School Party

Today I went to Rachel's school to help out with her class Christmas party.

It was a lot of fun and alot of craziness too!  All the kids were on a sugar high and so exicted for vacation to start. They has some snacks and then went to work on crafts.

 

They made cute Christmas wreaths with cutouts of their hands.

Silly girl.

After school we went to pick up Rebecca from daycare and they were having a little Christmas party.  I wish that I had my camera-- it was so cute to see a table of little kids sitting and having their snacks.

Rebecca in her snowman sweater. 

 This was Rachel's and I always thought it was so cute- glad it was able to fit Rebecca. 

Looking forward to a fun weekend!

Baby It's Cold Outside!

For the past few days it has been FREEZING here!  And windy too!  I can't wait for it to warm back up. I know that Rachel keeps hoping it will snow.

This morning, I bundled Rebecca up and went grocery shopping.  I snapped this picture of her in car.  She doesn't mind wearing her hat, but she didn't want her picture taken.

After lunch and naptime we spent some time with Play-doh.  Rebecca does much better than Rachel did at this age with Playdoh.  She finally figured out how to use the rolling pin and did a good job at not eating any of her creations!  Today when I went to get her from the crib she told me " I want milk."  Clear as can be!  She had been saying more sentences lately and learning lots of new words.

I love this little red outfit she wore today.  Between hand-me-downs from Rachel and other friends and my consignment finds, Rebecca has tons of Christmas/winter outfits to wear.  Some of them are eighteen months, so I am kind of having to squeeze her into some of them-ha!  I just want her to get a chance to wear them all before the holidays are over.

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On Saturday, Rachel and I started putting together the gingerbread house.  This year's house was a bit more complicated than last years and it took awhile for me to assemble it, but we got it done.

Rachel did a good job at decorating and didn't eat too much of the candy!

The final product!

Friday Night Lights

Last night after dinner and baths, we loaded up the girls and drove around town to take in all the Christmas lights displays. 

Already to go!

We drove all around and saw some very interesting and pretty lights. Here is Rachel with a hot chocolate from Starbucks.  Last year we stopped at Starbucks for a treat and I guess now Rachel thinks it is a requirement for looking at lights.  She pestered us until we finally gave in a went to Starbucks.

Our house this year- we just went with simple lights. The past few years we haven't done lights and Rachel said we were the "only house in Dacula without lights!".  So my  Dad and Raphael put up the lights and I think they did a great job.

Happy weekend!

'Tis the Season

I got the design for this and several other signs from http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/

'Tis the Season for Christmas parties!  Tonight the girls and I went to my MOMS Club Kid's party.

 There was lots of good food,arts & crafts, games and many friends to play with!

There were alot of kids there and it was a bit crazy at times. I think Rebecca was overwhelmed with it all. She spent alot of time in my arms taking it all in.

Gigi and Rachel making ornaments.

My friend, Michelle, planned a game for the kids- "pin the star on the tree" and it was a big hit with the kids!

Rachel went through the line several times and got lots of candy.

I was on the "decorating" committee for the party and I made several dozens of these cute little candycane reindeers.  I got the idea/pattern from Martha Stewart- thanks Martha!  I had a great time chatting with my MOMS club friends and I am looking forward to more parties in the next few weeks.

Rebecca "talking" on her phone (which is her hand). She makes me smile!

Christmas Lunch

Today this little cutie went to the babysitter for a few hours, so I could go have lunch with my other little cutie!

Rachel proudly wearing her Santa pin!

At Rachel's school today, they had their annual Christmas lunch. Rachel was very excited to have me there and introduced me to all of her friends.  I love watching Rachel interact with her friends and listen to them all talking.  

After lunch I ran a few errands and did a little Christmas shopping all by myself!! Trying to get it all done and not be a "last minute" shopper this year.

Saturday with Santa

This morning we took the girls to Rachel's school for Breakfast with Santa.  First, we had our pancake breakfast and then went and stood in line to see Santa.
                                                         

Rebecca enjoying her pancakes- she ate three! Last year she was just eight months old and fell asleep in her Dadddy's arms while we were at this event. She is growing up way too fast.

Rachel chatting with Santa.

We had Rachel sit with Santa by herself first. I wasn't too sure how Rebecca would react to Santa and didn't want her to start crying and cause a scene. We also had the photographer take a family photo for us.

After our visit with Santa, we went to the gym for some Christmas crafts.

Rachel made two cute little ornaments and I made some for Rebecca.

And that was it!  We came home just in time for Rebecca's nap and spent the rest of the day playing and decorating for Christmas.

                                                                            

The Elf on the Shelf

This morning Rachel woke up to find that Jack the Elf had returned for another Christmas season!

She was really excited to have him back again this year. He left her a little piece of candy and note thanking her for sending him back to Santa.  This summer we were going through some boxes and accidentally found Jack-oops! I guess I need to find a better spot for Jack to hide out after Christmas is over this year.

This will be the fourth year for Jack to visit us.   We even took him along to Montana a few years ago for our Christmas visit there. I am discovering that I need to really think these "traditions" through a little more before I start them up- I never imagined a little elf could be so much work! But it makes Rachel smile-so it is worth it.