Holiday Traditions

We are in full Christmas mode. Grace fully understands, actively participates, and is so excited. Claire is just rolling with whatever we have going on.

This is our 3rd year to have our Elf on the Shelf. Luckily, CBS had an animated story about the Elf the night before he arrived. The girls watched and loved it. It reinforced the fact that you are not supposed to touch the Elf because it will lose its magic.

We welcomed the Elf with a breakfast. He brought gifts (gummy bears) and notes for each of the girls. Grace's note had something about Santa being excited to come to her house since she has been such a good girl. Claire's note said "I'm watching you!!". The Elf suspended himself over the table. Since then, Grace has had an eagle eye every morning finding him.




Yesterday, we went to get our Christmas tree from the local nursery. A cold front blew in the night before and not only was it chilly, but it was crazy windy.

I was trying to take the girls' picture, but they were so cold. They were hiding between the trees.

After we found our tree, I tried to get Grace to take a picture. You can tell she is miserable in the wind with this pained expression.


Grace loved putting the ornaments on the tree. She kept asking Steve if he was done while he was putting the lights on. We laughed because she clustered all her ornaments in one area. Note: the blue ballet skirt was not my idea. Grace loves to put it on and says she is a princess.



The girls are so excited about our tree! This is going to be a fun holiday season with them.

A Very Simple Thanksgiving

Today we celebrated a very simple Thanksgiving. Just the 4 of us, in our home, with plenty of good food.

Luckily a few years back, I learned to make all the traditional Thanksgiving food that I have always enjoyed with my family. When we learned Steve had to work on Thanksgiving, my first instinct was to head north to be with family. But with it also being his birthday, I wanted us all to be together.

During the day, while Steve was working, the girls made turkey hats.



Set the table in the dining room where we never sit.

Had a simple "turkey" sandwich for lunch.

And prepared all the food to enjoy and celebrate with Steve. Happy Birthday!! We love you!!

Trike A Thon 2011

Both girls participated in a Trike A Thon at school to collect canned goods for the local food bank. For every lap around the school, the child is responsible for collecting a canned good to donate.

I learned from Grace doing it 2 years ago, that it would be better to push Claire in her car than attempt to push her on a tricycle around the building several times. It worked perfect for her.


Grace and her class cheering on Claire and her class.


This was Grace's first year to ride a real bicycle. She did awesome! I was so nervous about her running into someone else or turning the tight corners, but she had no problems. She went around 13 times!


I was so focused on Grace on her bike I didn't even realize that Claire's class had lined up and were cheering them on.

We made quite a contribution to the Food Bank this year!

Ballet Open House

The girls had a ballet open house just 4 weeks into the class. Claire participated just as much as the older kids. Both girls did great!

Happy Halloween - Nature Style

The girls' theme this year for their fall festival is nature, so both girls are flowers. Claire is a buttercup and Grace is a sweet pea. Both girls loved their costumes and were so excited to put them on this morning.


Patiently waiting on their turn in the parade.


Claire did awesome in her parade. She marched and waved at the crowd.

Grace and her teacher starting her class' parade of costumes.

Grace on stage presenting her costume to her class.


And no tears! I remember Grace crying the past 2 years during the festival. She did not like the change in her routine.


Things have definitely changed! Happy Halloween 2011!!

Zoo Much Fun!

Since Claire was turning 2, we decided to have a zoo theme party. Her party colors were green, orange and red with accents of animal prints.

The kids drank out of fun animal cups I found at Oriental Trading.

One different thing I did with her party was push pop cupcakes. These were wonderful for little kids because they weren't messy and there wasn't much cake or icing. Steve built and painted the great stand for them. I worried some would be leery of them so I also had regular cupcakes.



And no South Texas party would be complete with a pinata.




We had a bounce house with slide to burn off some of the energy.



We had Safari Girl come do face painting and balloon animals.


Party treats included flavored popcorn and iced animal cookies.


Party favors included candy and Barrel of Monkeys.

I think everyone had a great time at our zoo party!!