Christmas Eve

We always spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family.  We start out at Nonna's house for gift exchanges and then head to GG Cipollone's for dinner.  Here is our fun evening in pictures! 

Both kids were conked out when we finally made it back home late that night, but Madeline sat right up when we reminded her we needed to set out Santa's cookies and milk.

Mom's Playgroup Christmas Party

You all know that the kids and I are part of a Mom's playgroup.  There are about 30 moms and we get together during the week to get out of the house.  It's really great.  I have a nice time with the other Mom's and the kids have a great time playing.  Well, our group got together and planned a fabulous Christmas party with the husbands invited too.  One Mom was the major organizer and she did an amazing job.  I took part in the cooking crew and made 10 pounds of macaroni and cheese.  

Dinner was served for everyone so we needed 100 chairs and table space.  Check!

Play area for the smaller kids.  Check!

Arts and crafts.  Check!

Storytime with Santa.  Check!

Madeline's Christmas Program

Madeline was a shepard in her school's Christmas program, dare I say the cutest one out there.  And of course she had a purple headdress on!  They sang a few songs and then afterwards they got to go see Santa.  

Here is a short video clip of one of the songs.

This is Madeline with her best friend, Hanley.  Those two are like two peas in a pod.  Unfortunately, Hanley isn't returning to school in January.  I've broken the news to Madeline and she seemed okay with it.  We'll have to see what happens in January once she really gets it.

This is like Madeline's 3rd or 4th time seeing Santa so she has her wish list down, let me tell you.  She just spouts it off like nothing.

I wanted to get a cute shot of the two girls together and this is the best I could get.  Oh well.

Only 3 days left...

Our Santa beard countdown says we only have 3 days left!!

Making Christmas Cookies

Madeline has always been a great helper in the kitchen and now Fia is starting to help too.  But sometimes cooking and baking can get messy so I thought a perfect Christmas gift would be aprons just for them.  Since cookie baking happens before Christmas, they got to open a gift early this year.  They loved them!

Chef Madeline is ready to bake!  She helped me mix up the dough.

Fia came in for the more fun part.

Madeline did a great job decorating her cookies.  Fia, um, got some icing on top of hers.

They taste just as good as they look!

Jingle is back!

Jingle arrived for the first time at our house last year.  Just after this past Thanksgiving, he returned and the kids have been having a great time with him.  Sometimes he is low-key and just moves around to different perches to watch the kids.  Other times he can be pretty goofy.  Here are some of his antics so far this year.

Fia is going to be a lawyer

Andy and I are convinced that Fia is going to be a lawyer when she grows up.  She is constantly arguing with us.  I finally started writing some of her arguments down because they are too funny sometimes.

Bringing a package inside from the front porch

Me:  "Fia look, we got a package!"

Fia:  "No, that's a box."

Madeline and Fia looking at our nativity scene

Madeline:  "Look Fia, it's Baby Jesus."

Fia:  "No, it's a baby."

Both kids eating suckers.  Fia is eating a cherry sucker.

Madeline: "You have a cherry sucker."

Fia:  "No, it's apple."

After receiving a candy cane from Santa

Andy:  "You got a candy cane Fia!"

Fia:  "No, it's candy."

Working on Fia's colors using Madeline's worksheet from school 
Me:  "What color is this?"  (pointing to orange)
Fia:  "Orange!"
Me:  "Yes!  Good job.  Okay, what color is this?"  (pointing to red)
Fia:  "Apple!"
Me:  "No, it's red."
Fia:  "No, it's apple."
Me:  "No, Fia, it's red."
Fia:  "No, it's apple.  And this is banana."  (as she points to yellow)
Me:  I give up.

Cookie Plate for Santa

I'm in love with the cookie plate the kids and I made for Santa.  We can't wait to load it up full of our homemade cookies just for him!

Santa Visited on a Fire Truck Tonight

Our township has an event every year where Santa visits the neighborhoods and collects toys for the Toys for Tots program.  As he is driving through, he makes scheduled stops and visits with the kids.  Madeline was super excited and loved getting to see him.  She asked him for a jewelry box and Santa told her to look under the tree on Christmas morning.  

Fia wanted nothing to do with him and we didn't try to make her.  Andy kept her at a safe distance away where she could watch.  Her eyes lit up when Santa's elves gave her some candy though.

They couldn't wait to get back inside and dig into that candy.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas