Coach Papa

This year my dad is helping coach basketball at my old highschool. So before Christmas we went to see him coach. The girls were very excited about it. They borrowed some blue and gold attire and cheered for Papa. They didn't quite understand why they couldn't go talk to him while he was on the bench. After the game they went to say a quick Hi before he went into the locker room. Faith cried hysterically, "Papa Papa!" until he came back out to hold her. She can be quite the Papa's girl. You can't see it in the picture but she is holding a leftover role of tape Papa gave her. Grace was excited about the ball she caught that the cheerleaders threw. (She really likes the cheerleaders much to her dad's disappointment) The girls were slightly confused about cheering for the blue and gold team, as the opponent was wearing red uniforms. Grace insisted, "No mama, our team is the red one." (I guess she HAS been paying attention at all the Pirate sports events she has been to)

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.