The Christmas Shuffle

 

 

I love this time of year and the fun activities that abound and sometimes we get to the end of the week and we've done so much it seems like Monday was a million years ago.  That's how last week was.   Busy, good, exhausting, exciting, and fun all rolled into one great week!  We had Preschool on Monday and took advantage of a free day on Tuesday by heading downtown to see Macy's Santaland.

I love this tradition and it's important I keep up my "big city driving" ha ha... Although the displays are the same each year, I always notice something new and it was all new for Sister and mostly for Peanut too.  Although he did claim to remember the Rudolph stall.

 Sister was a mixed bag about the whole experience.  While loving certain parts, like the puppy dog in the mailroom you see below...

 

The singing Christmas trees scared her and we moved on very quickly!

After the trip through we stopped at Mrs. Claus's bakery for some cookies.  The kids were so cute trading bites and sharing with me.  There were lots of little groups of kids sitting together sharing cookies and I think the people watching was my favorite part...

Scratch that.  This was DEFINATELY my favorite part.  Peanut sounding out the words to write to Santa.

 And Sister feverishly scribbling away...

 I loved how she knew exactly what to do after watching Peanut and that there was a slot at the right height for her to mail her letter herself.  Because you know she likes to "ME DO IT SELF!" Smile.

 

 Back at the ranch we continued working on holiday projects.  Here they are coloring pictures for Gammie and Papa.

 We celebrated Christmas a bit early with Gammie and Papa as they were headed off for Georgia and Florida last weekend.  We had some barbeque and hot cocoa (that's a Texas Christmas combo!) and opened some of our gifts.  Peanut was stoked about the police station you see here and has been locking up the bad guys non stop.  He even locked up some of Sister's dollhouse figures because (as he told me) "those nice little girls were making bad choices." Ha!  Peanut also got a new book and some cool glow in the dark shirts.

 And here is Sister with her Snoopy and a new book.  She has slept with that Snoopy every night since.  She also got some new clothes and a really neat dollhouse with a doll that talks and a toilet that flushes!  Thank you Gammie and Papa for your love and generosity. 

 And although they gave us gifts too, we are waiting until Christmas to open them.  Unless someone peeked! Best has been known to do that... Anyhow, they were also kind enough to babysit last Thursday night so we could go to the Minnesota Wild game where Best was honored as a recipient of 3M's excellence in coaching award. 

 They only choose four each year and I'm so proud they recognized his hard work and dedication.

 Our elf Jack was so busy that he forgot to leave candy in the advent tree the night Mom and Dad went to the hockey game.  Imagine that!  But all was forgiven when the next night not only did he leave two pieces of chocolate, but also a new Elf on the Shelf game!

 We were all planning on our annual trip to The Landing's Folkways of the Holidays celebration on Saturday but Sister was a bit under the weather so it ended up as a Peanut and Mom date.  It was really ok because she had fun playing dolls at home warm with Daddy and Peanut and I really got to explore more without the stroller.  She'll get more out of it next year.

 Peanut wanted to see the reindeers and Santa right away.  Santa asked him if he wanted to trade hats and Peanut got excited and started running around in circles.  We slowed him down and told him it was just a joke.  Then he got to tell Santa that he wanted toys and "Coal so I can see what it looks like."  Don't worry, Best and I will take care of that!


Next we decided to have lunch and hot cocoa.  Warm brats really hit the spot and the cocoa had lots of whipped cream and was perfect for dipping his candy cane from Santa!

 So much history to learn and antiques to not only look at but to hold and use as well!  I love how many of the exhibits are hands on here.  We saw a boy working a planer in the woodshop and below is Peanut trying out a stereoscope.  I remember my Dad had one in his office and I loved to look through it when I would visit.

 Since it was just us, we attended the Christmas pageant for the first time.  It started out with a sing a long and I was so proud when Peanut called out "Jingle Bells" for one of the songs!  Only about 5 other kids requested it after...This is probably my favorite Christmas activity and I'm already hoping there's snow next year and it's cold enough for the outdoor ice pond.  Peanut was disappointed it wasn't frozen but what do you do when it's 40 in December?!!  He loves the horse drawn wagon ride to the town though and it was a magical day for us!

 Sunday we layed low and worked on our gingerbread house.  Sister really helped and was so cute asking before placing her candies! 

 These guys did a great job and we've seen Jack the elf eyeing the house...we think he may try to move in!

What a whirlwind week!  Hope you are having a great one too and making the most of these last few days of the year.  Have a great week friends and family!

Here Comes Santa Claus

This was an exciting year for Peanut as it was the year he worked up his courage to talk to the big guy in the red suit!   Two years ago he didn't want to get within 10 feet of anyone wearing red this time of year, last year we worked up to a wave, and by golly this year he just announced he was ready to climb right up on his lap!

They had a good conversation about bedtime and batteries...I was eavesdropping, smile 

This year was Sister's year to be a bit wary although as you can see here she was lured in with a candy cane for just a moment!  She kept repeating "Daddy hold me" when we had talked about it earlier in the day.  I was happy that she was not terrified though, and really not even nervous like Peanut had been.  She just didn't want to sit on his lap. 

I really like this Santa.  I have a picture of him holding a tiny 6 month old Peanut.   Great memories.

Meanwhile our elf Jack has been sneaking around the house getting into mischief.  Not causing too much trouble, but definitely making himself at home.  He's been into the marshmallows and now he's using our internet!

It's been unseasonably warm, which is good in some ways and bad in others.  We all (except Dad) have said we miss the snow, but it does make for easy winter driving and encourages us to get out of the house for more trips.  Here we are at the Zoo with our friend Noah.

On the Minnesota trail.  I love this part of the zoo because although it's covered the walkways are open air so you get the feeling of being outside without total exposure to the elements.

This is the way we spend the afternoons we don't have school or get out.  In our comfy clothes curled up with books.  It's our favorite thing to do.  I'm so happy I have these little loves to do it with!

Hope you're enjoying a nice snuggly December and relaxing with a favorite book too!  Have a great week friends and family.