Naughty or Nice

Violet is very aware of Santa's Naughty or Nice list and tries very hard to be "nice", especially with Sprinkles (her Elf on the Shelf) constantly watching her.

I'm sure she's glad Christmas is just around the corner. It's hard for a girl to constantly be nice to her brother.

Christmas Card

Each year I have these grand ideas of the perfect Christmas card. But working with small children doesn't always make those ideas come out just as I expected.

I found this Christmas card template on Shutterfly and thought this might work. Individual pictures of Lincoln and Violet work so much better than trying to get them to pose for a family picture. Now my mind is working on next year's card. Christmas 2017 will be here before you know it.

Violet's Christmas Recital

Violet had her first Christmas Recital. It took the 3 year old class longer to walk down the church aisle and get situated on the bleachers than it did for them to perform their songs.

The piano accompanist was an elderly lady and I'm guessing she couldn't hear very well because her banging on the piano keys was louder than the screaming voices of 20 children.

But it was the cutest program and Violet was the best.

Dad's 90th Birthday Party

Nothing is harder than planning a party for a 90 year old. Yes, I said 90! Dad insisted we not do anything for his birthday. But turning 90 is a big milestone. So nothing was said to Dad but Michele, Karen, Teresa and I put together a pretty amazing party. Instead of having everyone show up early and yell "Surprise", we had an open house where guest showed up at different times.

It appeared everyone had a good time including Dad even though he denies it. Happy Birthday, Dad! May the next 90 be just as enjoyable.

Sprinkles - Elf on the Shelf

This year Sprinkles (Elf on the Shelf) is visiting the Taylor house.

Every morning, Violet and Lincoln race downstairs to see where Sprinkles might be hiding. The idea behind Elf on the Shelf is that Santa sends elves to serve as his eyes and ears. After you give your elf a name, she has magic powers which allows her to fly to and from the North Pole and report back to Santa.

Today, Sprinkles brought Violet a letter from Santa. She seemed hesitant to take the letter because you cannot touch the elf. But Melissa helped her carefully get the letter from Sprinkles. The excitement of the letter lasted a good three minutes. It took Santa longer than that to write the letter!

Visiting Santa & Christmas in the Park

What's Christmas without taking your child to see Santa and getting a picture with a crying child. Voila! Lincoln is crying and Violet wasn't too sure about sitting on Santa's lap. She's at that age where she notices that all the Santas aren't quite the same.

After a visit with Santa, the Taylors headed to Christmas in the Park. You slowly drive through the park while looking at all the lighting displays. It's hard to tell, but Lincoln's driving the car.

Violet thought it was fun being able to stick her head out the sun roof for a better view.

Even Khloe had fun see the lights. Christmas is getting closer!

Gingerbread House

Karen gave me a gingerbread house last Christmas. I've kept it in the freezer so Violet and I could put it together this year.

The house was preassembled but you had to apply the icing and candies yourself. I was in charge of the icing - Violet did the candies.

I didn't think I'd ever run out of frosting or candies. There were so many of them. Even Violet was getting a little bored with the decorating.

I hate to admit this is our finished product. I am not an artist. Where is Michele when I need her!