Snow!

For the third time this winter, we've enjoyed beautiful snow. I honestly can't think of the last time it snowed this often, and we're certainly loving it. Brian snapped this photo last night... our own little winter wonderland.

Christmas Eve

We spent a wonderful Christmas Eve at Aunt Claudia's house. It was a perfect time, except for the teeny, tiny fact that Charlie was stuck on I-20 in a snowstorm. That's right! He spent the night in his car (yes, I mean he slept) on the highway. We're thankful that he made it home safe and sound. I'm thinking about buying him a tackle box full of protein bars to keep in his car just to be safe.

Jackson's first Christmas Eve!

Candy Cane Caroline opening gifts.

Ahh, newlyweds.

As is tradition, Jackson had his picture taken with our family Rudolph.

Sweet cousins!

Claudia's tree was so beautiful! She decorated it with black and white photos from Christmases past. It was so fun to take a look back.

Some of the gang.

Papa with his pile of gifts.

My sweet kiddoes, snug and sleepy in their Christmas jammies.

Forts

The other day Big Sister Caroline built a fort for Jackson and her to play in. Of course, Jackson loved it, and I think the whole concept of a fort stuck with him... see below for why I think so.

Caroline took a blanket, a pillow, the couch and a chair and turned it into Little Brother's first fort.

This morning Little Brother eyed this table, scooted himself underneath it, and decided to make a fort for himself.

Butt Sketch

We had a great time at Brian's holiday office party this year. The food was excellent and the conversation was fun. During the cocktail hour, they announced that a butt sketcher was there to sketch people. I know what you're thinking... we thought the same thing, "A butt sketcher???" Turns out that's just the trendy term used for sketching someone from behind. Anyway, we took our turn, and I think it turned out pretty nice.

The Polar Express

Caroline went to school in her pajamas this morning! She has been learning about trains this month, and today is a super-special event. All of the kids get to wear their jammies and bring their favorite animal to read The Polar Express. They'll sip on hot chocolate during storytime and eat some yummy treats. Then the big moment will happen.... SANTA CLAUS is surprising them with an in-class visit. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Caroline in her Christmas jammies with Olivia ready for school.

I also wanted to blog about Caroline's Thanksgiving feast at school, but I'm a little tardy in doing so. It was such a fun day! I was assigned a great group of kids. We went to 5 different stations, and I helped them complete tasks to prepare the feast.

The kids made necklaces from wooden beads and pasta shapes.

Then they snapped green beans.

They even got to make their own mini pumpkin pies! Here is Caroline stirring hers up.



We shucked corn and then the teachers cooked it, so the kids got to eat the very corn they prepared!



They cut up grapes for the fruit salad.



The 3's class dressed as pilgrims, and the 4's class dressed as Indians.



Here is Caroline enjoying her corn.


The feast was truly a feast!

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea

Caroline is getting her first taste of The Nutcracker this year! Brian and I are taking her to see the ballet tomorrow, but to get her ready for it Grandmama and I took her to a tea party - the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea. It was a fun treat. Mother Ginger walked us all through the story of the Nutcracker and introduced us to the ballet's key characters, who were there in full costume. It was a room full of little girls in their Christmas party dresses, definitely a festive event. Here are some pics we snapped.

Caroline and me in our dresses ready for her first tea party!

We met Grandmama at the tea.

Mother Ginger told us the story of The Nutcracker and introduced the ballerinas.

Mom and I drank tea, but Caroline opted for pink lemonade. They actually decorated the sugar cubes with gold flecks, so that when you sweetened your tea it glittered with gold. Very fun.

They gave us a HUGE plate of goodies and everything was delicious. It could have been sugar overload, but they balanced it nicely with some savory bites.

Caroline was able to meet the ballerinas. Here she is with the Sugar Plum Fairy herself. I can't wait until she gets to see the actual ballet tomorrow!

Let it snow!

We woke up to snow this morning! Such fun! Brian shot some footage of what our street looked like from our front porch. What a fabulous start to December... I'm hoping that there are snowmen and snow angels in store for us this winter.