Disney on Ice

One of my favorite holiday traditions is taking the girls to see Disney on Ice after Christmas. This year the show was Finding Nemo, and we really enjoyed it! Aunt Katy and Nana came with us, too!

Here are the pictures from our trips to Disney on Ice in 2008 and 2007.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The girls are ready for Santa's visit tonight! They set out a note and some treats for him and his reindeer! They also sprinkled magic reindeer food (oats and glitter) on the driveway.
For weeks, Mike has been telling the girls that he's going to set a trap to try to catch Santa this year. They were concerned about this, so Isabella tried to warn Santa in her letter.

Here's what she wrote:

Santa and Reindeer,

Merry Christmas! Santa, you're one of the best persons. Be careful! Dada is trying to catch you.

Love, Isabella

We will leave you one half of a cookie and two carrots and the reindeer will eat a half of a cookie.

She's not trying to be stingy. Isabella has expressed concern about the types of snacks that we leave for Santa. She wanted to leave him something healthier which is why she only left half of a cookie for him!

When we were young, my Grandpa G. used to read us the book, Twas the Night Before Christmas, on Christmas Eve. I wanted my dad to continue this tradition with our kids.

The children were nestled...

all snug in their beds...

...while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

La Salette Shrine

Every Christmas we like to go see the lights at the La Salette Shrine. My mom came with us, and we got there right before the lights came on.

We had a quick visit this year because it was really cold!!

Giving Back

In preparation for the onslaught of Christmas gifts, Mike suggested that the girls go through their own toys and give some away to children who don't have many toys at Christmastime. Both of the girls went through their bedrooms and found puzzles, games, toys and stuffed animals to give away. One needed a little more prodding and guidance than the other! I peeked at Isabella through the crack in her door as she sorted through her toys. She had no idea that I was watching her. She had a "give away" pile and a "keep" pile. She has quite a collection of toy horses, and I saw her holding one particular horse as she looked back and forth between her two piles and the horse. It seemed like she wanted to keep the horse, but I heard her say to herself, "Those kids are more important than this horse," as she placed the horse in the "give away" pile. I was so touched and proud of her!

Mike researched different charities in the area and decided to make a donation to Cradles to Crayons -a non-profit organization which "equips homeless and in-need children with the basic essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn and valued." He felt strongly that the girls should go with him to make the donation. He loaded up the car with the girls' toys, some baby gear and other items and they headed off this afternoon. We want our children to be kind and compassionate and to think of others. This is another new tradition that we would like to carry on year after year (and throughout the year)!

More Christmas Traditions

Last night when we got home after being gone all day, we found The Elf on the Shelf sitting on our mantle! We learned from the book that this elf is one of Santa's special helpers who watches over our kiddos during the weeks leading up to Christmas. He travels to the North Pole every night to report to Santa on their behavior and then returns to another spot in our house the next day. The girls named him Ornament. Noone is allowed to touch him because he could lose his magic.
Somehow I figured out that Isabella touched him (she's just as curious as her dad was as a little boy!), so I told her that she shouldn't be surprised if she gets one less present than Sienna. When she seemed a bit sad about that, I suggested that she write Ornament a note.

This is what she wrote:

Ornament wrote her a note back!

Dear Isabella, Sienna and Elijah-

I really like visiting your home. Thanks for giving me such a great name!

Isabella-I told Santa that you kind of touched me. He said that it's okay that it happened accidentally one time, but please don't let it happen again. I wouldn't want you to lose one of your presents, and I don't want any of my magic to wear off! Thank you for your nice note. Actually, your Dada touched me by accident a tiny bit, too, when I first arrived at your house, but he apologized after you all went to bed. It must be exciting having an elf visit your house. I don't blame you for being curious!

My cousins (Jingle and Rudolph) and I had a good trip to the North Pole last night, but I am tired. I need to rest a lot today!

Be good!!

Love, Ornament

The girls enjoy another old tradition of ours. They take turns hanging a miniature ornament on the Christmas tree on our advent calendar each day. This is the same advent calendar that my sister and I filled up when we were little!

A Weekend of Christmas Traditions-Old and New!

Some of the things I love about the holidays are the traditions that we have started as a family. After reading about my friend, Sarah's, great idea to do a different holiday activity every day in December, I was motivated to start some new traditions of our own. This weekend we enjoyed some old traditions as well as creating some new ones!

Old Tradition: Breakfast with Santa
Yesterday morning we enjoyed our annual pancake breakfast at Sienna's school. The girls were happy to see Santa, but Elijah had other ideas!
Elijah seemed to be intrigued by Santa once he was at a safe distance.
This picture has nothing to do with holiday traditions, but Isabella went to a birthday party this weekend and came home with this fancy hair-do (complete with a pink streak) and sparkly eyelids. I'm not sure that modeling is in her future! Old Tradition: Placing Wilma the Angel on top of our Christmas tree
This year Sienna had the honor of putting Wilma on top of our tree.It's getting harder for Mike to lift up the girls as they get bigger!A minor adjustment...Mission accomplished!

New Tradition: Family Christmas Movie Night

We started a tradition of Family Movie Nights complete with popcorn and a fire. We decided to watch Home Alone last night, but we were surprised by some of the language and all of the name calling!!! Is that really necessary in a kids' movie?!?! (I know, I'm such a mom...)

New Tradition: Holiday visit to Bass Pro Shops

Tons of people were waiting to see Santa, and we didn't want to wait around for several hours. Instead, we enjoyed checking out all of the animals (both live and stuffed); although, Sienna wouldn't go near this bear!

There was a pond with live fish and turtles that had a sign that warned people not to put their hands in the pond since all of the animals/fish could bite. Guess who stuck his finger in the pond to see if they'd actually bite? I'll give you a hint...it wasn't Elijah!

Elijah came up with some Christmas ideas for himself. He would either like this pink ATV...

...or this boat!

He likes anything with a steering wheel or handlebars! See?!?

Elijah, Sienna, Lauren (Sienna's friend) and I made a mid-week trip back to Bass Pro Shops and walked right up to see Santa!! As we learned with the Enchanted Village, mid-week visits are much better than weekend visits!

Old Tradition: Festival of Lights

Tonight we enjoyed the Festival of Lights on our town common.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a firetruck again this year!

Elijah enjoyed a free cookie!

Sienna posed in front of the lights.

Isabella, Sienna and Elijah

Elijah surveyed the lighting job.

Trying to keep warm!

We enjoyed our weekend of holiday family fun!!