Seein' Santa

Tonight we headed to Bellevue to see Santa and Snowflake Lane.  We made it a family tradition three years ago thanks to the Springer family.  The kids so look forward to both events and when you roll them in to one, they get quite amped up.

We started with Santa and thankfully the line was fairly short.  As mentioned, the kids were hyped.  They were literally bouncing up and down while repeating their wish lists.  Jameson has one item and Brooklyn has 15 last I counted.  Emmett was just chillin' in the stroller taking it all in.  After a successful chat with Santa (no crying!) we bundled the kiddos up and headed outside for Snowflake Lane.  For those that are unfamiliar, every night in December leading up to Christmas, Bellevue pulls out all the stops with live music (marching band), ice princesses, candy cane suckers and snow.  It really is magical and the kids just eat it up.  It was extra cold tonight so we took in the sights and quickly dashed back to the car to warm up.

The reindeer, the kids favorite.

Waiting, waiting.

Love this picture, LOVE Emmett's face.

Jameson's signature pose.

Check out Jameson.  Priceless accidental photo.

Angelic face, not so angelic finger.

So excited for Snowflake Lane!

Waiting, waiting.

Handsome J.

Handsome E.

Beautiful B.

Just chillin' out.

Beautiful Princesses.

Cheers to Brett!

On Saturday my parents watched the kids and I power Christmas shopped (thanks Mom & Dad!).  I got sooo much done and renewed my Christmas spirit.  I stopped at home for a quick outfit change and then headed to Fall City to meet Brett (he was on shift) at the Fall City Fire Dept Christmas Banquet.  There was food, games and a little award ceremony.  Brett was so surprised to be named firefighter of the year!

So, when Brett returned from work on Monday, the kids and I threw him a small celebration party w/a cake made and sprinkled by Jameson and Brooklyn.  (Emmett emptied the tupperware drawer while we were working away.) 

We are so proud of Brett for serving the Fall City community for five years and winning firefighter of the year.  Cheers to Brett!

Too Late Mom

Emmett was feeling under the weather today, that was clear.  He was pretty cranky, runny nose, watery eyes, etc.   So, I decided an early lunch, followed by an early nap would benefit us all.  Apparently a few minutes in his highchair watching Pocoyo while I cooked lunch was too long.  Minutes as in maybe two.  I brought his lunch to the table to find this:

Red-cheeked cutie.

Passed out.

I love to document when our kids fall asleep somewhere other than their beds because, well, it never happens.  Other than the car, only Brooklyn has fallen asleep on the couch...once. 

Mommy, that's you.

Brooklyn has become quite the artist lately.  Her squiggly lines and circles have developed in to suns, flowers, hearts, planets, portraits, and more.  She loves to do portraits.  She does a great fireman that I hope to capture soon.  Today she was quietly drawing for a long time.  Focused.  So, I went over to see what masterpiece she was creating.  And I found the above drawing of, well, me.  After asking Brooklyn what that was she replied, "Mommy, that's you.  Duh."  Yep, duh.  Horns and all.

Elf on the Shelf

I am sure most of you have heard of the Elf on the Shelf tradition.  If not, go here to learn more: http://www.elfontheshelf.com/.  Last year, my Aunt Marci gifted us with our very own elf who soon became Fraggle.  Yes, the kids named him Fraggle.  They loved waking up each morning and searching the entire house for Fraggle and telling him all the things they wanted for Christmas.  This year, as soon as they saw the preview for the Elf on the Shelf movie on TV, they were waiting, waiting, for Fraggle to arrive.  Well, so were we.  We both remembered putting him somewhere safe last year...really safe...so safe that for the life of us we could not remember where.  We outsmarted ourselves. 

December 1st went by with no Fraggle.  The kids were horrified.  They were questioning their behavior.  Were they so bad that Fraggle wasn't coming this year?  We then went in to desperate mode...searching the garage...searching the loft...searching EVERYWHERE!  Maybe he was in the decoration boxes after all.  Nope.  Then Brett mentioned something about a safe in conversation.  Boom, the lights went on in my dim brain.  The safe!  I ran upstairs, opened the safe door and there sat Fraggle. 

After finding a spot for him I called the kids upstairs and told them that I heard a noise and low and behold they found Fraggle!  They were so relieved and immediately starting telling him all the things they want for Christmas.  Actually, Brooklyn told him about 15 things while Jameson just said one, Smokey. 

I better be careful what I write on here once the kids can read.  Luckily time is on my side.

Pre-K Christmas Program

Come on Baby Emmett!

Today Brooklyn had her annual Christmas program that was sure to be entertaining.  We didn't quite expect the entertainment we received but maybe theater is in her future.  As the kids walked in and took the stage they all eye-balled their parents and waved and then found their place.  Brooklyn found her place and shouted, "Where's my Mom & Dad?  Mom & Dad, where are you?"  Over and over again.  I was with Jameson and Brett with Emmett so I gave Brett Jameson's hand so I could go closer so Brooklyn could see me.  When she did see me she shouted, "MOMMY!  Hey, that's my Mom.  See that girl right there, she's my Mom."  The entire audience laughed.  Awesome.  The program started and aside from the wiggles, all seemed to be good.  Then the boys got squirrely so we moved to the very back to stand.  I put Jameson on my shoulders so he could see and as soon as he was up, Brooklyn shouted, "Jameson!" and before I could stop him Jameson shouted back, "Brooklyn!"  It was like they hadn't seen each other in years.  Ridiculous.  Laughter throughout the audience again.  After Brooklyn got focused again she decided that she no longer wanted to be in the back row so she tapped the girl in front of her on the shoulder and moved in next to her.  She did this several more times until she was in the front row.  Singing the entire time.  Yes, we bought the DVD.  After the program wrapped up and the audience clapped and cheered...her face lit up and she smiled ear-to-ear.  In the lobby we asked her why she moved to the front and she said, "Because everyone wanted to see my beautiful dress."  Valid point.  Valid point.

Creeper in the window.

Jameson wanted to "dress nice like Brooklyn".

E ate about 20 mum-mums to keep him quiet.  :)

Can you find Bink?

Tree-finding Fun!

To celebrate the first day of December we loaded the kids up and visited St. Nick's Tree Farm up the hill.  This was our second year visiting and we had just as much fun.  The kids love it because they take you to the trees via tractor.  You heard that right, tractor.  Brooklyn and Jameson lose their minds.  It was exceptionally cold so the kids were very red-cheeked.  Luckily they were so excited that their adrenaline kept them warm.  After visiting trees of all shapes and sizes we found the perfect one.  Minutes later, thanks to Brett, the tree was down and on the tractor.  We finished our visit with candy canes.  It was a great way to kick off the Holiday Season!

I loooove this one.  It had a HUGE bald spot in the back.

Dodging stumps.

B & E.

On the TRACTOR!

E & B again. Extreme close-up.

Extreme excitement.

Extreme excitement II.

Extreme excitement III...and a creeper.

There's the perfect tree!

Success...that's steam coming off Brett.

The tractor set-up.