Christmas Crafts

Abby, Emily, and I got together for a night of crazy Christmas crafting. We combined all of our old broken crayons, melted them down, and made new crayons in Christmas shapes. Forget that expensive Crayola machine they're selling right now...all you need are some silicone ice cube trays! We had a fun time and the girls enjoyed making their own designer crayons. The problem is that they're too cute to actually use!

Peek a boo!

Of course, she's wearing her "mix match" pajamas. She likes to shake things up a bit in the pajama department. Nanny wouldn't like to see them buttoned up around her neck that way, though.

Finished snowmen!

And Christmas trees, too!

Christmas Program

Emily's Christmas program at school was such a treat! The combined classes did a great job performing for a sanctuary full of friends and family. Emily, after overcoming a terrible fear of music class at the beginning of the year (apparently she didn't like the white walls in there - or so she says!), did a great job during her part. She spread out a blanket and cuddled under the Christmas tree with several other girls. She has been practicing this part forever - she loves to make beds in random places all over the house for her babies. We enjoyed a delicious lunch afterwards with Mim, Papa, Granddaddy, and Cici before having to jet back to work. Always love to see our little girl singing and dancing!

Trip to Rhodes Hall

This year we took a trip to Rhodes Hall to see Santa Don and have our picture taken. What a beautiful place! We had a great time seeing the beautiful house (although it seems strange to call it that - it's so huge!), making crafts, hearing stories, and having some snacks with new friends. Later we went to the "Noodle Factory" (that's Emily-speak for Spaghetti Factory) and indulged in a major carb overload with Cici and Granddaddy. This was a terrific way to see Santa and have some fun, as well. No waiting in line and lots of fun things to do before and after the picture session. I highly recommend it! You can keep track of Santa Don's comings and goings on www.santainatlanta.com. Merry Christmas!

Trip to the Park

On our last "Mommy and Daddy Day" (that's Emily-speak for holiday) we took a picnic trip to the Castle Park for some fun in the sun. Actually, it was fairly cool but fun all the same! Emily is quite the monkey and has gotten good at climbing and dangling. She tells everyone that she's going to be an acrobat when she grows up. Who knows? Maybe these trips to the circus and the park have been formative experiences. Only time will tell!

Time to go!

Trimming the Tree

Mom, Amy, and Abby came over to help us decorate the tree this year. It actually took several nights but they were here for the big kickoff. Emily loves to unwrap the ornaments and look at each one before putting it on the tree. She likes to know where they all came from. This is actually the first year since she was born that we put real ornaments on the tree - we've only had unbreakable things like silk poinsettias and ribbons in the past. I figure that she's old enough now now to pull it over on herself. Now if we could just say the same for the cat....

Abby helped Emily make sure that the dining room tree is covered in ornaments - not just the bottom part!

Who needs fancy toys when you have a gigantic cardboard box?

What a cupcake!

No ornaments at the top - only the bottom! Remind me why we got this tall tree?

Polar Express Ride

Donald and I took Abby and Emily to Chattanooga for a ride on the legendary Polar Express this year! It was so much fun to see how excited the girls were about this trip. We set them up in the car in the very backseat so that they could spread out all of their snacks, animals, sleeping bags, DVD players, and other riffraff. It was a long ride to the train station but well worth it to see the looks on their faces. And for an added surprise...Santa Don made an appearance on our train! Of course, Emily clammed up and wouldn't talk to him when he came through. She told me later that she "just didn't know him so well in that suit." The little girl across the aisle actually climbed behind her mother shrieking, "He's gonna get me!" when Santa came through. I told her Mom not to feel bad - Emily wouldn't speak to Santa either and it's her own grandfather! At any rate, it was a great experience and lots of fun to see Santa Don all spiffed up in his red suit! We won't even discuss the fact that my little streaker took off all of her clothes in the backseat during the trip home....

Here we go!

Emily called this "the toy train"

Looking around

Waiting in the station

Great look on Emily's face

All of Abby's friends came along for the ride!

Emily's getting some ear love from Abby

When will he get here?

Funny faces for the camera

Here he comes!

Trying out her jingle bell

Matching PJs!

Getting tired

At least Abby would let me take her picture with Santa!

We made it to the North Pole!

LOVE this picture of Abby!

Funny Face

This is a little girl who loves all kinds of fruit. She's been on an orange kick lately - as long as you peel them, scrape off the white part, pick out the seeds, cut them into pieces, etc. Lots of prep work! I'll be happy when she gets back to bananas. Less in the way of photo opportunities but also less labor intensive!