Christmas Joy

Christmas has come and gone.  The decorations have all been taken down and now all that's left is the memories of the most joyful holiday.  And a few more toys laying around.  

It was another quiet Christmas around here with our family of four.  We attended the family Christmas Eve service at church then came home, had a quick dinner, watched some holiday shows, and got ready for Santa's arrival that night.  Savannah set out a hefty plate of treats and a glass of chocolate milk for the jolly guy.  Then they sprinkled reindeer food out on the lawn and got ready for bed.  

setting out Santa's cookies

making sure everything is ready for Santa

time for bed

Savannah was the first to wake up on Christmas morning and it took a lot of bargaining to keep her from running downstairs before Walker woke up.  Luckily he woke up within 15 minutes and then we all went down together and found surprises for everyone.  Savannah specifically asked for two things, roller skates and a telescope, and thanks to Santa and Uncle Harlan she got them both.  She also received quite a few Barbies and the Malibu house, arts and crafts, a razor scooter, clothes, new Uggs, and a few other odd and ends.  Walker received his own scooter, several new train cars, Thomas the train raincoat and boots, superhero sets, a couple smart wheels sets to add to his track, and a train carrying case.  They were both more than thrilled with all their surprises and seeing them so happy was the best gift yet.

heading downstairs to see the presents

"he ate the cookies!"

W is a little unsure about what's going on

Barbie Malibu house from Uncle Obie and fam

princess guitar from Uncle Michael

Thomas boots and superhero toys!

Thomas raincoat

a Thomas train!!!!

he could care less about the other unopened gifts

my loves!

both kiddos got new scooters

After all gifts had been opened and all the wrapping paper had been cleared away we all got dressed to have lunch at the Carolina Inn.  Unfortunately it wasn't the greatest meal but it gave us a chance to get dressed up and sit down without all the new toy distractions and enjoy lunch together in a nice, festive setting.  After lunch it was nap time for Walker while Savannah played with her new toys.  Later that afternoon we all went for a family run around the neighborhood to burn off some yummy Christmas treats.

all ready for lunch

Santa came back to make sure everyone was happy with their presents

and now she acts shy

if she only knew how much she takes after her dad......

so very thankful for these 3

afternoon family run

he loves the scooter

We all went to bed that night feeling so blessed and so very thankful.  It was such a magical time leading up to the big day and I always find myself a little sad on Christmas night after the climax has passed.  And so at times like that I try to remind myself of the real reason for the season and I try to make a point to keep the Christmas spirit alive throughout the rest of the year.  And if Savannah won't allow me to take her pink tree down, it will always feel like the Christmas season in her room :)

Christmas Festivities

Ahhhhhhhh Christmastime!!!  So much to do in such a short amount  of time! After fully decorating the inside and outside of the house it was time to get the kids yearly ornament on the tree.  Their choices this year were pretty obvious....Walker got a Thomas the Train and Savannah got an Elsa.
This year I realized that Savannah and Walker have been missing out on an important Christmas tradition......picking out a real Christmas tree.  Ever since we moved to North Carolina we've always had fake trees just because they're easier and over time they're less expensive than always buying a real tree.  By doing this I have robbed the kiddos of the thrill of going to the tree lot, smelling the trees, picking one out, strapping it to the roof of the car, and fully decorating it at home.  Well I decided not this year.  The first weekend of December we went down the street and let Savannah pick out her very own tree.  We brought it home, put it on the screened porch, and let her decorate it with all hers and Walker's homemade and schoolmade ornaments.  It quickly became my favorite tree of all.  Unfortunately, I never took a picture of it.  Oh well, this is one festivity that will become a yearly tradition.  

putting his Thomas ornament on the tree

S with her new Elsa ornament

finding the perfect spot for her new ornament

picking out their first real tree

S helping to wrap the net around the tree

decorating the real tree

I think throughout the course of the month Savannah decorated three gingerbread houses; one at home, one at school, and one at the gingerbread making workshop at the Carolina Inn.

working on gingerbread house #1

at the Carolina Inn

On Saturday the 13th, Savannah, Walker and I saw Disney's Frozen on Ice at the PNC Arena.  Savannah loved the show.  Walker on the other hand, loved the food.  He threw a fit during the first half on the show so at intermission we bought a tub of popcorn.  The second half was much more tolerable.

at Frozen on Ice

pure happiness

wearing their jammies from Wink

my holiday baking helper

We also rode a couple of different holiday trains.  University Mall had a special holiday fair on the first Friday of school's holiday break where all activities were free to the public.  This meant that it was beyond crowded and everything had a huge line.  We waited about 30 minutes to ride the train and we jumped in line with some friends for the carriage ride.  Savannah also did a few arts and crafts.  We also attended Pullen Park's Holiday Express Train Ride.  Here we rode the train and the carousel and Savannah slid down the frozen ice hill.

another day another train ride

all aboard

he rode this way the whole time

carriage ride

Holiday Express train ride at Pullen Park 

We attended the annual dinner with Santa at the Country Club.  Walker wanted nothing to do with Santa up close but he loved to watch him and say "ho ho ho!".  Savannah was more than happy to sit on his lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas.  

dinner with Santa at the Country Club

On the last day of school before the break Savannah sang in her school's Christmas Show.  This year the Pony Pals sang We Three Kings.  She practiced for weeks so she was more than ready for the big show.  After the show, Walker and I were allowed to go to her classroom to watch the students decorate their gingerbread houses.  Walker loved watching Goldie the fish, the class pet.  

S at her Christmas Concert at school

The weekend of my birthday we did our yearly trek to the pottery studio.  Not knowing that the studio was closing early, we only had 30 minutes to pick out a piece and paint it.  We went with a big bowl this year and painted evergreen trees and a little blue train engine.  It wasn't our best piece but what do you expect with a toddler in less than 30 minutes of time.  My 34th birthday was on Sunday and I started my day off with a 6 mile run with a couple of friends.  During Walker's nap I met up for coffee with another two friends and then dinner that night was at.....no not Jason's Deli, but at Lonestar Steakhouse.  Oscar got a huge slice of cake from my favorite spot, Nantucket Cafe, and I had lots of help making a wish and blowing out the candle.  

our yearly pottery making

celebrating my birthday

I had lots of help blowing out the candles

Of course we did other fun festive things, too, but I didn't take pictures..... like baking Christmas cookies, watching lots and lots of Holiday movies and shows, reading sooo many Christmas books, and constantly singing carols.  The children are at such a fun age where the Christmas magic is alive within them.  Seeing the wonder in their eyes and the joyfulness radiate out of them is really what makes this season so special.