Christmas magic. And gosh darn, those girls just weren't that crazy yet!
Jane had her big Frozen dance performance last weekend. And she was amazing. I'm not just saying that because I am her mom (well I guess I am a little), but she took her parts so seriously and performed her little heart out. Then on Tuesday she had her school Christmas performance. And I might be a little proud that her teacher told me that she counted on Jane to lead the other children because she is so confident on stage. Jane had her lines memorized the day she got them, and there's no doubt that we could hear her singing above all the rest.
So Jane's been kinda flying high. But I wanted to keep her enthusiasm up, and get Molly just as excited. Friday was it. We were going to go ALL out. After preschool, we started with decorating giant gingerbread cookies. Seriously, what is better than candy and icing? Molly ate her weight in candy I'm pretty sure. Jane was so busy. She was very into making patterns with her candy across her gingerbread. Obviously no nap was going to be had since Molly was on the sugar high of the century, so what better way to spend the time than at the candy store? It's tradition to visit Asher's before Christmas for us. First we start with watching the candy being made from the visitors deck. Molly was so into it, running back and forth, watching the candy on the conveyor belt get dipped with chocolate. Then they are allowed to pick out a treat for themselves. And this year we decided it would be nice to get the girls that we babysit in the morning a special treat as well. The decisions! Let's just say, I was so happy to finally get out of there!
Last year we had the girls donate some toys right before Christmas and decided that this would also become a tradition for us. So last week the girls each decided on something that they would be happy to give to another child, and I gathered up some of the toys that Owen wasn't playing with anymore, and after the candy store, we dropped our toys off at the Share and Care shops. Jane put on a good act as we drove away about how much she was going to miss the toys, but I know she hasn't even thought once about them since.
Brian brought home pizza and wings, and after dinner we piled into the car to go look at Christmas lights. Brian took the girls about a week and a half ago to a light show where you tune your car radio into a certain station and watch the lights on the house/yard dance to the music. But we headed the opposite direction with a few stops on our agenda. First we visited a house with so so so many lights and decorations. The girls love this house. We visit every year, and every year there is new décor added to the already insane amount. I found out there is another house ONE minute away from that one where, there too, are a million lights and decorations, but you can also get out of your car, walk around, and press buttons that make the decorations either dance or sing. What a hit! It was so much fun for all of us. Lastly, we stopped at a local church having a live nativity. I think this is my favorite Christmas thing we do each year. It's so special. And reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas. All three kids loved it! The animals were the definite favorite. Owen LOVES animals. He went nuts seeing them! And the girls were giggling like mad as they tried to feed the calves and sheep straw. The carolers were singing, fire blazing, fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate. And of course Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the wise men. It was a night for the books, that's for sure. And if you aren't in the Christmas mood after all this, then you really are the Grinch!
Today we stayed in and worked on gifts and treats. It was a nice quiet day. And we had a very special surprise up our sleeve for before bed!
After bath, we were playing in the living room when we heard a siren. At first the girls thought it was an ambulance. But as it came closer, they could see it was a fire truck. And when it stopped in front of our house, they were actually a bit scared. They thought that there was a real fire! But as they stood at the window, squinting out into the dark night, they saw the shadows of people getting out of the truck, one particularly of someone they knew. Santa!! Santa had stepped of the fire truck and was walking up our driveway. The girls were so confused! Brian was calling them to the door, Jane was excited, yelling SANTA! Molly was much more afraid, but only temporarily! We greeted him at out door, and invited him in. After only a moment, both girls were talking so fast and showing Santa all the ornaments on our tree. Then he mentioned he had presents, and the girls couldn't believe it! He handed the girls theirs, and then tried to approach Owen with his. But Owen was no going to have that. He shrieked, and we picked him up. We thanked Santa for the gifts and for visiting, and then off he went, back to the truck. And for the rest of the night, Molly kept saying, :I can't believe Santa was here." "I can't believe Santa came to my house." It was the perfect ending to our day!
Tomorrow we are going to visit a different church that is having a special children's Christmas musical. Molly has a holiday party at school on Monday. And I think I'm going to save baking cookies for Santa until Christmas eve morning. And that, my friends, will bring us to the big day! And we are ALL crazy excited!
GINGERBREAD DECORATING
SANTA VISIT
CHRISTMAS MORNING AT POP-POP'S & EVENING AT KRISTIN'S HOUSE
CHRISTMAS MORNING
CHRISTMAS EVE
