December 2014

I seem to have inherited at least a small amount of my mom's Christmas insanity.  The kids helped me start decorating as soon as the turkey was put away on Thanksgiving and we threw our annual BadBash Christmas party on December 13th.  It was a HUGE party this year, with 30+ kids and nearly 100 people in attendance.  Santa made his appearance, too.

Because I'm crazy, I invited a few friends over to cover my house with sugar decorate cookies.  It was so much fun watching the kids decorate cookies, eat all the decorations, eat the cookies... They had a great time.  I was reminded how not fun rolling out cut-out cookie dough is, but the kids were worth the process!

Last Christmas, Laura watched Charlie Brown and saw Snoopy putting lights on his roof.  She decided she must have lights on our roof too!  Nate and I told her the vague "next year..." hoping she'd forget.  She didn't forget.  So Nate climbed onto the roof and decked it with lights.  The neighbors assure me it was cheerful and they loved it...

I got a new star for our tree this year!  I found it at the Christmas fair at the town armory, when we went with my parents after Thanksgiving.  It's a Carolina style woven wood star, that Laura and I spray painted glittery gold.  I love it!

All 30+ kids sat so sweetly, waiting for Santa.  Most of the kids sat on his lap, though a few asked for their gifts from across the room!  Laura thought it mysterious that Santa sounded so much like Uncle Jarrett... But then somehow Jarrett was holding Laura when Santa waved goodbye from the porch!  Grandpa missed Santa's exit...

Laura had an hilarious Christmas performance at school the next morning.  She was "so strong and so mighty" flexing her little arms during the one song.  She knew all the choreography for each song, and most of the words.  So cute!  Gavin wanted to be part of the show too, even though his class wasn't actually participating.

We met up with friends in Little Italy for dinner before heading to Hampden for Miracle on 34th Street.  The lights are just so impressive!  But so are the crowds on a Friday night... Next year, we'll go mid-week!

Our Christmas festivities continue with a trip to Myrtle Beach, Captiva Island, and Charlotte.  To be continued!