The countdown to Christmas is getting closer and closer! Santa is sooooo busy right now...I don't know how he gets everything done before Christmas Eve...but somehow he does!
In the meantime...we are trying to enjoy slowing down and taking in the Christmas season!
{Even though it's hard to slow down with end of the year school projects & activities, a broken washer hose leaking into the garage, and having a sick one at home...}
{However...poor Emily was up sick one night and lifeless on the couch the next day...and stayed home a second day from school just to recover and regain her appetite...but I'll have to admit, I did enjoy having her home and taking her to lunch...seems like that thing called school just takes up way too much of her time away from me!}
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| relaxing with mommy while reading books and watching tv in bed, while Emily rests |
We were able to take advantage of one of the nicest evenings of the season a couple weeks ago to enjoy all the Christmas lights at the zoo! We hadn't been in a few years, and it was nice to take time and enjoy the warm evening and all the pretty lights!
It's hard to capture the true brilliance of all the bright, colorful lights...but it was so pretty! And, even though we didn't really see too many of the animals...we loved walking around under the lights, enjoying the dolphin show and petting the sharks!
It was a nice night and we took a drive around Monument Circle downtown before heading home...I just can't get enough of the beautiful lights...this time of year is so magical!
This past weekend, we enjoyed Donuts with Santa...an annual MOPS tradition, however, I haven't taken the kids the last couple of years...and I'm always wondering if
this is the year when Santa's true identity is revealed! Alex didn't want to talk to Santa this year, or even stand close to him...this was as close as he'd go...
...Elizabeth didn't want to get too close either...she's not quite a fan of him yet...
...but Emily happily asked Santa for a
Zuca ice-skating bag...the only thing she really
really wants this year! I hope he comes through for her! She deserves it! Alex was told he would be getting a bag of coal,
ha! I'm sure Santa will surprise him with one or two goodies under the tree too...he's been a pretty good boy this year! After their quick visit with Santa...I think the donuts were greeted with much more enthusiasm and excitement by some!
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| the candy cane from Santa wasn't too bad either! |
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| "Don't make me sit on Santa's lap again!" |
Emily and Elizabeth decorated an ornament to hang on the tree too...Emily is such a great big sis, always a willing helper!
It is hard to believe that Alex and Emily were Elizabeth's age and running around when I first began MOPS...and I was happy that even though Alex thought he was too old to be there this year...they came and made some more Christmas memories with Elizabeth her first time enjoying Donuts with Santa! Makes momma happy!
We ended the afternoon with a late lunch at Red Lobster...
...and I ate my first ever lobster tail...it was so delicious! But I thought how sad it was that I just ate one of these guys!
The boys headed to an IU basketball game, and the girls headed to paint pottery! I enjoyed spending time with Emily and Elizabeth creating some cute keepsakes and seeing some of our friends too! It was a fun and memorable day!
{only
how many days until Christmas?! ...
gulp...}
