Macy's

We made our annual visit to Macy's for "A Day in the Life of an Elf" last week, followed by our 2nd Santa sighting.  Of course, we squeezed in lunch with Daddy, as well :)

Lydia was LOVING it!  Everything she saw would get a "oohhhhhh" while pointing at it.

Henry dropped his letter in the mailbox, and up to the North Pole it went!  He asked me later if Santa would start working on his present that night when he was sleeping?

Once again, Lydia was a fan of Santa!  I think having Henry up there with her was a big help.  She  sure adores that big brother!  Don't they all look like they're having such a deep conversation?!

I added this photo to our Santa frame at home - 2014 - I love this picture!

Santa #1

We had 2 Santa sightings this year.  The first was at Choo Choo Bobs a couple weekends ago.  I didn't know how Lydia would do with Santa this year?  Mrs. Claus just scooped her right up into her lap and she was fine - I was a little shocked, actually.  She just stared and stared at the big man in red :)  Now, she points him out in all of our Christmas books at home!

I have a few pics I've been meaning to post lately.  

The kids really do love it when Phil takes out his guitar.  

Wow, playing the guitar together nicely?  

Taking turns is not Lydia's strong suit quite yet, which usually brings tears from at least one child :) 

Lydia is finally taking some steps now!  It's crazy to think that Henry was walking for at least 3 months by this time.  I'm ready for her to start walking now, so I can actually set her down when we go places (Henry's school, outside to play, etc).  

She's such a little music lover.  Everything is an instrument to her.  I took her to a Music Together class last week, just her and I.  She couldn't wipe the grin off her face the whole time we were there.  She was be-bopping to the music and dancing up a storm!  

On Friday mornings, they have "toddler time" at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park, where it's limited to kids ages 5 and under, which is perfect for us!  Check out that hair, it was crazy that day! 

This beauty of a snowman was built before all of our snow melted away these past few days.  Lydia was stuck in one spot like the little kid on "A Christmas Story," can't you tell?!

And finally, look at this handsome little 4-year-old preschooler.  Gosh, I love school pictures.

Christmas spirit

We're in Christmas mode around here!  On Thanksgiving night (speaking of Thanksgiving, I realized I didn't take a single photo that day - oops; we went out to eat with friends - good times), Phil and I started the season off right with watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  Gosh, that movie is fantastic :)

On December 1st, our little Helper Elf showed up outside the front door, delivered by Santa himself.  This year, he brought a stuffed Helper Elf that the kids can play with.  Henry's been carrying him everywhere he goes!  

Henry's very much into his Advent calendar this year.  This was one of his activities last week, my favorite decoration, a gingerbread house.  

As you can see by the wardrobe change, it took him quite some time to finish it.  I did the icing and he did all the candy - he did a fabulous job!

We've been checking up on Santa's reindeer everyday on the Reindeer Cam.  Santa comes out to feed them a few times a day, and Henry just lights up when that happens!

His letter to Santa is signed, sealed, and we'll be delivering it to Macy's when we go see him this week.  He was wavering between this Hot Wheels car maker and Legos for quite some time, but now it's in writing and the Hot Wheels car maker is the winner.  

Here's my favorite house in our development.  Check out the decor!  Clark Griswold would be proud.  A+ for effort, if you ask me!  Henry asks to go by it all the time.

The last couple weekends, we've been enjoying "Christmas movie and popcorn night" with the kids.  Their stockings had some matching pj's for them a few nights ago.  So cute!

Let the Christmas activities continue!!