More December and Buddy the Elf

A little post about what we did the second half of december and what Buddy the Elf had up his sleeve for us each day. 

 Buddy had us make some christmas craft ornaments one day and Kinley was a champ spelling out God-Love on her crosses and decorating snowflakes. 

 

Then, another day, Buddy told us to go deliver the crafts to a nursing home.

   

This was supposed to be a playgroup activity but because Kinley wasn't having the besst attitude, she had to miss out on Christmas playgroup. She was so, so devastated to miss out on the Christmas fun with her friends but was even more upset about not getting to deliver her ornaments. 

 It made such an impression on her last year. 

 I decided that punishing her from serving those sweet people was not a great idea so we just went by ourselves to deliver them.  I pray the kids both grow to love this tradition and gain servant hearts through experiences like these.

 

It was so sweet to watch the faces of the sweet residents light up when she talked to the, and to hear the questions they asked her.

   

One lady even asked for a hug.

   

 Remember the Grapevine Christmas Parade of Lights that was cancelled because of the ice storm? 

 Well, they rescheduled it and we went in droves this year. 

 My dad owns a building on Main Street and it is the perfect place to watch the parade from. We get there early enough before they block off the street and bring food and just hang out until the parade starts.

   

Look at all those kids! 

Buddy reminded us (from on top of the microwave) about pajama day at school and the kids wore their new Christmas jammies. 

 

We literally can't get enough of silly faces 

 

 Buddy loves for us to do activities together. 

 So he had us color Christmas pictures one day. 

 

And one day buddy hid 10 candy canes around the house for the kids to find and eat (one). It made for a fun activity for them with Honey while I was at work one day. 

 

 Speaking of Honey...Buddy had another special surprise for us when he sent us to see Frosty the Snowman at Casa Manana with Honey! 

 It wasn't quite as good as Dora Live was but this time Ty got to go and it was a grand time for all.

   

Ty didn't make it in his seat the whole time but didn't mind watching from the back of the aisle.

   

After the show we finally got to meet Santa and sit in his lap! 

 They were a little hesitant but at least they participated. 

 

The final Santa pic...Kinley wouldn't sit on his lap and Ty was saying the word "cheese" but his face says, he really didn't mean it. 

 

We had a couples Christmas dinner one night at Farina's on Grapevine Main Street. It is not often that we all get together without our kids and it was such a fun date night. Baby Payton got to come too and she enjoyed herself as well.

The kids both had 'Red Day' and their Christmas parties the last day of school. This is the best pic I got of their red day attire. 

 

I busted out some saltine cracker toffee for the teachers. It may or may not have also served as my lunch that day. So good. 

 

We didn't get to go to Ty's party because they do it before naptime and the kids wouldn't want parents to leave and nap after they came for a party. But, I got to go to Kinley's. Donna is the best room mom and put together a great party in no time again. Kinley was especially thrilled because Ms. Jessie brought her new baby for the class to see. We love Ms. Jessie so much and can't wait for her to come back from maternity leave. 

 

 Buddy brought this fun magnet nativity scene for the kids to play with on the fridge and they loved it. 

   

He also reminded us to go see Cinderella Christmas at Arties! How many Cinderellas can we get in one pic!? 

 

Meeting the cast and Santa! 

 

One of the best things about December is how much time Ben gets off work. This year he is off from December 19th through January 6th. It's amazing having him home and we had a fun family shopping day and all had lunch together. Really the only pics I have of that day though are of Ty being silly at lunch.  Love this boy.

 

 Right before Christmas we had the most fun night with the Fogles who were in town from Illinois. Kinley and Eden were immediately the best of friends again and it was like they never had been apart. The whole night was magical and they ate up every minute.

   

 Eden even got to go to sleep over at our house and had a little bedtime reading together.  

And, baby oh baby, was December full of babies. But, I was thrilled beyond belief that Baby Shea came before Christmas and I got to go see her and meet her. She is perfect in every way and I can't wait for a lifetime of memories getting to know this precious angel.