I am so behind on blogging and editing pictures from December. It is hard for me to believe that is already January 5th but I am finally digging out from the fog of the holidays to sit down and post. We had such a great December, we soaked up every minute of it. It was busy and hectic but I wouldn't change it for anything.
At preschool, they have a day when all the children get together and they sing and dance. This is for kids only and no parents are there but both of the girls teachers texted me pictures of them. Both said that the girls found each other and had to sit together. Seeing this just absolutely melts my heart. They are truly the best of friends right now and trust me, I know there will be tough times to come and they will have their fights, but right now in this moment, I love it. (And I love pigtails a lot also!!)
And then this happened. One of our friends from preschool always hosts a party with some other friends and Santa comes to their house. I love this so much better than the mall, so much less crowded and no wait time. And let's be honest, I knew this would happen so who wants to wait around. But with all that being said, I also love a screaming Santa picture. Ella, she was all about it. MG, well, she wanted out of there as soon as possible! I love everything about the picture, MG red faced and escaping while trying to take Santa's beard with her and Ella completely laughing as if to say to Santa "yeah Santa, she is always like this but it won't affect my presents, right?"
After Maddie left, Ella hadn't finished telling Santa everything on her list. #1 this year was Isabelle, the American Girl doll of the year.
On a special Saturday afternoon, Ella and I had a girls day with one of her besties and her Mom. We went to lunch and then to see the Nutcracker. I called this Nutcracker Light because it was done at the local college and was an abbreviated version. Since she is only 5 and the tickets to the other one are super expensive, we went to the short one this year. She loved it and it was such a fun afternoon!
One of my favorite things during the entire season is a children's program at our church. The children all come dressed as their favorite nativity character and then as they tell the Christmas story and your character is introduced, you can go onstage. Last year E was an angel but this year she wanted to be Mary. Let's be honest, sewing is not one of my strengths but we couldn't find a blue dress so I had to buy blue fabric and then cut it to make it look like a makeshift dress and veil. It was far from perfect but she loved it.
Maddie was not into dressing up and was happy to sit with us but we did see our good buddy Ellie, who was an angel.
For some reason, I was in charge of planning both girls class parties this year. How did that happen? Luckily they fell on different days and both went well. This little one loved having me in her class and I loved seeing her with her friends. She is one of the oldest in her class and her teachers say she is a "little mommy", I would call it more like a "little bossy pants" but either way, she keeps tab on everyone!
I mean, this face is too much! I can't believe this little thing will be 3 in less than 2 months?!?!
E's party was a big hit also and was honestly the best preschool party I have ever attended. I think it has something to do with the fact that it is TK and they are all 5 and so know how to act and also the fact that her teachers are amazing. Either way, it was fun and we had a reindeer food bar for the kids...
and a letter to Santa writing station.
Mike was even able to sneak away from work for a little bit to come help celebrate. And they made those sweet reindeer hats by tracing their hands.
All of the children sang us the sweetest songs, hearing their sweet innocent voices was the best! I just love this sweet preschool and her sweet friends this year. It's hard to believe the school year is hardly half over.
 |
| Rudolph |
Then Christmas break started!!
Baking oreo truffles for the neighbors with the best sous chef around. And if she insists on wearing reindeer ears, you do what she asks!
We still had a few bucket list items to check off our list before the holidays and seeing the bears was one and checking out the edible life size gingerbread house inside the Ritz.
It was amazing, truly amazing!
Cheering on the Panthers all the way to the playoff. #keeppounding
Awww, be still my beating heart! Our good friends had the sweetest and cutest baby girl and on Christmas Eve, E and I got to go meet baby Kate! Seeing Ella with her makes me so proud, she loves on that baby so much. I have to admit, it does for a split second make me want to have a third because I know Ella would be such a helper and seeing there is just something so amazing about a newborn. But, then I come home and I am chasing around my 2 year old so she can go on the potty and I am reminded that we are done! But we will be happy to borrow Kate all the time!
Sorry for that tangent, back to Christmas. Of course we had to bake cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa. These two were serious about their baking.
Post Christmas Eve church service
Typically it is only the four of us Christmas Eve and Christmas morning but this year my parents came up to spend the night and day with us and it was so much fun!
Leaving cookies and milk for Santa
E's note "Dear Santa
Ella + Maddie
I love u
Enjoy the cookies + Milk
Like reindeer food"
The next morning, the girls slept until the usual, 7:30 and came in our room. Our first stop was outside to see if Rudolph and his buddies enjoyed the reindeer food she left!
And this picture sums it up! Jumping for joy that Santa came! In our house, Santa wraps all the presents in special paper so she went into check that he came and then we ate a quick breakfast and got coffee and waited for DeeDee and Papa to get ready to open presents.
This little one was so funny! She would honestly have been happy with one present!
And this one was tearing through the presents!
The highlight, Santa brought her Isabelle!
and a new camera!
She was happy to just sit with Papa and read her new Minnie book than open more presents
and she just wanted to love on Isabelle
And when she got matching dresses, she changed quicker than she ever had before (Side note: on Christmas Eve after church, the girls set up an obstacle course and E tripped and scrapped her cheek on our stone fireplace. It looked awful but she was such a trooper and never let it damper her spirits but that is what you see on her right cheek.)
After we finished opening Santa presents, we all packed up the car to head down to Seabrook with my parents and to meet Uncle Court and Ms Laura.
Ok, that was definitely enough for one post, part three of Seabrook and Hennessy visit will be coming soon. Happy New Year everyone!!
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