Visit with Santa

I went to the annual Christmas in the South craft fair this year, where I've had the kids take pictures with Santa before, but a tight time schedule and a pooped mama meant that I chose a different venue to visit with the jolly gift giver in.

We had to bribe Samuel with a cookie to sit with Santa

Danielle is used to having her picture taken :)

There is a real estate office nearby that had a pictures with Santa event. I didn't know it was an event until we got there though. They had Mrs. Claus reading stories, Christmas crafts to make, platters of cookies and boxes of juice, and CDs provided of your photos with Santa. It was amazing and free (with a Toys for Tots donation suggested). I think they do it every year, and if so, I'm definitely going to take the kids again. They were so friendly and prepared to keep kids busy while you waited for your photos, and it was close to home. Just all around awesome.

 Ryan thought the bow tie I made to match Danielle's skirt was girlie, so he just wore a plain white button-up (store bought, even). He did NOT want to cooperate for pictures, but Santa, his elves and his photographer were all so patient and kind and a cookie bribe made it work. Danielle was playing with her skirt (and unintentionally lifting it up) in most of the pictures, as you can see above. But that's okay. This time of year is about celebrating Jesus' birth, not being a perfect family or having perfect pictures!

Frozen Anna

Me and Mimi took Danielle to the movie theater for the first time on the day after Thanksgiving. We saw "Frozen". I absolutely loved it, and I'm pretty sure Danielle did too. She got to have her own Icee and popcorn, which I think was the most exciting part. I had a chance to pattern test the dress of the main character, Princess Anna. She doesn't have "freezing powers" like her sister, so I don't know if Danielle likes her as much, but Danielle loves the dress and will be wearing it to the class Christmas party tomorrow. Ryan has Fridays off, and she's very excited Daddy will be able to come to the party. He also has Samuel's party to go to, and my work holiday party, so he'll be living it up tomorrow!

Halloween (even though it's almost Christmas)

Halloween is getting more fun, the older the kids. Danielle is starting to understand the concept of months and looks forward to holidays. Samuel likes candy. It's a win for both of them. We had to bribe Samuel with a candy bar to get him to wear his Yoda costume that I picked up at a garage sale last year. He ran behind the end table with it so we couldn't take it away, I guess.

Danielle was Rapunzel, from the Disney movie "Tangled". I was going to have her wear a blonde wig I used to use, but it was too big and too much trouble for a 4 year old. We have a lot of older folks in the neighborhood who didn't recognize the dress, but Danielle loved it. I made it for her for Disney on Ice, but it'll get some mileage, since it's a play dress now that we're past Halloween.

I made the Flintstones costumes that I bought the fabric for last year. The kids at Danielle's school didn't know who I was, so I'm glad I didn't make the kids BamBam and Pebbles. I wore my costume to work, and we both wore our costumes around the neighborhood with the kids (Mimi helped out by passing out candy).  The neighbors loved it.

Ryan even shaved his beard down to stubble for the costume. That's commitment!

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