Throughout December, we enjoyed favorite traditions and new Christmas-y experiences. Eli started attending Sunday school at church, which means this year we added the adorable and amusing performance that brings joy in a way that only a preschool Christmas program can.
Waiting patiently for the program to begin
Enjoying a post-performance cookie
Eli was interested in all things Christmas, and proved to be a great helper when it came to baking, decorating, daily Christmas tree lighting, and wrapping presents. He had his own wrapping station in the front room, and in addition to wrapping presents, wrapped up his screwdriver and stable animal figurines to contribute a few additional presents under the tree. Evelyn spent her time "organizing" the ribbons and practicing her steps with the blue push car.
Measuring out the ribbon while his assistant waits patiently
Putting the final touches on the screwdriver present
Zoom, zoom!
The lady out on a stroll
Pausing for car repairs
In a bold move, we braved the snowy weather, and long table-wait times, to meet up with friends for a Saturday morning brunch and holiday cheer. The kids behaved beautifully (perhaps the double-chocolate pancakes helped inspire good behavior?!), and it was good food for the soul as well to get to catch up with friends.
The littlest dining companions had their own corner of the booth
Eli told me that this was his "silliest face ever." We seem to practice that face a lot these days!
We continued our tradition of a pre-Christmas celebration with friends,
and this year it was a whole-family sleepover. Even though the kiddos
opted for less sleeping and more celebrating, it was such a treat to
have time to celebrate with the whole family, and with just adults after
the kids' bedtime.
The first year of an official kids' table
The ladies
Presents!
The boys share a bedtime story
Some silly faces, but all those sweet little people together is always a success!
To wrap up the holiday preparations, we went to visit jolly old St. Nicholas and check in on the state of things. In the car ride to the mall, Eli had a couple astute thoughts to share. Such as...
- I'll tell Santa that if anyone is naughty, maybe they just need to take deep breaths and get a hug.
- [When asked what he wanted to ask Santa for] I hadn't thought of that. A keyboard and a candy cane.
When we did get to talk to Santa, Eli informed Santa that Mommy needed a new coat, because hers has holes in it (technically true, as Eli heard me discussing with my mom how the pocket keeps ripping out in my coat) and that Daddy needs gloves (also technically true, as Daddy asked for work gloves on his Christmas list). So now Santa is thinking that we are in need of charity assistance this Christmas (which is NOT true). But I am sure that Santa is used to hearing all sorts of interesting things from his pint-sized visitors, and as we were all appropriately dressed for the cold winter weather, I think Santa knew we were just fine!
E and E seemed happier about picture taking if Mommy was included too
We viewed a few gingerbread houses that were
slightly more elaborate than ours! :)
Our little elf
