Christmas Fun

There is something so magical and peaceful about a Christmas tree. I love to have just the glow of the tree, the smell of something Christmas-y in the air and Christmas music playing in the background. Brooklynn loves to play by the tree with the ornaments. She takes them off and creates little scenes and makes up little stories. She'll play by herself there for a good hour or more when the older kids are all at school.
I had two school Christmas parties last week for Brooklynn and McKenna. It was a crazy day and I had three different kids throw up between the two parties! Not my fault by the way. Anyway, I did a Polar Express theme for McKenna's party and for one station we had "snowball" fight with socks. I rolled up 145 socks! The kids had a lot of fun with that.

Chris and I celebrated 19 years on the 19th! Unfortunately, I spent the day in bed sick with a stomach bug.
We headed to the Riverwoods to visit Santa and take a carriage ride. We LOVE the Riverwoods Santa, he is/was the best! This year though, a different Santa was there. He was fine though. Honestly, it was so cold we were like "Hi Santa", sit, take picture and leave!
After visiting Santa we waited in line for the carriage ride. We haven't been in several years and while the kids seemed to love it, it wasn't worth the wait. We waited outside in 25 degree weather for nearly an hour for a five minute ride around the parking lot! They used to have a really beautiful carriage just the right size for a family. Now they have a carriage/covered wagon that seats about 10-12 people...not as cozy or personal. They used to take you through the outdoor mall to see all the lights. Now you get the backside of the mall and it is pretty lame.
The driver was really nice though and let the girls pet the horse. That might have been the highlight of the evening.
We made some cute reindeer cookies. I didn't have the right m&m's for the eyes but they still turned out cute.
I took McKenna and Brooklynn to the mall today for a Winter Princess Festival. While there, Santa was sitting all alone without any kids. Can you image? So the girls stopped by to say hi and remind him of the things they wanted this year.
We checked out a new show this year at the mall. It was an interactive play. You move from room to room with the scenes and the characters involved the kids. They really enjoyed it.

Here the princesses read the kids a story while we waited for the show to begin.
I didn't take any pictures in the first two rooms but we started off at the base of a large mountain and then walked through a dark tunnel to reach the North Pole. There we met a royal family with elf-like ears. They told the kids some stories and taught them how to curtsey and bow.

They had the kids help decorate the tree

Then they sang songs and taught them a little dance. They danced all around the room with the actors.
Afterwards they moved to another room and gave them a little treat and sent them on their way.

This was one of the princesses

After the princess festival I left all the kids home and ran off to spend time with my adorable new niece, sweet little Ivy Noelle!! It was a glorious afternoon visiting with my sister and holding a precious new baby.
Only two more days til Christmas. I think I might make it!