Christmas Activities

We have had a full month of fun Christmas activities starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  We went with Nanna and Papa to ride the train with Santa Claus.  Not knowing if Santa sat down to talk to each kid, I had not prepared Walt and Emmie and had them think about their lists.  When he did, Emmie wouldn't talk, and Walt so cutely replied, "I'd like a new truck...and some of my crayons are broken, so maybe some new crayons, and (looking around and thinking) maybe a play train ticket for my train table, and a um, a toy flag."  So cute, clearly there wasn't much he really wanted.  And really this year, he has mentioned a few things he wants, but has hardly been consistent in really really wanting anything like he was last year.

 

 The recreation dept. had marionette performances of Santa's Coming to Town and the Nutcracker that we went to.  Walt and Emmie loved those. 

 

 Making/Eating our gingerbread house.  It didn't last 24 hours.  I decided this year just to let them eat it after we made it despite the fact that it was pretty cute. 

Loving on Tucker.  Emmie gives Tucker so many hugs lately.

The Christmas parade at night was COLD to say the least. We were all bundled up and freezing, but it was fun. There are fireworks and great floats.

Walt was a Shepperd in the Christmas program that his school did.  As promised, he sang every word and did all of the movements.  He did fabulous and I am so proud of him.  It is a wonderful program.  At the end he presented flowers to his teach Ms. Beth since she directs the program.  Nanna, Granny, Daddy, Emmie and I all came to watch.

 

 Walt's class singing some of the Christmas songs at their class party.

 Nanna, Emmie and I went to the party.  Emmie's class had a party too, but I completely forgot my camera.

All month, Walt talked about going to see the James Island Festival of Lights.  He remembered the train ride, roasting marshmallows and lights from last year.  So we had a great family night doing all of those things.

 By pressing these buttons Walt and Emmie could change the color of the lights on this tree.

A train ride at Town Center with buddies.  The rest of the girls were in the next car, but Emmie wanted to ride with Walt, Mills, and Charlie. 

We have a great group of friends that all have children Walt's age plus a few a little older and some younger.  We had a fun little Christmas party where all the kids wore their Christmas pajamas (Walt was so excited about that,) they decorated Christmas cookies, and watched Christmas movies.  All while we adults got to hang out.  It was such a fun night.

 Emmie LOVES Emma, Charlie's older sister.  Emma was so sweet to let Emmie curl up in the chair with her most of the night.

Ashley, Joy, Tine, Paige, Amy, Celine

Finally, we did a little Christmas baking.  We really didn't bake as much this year as in the past.  The new thing we made were chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles.  They were so easy, the kids were good at making them and had fun doing it, and they were of course yummy!

New Formatting

I was reading a blog that I love Moments With My Miracles and she talked about posting bigger pictures for more clarity and how to make them fit.  I have been trying for the last 45 minutes and this is the result.  What do you think?  Any suggestions?  Or, should I just go back to the slightly smaller pictures with a cute background?  I am going to work on posting all of our Christmas activities thus far tonight, maybe. 

Thanksgiving

Walt's school put on a super cute Thanksgiving program in which he was a cute little pilgrim.  There were plenty of cute songs, of which he did not sing a single word.  He promised he would practice and sing for the Christmas program.

 Walt's class party.

 Emmie and her best friend Reagan

After the program and the parties, we were off to Blythewood for Thanksgiving with Meme, Pop Pop, Uncle Will, Aunt Alicia, and Uncle Stephen.  Granny, Aunt Lauren and Nikki came later.  It was a delicious meal and fun weekend.

 Emmie gives PopPop some big hugs!

 On the way there, Walt said he was most looking forward to getting in the chair with Aunt Alicia and Uncle Will.  Emmie decided to join them.

 Walt is totally into superheros lately.  He wears his cape all the time, even to school some days.  He even wants to be called Superman.

 They play Buzz and Woody all the time, just like Toy Story.  And this is the best picture I got on Thanksgiving.  We never got around to a family photo.

 Boyd cooked a delicious turkey.

 Walt was making everyone disappear after we ate.  It was Meme's turn.

 What could make a little girl this excited???

 The GIANT bubbles produced by the bubble wand Uncle Will and Aunt Alicia brought the kids.

 Aunt Alicia, Uncle Will, Emmie, and Aunt Lauren.

 

 Who doesn't go swimming in November in SC?

 Boyd heated up the hot tub to luke warm and they loved it.  Note Meme and PopPop in the background.  It was COLD!

 Walt loves to ride the 4 wheeler with Pop Pop. 

 Emmie wanted to pick a pretty flower before she left.

And a trip to Leapin' Lizards before we left.