We're Ready Santa!

We had a great evening tonight! It is SNOWING! So, tomorrow the kids should wake up to a white Christmas morning! After dinner, Allen bathed the kids and I got them dressed in their pjs. Then, we loaded up the car and drove around looking at Christmas lights. Poor Brookelyn fell asleep on the way home, but Mr. Braedyn was awake so Allen took him for a run through all the whirling, swirling snow. Needless to say he LOVED it. Once back inside, with Brookelyn awake, we set out the cookies and milk for Santa and the broccoli for his reindeer. Here are the kids:

Once we took these pictures Brookelyn announced it was bedtime, so she didn't even get to open the present we had saved out for them. But, oh well--that just means more presents tomorrow! Can't wait! I am sure Brookelyn will be up with the sun!

Christmas Cookies

Today Brookelyn and I made cookies for Santa; we want this to become a tradition. Together, we picked out the cookie recipe--sugar cookies that look like candy canes. They turned out great, and taste even better! (I might add this is my FIRST time baking cookies from scratch, so I was a little worried.)
Here is baker Brookelyn unwrapping the butter (outfit courtesy of Auntie B):
And, here we are rolling out the dough:

TaDa...

Something tells me Santa will gobble them up!

Best Gift EVER...

As soon as I walked into Brookelyn's classroom to prep for her class Christmas party, Brookelyn announced loudly that she had a present for Allen and I. (All of you who know Brookelyn know that she LOVES a present like no man, woman, or child I have met before--even if it isn't for her.) She insisted that I open it immediately, but I was able to pacify her with many promises of getting her big girl mattress later in the afternoon.

She brought it up several times throughout today, but I was so proud of her that she was able to keep a secret and manage to wait until Allen got home for us to open it together. Inside was the BEST present I have ever gotten (and I know Allen agrees)--a little nesting doll set of Baby Jesus, Mary, and Joesph. She was so proud that she helped her teacher, Ms. Cathy make it and glue it together. Baby Jesus rests on the bottom, Mary sits on top of him, and Joesph goes over her--such a happy little nested family together. It reminded me of our family (sure we really need two Baby Jesus' but close enough) and how thankful I am for the place we are at right now. I know that each year I will unpack these little nesting dolls and think back to this place in our lives with a smile!
Here are a few pictures from the party--it is always hard to take them since I am coordinating everything:

This is Brookelyn making her snowman ornament--the "smile" you see is driving me crazy these days. I don't know why she insists on channeling Garth from Wayne's World?!

Here she is with all her little classmates. We were about to play Christmas Bingo.

Yum-reindeer cupcakes! Hey, I bought the cupcakes at Walmart, but the kids had fun decorating them! I was obviously not in charge of the juice you see pictured because I am not sure what mother in her right mind (I am giving the mommy who bought these a break because she is pregnant with two kids under three and a half, so she probably isn't in her right mind) would purchase juice in GLASS bottles with NO straws!

Here is a better shot of the cupcakes and the juice, which she later spilled in her car seat (don't tell Allen because we spent almost two hours cleaning out the car on Sunday)! It really was a fun party--Merry Christmas!!

Santa Pictures

Well, we took the kids to get their picture taken with Santa, and here it is...
I guess it speaks for itself!

Our Tiny Dancer

When we got home this afternoon from gymnastics Brookelyn wanted to dance. So, I put on her "ballerina music" and she was in the zone. She danced for probably 30 minutes! Here is a short video of her in action (remember you have to go to the blog to see the video):

First SNOW!

This morning I got a text from Allen saying that it was SNOWING! I rushed to the window and sure enough, it was POURING SNOW!! I rushed around getting the kids' raincoats, boots, and hats so we could head outside. This is the FIRST time the kids have EVER seen snow!

Here is Miss Brookelyn, checking out the snow from the front porch:
Braedyn immediately rushed out and started playing in the snow like a pro:

Brookelyn was really cold--after all mommy didn't put any clothes on them (I was scared it would stop snowing), so they only had their pjs on:

Here they are together. As you can see Braedyn is already pitching a fit because I told them it was time to come inside. The fit lasted at least 45 minutes after we came back in!