Busy Week

Whew, last week was a crazy busy week! We had something every night but it was all so much fun and worth the business. 

On Wednesday night, we went to Santa's Bag with the girls. It is annual tradition for us and Ella's third time going and Maddie's first time. It is where the children go shopping with elf helpers and buy gifts for there family. I think it is so important to teach them about giving and let's be honest, opening those presents on Christmas morning are always the highlight of our day. And now with both of them buying presents, there is no telling what to expect!

 Our church also hosts an annual Breakfast with Mary and it is something Ella looks forward to all year long. Each year, they make a different part of the nativity scene and this year was the three wiremen. It is something that Ella and I just do together and something I will do with Maddie when she is older as well. The children come and have breakfast and then learn the story of Mary while also signing Christmas carols. This time of year can be so crazy so any way to incorporate the true meaning is great. Plus, this girl loves anything to do with crafts. #littlepicasso

 With her completed wisemen

 We went with our good friends and neighbors, these three are so sweet.

 Last week we had a lot of rain and wind and the final leaves fell in the yard. Sunday morning, Mike raked them into a huge pile and the girls loved jumping in them one final time for the season.

 Sunday afternoon, Ella had her winter ballet recital Sunday afternoon. This one is much smaller than the fall one but she was just as excited!

 I still can't believe that my once upon a time super shy child now LOVES the stage. She would to be dancing and performing all the time. 

 The recital was in Mike's building and each December they set up a singing bear display. After the recital, the girls got to go see the bears.

 I am not sure what it is about these bears, I find them super lame but my girls have always loved them and apparently the love continues this year as well. We only saw the very end so we will be back for sure!

 And she had to keep dancing, even after the recital.

The week also included a pj pancake dinner at preschool and neighborhood adult party, we were tired by Sunday night but lots of fun memories were made! #Hennessyholidays

Let the holidays begin

We had such a fun Thanksgiving and have kicked off the holidays. Having little ones and seeing the magic of the holidays through their eyes is truly something special. Yes, having little children is tiring and exhausting as well but seeing them get so excited over decorating the tree makes it all worth it.

Ella and I started out Wednesday baking. She loves helping me cooking and having a little sous chef adds some good entertainment and usually more clean up!

 Mixing the pumpkin bread

 Mike's parents came into town for Thanksgiving and we had such a great visit with them (but unfortunately don't have any pictures with them:( We strategically planned the beginning of the meal during Maddie's nap. Maddie usually sits at the table and eats for a total of 4 minutes and after cooking for 2 days, I wanted to sit and enjoy my meal so she came down and joined us for the end of our meal and ate tons of mashed potatoes (the only thing she ate.) 

 After the big meal, we went out for a walk around the neighborhood. The sun was setting and the weather was great for getting some fresh air and working off some of that turkey. I am so thankful for so much this year and these three are at the top of my list. 

 Saturday morning, the Hennessy's left and headed back to Pennsylvania and we went to get a tree. Our tradition has always been going to the Original Pancake House first and then go pick out a tree. Are these two twins or what???

 Then we went to pick out the perfect tree. The girls just wanted to play hide and seek throughout the trees. They had the best time!

 "Are you seriously making us stop and pose for a picture? Ok, well this is the best you are getting." E & MG

 Family selfie in front of our tree

 Later that night, we went to the mall to do some shopping and we stopped to see Santa. There was actually no line but the girls didn't want to go see him, but they loved watching him.

 Santa spotted them and came over and played jingle bells on his harmonica. It was so neat and great of him to do that. He could tell the girls were a little frightened so he kept a safe distance.

 The next night, the girls put on their Christmas jammies and we decorated the tree. Ella loved it and oohed and ahhed over every ornament and was so fragile.

 And surprisingly MG was pretty good, she just had trouble getting them on the tree. My aunt cross stitches me a pillow ornament every year and she loved those. And since they aren't breakable, it was a match made in heaven.

 My little elves!

 I just adore this picture. The twinkling lights and my two little loves checking out all the ornaments that we have accumulated over the years. My favorite ones are the ones that the girls have made in preschool. I am sappy sucker for a cute homemade glued ornament.

 The tree completed!

This year seems like it is going to be great. Ella is 5 and couldn't be bursting with more excitement. She made her list over a month ago but also gets that is about celebrating Jesus. And Maddie is starting to get it. She loves seeing all the decorations and finding our elf each morning (except for this morning when our elf "forgot" to move. #parentfail ) But regardless, we are really looking forward to a fun and busy season.

November Catch Up

It is hard to believe that is already December 1st and I last posted on November 1st, where did that month go! We were fortunate to have some amazing fall weather here in Charlotte and tried to get outside as much as possible. 

Much of Mike's November weekends were spent raking leaves, his favorite time of the year for sure! But the girls loved jumping in huge piles. The sad part is we still have 1 big tree with lots of leaves still on it so Mike will be going strong through December as well. 

 Ella has been begging me to come to her class and have lunch with her. A couple of the other Moms have come and she kept asking when I could come so I surprised her and brought her Chick-fila. I just adore her TK class this year. The teachers are fantastic and her class is so sweet. It was a hard decision between TK and K but I am so glad that we gave her the gift of TK (yes, I think having this year is a true gift). Maybe having an August birthday isn't so bad after all.

 Mike had off work on Veteran's Day and the girls had off school so we went and played at Freedom Park where they just put in a brand new playground that is awesome and then walked over to check out the ducks. MG loved waving to the ducks!

 These two love each other so much and I love seeing them like this.

 My little stubborn one hates wearing a coat. I mean, hates it with all her heart so every morning it has been cold, we battle it out. However, when DeeDee came to town when Mike was away at a tennis tournament, we went to a store and she found this monkey hat. She wouldn't take it off so DeeDee got it for her. I guess if she refuses to wear a coat, at least she will have her hat. 

 These two were all smiles before school one morning. I love how MG is looking up at E.

 Miss Sassy Pants

 Finally, we just had a fireplace built in our screened in porch. We love having fires and being outside so we combined them. It turned out great and we have been enjoying lots of time out there.

Mike's parents came into town for Thanksgiving and we had a great time and have already started our Holiday traditions so I will be better and post again soon.