This year, Abby and Ella went with daddy to get our Christmas tree, while Juliet and I stayed home and prepared for their arrival. One day, we will all head out together to pick our Christmas tree, but until Juliet is walking around by herself, I think this is the better option.
Decorating day is one of the most exciting of the season. The girls are enthusiastic helpers and were thrilled to show Juliet all of the lights, ornaments and nutcrackers.
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| Juliet's famous "look" |
Even Oliver got in the spirit when he saw his stocking...
...and when we put the tree skirt on, he curled up in his very favorite Christmas spot.
Happiness is...
This was one of our new additions this year. I love that our girls fell asleep with this as their nightlight. I think this is the stuff magical memories are made of. It just makes bedtime better (and bedtime is NOT usually easy).
By the middle of a full school week, it always feels like we are flying in too many directions and need some serious time to regroup. This day seemed like the perfect day for a sweet treat and Home Alone (the book...girls aren't ready for the movie yet) by the tree after school. The girls were horrified when they thought Kevin's parents left him because he was in a time out...relieved when I told them about the power outage.
My beautiful big girl is getting so big. She is counting down to 7 and I can hardly believe it!
'Tis the season for all things glitter! The girls and I find all kinds of reasons to craft and make pretty things with glitter, so around Christmas...the opportunities seem endless. What do you get when you put six girls at a table with a little glue, colored paper, pom poms, pipe cleaners, sequins, stickers and GLITTER? Lots of candy cane reindeer, a bunch of beautiful homemade Christmas cards and a baby girl covered in glitter because she is crawling around on the floor under the table.
Love these girls!
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| Ella, Anna Kate, Lucy, Abby and Samantha |
The girls danced and we visited with nursing home residents in place of a Christmas show/recital this year. It was just what my heart needed as we kicked off Christmas week. I love this picture because it captured my reality that night: I was mom and teacher. My girls danced and then my dance girls danced (back left corner). So much real life and real joy in one small room.
As I watched the girls dance, I kept thinking about the advent story I read recently. It was about Queen Esther's life and Jesus, the moments they were made for. The message of the story whispered powerful words that were lived out in front of us last night: "Use your gifts to give others the gift of life...There's your heart, brave and beautiful and changing the world, giving love to the world, making the world dance with life and light and love." It was beautiful. It was "true" Christmas.
I love the shoes my teen pop girls will wear this year for their performances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7VloQ32w0A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2RE4NYaFAc
Ms. Anne and Mr. David came for their annual visit. We always love having them here with us. The girls brought Anne and David to dance class on Monday night and then had a dinner date with them. On Tuesday morning, Abby left for school and Ella and Ms. Anne baked Christmas cookies together. So many special memories...
This year, Ella's Pre-K teacher asked me to make a gingerbread house for the class to decorate together. The girls and I have done many gingerbread houses, but they have always been the pre-fab box version. Designing and constructing a house from scratch was a little nerve wracking on a weekend when Joe was out of town, It was challenging, but by the end I could honestly say it is something I look forward to doing again!
Ella decorated it at school with all of her classmates! Then, the class gave the gingerbread house to a local shut-in.
Early mornings by the Christmas tree
Hanging with Uncle Cory
We enjoyed our annual night of holiday lights in the park. First stop: Starbucks for some peppermint hot chocolate goodness. This year, all three girls were able to stay awake to enjoy the pretty lights.
Even Oliver enjoyed the lights.
I loved our festive table this year.
As always, we watched lots of Christmas movies together!
Getting cookie swap ready and our house smelled amazing. There was flour on all the surfaces, but I had the happiest little four year old baker and it smelled like Christmas perfection in our house all day!
When I wake up in the morning and walk into the living room, my lap looks like this in 2.5 seconds. #girlsquad
7th Annual Christmas Cookie Swap!
The goodies.
When I invited a few friends over to swap cookies seven years ago, I didn't any babies and I was new in town. Seven years later: our group has grown and like most traditions, it gets sweeter every time. It was a night full of cookies, Christmas, friends and lots of laughter. I love each of these ladies and I'm so thankful for their friendships (including Amanda who left before the pic).
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| Heidi, Sarah, Heather, Heather, Angela, Christine, me, Kim |
We even enjoyed a fun play date with Ella's school friends.
Ella is a little momma. She is always taking care of or cooing at the nearest baby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuDOGtR1H1g
December is a busy month, but we were intentional about slowing down in the midst of a busy season. No agenda on this day (besides getting outside to play in the snow together), nowhere to be, nothing pressing to be done. This was how the morning started and we spent the whole day taking it just as slow. We rested, soaked it all in and enjoyed the moments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hib8yfuoRTE
It's the simple things!
