This holiday season with the girls was really special. Avery and Emerson are at an age where they are starting to understand the traditions of Hanukkah and Christmas. We did a lot of holiday related activities at home and they did quite a few at school as well. At home, the girls made a Gingerbread House with Karolin and every so often I would catch them standing on a chair trying to sneak a bite of candy of the Gingerbread House. They also made Christmas cookies with Karolin on Christmas Eve. With Mommy they made a reindeer face on a paper bag and snowmen out of stickers. With Daddy, they made a menorah with beads. At school, the girls made glittery Christmas Trees and snow globes and angel ornaments for the trees.
For eight nights the girls lit their menorahs and said the blessings. Emerson and Avery say the blessing clearly and can even say portions of it on their own. Honestly, I’m so impressed with how well they say the blessing and I wouldn’t be surprised if next year they say the whole thing from beginning to end all on their own. The first night of Hanukkah we celebrated at Grandma and Grandpa’s house with my mom’s famous latkes. After lighting the menorah, Emerson blew her candles out! She thought they were like birthday candles and was embarrassed upon realizing what she did. The girls were spoiled by my parents as my mom got the girls presents for every night of Hanukkah. Justin and I are a little simpler and while the girls did have something to open every night (from at least someone), the majority of the girls gifts were fairly simplistic (i.e. simple arts and crafts) or a necessity (sneakers and boots as they each only have one pair of closed shoes that currently fits them). The girls are at an age where they are truly appreciative of anything and everything that is a gift.
Mommy and Emerson lighting the menorah!
Family gathering after lighting our candles!
Time for presents!
We picked out our Christmas Tree in early December. We decided to go with a real tree this year and of all days went to pick it out on a rainy day.
We kept the ornaments simple and classy this year.
Nevis the Elf came to visit our family around mid-December. At first the girls were skeptical but quickly they began to look forward to seeing where Nevis was in the house the next day after returning from the North Pole. There was one day that Nevis hung out in the Christmas Tree and he must have liked the Christmas Tree so much that the next day, he sat in the same exact spot on the Christmas Tree the next day too! Avery and Emerson thought that was SO funny! Daddy didn’t find it as funny.
Another time (on Christmas Eve) Papa was over and hadn’t yet met Nevis. Harper apparently was pointing at Nevis so Papa picked up Nevis without anyone seeing what he had done and next thing we know Emerson was crying hysterically because Papa had given Nevis to Harper. Papa did not realize that Nevis had special powers that could be lost if he was touched! Thankfully, this time all it meant was Nevis needed a nap….thankfully he retained his magic power this time!
This year I took each of the older girls with me on separate occasions to do their own shopping at the Dollar Store for their sisters and Grandma and Papa. They each had a great time picking out presents for others. Avery’s were actually a little more practical and Emerson’s were a little more fun. It was a fun time as I think they each enjoyed the one on one time that they rarely get and they both enjoyed being able to choose their own gifts to give.
Christmas Eve we went to church service at Vienna Presbyterian Church as we have for the last three years. This year we actually made it through the service without having to accompany an unattentive child out of the sanctuary. The girls wore their new Hannah Anderson dresses and looked super adorable. I had wanted so badly to get a picture of all three girls together in front of the tree but we weren’t so lucky. At least we got one cute one of Harper on her new trike from Gigi!
We attempted a few family photos when we got home.
Christmas Eve the girls put cookies out for Santa and eagerly went to bed so that Santa could make his way with his reindeer.
Christmas morning the girls woke up and actually wanted to get dressed before going downstairs. They went down the stairs slowly in anticipation of what Santa had left them. While I didn’t think the girls received that much stuff, it literally took us all day to open presents as we opened presents in three rounds…stockings first, followed by breakfast and cleanup, followed by Santa’s presents and some presents under the tree, followed by a break while Harper took her morning nap, followed by more present opening in the afternoon, followed by an incredible dinner of beef tenderloin, followed by more present opening with Grandma and Grandpa. Here are a few favorites from the events of the day.
The day after Christmas the family including Karolin went to Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Light’s. The girls loved seeing the lights and dancing to the music and light show. A little blurry…but a picture of the five of us!
Two days after Christmas we went to Richmond to visit Rita and Justin’s cousins and the girls had a great time. Harper wore one of her new outfits from Zara and I think she looks so cute probably in part because this is one of her very OWN outfits!
It was a great holiday season and we are ready for 2015! 2015 – SERIOUSLY…WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!?!?!