Bella and I at Northpark

My friend Anne was having her choir sing at Northpark, so she invited us to come see her. We got there early enough to watch Santa tell a couple of stories, and tour the mall. What a neat place! Apparently Nasher (the art gallery collector) had a hand in building it. The artwork and sculptors were amazing, even the Christmas decorations were over the top.
We ran into a bunch of Momma's old friends/teachers from Christie Elementary. FUN! And best of all got to jam to Anne's Christmas music and just enjoy the season.

looking at Christmas lights at my parent's house

On Saturday we went over to my parents house to watch a movie, have a pizza dinner, and take a walk to look at Christmas lights. Before our movie we decided to rake some leaves and have a little fun. I was wishing I were a kid again watching the girls play in the leaves.

And then the cold front hit! Victoria wanted to go outside and play as we were watching our movie Jingle All the Way. Her jacket was in the car, so she borrowed mine. We went outside to find her huddled near the grill (her shelter).

We bundled the kids up after pizza and took a tour of some Christmas lights.

After our walk, the kids were going ballistic running around Grandma and Grandpa's house (probably from all the chocolate cookies)... finally sleep hit.

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Bella's Christmas Preformance and Party

Bella's class were reindeer for their Christmas performance. They sang Christmas Shuffle (sang to the Hokie Pokie song)- you put your antlers in, you put your antlers out.... your put your huffs in, you put your huffs out... (but my favorite was) you put your tails in, you put your tails out... (and they had safety pined a giant cotton ball on their bottoms.)
Then they had their Christmas party and book exchange. Bella was given a new Toy Story book- she loves it.

Advent Calendar Activities

I made this advent calendar 2 years ago and use it every Christmas. Usually I put candies in the day pockets, but this year I'm trying something new. My sister-in-law Renae does an activity for each day, so that's what I'm attempting. (Kudos for the suggestion Renae.) Hopefully, we'll remember and stick with it. And hopefully, I can find the time. Though- so far, so good.
One day we made a Christmas craft. Each girl made a snowman. Jer helped Victoria with her snowman (the red haired one wearing the red skirt with jingle bells) and I helped Bella with hers (the pink haired one with red scarf and hat.) I made the middle one and we assembled them on a blue canvas that's hanging in my den.

On another day we wrote letters to Santa telling him what we wanted. I had them write it in pencil and I traced it with black marker. They cut the pictures out. Yes, I was standing right beside them as they did this (see "No More Scissors" post to understand why.)

Like I said so far, so good. Here's a complete list of the activities (in no particular order), if anyone wants it or if I need it for next year.

Decorate an ornament for our tree.

Camp in the living room by the fire.

Pick out a teacher’s gift.

Make a Christmas chain.

Watch the movie Christmas Story as a family.

Play game Creationary as a family.

Play a board game as a family.

Watch the movie Elf as a family.

Read The Night Before Christmas together.

Make Christmas cookies.

Deliver Christmas cookies.

Make a Gingerbread house.

Go see the Christmas lights.

Make cinnamon rolls for Daddy.

Make Christmas cards for Grandparents.

Write a letter to Santa.

Light an Advent candle.

Light an Advent candle.

Light an Advent candle.

Light an Advent candle.

Bella chooses a restaurant to eat at.

Victoria chooses a restaurant to eat at.

Wrap stocking stuffers for the cousins.

Leave out cookies for Santa and Rudolph.

Create a “family snowman painting.”

It’s Christmas! Let’s celebrate Christ’s birthday and sing him Happy Birthday.

Christmas cookies

Yesterday Jer was in the mood for Christmas cookies. Even though I had planned to make them next week with the girls (our Advent activity for next Wednesday), Jer had to have them "right now" ;) so... He made some cookies with the girls.
Bella spent most of the time washing her hands because she wanted to keep licking her fingers.

They made a good team.

This first batch of cookies were done with a glaze that Jer mixed up from a recipe on the computer- one with corn syrup. Jer put the glaze on them while the girls decorated them with candied sprinkles.

The girls decide to take a break.

After determining that the glaze was just so- so, Jer wanted the traditional icing, so I mixed up a batch of pure awesomeness, I mean icing.

We had a good time, then watched the movie Christmas Story cuddled up in Mom and Dad's bed.

No More Scissors

The picture was taken less then 24 hours ago. Look at their long beautiful hair with no bangs. Tonight...

I walk into their bedroom to help them clean before going out to eat. I see a little doll lying on the sink with a pair of scissors next to her and a clump of hair on the floor. I scream, "Bella! Victoria! Get in here and tell me what happened!" That's when Victoria shyly comes into the bathroom light. When I see Victoria's hair, I clasp my hand over my mouth. I'm shaking so hard from laughter and thinking- oh crap, Breakfast With Santa pictures are this weekend- what are we going to do? Then Bella comes and stands beside Victoria, I notice she too has cut her hair, however, not as noticeable. I send both girls to Time Out and think. Dare I try to cut it? I opt for a quick trip to Grandma Carol's house.
Victoria is very lucky that I did not try to cut her hair- I would have just cut the whole thing ultra short and evened it out.

Although you can't tell as much with Bella's hair, she cut herself some bangs and cut her one side to the length of her chin.

Carol trimmed up the bangs and swayed her hair down her back.

One happy customer.

Victoria's mug shot.

Carol carefully maneuvered and pulled more hair forward to cover up the bald spot.

Thank you Grandma! You saved my life!

Thanksgiving Break

What a wonderful Thanksgiving Break- so much to be thankful for! The weather was spectacular- highs in the 70s, so the girls played wonderfully outside while Mommy cleaned the house. Then on Thursday a cold front hit and it was so cold we used the fireplace and blankets. It was also the first year I had my parents and in laws over to my house for a turkey meal.

I got to do some decorating and artwork. I made this painting and the leaf napkin rings at my table setting.

Carol and Dick spent the night on Wednesday to help me with the turkey preparations.

Getting ready.

Grandpa Joe has a pillow fight with Victoria and Caleb, while we get the finishing touches on the table.

The grand meal included turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, olives, cranberry jello salad, sweat potato balls, green bean casserole, rolls, pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie, an apple caramel dessert, and, what am I forgetting? You get the picture- do you think they offer group rates at gyms- we might be needing to sign up :)

The kid table saying "Cheers" with their Sparkling Apple Cider.

Renae brought the kids some crafting projects- they made stained glass ornaments and sand bottles.

Guess how many kids can fit on Grandma's lap? We also watched the Cowboy game :( and tried to play some Trivia Pursuit (but the kids really wanted to play- so we made up questions for them- i.e- Who is the first president? and guess who won- I don't think the adults even had a chance :)

It was getting cold, so all the princess girls went under covers and stayed by the fireplace for some warmth.

Caleb, Chloe and Keira spent the night (while Renae and Josh went Black Friday shopping). The kids were so easy to put to bed this time, maybe because they'd been running around the house all night having so much fun. The next day we put up our Christmas decorations. On Saturday, we went to the movies with the cousins to see Tangled. It was amazing, a must see! And then on Sunday, we went to our dear friend Abby's birthday party over at the Frisco Science and Discovery Center- so much fun! Like I said earlier, many things to be thankful for!!!