Days of Christmas, part 8

What started like this ...

Ended like this ...

And this ...

The green oozing from Trace's mouth is a result of the two bags of holiday M&Ms that were all wrapped up (along with a box of candy canes which were broken out after dinner tonight).

Alysse is giving a little love to her new singing, giggling, shaking friend. Each of the kids got an animal that sings a holiday song. Having a dog obsession, Trace loved his ear flapping canine which I have to agree is too cute for words.

Days of Christmas, part 7

Should you hear ringing, it's probably coming from our house. Today's advent gifts were large jingle bells painted black and decorated like snowman Steeler fans. The cute little snowmen are sporting their black and gold and waving Steeler pennants.

The kids love the snowmen, but even more they love the noise they can make with them. The ringing, oh the ringing!

The stockings were hung

Having grown up with a Catholic mother, my siblings and I hung our stockings each December 5 in anticipation of a visit by St. Nick. We were always greeted the next morning with small treats and goodies.

The tradition continues in our house. And the kids were thrilled he had stopped by last night.

Trace's favorite treats were those with wheels - a John Deere tractor and a Thomas the Train engine.

The girls kept themselves busy beautifying with the Hello Kitty lipsticks and Disney Princess hair glitter wands they received. A little glam circle convened in the living room and everyone got the treatment (and a bath and shampoo afterward).

Days of Christmas, part 6

Sherek the Halls with Christmas movies,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season for DVDs,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Now we have more shows for traveling,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Liv can't wait to watch the Prancer,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Alena claimed a Barbie flick,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Alysse grabbed one with Henson's Muppets,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Movie nights now have new showings,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Pop the corn and settle in,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Days of Christmas, part 5

The biggest hit yet was opened today ... all $8 of it. Funny how the most simple of things produce the most affection. Crayons, playdough, cardboard boxes, anyone?

There's a reason why we all remember these classics from our childhoods, but forget our Elmo Live equivalents. In a child's world, there's staying power in the seemingly mundane.

This fifth gift was small in size, yet held jingle bells and holiday pins for all. Bells for wearing and making holiday noise. Pins for displaying on their coats and adding a little festive flair.

Didn't we all have those little Santa pins we'd put on our coats at Christmas time? Well, Jason and I did. Funny how you remember them 30 years later, but couldn't recall more than a gift or two (if that) you received any particular Christmas off your wish list.

Note: Trace's important cell phone call is to 911 in regards to his Santa's lost right arm (which can be viewed upon enlarging). How he managed to maim the poor St. Nick within three minutes of staking claim to him is still under investigation.