Santa Visited!

We came back home Saturday, the day after Christmas from visiting family and discovered Santa must have stopped by while we were gone! Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Clause must be a little crazy for getting such a large toy for Levi, but the look on his face and his excitement and joy for his new Hot Wheels Garage was worth it! Mattie received an assortment of Minnie Mouse things from Santa which she loved of course.

Walking in after we woke him up from the long car ride

In shock

Later that evening after Mom and Dad put it together

First Movie with the Force

I took Levi to see his first movie in a movie theater...Star Wars: the Force Awakens. He did fine for the first hour while he chowed down and ate a whole bag of small popcorn. But after that, he told me he was ready to go. I made him stay and watch the rest while constantly hushing him as he moved from the seat to my right, to my lap, and to the seat to the left. Yep, still not ready to sit and watch a whole movie. Luckily, we saw it at the small Nacogdoches movie theater at the first showing of the day, so the theater wasn't very full and we didn't bother anybody. Not sure I caught everything in the movie, but overall it was pretty good. I'm no Star Wars fanatic but I liked the original ones so I'll probably watch this one again if it comes on TV or before the next one comes out.

Messy Cleaning

After playing with Play-Doh, I let the kids "clean" the table with shaving cream. It quickly devolved into full body painting and cars making tracks. The table did get super clean afterwards, as did the floor from the table to the bathroom and a few things in between. But they sure had a blast.

Edible Christmas Trees

Instead of attempting to decorate a gingerbread house with the kiddos, I had them decorate Christmas trees. An ice cream cone covered with green icing and a variety of sprinkles made it super easy. And they ate them as soon as they finished, so I guess it tasted good too! Plus, now I've got ice cream cones to eat with my ice cream :).

Santa 2015

I finally made it to Bass Pro yesterday where we take our free Santa picture every year. The kids changed into their pj's in the store because flannel Christmas pj's plus 80 degree weather outside don't mix. And I thought it would be cute to wear Christmas pajamas instead of dressing up this year. Levi was all about telling Santa what he wants for Christmas and sitting in his lap. Mattie had been excited...until she got close to him and decided that he was kind of scary. She didn't scream and cry but it took some cajoling to get her to stand next to him for the picture. "If you want a toy from Santa, you have to get your picture with him and tell him what you want," so she acquiesced.

Also, we have been battling colds/allergies/infections since the weekend before Thanksgiving, so both kids have been to the doctor this week. Levi has a double ear infection and sinus infection. Mattie has a slight sinus infection. This hasn't slowed them down at all of course, but they haven't been 100% either. So, all in all, this year's picture isn't too bad!

Christmas Cheer for Everyone!

Everybody participated in decorating our "yard" for Christmas this year. Our JOY sign is out and the ornaments and bows are hanging along the front entry fence. 

On the way back to the cabin, Daddy let Levi drive the gator (steer). He did a great job manipulating our curvy driveway and took it very seriously.

We also have our tree and stockings up and had a fire the weekend before when it was rainy and cold. Bella enjoyed it after all our Thanksgiving traveling wore her out. Such a rough life.

Little People Toys

One of my favorite toys growing up were the Fisher Price Little People - but I always called them my Finger People because, well, I did exactly what Mattie is doing. They are perfect for little fingers. There are pictures of me about the same age doing the same thing. Because I come from a family of hoarders, we have pretty much all of our old toys saved - I have all my Barbies, Barbie cars, Barbie house, My Little Ponies, Polly Pockets, Dolls, games, Lite Bright, spirograph, you name it. A veritable treasure trove of 1980's and 90's choking hazard, dangerous toys that I somehow survived. And what I find funny is how much Levi and Mattie seem to love playing with all of these vintage toys over the current versions of them. When I broke out the Little People the last time we visited, I fully expected Mattie to be the one playing with them - but it was Levi who was all about setting up the house, cars, and people. He loved it. This time they were both into it and played with them the whole visit. Ahh, the memories.

Pop and the Potato Helper

We spent Thanksgiving in Boerne with Pop and Gram, Great Grandmother, Uncle Brewer and Aunt Sabrina who flew in from Chicago, Aunt Hannah and Eric, and Uncle Jacob. Both Mattie and Levi love to help me in the kitchen as much as I will let them, even if all they can do is watch. One job Mattie helps me with is washing off potatoes after I peel them. So when she saw Pop peeling potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner, she wasted no time dragging a chair to the sink to help. It is a testament to your patience, but Mattie helped Pop wash every potato as he peeled them - a lot of them.