I've had some amount of anxiety about how to start posting here again. Do I attempt an explanation about my absence -- ahem, global pandemic -- or do I just start posting like I've been doing it all along? It's 4:30 in the morning and I've been awake for hours, so I figured I might as well spend my time wisely. Because of COVID, our usual Santa spot was something else entirely. While I wasn't keen on having the kids sit on a stranger's lap, among throngs of other grubby kids, I also didn't want a plexiglass barrier or a weird replacement activity this year. At the very last minute, I decided to book a session with a local photographer (who also happens to be my cousin!) shooting at a nearby Christmas tree farm. It still wasn't the best idea, but it was outside, with limited guests, and ...
santa
Seeing Santa | 2019
Let me preface this by saying that we waited for an hour and a half to see the big guy yesterday. We've been talking about Santa at our house for several weeks and Polly can pick him out on her pajamas or the Christmas tree and the way she says his name is adorable. I went back and forth between hoping she was in awe of him and that she would cry a little, but her reaction was so much more extreme than I was expecting! We let my sister's kids go first, because Vera Claire was obsessed with that rocking horse and wanted to ride it so bad. After she realized she had to sit on Santa, she lost it. Her cry was completely silent and eventually she just closed her eyes and wished it all away. Polly was completely chill while we waited in line and called for and waved at Santa many ...
Christmas Things
How about a good old fashioned, catch me up, post?! December has been full of so many fun and memorable moments, but there is no way to devote an entire post to each one. Here are a few of the things we've been up to in the last few weeks -- it has been holiday central in our home! Last Tuesday was Sophie's Christmas Program at school. Can you spot her there, on the top row, wearing reindeer antlers? It was a multi-grade program, so her class at on the bleachers across from us until it was their turn. She was the cutest on stage -- grinning from ear to ear, every time she caught us looking. We don't have nearly enough photos of the girls with my grandparents, so we grabbed a quick snuggle with my Pop. He was especially proud that day -- he had sold one of the girls' ...
The North Pole
I know I boasted about the amazing Santa setup we found last year, but I somehow managed not to secure an appointment this year and they didn't have a walk-in option. To say I was bummed is an understatement. The ability to take your own photos, have an appointment AND a beautifully decorated venue was some sort of Christmas trifecta! We heard there was another local option and were able to get an after-church appointment on Sunday afternoon, so we gave it a try. This "North Pole" did not disappoint. K and I were both anticipating crocodile tears from this kid, so we were pleasantly surprised when he walked right up to Santa, gave him a big hello and climbed up in his lap. He promptly displayed his muscles and informed the big guy that he is a "stronger boy now." It was pretty much all ...
Seeing Santa
Coordinating a day to visit the Big Guy has been much harder than in years past. I feel like Christmas completely snuck up on me this year and I definitely don't have it all together. My house is *barely* decorated, there are still numerous presents en route to the Rockin' House and I still have so many things to accomplish before next week. After comparing schedules and debating Santa locations, we finally got it all together after church last Sunday. We always visit the same setup at a mall about 30 minutes from home. Santa sings and the pictures are always beautiful, if not a little overpriced. I know we can do the whole Bass Pro Shop for free, but I'm going to be honest here, okay? I don't love the whole woodsy scene. The lighting is always bad and I really regretted taking Sophie ...
The Big Guy
On Sunday after church, we spontaneously decided to run into town and have a visit with Santa. Josh thought I was crazy for braving a weekend at the mall, but I was crossing my fingers for an easy adventure. Much to my delight, we found a parking spot right next to the door and there was nobody in line when we got to Santa's village! Sophie immediately started crying as soon as she saw him and was yelling about not sitting in his lap. Man, I love this part of Christmas! Y'all know I don't really want my children to cry or be unhappy, right? I just think the crying Santa photos are so stinking cute! She did eventually give him a high-five and tell him what she wanted for Christmas (a blue bicycle and a purple umbrella), but still wasn't happy about sitting with him. Ella, on the other hand, ...
Catch him if you can!
The night before Christmas Eve, we were cleaning house, wrapping presents and eating pizza as a family when we heard sirens. I did a double-take and realized that they didn't sound like warning sirens and that Santa Clause must be in the neighborhood! We went out on the porch and could see him a good ways in the distance making his way towards our house. When we realized that his entourage was going to miss our house (we are only one of a few which face the road and he took the street behind us instead), we started grabbing mittens and boots and threw ourselves in the car. A few neighborhoods away, we found him. Sophie held onto Josh so tight, but both girls were excited to see him so close to Christmas! ...