Getting Ready...

We have been trying to keep up with the Christmas preparations... though it is such a crazy time of year! Add on a 8 months pregnant, very tired Mommy, and a destructive 18 month old, and our Christmas season definitely looks a bit different this year.

The girls are being great about not doing everything we usually do: our tree only has lights and garland, there is no book advent calendar this year, we didn't put up all the decorations... Last year we took the whole month of December off from school to do "Christmas School" but I know we'll need a few weeks break in January when the baby comes, so we are still chugging along with our regular subjects. And we still have all the normal stuff to do... like doctor's appointments.

We are trying hard to do festive activities... we made gingerbread houses, we made cookies and had friends over to decorate,

we're taking a holiday music class, we hosted two Christmas parties last weekend, we've been trying to play outside,

the girls took Christmas pictures with their dolls,

and even though it isn't quite as over-the-top Christmas around here as usual, the kids seem excited. Hard to believe there's only one more week to go!

Birthday Party Weekend

This weekend was a weekend of birthday parties! We know a lot of kids with December birthdays!

Some highlights were our Saturday party with the Balloon Lady who made epic unicorns:

And being served at a tea party on Sunday.

Victorian Stroll and Tree Lighting at Gavin Park

Thursday was the annual Victorian Stroll downtown. We typically end up going, and it never really lives up to the expectation. This year we were in time for the Santa parade and free donuts, and we met up with friends, so that made it fun. Clearly the best part of the evening for the kids was riding the carousel.

Last year we stumbled upon Gavin Park's Tree Lighting Ceremony. Even though "tree lighting" didn't sound super exciting, it turned out to be one of the best Christmas activities of the season. You can read about it here.

MiniM.E. has been excited to go all week, even though she knows she won't be the one to flip the switch this year.

It was a little chillier than last year, so waiting for the lights to come on and Santa to arrive was a bit uncomfortable... 

 

But it doesn't get much better than Santa coming on a fire truck.

After his arrival, we went in for lots of refreshments, Christmas movies, coloring, and of course, a visit with Santa for our only child that isn't terrified of him.

What Have We Been Doing?

Well... it's kind of hard to say...

With the wintery weather outside, we've been playing in a a lot. Getting school done. Library, mall, driving kids to activities. Seems like a lot of the same with not a lot to show for it...

Here are some highlights:

MiniM.E. received her 2nd grade bible at church

BabySlimJim eats primarily condiments

Girls and dolls dress up in Christmas clothes from Meamaw and Grandpa

We make a box house

Our new favorite activity is the carwash

Doll house acrobatics

Table acrobatics

Sink acrobatics

Photos with drawings of stuffed animals

And a playground in the snow

Cutting Down the Tree

Even though we are just a bit early this year, we decided to cut down our tree this weekend since we are traveling to NH for Thanksgiving weekend. Usually we cut the tree down the weekend after Thanksgiving... but we won't be home to cut or decorate it, and I love having the tree so much that I just can't wait until the weekend after that to put it up.

We went back to Bob's this year, even though it was early and none of their activities like Christmas carols or sleigh rides or even the reindeer are happening yet. We thought about going someplace closer, but NO ONE is open for tree cutting before Thanksgiving.

I have to say, actually traipsing through the snow to search for trees always seems much more glamorous than it really is. This year was no exception, with BabySlimJim on a sled, only excited to be pulled through the snow for five or so minutes, LittleL.G. crying because the 4" of snow were too hard to walk through and MiniM.E. insisting SHE had to choose the tree... but we eventually found an agreeable choice and no one was worse for wear.

We even got it in the house and put the lights on!

Playing in the Snow

What a crazy November for weather!! We are loving playing in the snow. The girls are finally able to play together outside for a while, and I'm pretty sure BabySlimJim would stay out in the snow all day if I let him, even though he can't walk more than two in his snowsuit without face-planting into the snow...

This Guy

We are so thankful to have BabySlimJim. He makes us laugh all day long. He is just the funniest little guy, always doing ridiculous things.

just relaxing with MiniM.E.

or sitting ON the box of blocks

insisting on sitting at the "big kid" side of the table

or playing IN the toy box.