Jingle All The Way

Christmas came too fast this year but even with that, we've been able to squeeze in all our family traditions.  Here's a quick look of what we did to get into the holiday spirit!

First things first.  In order for Santa to have an idea of what we want he need us to send him a letter. 

 

Being the big kindergartner that she is, Sophia worked on hers all on her own.  "Fancy" name and all!

Then comes a visit to the Jolly Ole Man himself! 

With each year that goes by, the girls get more and more excited to sit on Santa's lap

 

It took Lucas a little bit longer but eventually he warmed up to the idea and gave Santa a BIG hug!

A carriage ride with the sound of Christmas carols in the background.  If only it were snowing!
No not really : ) 

 

Ballon sculpture anyone?  Sophia wanted a butterfly.  Alexandra got a Rudolph hat and Lucas asked for a Christmas train.  

Time for the Gingerbread House

Everyone still seems okay with decorating one side and then working together on the forth (tho they each take a very different approach.)  But that's okay!  So as long as they're okay with sharing, we'll stick to one candy house for all. 

Ta-da! Another  gingerbread house Hansel & Gretel would be proud of!

Rudolph

And we can't forget Rudolph.  This Christmas tradition was a little bitter sweet since it's the first year Sophia was not able to go.  Well let me clarify.  She did get to go see the puppet show but just not with us.  Sophia went on a field trip with her class the next day.  I tried to get tickets for the rest of us thinking we could meet up with her but unfortunately it was sold out : (  So I decided Alexandra, Lucas and myself would go the day before so it would be fresh in our minds to talk about when Sophia went with her class. 

Maggie and Paula joined us as well as Ansley.  With baby Grayson's arrival coming anyday, Kristen thought it would be best for her and Landon to stay closer to home. 

Lucas was proud of his misfit "Hermie." 

Our postal worker is the best!  2 letters from Santa letting us know he received our requests! 

Now we just need to make sure we stay off the naughty list : )

Sophia's the official Thank You note writer.

Alexandra added a little picture and signed her own name this year : )

And of course, Lucas couldn't just sit back and let his "isters" do all the work.

Unfortunately, we were all sick sick sick during the 18 day break!  So this is how we spent most of it, in our PJ's.  Watching movies and hanging out!  Luckily the weather was cold and rainy so there wasn't much else to do anyway.  

Elfie always spends Christmas Eve in the tree.  That way he can just fly up the chimney with Santa on his way out!  Bye Elfie!  See you next year! 

 

Fun Friday

Fridays are always exciting but this one in particular was extra fun.  It was PJ day at school which in itself is rather unique but on top of that, it was Mrs. Gossage's birthday.  We'd been planning a surprise celebration since before Thanksgiving and so far it seemed to be working beautifully.  After a few months of preparing, the plan was to meet in the room during lunch and then surprise her with balloons, a sweet treat and a basket full of her "favorite things" which the class had been secretly sending my way.  It was also Stephen's birthday.  Of course we didn't want the teacher's surprise to overshadow his special day and planned a few extra things for him as well.  It was a fun Friday the Gorillas would never forget and a wonderful distraction from the horrifying news earlier that day. 

Sophia and Clara waiting for the bus in their PJ's. 

Surprise!  I think we pulled it off!

The 2 birthday kids, Mrs. Gossage and Stephen.  Sophia and her classmates guessed she was turning 25 while Stephen was on his way to 6.  

 Happy Birthday Mrs. Gossage and Stephen.  Thanks for sharing your special day with us! 

A Little Snowflake

It is SNOW much fun to throw a party.  So there's no way Paula and I could pass up the opportunity to honor Kristen and her third snowflake Grayson with a little snow sprinkle and some winter cheer.

Snowflake center piece 

Yummy frosted dessert

Cute mint tins as favors and a snowflake headpiece for a bit of whimsy!

Anna and third time mommy to be : )

Four Galore

Alexandra's 4th birthday this year came with four celebrations.  A Cookie cake in Texas, breakfast donuts on her actual birth day, a doughnut castle at school and finally magical cupcakes at her party.  It's been four galore around here lately and this little pony has loved every minute of it!

One

A "flower pose" from my little flower!

Two

It's become somewhat of a tradition to have donuts for breakfast on birthday's.  And why not, it's a special day so why not start it off with a little something sweet! 

 

Three

A castle fit four a queen!

Four

I've joked saying Alexandra is either a head of the trends or a trend setter since last year she asked for a Hello Kitty party and it was practically impossible to find anything Hello Kitty.  This year however, it seems you can't turn around without seeing that pretty white kitty with a red bow.   So this year, her newest obsession became My Little Pony.  Lucky me!  It's not that I'm burned out on putting together a party, it's just that the theme isn't exactly one that I was that excited about.  As I started looking around it became even harder to find anything My Little Pony which lessened my inspiration even more.  So what we decide was to have was a unicorn party with a little My Little Pony sprinkled in here and there.  Still not my favorite theme but maybe I could thrown in a few other mystical creatures, fairies and lots of sparkle and Alexandra could have the magical party she had hoped for. 

The result ... Alexandra's Magical Kingdom.   

  

The invitation to set the mood.  With such a girly theme we decide only to invite the girls in her class.

Hand made pink and purple unicorn horns for the girls to decorate and wear as they pranced around.

And no unicorn is set without a pair of wings.

A little pot of "Magic Beans" for each of our mystical creatures.

Some sweet unicorn horns in her favorite color!

Really all you need are a few cupcakes!

  

I had pink and purple fairies delicately dangling from gold tree branches as decorations.  

 

When I saw these little glass bottles I thought they'd be perfect filled with "magic dust".

Lots of glitter ribbon in pink, purple & gold

I thought the little brothers could be the "Enchanted Knights" of Alexandra's Magical Kingdom

I made these "Pinky Pie" inspired unicorn cookies for each of our little ponies to take home.

As the birthday girl, Alexandra wore a long tail made of purple, pink and gold glitter ribbon

Julia playing the part in her royal castle

 

 Mackenzie chose to wear all purple

While Anne-Gregory went for a combination of pink horn and purple wings.

 

Alexandra took her time decorating her horn.  Making sure each rhinestone was exactly were she wanted it.

Sophia even came home early from school to join in the fun!

The unicorns all took a little break from playing to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Even among all the glitter, pink and purple Lucas found a way to have fun!

Maggie had fun playing our "Toss the hoop on the Unicorn Horn" game.
Yes, that's a real traffic cone we spray painted in pink and purple glitter paint : )

Jessie and Eliza Kate spent some time as knights defending the kingdom.

Alexandra was a wonderful hostess

The birthday girl!  "Cutie Marks" and all!

Sophia is always front and center when it comes to singing "Happy Birthday"

My little pony unicorn!  

Happy birthday sweet girl!  

I hope you had the magical party you had hoped for!  I LOVE YOU!