Brian and I have a dancing Santa that we bought at Walgreens before children. Over the years we have had much fun with it because it has a sensor. When you walk by it, it goes off singing and dancing. The kids have grown to love this Santa more than anything. They set it off regularly and dance around. Here is some video of the dance moves. Too cute not to share!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Santa Claus is coming...
The past two years we have started a very fun tradition with friends. Our friends the Hill’s host a party where Santa makes a surprise appearance. I have to tell you it is the most fun I have all season. I love watching the kids go crazy over Santa showing up out of no where! Now, this year the Santa was not so great, so I am glad our kids did not notice anything strange... yet! Of course you have to get close to Santa first! Henley is absolutely petrified of Santa this year and does not even want to be in the same room. When Santa came into Carol’s house, Brian had to take her outside! Hilarious! I have a video with terrible stabilization, but you can hear her tell you she does not like Santa! This age is priceless and unfortunately we torture our kids for the memories! The image stabilization is terrible and I need a new video recorder...I do not know why uploading through You Tube makes it worse?
At Christian’s school they had Santa Claus come and visit the kids! Now, this Santa was unbelievable! He used to sit at Brookwood Mall, which is known for great Santa’s! Anyway, now he does private parties and he is wonderful! Here are some pictures of Christian and Santa with his class! I can never watch the kids sit on Santa’s lap too many times. I think it is so sweet and it will not last forever!
At Christian’s school they had Santa Claus come and visit the kids! Now, this Santa was unbelievable! He used to sit at Brookwood Mall, which is known for great Santa’s! Anyway, now he does private parties and he is wonderful! Here are some pictures of Christian and Santa with his class! I can never watch the kids sit on Santa’s lap too many times. I think it is so sweet and it will not last forever!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
All Aboard...Polar Express 2010
The past three years we have joined together with friends and boarded the Polar Express to the North Pole for a visit with Santa Claus. This is my favorite time of the year, it is magical, childlike and down right fun! Having children brings this season to life and helps me to remember my own childhood and all the fun traditions my family holds dear. This is one of those traditions that we will participate in as long as there is belief.
First of all, I would like to mention that the weather is freezing here in Birmingham. The low was supposed to get into the 20’s tonight. Brian thinks I predict the weather and choose the coldest night every year for the Polar Express? I wish I could do that because I would make some extra cash! I had to go pick up some scarfs and gloves for the little ones because I did not want them to come home with phenomena!
We picked the 6:30pm train ride. It is the best time to go, at night when you can see all the lights and decorations. The light in our children’s eyes warms my heart like nothing else in this world. Remembering how excited I would get at the thought of Santa Claus as a child, brings back such fond memories. I love that they are feeling that same joy and excitement for this magical season. Well, at least one of them. We seem to have a very frightened little girl? Henley was not just afraid of the train, but you would of thought Santa was her worst enemy. She would keep telling us, I don’t want to see Santa, Brother sit on Santa’s lap. I have listened to her tell me for weeks that she wanted to sit on his lap and now this crazy reaction? I am not surprised because of her age, but she would not even leave Brian’s side for a minute.
We went with our friends the Copeland’s who have three boys and the Ulmer’s who have a little girl. Presley is adorable and was soaking up every minute. I think she loved all the kids and the chaos that goes along with this train ride. The kids running around, the singing of Christmas carols, the jingle bells, the cookies and milk and of course Santa and his gifts! Since she is only 10 months old, Santa is not scary, but very intriguing. So precious! The Copeland boys are pro’s at visiting with Santa and love it. They do have a little boy, Porter who is Henley’s age. He is not scared of Santa, but he also did not want much to do with Santa on this trip either. However, the older three boys had so much fun. They are like brothers, so a few arguments along the way, but all in all a great time!
We had a great time and look forward to the Polar Express again each year! One day, maybe we will get around to watching the movie, so the kids know where the story comes from! I know...
First of all, I would like to mention that the weather is freezing here in Birmingham. The low was supposed to get into the 20’s tonight. Brian thinks I predict the weather and choose the coldest night every year for the Polar Express? I wish I could do that because I would make some extra cash! I had to go pick up some scarfs and gloves for the little ones because I did not want them to come home with phenomena!
We picked the 6:30pm train ride. It is the best time to go, at night when you can see all the lights and decorations. The light in our children’s eyes warms my heart like nothing else in this world. Remembering how excited I would get at the thought of Santa Claus as a child, brings back such fond memories. I love that they are feeling that same joy and excitement for this magical season. Well, at least one of them. We seem to have a very frightened little girl? Henley was not just afraid of the train, but you would of thought Santa was her worst enemy. She would keep telling us, I don’t want to see Santa, Brother sit on Santa’s lap. I have listened to her tell me for weeks that she wanted to sit on his lap and now this crazy reaction? I am not surprised because of her age, but she would not even leave Brian’s side for a minute.
We went with our friends the Copeland’s who have three boys and the Ulmer’s who have a little girl. Presley is adorable and was soaking up every minute. I think she loved all the kids and the chaos that goes along with this train ride. The kids running around, the singing of Christmas carols, the jingle bells, the cookies and milk and of course Santa and his gifts! Since she is only 10 months old, Santa is not scary, but very intriguing. So precious! The Copeland boys are pro’s at visiting with Santa and love it. They do have a little boy, Porter who is Henley’s age. He is not scared of Santa, but he also did not want much to do with Santa on this trip either. However, the older three boys had so much fun. They are like brothers, so a few arguments along the way, but all in all a great time!
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| Here Christian was trying to sneak back to Santa. He wanted to make sure he knew what to bring him for Christmas! He was pulling on his coat! So stinking cute! |
Frosty...the Elf
I think all moms know what Elf on a Shelf is...right? Well, this year we decided it was time to introduce Christian to a little more Christmas magic. He loves Christmas, he loves Santa Claus and the excitement sometimes is a little overwhelming for him. There has been a lot going on in our lives over the past few months, so there has been some acting out in our household. I thought that maybe with a new little Elf friend watching the good and bad, we might get some better behavior? We have been telling Christian for about a month that Santa is watching to see if he is naughty or nice? The wonder and magic in his eyes is so innocent and precious. I just love to watch him light up when we talk about Santa Claus.
The day after Thanksgiving our little Elf arrived at the front door. He came in on Santa’s favorite reindeer Rudolph. Christian was so excited! We read the story and talked about what our Elf was here to do. He was going to make sure that Christian was a nice boy and report back to Santa every night. We immediately named his Elf, Frosty. This name is perfect because it is so cold where Santa Claus lives...it is frosty!
Now, a lot of Elves get into mischief at night or bring presents for good behavior, but not our Elf. Frosty just hides every night in a new location after returning from the long trip to North Pole reporting to Santa. I love to watch Christian every morning jump out of bed and go searching for him. We find Frosty hanging from chandeliers, in the tree, in our stockings and in all kinds of places where he can fly. Frosty has magical powers and flies everywhere in our house. Christian will talk to him and remind him daily to make sure and tell Santa what he wants. It is priceless! There have been a few moments where questions arise if this is real or make believe. He does not quite understand why the Elf, Frosty does not talk back to him? The story makes it very clear that the Elves are not allowed to speak to their children, so I think we are in the clear.
I know there will come a time when this will change, but for now I love every moment of their childhood and the belief in something magical that Christmas brings.
The day after Thanksgiving our little Elf arrived at the front door. He came in on Santa’s favorite reindeer Rudolph. Christian was so excited! We read the story and talked about what our Elf was here to do. He was going to make sure that Christian was a nice boy and report back to Santa every night. We immediately named his Elf, Frosty. This name is perfect because it is so cold where Santa Claus lives...it is frosty!
Now, a lot of Elves get into mischief at night or bring presents for good behavior, but not our Elf. Frosty just hides every night in a new location after returning from the long trip to North Pole reporting to Santa. I love to watch Christian every morning jump out of bed and go searching for him. We find Frosty hanging from chandeliers, in the tree, in our stockings and in all kinds of places where he can fly. Frosty has magical powers and flies everywhere in our house. Christian will talk to him and remind him daily to make sure and tell Santa what he wants. It is priceless! There have been a few moments where questions arise if this is real or make believe. He does not quite understand why the Elf, Frosty does not talk back to him? The story makes it very clear that the Elves are not allowed to speak to their children, so I think we are in the clear.
I know there will come a time when this will change, but for now I love every moment of their childhood and the belief in something magical that Christmas brings.
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