Christmas in a flash!

Christmas Season has come and gone! It always seems to be anticipated for so long, and then is over in a flash! The girls both enjoyed having “Ralph” their Elf visit for the month of December. Finding Ralph was the first thing that needed to be done upon waking up! Amber loved learning all the favorite Christmas Carols and found a new favorite book, “The Night Before Christmas.” And, even though Christmas is over, we still are reading “The Night Before Christmas” and we have to sing “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” every night before bed!!

12/13/12: Leah’s 2^nd grade program. This was a big deal! Leah’s school is K-2, and only the 2^nd graders do a program. This is something that they are looking forward to doing from the time they are in Kindergarten! Leah was especially excited as she was chosen to play the part of the Grandma in her class’ song, “Grandma’s Chicken Soup.” She was so excited, she practiced her songs all of the time. During the program, she sang every word! She did so well. The program was very nice. I was very impressed how the kid’s did, they definitely worked hard to do well!

12/14/12: Joe and I got all dress up for his work’s holiday party. It was held at Tria Restaurant. We had a great time!

12/20/12: Grandpa Shorty came from Michigan to spend Christmas with us. The girls were so excited to see him. Amber did need some time to warm up, but it didn’t take long!

12/21/12: The girls both got a message from Santa!! It turns out both of them are on the Nice List. Way to go girls!!

12/22/12: Dance Dynamics Holiday Recital! Leah always is excited to perform and today was no different. She was even more excited as all of her grandparents were there to watch her!

12/22/12: Joshua’s first birthday (our Godson). Wow, hard to believe my little buddy is already 1! He is so darn precious. Unfortunately, he wasn’t feeling so great on his first birthday, turns out he had double ear infections. Poor little guy. I did get to snuggle him, though, so that was a bonus for me!

12/24/12: We hosted Christmas Eve for Joe’s side of the family. We had a total of 24 people! We had some issues with desserts that wanted to fall to the ground (Aunt Karen and Grama Mary both dropped a cake), but other than that it was a pretty smooth event, and I think most had a good time, at least I hope they did. Amber was really into the opening of presents this year. In fact, I don’t know if she really looked at what she was opening as she just wanted to move on to the next present to rip the paper off! Both girls were excited to get their Dream Lite Pillow Pets from Grama Mary!! They were given so many nice gifts. Everyone was so very generous and thoughtful! Our girls are so loved and blessed. It makes me so very happy! I got an underwater camera which will certainly come in handy for our Cruise in March! Thanks Joe!! Oh, and Miss Amber had such an adorable new red dress, but she refused to wear it. Apparently it was itchy! So, luckily we had another dress she could wear! Oh, she is so very stubborn!!

A fun memory: Everyone stayed late on Christmas Eve- which is great, because that means they were having a great time! We tried to get Amber to put on her PJs, but she just kept saying "I don't go to bed." So, around 10:30, Joe said, "well, if you don't put on your PJs, then Santa can't come." To which Amber slid off the couch, looked at her cousin and said, "I go put on my jammies now." Oh, love it.

12/25/12:

Santa Came!  The first thing Amber said when she got up, "Santa come?" Leah was up first, and she sat patiently next to her bundle playing her DS until the rest of us got up!! Amber was super excited as Santa brought what she had asked for – Tootsie rolls, suckers, and candy canes! Yes, it is pretty obvious that she has a sweet tooth!!  Santa also brought a new pillow pet for both girls. Also, they each got some nice, warm blankets to cuddle with, clothes and games.

After Church, we went to Nonna and Grandpa’s house to continue the festivities. We did our traditional Ravioli making which makes for such a yummy dinner. The girls participated some, but more to play with flour than to help make ravioli! We opened presents throughout the day. More clothes, games and toys for the girls! Leah scores a Nook Tablet from my parents which she has been playing nonstop since we had a chance to put some books and apps on it! I got a new Sony Cyber Shot camera with a 20x zoom which is so nice. I have been enjoying using it already! My parents are so very generous at Christmas (an always really), and I can’t thank them enough for all they do for us! Thanks mom and dad!!

12/26/12: The girls, Joe and Grandpa Shorty stayed home while Mommy had to work! The girls spent the afternoon at Nonna’s house making sugar cookies with Tiffanie, Thea and Delila while the boys went to lunch. It sounds like they had a lot of fun! The evening was spent enjoying some time with Grandpa Shorty as he had to leave the next day! Amber is still asking where he is as she thinks that he is still here! Both girls so did enjoy having him here and it was so nice that he was able to stay for a week. 

She was so worn out from the activites of the last few days, she slept like this for and hour - coat still on!

So, we took off Amber booster seat when we had company, and realized that she really doesn't need it anymore!!

12/29/12: We went to get Amber’s haircut, then Leah also got one while we were there. Amber got a super cute bob which was much needed as she does not like having her hair combed and she really has only had one trim in her life! She was very serious during most of the haircut, I think she was unsure of what was happening!! Leah got 2 hair pieces- pink and purple- yes, such a girly girl she is!!