Christmas 2016

What another wonderful Christmas season! This year, you were a little more into the Christmas spirit and got the idea that Santa was coming. Every time anyone asked you what you told Santa you wanted, you said a lolly pop. Well that would have been good to know before you received a TON of gifts! All through the month, we set up the tree and went back and forth between the white lights (that I liked), and the colored lights (that you liked). It was the funniest thing because you would immediately change the color on the lights if they happened to be on the white light setting. We went and looked and light displays in Clairemont and on Garrison Street in Point Loma. We went on a Saturday night and although Garrison Street is pretty small, it is over the top decorated. One house was having a fundraiser and selling hot chocolate and baked goods, in addition to a DJ and dance floor. You immediately went right out there and started dancing. You're at a great age where the lights are fascinating and you take an interest to the holiday decor.

We baked plenty of cookies and made our first gingerbread house--all while eating half the candy as we were putting it on. Christmas Eve we set out the cookies and milk and when you woke up you were disappointed that Santa left a crumb on the plate! But then you remembered you got a scooter and all was well. You hopped right on and started riding it like you were a pro, it was the cutest thing! You also got a remote control Lightning McQueen car, an easel, a TON of Trolls dolls, animals, blankets, etc. art stuff, clothes, kitchen sets, Hunter boots (I'm so jealous, I don't even have any!!) and so many cool gifts. We literally had to reorganize the little storage we have in this house just to fit everything. It is insanity how much stuff you have gotten over the years! Opening gifts got old pretty quickly and you just wanted to play with a few things you liked. I'm sure that will change in a few years. We did the typical holiday visiting, eating, eating, and more eating and everything was fabulous as usual. We are so blessed to be a part of a big, loving, and fun family who really know how to make the most of any get together. I hope you get to grow up with lots of cousins just like we did because that is what I remember most when I think back to my childhood.

It is almost time to welcome a new year and it is always something I look forward to. Even though life really does stay the same, sometimes it is good to reflect and reevaluate your current situation and think of ways to improve areas of life or make necessary changes. Even if the thought is temporary I always like to embrace moments that make you stop and think. I'm looking forward to another year of more firsts for you and making more memories as our family grows. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, baby!

'Tis the Season

Since Thanksgiving, we have embraced Christmas as much as we can even putting up our tree 2 days after Turkey Day. So our tree is fake (sorry), but its so much easier and looks amazing! Ours has lights on it as well; white and colored. Well, of course I like the white lights because they are bright and clean looking, especially when you have an assortment of colored ornaments all over the tree. Well let me tell you, you and I have been playing a little game of what lights the tree will be on. I made the mistake of showing you the button where to turn the lights on and off and since then you have decided that you like the colored lights and there will be no other options for lighting. It took us a while to realize that you were the one who kept changing the lights and since then any time you see the white lights you rush over and change them, much to my disappointment. It is pretty hilarious, though. We've gone around to a few neighborhoods to look at the lights and it is so fun! There is one street in Point Loma we went to and one house was having a hot chocolate and sweets fundraiser and had a DJ and a dance floor! You immediately started breaking it down. You love to dance (or jump around all over the place) and it is so sweet. The rest of the houses were decorated with all sorts of Disney characters, Santa's and Frosty's. It was so fun and we will definitely be coming back every year. 

Your dad took you to get your picture taken with Santa and you have the biggest smile on your face! I couldn't believe it. That's two years in a row the Santa pictures have been a success. I have to admit, I loooove seeing pictures of kids screaming sitting on Santa's lap. I'm sure we will get one of those of you eventually. You have the next couple weeks off from school and I am so excited to have some much needed down time with you. I will be taking off a few days so we can do some fun activities like going ice skating! I think you will absolutely love that. Other than that I'm thinking plenty of baking and hot chocolate. I love the nights where we're snuggled up together just being our little family. It is so precious and goes by so quickly it is hard to stop and breathe to enjoy it. Somehow you're THREE years old and I just cannot wrap my mind around it. I love it when you tell me how much you love me and that I'm your best friend. You don't know how happy it makes me feel inside to be your mom. I love you, baby.