let the Christmas festivities begin

We're in the thick of the Christmas activities around here!  I seem to love the month of December more every year as Henry is growing up and now that Lydia is here with us.  To see the genuine excitement on his face every morning when he gets to "put the cotton ball on Santa's beard" and check his Advent calendar for the "activity of the day" is just priceless.

Blaine held their annual Christmas party at City Hall this week.  Lydia stayed home with Oma, but still got all dressed up for the fun of it :)

My big snowman and my little candy cane :)

Santa was in the house and Henry is all about the big man this year.  Every time he's seen him, he's been very excited to talk to him and even sat on his lap at Home Depot last weekend.  He hasn't been set on one particular toy that he's been asking for (oh wait, he has asked for a pile of dirt - for his dump trucks, of course, a few times), so I think I've talked him into a Lego set!  

The evening was filled with projects, eating, games, music, and Santa!

Last Sunday night, Phil whipped us up some hot cocoa and we headed out to look at Christmas lights.  This year we went to St. Paul to see Holiday Lights In The Park at Phalen Park.  I wanted to listen to Christmas music, but Henry was requesting his usuals - Pearl Jam and Luke Bryan, instead.  This was my favorite display of the evening.

The Griswold house is in our development, not too far from our place, and so far I think we've already had to go see it about 4 times in the past week!  It's Henry's favorite.

Our Elf on the Shelf ("Helper Elf" is what Henry named him last year) arrived on December 1st.  Santa left it on the front step that morning.  Phil told Henry he heard somebody up on the roof that night and Henry's mouth just dropped wide open.  Let the excitement begin!  

I have to admit, I do love pulling this one on him - "Henry, remember, Helper Elf is watching you!"  If he's doing something naughty, Henry will duck down and hide so that he can't make eye contact with Helper Elf.  It's definitely been a "help" in the behavior department this week :)