December seems to be filled with lots of events, including Christmas, but that will be it's own post. December included the "special day with mom" and then after that St. Nick comes and fills the kids shoes with treats and small gifts. This year they got some candy and sticker book and Eli got a batman and fruit pouch. St. Nick wasn't fooling Eli, he was all about his sisters candy!
The girls and I decided we needed to make some Christmas treats. We made some sugar cookies (and other goodies) and iced them and the girls were pros at decorating. They didn't need my help at all. We then bagged up our treats and the girls delivered them to their neighbor friends. I think their favorite part was delivering them :) And of course, we ate some as well!
Also, I was given some free zoo tickets for the month of December and I wasn't sure I would use them with it being December. Who goes to a zoo when it's cold outside? Well an unusual 60 degree Sunday in December meant we got to go to the zoo. It was great because the zoo was pretty much just us! No lines, hardly anyone there and it was warm! Everyone enjoyed it. After, we tried to get pictures with Santa at Bass Pro, but the line was WAY to long so we just did the crafts and window shopped and then left.
December means the John Deere Christmas party as well. I typically look forward to this event. It's nice to get all gussied up once a year and party. Dinner, dancing and fun people how fun! Except this year, I came down with the flu and was not feeling good most of the night and ended up going home relatively early. :( The rest of the weekend was spent in bed.
Although sick, I was also lucky and was the lucky winner of this kids ride on tractor. This was the grand prize and I know 3 kids that will sure enjoy this.
December is the girls birthdays. They turned 5, and although we don't celebrate with gifts and a party we don't let the day go by completely unnoticed. We went out to eat and the girls chose Applebee's for their birthday dinner. Their favorite part was the desert they received and their least favorite was the singing they did to them. :)
After, the neighbor boys came down and had cake and ice cream and that was the extent of their birthday. They also took cupcakes in for school treats, Josie took frozen and Ella took paw patrol. I must say, this year they were totally confused about their birthday and not getting presents. I told them their birthday PARTY and presents will be when they turn 5.5years old. They were confused, but they haven't questioned much since they opened a TON of Christmas presents shortly after. Quite a few friends who have December birthdays think celebrating on their half birthday is better than so close to Christmas so I will continue to do it that way. Summer birthday parties are WAY better anyway.
Preschool Christmas program happened and the girls did soooo good. They sang and did the motions and I could hear them! I was so happy how good they did. Here is Josie doing her little part out front
And here is Ella doing her little part during "Away in a Manager" Dad and mom both got to go and I know that means a lot to both of them to have us both there.
So pretty
We finally caught Santa and snagged a wonderful photo of the 3 kids. This was WAY better than expected. Santa was at JD and they had crafts, cookies, activities and Santa. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it.
Josie said she wasn't sitting on Santa's lap and Ella followed Josie's lead, but eventually Ella warmed up to the idea of sitting on his lap. I don't know if it was because Eli did it and didn't cry or what, but she definitely wanted her picture taken.
And we got our first snow. Roughly a half hour of getting all their winter gear on and they were ready to go. Eli LOVED it, but I think he just likes being outside. And Ella wanted to make a snowman and here is what was made-Crystal, and she's still standing.
And then of course, Christmas! Coming soon!