If you are a loyal follower (Hi, Mom!) (And Cindy!) then you may remember we start our Christmas countdown without fail on the 13th. I know that the 12 days of Christmas actually start ON Christmas, but it's fun to build a little anticipation.
We have typically kicked our 12 days of Christmas tradition off with letters to Santa, but this year we decided to switch things up a bit. I know, we are living on. the. edge.
Only 12 days until Christmas - Put on your party clothes and celebrate the season with
UPS!!!
Now, this wasn't an official UPS Christmas party - more of just a gathering of UPSers that, when I made the list, I thought started at 7pm. Turns out it started at 8pm...at the VFW. And kids weren't allowed past 9pm.
Yeah, so day 12 didn't work out how we planned. (But what does!?!)
Luckily, the kids decided they didn't want to go to the party before we told them they couldn't go to the party. They much preferred to hang out with Michael and Lauren. (Whoop for besties with big kids.) So instead, we grabbed dinner with two of my sweet sorority sisters that I haven't seen in much too long and then Ryan went to the party so Michael and Lauren could go to the movies.
Luckily I am a creature of habit and the kids wrote their letters to Santa that morning anyway, so the day wasn't a total Christmas bust.
Items included Hot Wheels, Barbie dolls, and Princess dresses.
And then they were on their way to the North Pole.
Only 11 days until Christmas – Go on a fun shopping trip
with Mommy and Daddy!
When the kids woke up they were greeted with a note from Alfie that let them know they had gotten a little return letter from Santa. I wrote a letter that made them realize Santa sees it all. (It may or may not have mentioned all the bickering between the siblings that we experience around here). I'll let you know if it works.
Then they checked for what was next in our calendar and were excited to see that they got to shop for some special people like classmates, teachers, and a few extra-special people. The girls were maybe the cutest I've seen them when they found these rings for their friends. (Act surprised and sorry about the extra tiny thing you really don't need in your house!) ;)
We also bought a doll for a little girl we drive to school, some treats for Rad's teachers (that he paid for with his very own money) and a few other small items. It was a great way to spend our Sunday morning - doing something that focuses on others instead of ourselves.
Although I did hear lots of "but can we get this for ME?" "When is it my turn?" Isn't it funny how some of the smallest moments can serve as the biggest teachers. As best we could to a 2 and 4 year-old - we explained for the 100th time about the spirit of giving. It was finally when I reminded them about those cute rings they got their friends that they let it sink in that giving is lots of times better than receiving.
Only 11 days until Christmas - Bundle up to Cruise the Creek with Hudson and Harper!
We did this last year and the kids didn't quit talking about it all year. As soon as the first set of lights went up in our neighborhood Radley asked when we got to go look at lights with Hudson - so they were more than thrilled when they read this card!
They stocked up on canned goods and Radley even gave everyone some of his own money to donate at the house with the "singing lights". If you are thinking of checking it out (and you should) bring canned goods or cash because they are taking donations.
It was the perfect night weather wise and between all the "sit downs, stop thats, and quit singing so louds" we managed to have a pretty great ride through the 'hood.
Harper kept trying her best to escape the car when we stopped but she settled for waving to everyone we saw instead.
Hud and Radley got to ride in the front seat since they are the oldest, but they may get kicked back to the trunk next year if they can't learn how to make a normal face for a picture.
Stay tuned for more...
Hi!
ReplyDelete