Christmas official kicks off at our house the day the tree goes up. That's the day the kids can open up their Christmas jammies so they can wear them all season long.
Fudge and sugar cookies
Playing Polar Express
This year we tried a new tradition. I actually put together an advent calendar and each day had a "gift of togetherness." They included things like making paper snowflakes, taking a drive to look at the lights, baking treats for our friends, singing Christmas songs, having a game night, looking through family albums, watching Christmas movies for Friday Family Movie Night, writing thank you notes, etc. The kids loved being able to see what our activity was for the day.
Also for the first time, I wrapped 25 Christmas books. Each nights the kids got to open one of the books. We surprisingly didn't get behind too many nights because the kids wouldn't let us forget!
Unfortunately, going to see Santa was a dud. I had asked some friends where they recommend going. The consensus was to go to Bath nursery since not only did they have a great Santa, but they also had reindeer! We'll it seems like Bath's Santa got sick this year and was cancelled. Ok, time for plan B. I'd also heard that the Santa in Downtown was good so we headed up there. I should have realized when there was no line for Santa what we were in for and just walked away. There was a little shack with a sign saying to please wait for someone to let you in. So I knocked and we waited for awhile in the cold. Finally Santa came out to tell us that the people inside were finishing up. I was shocked. Santa sounded like he had a hole in his throat. He was raspy and wheezing and had to stop to take breath. Evy, usually so sociable, grabbed onto me and wanted nothing to do with Jolly Ole' St. Nick. While we were out there in the cold he asked the kids what their names were and how old they were. And that was all he asked them for our entire trip. No, "Have you been naughty or nice this year?" or "What would you like for Christmas?" Nothing. Evy refused to talk to him anyways. Nate at least would talk to him. Nate let Santa know that he wanted a car carrier truck and Evy wanted a pink scooter for Christmas. Finally the people inside moved on (what were they doing without Santa?) and we could go inside. All that fit inside that tiny shack was Santa's chair and the photographer's stuff. I'd heard that this Santa let you take your own pictures, but this was obviously not the case. I thought maybe now he'd ask some questions. Nope, just on to the pictures. Evy still wanted nothing to do with Santa and she was leaning away from him as he was trying to pull her closer. It was getting pretty comical now. We finished up as fast as we could and got out of there. On the way home, I asked the kids, "Was that Santa nice?" Evy's response, "No, he was naughty." Nate piped up, "No, he was nice!" I tried really hard not to laugh. At least one of them enjoyed whatever magic had been in the experience.
We invited some friends over for a gingerbread house party. Everyone brought candy to share and they kids had a blast. They liked
decorating with eating the candy. We actually did have some very determined decorators. Once all the kids attention had been spent they went to play and all the mom's got to talk and enjoy decorating the rest of the houses and cookies.
On Christmas Eve, Brad pulled out his trumpet to play Christmas songs for the kids. Nate decided to play his recorder along. Evy and I sang along. Then there were the traditional French Pancake batter to make and spritz cookies. The kids love helping in the kitchen. Finally we decided to pull out some candles to go with dinner and the kids LOVED it. They now ask us if they can have candles at dinner. We'll have to keep it up for special occasions. Then it was the Nativity story and off to bed. It was so surprising how quickly and without fuss Nate and Evy went to bed. They were so excited for it to be Christmas!
