Santa 2011

One of the first interpreters I ever met was "Santa".  If you've worked at RIT or attended school there in the past 25 years, I bet you've seen him around.   It's pretty easy to spot this jolly old fellow amidst a sea of college students.

We take the kids for pictures with Santa every year, even though it's something I feel a little funny about.  (Santa was practically like the devil, when I was growing up.)   I love that Santa signs, that he knows Brian and I and now our kids too.

"I think I saw Santa's bedroom."  Kaylee whispered and pointed down the hall.    LOL

My little guy was skeptical, nervous and blown away all within a span of a few minutes.   At 6 years old, he's *pretty* sure that Santa is just a fun story....  It must be confusing to be a kid at Christmas time.


Last night we opened up one of the Christmas book presents, and read "God Gave us Christmas".    It's a very sweet book with amazing pictures.  I appreciate that it mentions Santa in passing, but emphasises all that God has given us, including Jesus as the best present of all.  I want my kids to hear all the different stories there are at this fun time of year. 
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It’s December first!!!!

And I am ready!  (Or as ready as I’ll ever be)

Last week I wrapped up all of our Christmas books.  It took $1.50 in wrapping paper and about 40 minutes of my time while I watched something on TV.   I keep the basket WAAAAAAY up high on a bookshelf, and each night this month, the kids will take turns picking out a book, unwrapping it and then reading it together.   I love this tradition!

Our Elf, Martin, arrived today for the first time from the North Pole.  The kids kept checking to see if he had moved from his spot on the mantle.   This is a new tradition, and I hope to God that I can remember to move the dude to a new spot each night!

Our tree is up.

A batch of Christmas cookies has been baked. (triple recipe)  

Christmas lights have been strung on the porch.

It’s December first…..  BRING IT!  I’M READY!

 

Christmas book count down

I wrapped up all of our Christmas books, and can you believe I have exactly 24? One for each night leading up to Christmas. They are not all Christmas treasures, but I hope to add a few really "good" books each season. At first, I was putting the books in a gift bag 2 seconds before handing it over to the kids, but kids LOVE TO TEAR THINGS APART. Plus it was a good excuse to watch HGTV during nap time while I wrapped books in baby shower paper, birthday paper, and other such festive themes.