A "Real" Reindeer

The "reindeer" statue outside Game Masters.
Our "Santa & Reindeer" photo, the reindeer layed down while we were in line. Apparently he was tired of pictures.

On Saturday we took the girls to Game Masters (a store in Quincy) to see Santa and his reindeer. Grace was very excited about it and chatted away about telling Santa what she wanted for Christmas. This excitement continued the entire time we stood in line, right up until they said, "Next." I didn't think Faith would want anything to do with Santa (as she isn't much for strangers), but Grace also got this "deer in the headlights" look and wanted no part in going anywhere near Santa.

Back when I was pregnant with Grace I had one of those judgmental parenting, "I will never..." moments. I was sitting on a bench because I was too pregnant to keep up with my mom and sister shopping. I happened to be able to see the booth where they were taking photos with Santa. I watched as children screamed and determined parents tried to convince their children this was "fun." I resolved I would never make my child do that!

So... I didn't even try and convince them to sit with Santa. I however did encourage them to pet the reindeer as they both love animals and I did want to get some type of photo opp if possible. Well, we did the best we could and Grace finally did get brave enough to pet the reindeer quickly before we left.

The funny thing is when we got to the store they spotted this "reindeer" statue and were thrilled. They thought it was the reindeer we had come to see. I think we could have just let them pet it and they would have had just as much fun. And as Jeremy pointed out, "Which picture is better?" Ironically as soon as we left Grace was very sad because she hadn't told Santa what she wants for Christmas. I assured her it would be fine.

We were then going to take the girls to see the Avenue of Lights, a big lights display in a park in Quincy. However, we didn't know it didn't open until 6 p.m. So, we promised to take them to the small display back in Hannibal at the cave. But, when we got there, there were no lights. Opps! I guess they didn't do it this year. Instead we watched for houses with lights on our drive back to our house. Grace seemed to be satisfied with this, and a promise of more lights another day.

If only I could learn from my sweet children. Sometimes my perfectionism refuses to let me be satisfied with something simple, like a reindeer statue (just as fun in their imagination), or spotting lights on a house. They are still young enough to not get caught up in our world's bigger and better mentality. Being pregnant has forced me to simply a bit this Christmas, but I haven't really done it with a joyful attitude. I am constantly amazed at how much I can learn from my children when I take the time to notice. Prior to being a mom I would keep going until I reached the "perfection" I longed for. Having kids has forced me to curb this. Now the lesson is how to find true joy with being able to accomplish a little less. I think that will take years of motherhood and God's continued patience as I learn.

(Now if I could only decide wether to give up on the Christmas cards I've yet to complete??)

Disney Princess on Ice

A "Scary" Part
They especially liked Mickey & Minnie.



I let the girls each choose a keepsake to purchase and take home. I had fun watching them choose. Grace choose a play horse and Faith choose a necklace. I wasn't sure how Faith would do choosing all by herself but she returned to the necklace three times so I felt like she made a good choice. (although she would have LOVED some cotton candy too-She really like sugar!) As you can see as she sucks down the lemonade the girls and I shared as a special treat.

Last Saturday Nana, my sister, and I took the girls to see the Disney on Ice show in the Quad Cities. It was super fun and the girls loved it. My sister and I were excited because it is something we did with our mom and mom-o when we were little. I especially remember when we went to see Beauty and the Beast.

Grace sat mesmerized through the entire show. Faith did really well. She only got bored during the couple skates, she preferred when there was more going on. But she found emptying my purse as sufficient entertainment for the "slow" parts of the show. Whenever anyone asks Grace about the show she says she liked it except for the "scary parts." (a.k.a. Ursilla, the wicked stepmother, etc.)

I look forward to going to another ice show as the girls get older.

A Michigan Thanksgiving

An attempt at a Family Picture...

Both the girls LOVED playing with all their Michigan cousins, little & big.
We stayed at Aunt Cindy's house, the girls loved the dogs!
Jeremy & Nana
On Friday we had a birthday party for Nana, Faith helps blow out her candle.
Grace having fun with daddy's cousins & second cousins.
We tried to get a picture of Jeremy's "girls" for him, but they weren't so cooperative. The big question are there three or four girls in this picture??
Faith "helping" daddy play pool.
Nana was the photographer for the trip, so we don't have many pictures of her...
Grace with Daddy's Nana

This year for Thanksgiving we traveled to Michigan to visit family. It was a great chance to see our family. The last time we went was two years ago when Faith was itty bitty. So even Grace didn't remember meeting her extended family. The girls loved meeting lots of new "friends." (Grace's word for people she meets she likes- family or otherwise) Here are some snapshot memories from the trip.

- The thing you think will be difficult never turns out to be the challenge when traveling with kids. We were so concerned about the long drive, but the girls did amazing!! However, sleeping was a nightmare. We are stayed in one room and Faith discovered how to climb out of her pack n' play with big sister's help. They refused to go to bed or take naps, making them overly tired and cranky.

- The girls enjoyed playing with all the younger cousins. Grace especially liked to tag along with whatever the group of older kids was doing.

-I volunteered to make homemade rolls for Thanksgiving. I wanted to make something the girls could help with and feel a part of the celebration. Well, Aunt Colleen's message affirming that would be great got lost in Facebook land. I didn't find out until the day after she had to send her husband to buy rolls last minute on Thanksgiving. (Opps!) But, I am looking forward to doing this the next time we go.

-Faith would sit in her chair at mealtime and tell the dog to "sit" over and over again. Both the girls loved the dogs at Aunt Cindy's.

-I got to see a picture of Jeremy's Papa and Nana when they were younger. I couldn't believe how much Jeremy looked like his Papa, you couldn't miss that this is who he looks like!!

-I LOVE hearing Nana tell stories about their family life when the kids were little. (Everyone knows I love big families)