Santa Claus Came to Town

Medinah had their annual "Brunch with Santa" last weekend and the whole family was able to go this year. The theme had something to do with Disney characters, so the kids were pretty pumped. Except Paige. I think Woody from Toy Story is now her nemesis.

After the obligatory tree shots, we were greeted by some fairies with pixie dust that the kids used to make wishes. Brooke took it very seriously and when they approached her again later in the morning, asked if her wish could still come true if she'd already made one.

Next, we went downstairs to get in line to see Santa.

While we were in line, Paige seemed interested and was even pointing to Santa. Bri, not so much.

We let the big kids go to try to warm Paige up.

Brooke asked for a science kit. Uncle Tim would be proud.

Miles asked for an airplane. His original request was "a car that you press and button and it flies. And it goes in water." I explained to him that that might be a gift he'd have to be a little older for. We'll see...

Paige was having none of this Santa stuff. She's my first baby to cry with Santa!

Notice the side-eye she's giving him. This isn't her first rodeo.

The Santa photo bomb did end up being somewhat successful, minus Paige's scowl and vice grip on my sweater.

Bri was still traumatized.

Another successful Santa photo bomb. Santa knows his way around crying babies.

I think Will was really excited to take this one. It turned out so cute, though!

Family portrait.

The kids with their grandparents and great-grandma.

Not sure where she learned it, but Brooke is into bunny ears lately, and of course Uncle Will was a good sport.

Next, it was time for mimosas brunch, and the buffet did not disappoint.

I took the big kids into the ballroom as they were anxious to check it out after we'd eaten. Brooke got her face painted by Anna (although Matt pointed out that she didn't have the silver streak in her hair, so it couldn't be the real Anna).

They were having so much fun. Melt my heart.

They also had crafts. Brooke was in heaven!

Miles went in the bounce house over and over while Brooke did her stuff.

Then she joined him.

Matt eventually came in with Paige, who also had fun.

Family bouncy slide ride!

 

I didn't get a shot of Paige's face plant, but other than that it looked like fun.

Finally, we ventured outside to meet the reindeer. Again, Paige had no interest. After that Santa character, I think she was really skeptical about what else we were going to subject her to.

Photo ops. I'm sad about the bad lighting.

 

The kids all LOVE Uncle Will and Aunt Jamie!

 

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! Have I mentioned I love this time of year?

Holiday Fun

Right after Thanksgiving, I we made a list of the holiday activities that we'd like to make sure to do before Christmas. With all of our traveling around the holidays, I think that sometimes I get so caught up in our "to do" list that we don't get to do all that we'd like to. One of the first things that Brooke got to do was the holiday shop at her school. She took the five dollars that she's earned over the last couple of weeks (I think Matt gave her an extra couple, too) and she and Matt went over to Wiesbrook. She was pretty excited and even had her purse ready.

The event sounds like it's really well organized. Matt said that as soon as they got in the door, a couple of fifth grade girls offered to take Brooke around and help her "shop" so Matt wouldn't see what she was getting him. She came back so proud and excited for us to open the gifts. We're excited to open them, too!

Growing up, we would always spend at least one night driving around looking at Christmas lights and I still love seeing them. Jamie had told me about a house that her friend had gone to, and when I googled good light displays in our area, the same one came up.

It was around a thirty minute drive, but well worth it. The kids got into their jammies and I packed dinner and we left as soon as Matt got home. I think it felt like an adventure to them.

Once we arrived, we parked and let all the kids in the front seat with us. The show has light synchronized to twelve songs, and there are two different shows on alternating nights. The kids especially loved the three "Frozen" songs.

I think I was the most impressed with Paige. She was mesmerized. We kept asking if we should leave and she'd emphatically shake her head "no." I think this will definitely become a tradition.

Making a gingerbread house somehow also got on the list, much to my chagrin. I decided to just use icing and graham crackers since we had leftovers of both and I knew that no matter what we used, it wasn't likely to be super-successful. Miles and I made the house on the left, and Brooke did the little ranch on the right.

And then it came time to decorate, and Brooke's ranch was looking pretty good. Wah-wah. I'm happy to say that we made it through with no tears - from the kids, at least.

We did some cookie decorating. Again, I started easy with break and bake. If this takes off as a tradition, we'll tackle real cookie baking in a couple of years.

Brooke has been very into "helping" me wrap and address gifts.

We also did Winter Wonderfest again with Kali and Christy. I was able to get a babysitter for Paige, as we left around the time her nap started. Plus, this way I got to ride a few more rides. The ferris wheel is always a hit.

The girls were able to go on all the rides, including a couple of crazy spinning ones that they loved. Miles was a couple inches short, so he and I spent a lot of time on the inflatables.

We all rode the train.

The kids did the teacups. So cute.

We spotted this TMNT tree there and Miles and I took a pic for Uncle Tim and Luke.

I also got to help at Brooke's class party. I led the "Pin the Nose on the Snowman" game. I think it was a hit. Brooke said it was the second best station, after the ornament-making station. I can't blame her, the ornaments were pretty cool. The only downside was when a little boy in my first group started puking. Fun stuff.

It's been a great month already, and the fun has just begun. Happy Holidays!