Thursday, December 29, 2011

I've Been to the Other Side...

...and it was better than I could have imagined. For so many years, my parents kept Christmas magic alive for me, and this year I was the one to create it for my very own kids. It was fun, it was exhausting, and it was unforgettable. I can't wait to do it all again next year, and to do it even better. This year was Kaitlyn's first year of really "getting it," which made the stakes higher, and the magic more...well, magical.

Why recreate the wheel when you can steal from others? Austen and I went out on Christmas Eve night (Little Miss No-Nap zonked out in the car on the way home) to spread reindeer food in the driveway to help Santa find us. I assure you that I was not the one to dream up this idea. :-)



The girls went straight to bed, and we went to work. Remember how Jeff is the most amazing daddy? (Yes, I know that your hubby is, too :-)) Kaitlyn came downstairs unnoticed and saw all of Santa's wrapped gifts a few days before Christmas. Jeff insisted on re-wrapping each one as to not give anything away. All in the name of Christmas magic...atta Daddy.

I sat in this scene for a good 20 minutes when it was all said and done, soaking it in. I cannot believe that I am doing this for my own kids. My heart is so full, it could burst. (Then the panic of "Omg, I can't believe that keeping Santa alive is MY job for the next ____ years. That's a lot of pressure!)



And in the morning..."Santa came! He ate his cookies and drank his milk!" He came, indeed. :-)


Kaitlyn is thrilled with anything birthday. Birthday cake, birthday candles, birthday song...so Santa brought a birthday set for the doll house

Austen opening a gift: GASP..."PRESENT!"







Hi-Ho Cherry-o game. Did I mention that this age is fun? I get to sit and play a real game with my big girl...

Daddy insisted on Austen having these ballerina slippers
KK got her very own apron and chef's hat (and hot mit, wooden mixing spoon/rolling pin, and dish towel) for cooking with Mama (Cooking with Mama = pancakes, cookies, play dough, and anything else equally as easy/kid-friendly. I'm not what most would call a cook, but she loves it just the same :)). She also got an Easy Bake Oven from Grammie and Papa. Guess who is equally excited about that gift??

New, wooden food for the play kitchen. Big upgrade from what it came with. Again, it's possible that someone else is excited to play with the new accessories.

Mmm...sandwiches!

The girls got a changing station from Santa. I am He is hoping that this will have the same success as the kitchen
Break for breakfast before stockings
Kaitlyn wanted a microphone for Christmas, and Santa delivered
Santa didn't want any arguing over microphones :-) And, in posting these pictures, this Santa rookie realized that next year, tags need to come off of the workshop gifts...


Best.Christmas.Ever.

Christmas With Family


We had a fun Christmas Eve over at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The girls had a blast, spending time relaxing, playing with new toys, and eating. 

Aunt Stacey and I spreading Christmas cheer with festive sweaters and hats




This is one of six princesses in a set from Grandma and Grandpa. This one got an owie and needed a bandaid (and apparently is like my kids and doesn't like to wear clothes)
Two little girls were excited about getting cupcakes!
Jeff and I love this current Austen look. Cock the head to the side and give the no-teeth smile...



*****
On Christmas day, after our own festivities at home (next post), we headed to Grammie and Papa's. The girls have been in heaven with so much grandparent time, and of course were spoiled for two whole days. :-)






Kaitlyn has been a night owl lately...staying up reading and singing in bed until way too late (we put her down at about 8:00, and some nights she doesn't fall asleep until after 11:00). So, we decided to try dropping her nap during the day to hopefully help her get more sleep at night. This picture is hopefully only the sign of a transition time. However, if after a couple of weeks she is still giving herself evening naps, we'll go back to a nap for a while.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Mr. Elf, 2011

Oh, the adventures we've had with Mr. Elf this month. I think our experience can best be summed up in a conversation with Kaitlyn:

Mama: "That Mr. Elf is pretty silly, isn't he."
Kaitlyn: "No he's not. He's a naughty little elf."

And by Austen's (a.k.a. Master Mr. Elf Finder) reaction many mornings:
Pointing frantically: "Ellllllllf! I see 'im! I see 'im! I found 'im!"

We had so much fun. :-)

He arrived in Kaitlyn's room on an early December morning, ready to tell us his story

He didn't waste time getting into the girls' toys
Ready to cook their egg breakfast


Who can resist making flour "snow" angels?
Kaitlyn: "I think he found a friend!"
Yes, 90's children, that's a Care Bear cloud car
"He found more elf friends!"

Saying "hi" to Fredward the Fish, whom I swear is alive. He's been with us for about four years and can frequently be found taking "naps"



Story time with Mr. Elf

Ziplining across the kitchen with Daddy's fishing line
Mama and Kaitlyn made elf-sized donuts as the end of his time with us grew closer

He enjoyed them

Raiding the chocolate calendars
"Hanging" out with the Christmas cards

On his last morning with us, he brought reindeer food. Austen and Mama (Kaitlyn fell asleep in the car on the way home and would not be roused for anything) sprinkled it outside to help the reindeer find us.
I can only imagine what fun next year will be with this little guy when the girls are a bit older. Thank you for the memories, Mr. Elf!