Santa & St. Nick

I took the kids to see Santa a couple weeks ago. We weren't able to go to our usual bank (FREE!) visit due to the boys having basketball practice, so I decided on something a little different this year and that we'd make a day out of it. So we headed to the mall in Mankato to see Santa. On the way there Hudson was wondering if it was going to be the real Santa or just one of Santa's helpers. I asked him to keep quiet if he thought it was just a helper, not to ruin it for Harlow. When we caught our first glimpse, I whispered to Hudson that I thought he was the real thing. Hudson wasn't sold though, his hair was a little too blondish-gray for the real Santa. I'm afraid we don't have much longer for him to be a believer. He has told me that some friends at school don't believe and that they think their parents just buy them presents. Not that I wouldn't appreciate some credit for all the work that goes into being Santa, I was glad to hear him say that even if he didn't think he was real, he would still believe because it's just more fun that way. He loves the magic in it all.

(So because we were at the mall, we're charged for our picture with Santa, but I was able to sneak a quick picture in with my phone too.)

Like most years, I got tears in my eyes listening to the kids talk to Santa. The boys asked for Nerf guns (and Minecraft stuff) and Santa told them his little secret. He said he has Nerf guns too, and that he shoots his elves sometimes. The "awe" in my kids' faces was priceless. Harlow replied with, "My brothers shoot me sometimes." So Santa told her that he might have to bring her her very own Nerf gun then, for protection. Thanks Santa! He did still ask her what she wished for this year, and she asked for the dreaded Barbie Dream House. I say dreaded because it is 4ft. by 3ft. and I know will be in my living room, barely touched. But, none the less, this year's visit to Santa was a success, picture perfect.

On our way out of the mall, Paxton noticed that Harlow was holding her jacket so he offered to carry it for her. My heart melted. Then he said, "And you should hold my hand while we walk through here." Tears in my eyes again.

After the mall we went to the Children's Museum. The kids ran around for 2 hours while I literally just sat and watched. I texted a friend of mine who frequents the museum with her 3 year old and 1 year old, and says its exhausting because she's always chasing after them. I joked to her that I was sitting down, relaxing and enjoying a hot chocolate. They're at the perfect age to be independent at the museum. They worked up an appetite so we treated ourselves to frozen yogurt. A favorite for all of us!

The next day was St. Nick's Day. Maybe not a holiday to most families, but in ours, we celebrate!

Go figure, St. Nick brought the first round of Nerf guns. I can only assume Santa is bringing more. This picture is frightening, isn't it?!?!

And Harlow got a Barbie pool. She opened it and immediately asked if she could put water in it and play on a towel. Smart girl.

Thanksgiving/Parade of Lights

Thanksgiving 2015 was another busy one. We had three places to go in one day. But before we can leave the house, I must get a picture of the kids together, something that is not always easy! Hudson and Paxton are usually very cooperative, but give me the fakest of fake smiles. Harlow cooperates too, but her eyes refuse to look at my camera. They're looking up at the ceiling, down at the floor, out the window, pretty much anywhere by my camera, all coupled with another fake smile. So I take about 50 pictures of the same pose and hope for at least one decent one.

And per tradition, the Friday after Thanksgiving is the Parade of Lights. Although it had been a warm 40 degrees all week, the temp on Friday dropped down to about 20. Still warmer than years past but we bundled up!

See Harlow's eyes, this is usually how our pictures turn out. In her defense though, she was desperately waiting for Santa to come and was not going to miss it!

chipmunks show

A few weeks ago Grandma and I took the kids to Alvin and the Chipmunks- Live on Stage. The kids watch Alvin nearly every morning so they're big fans and Theodore is everyone's favorite.

Harlow was super excited for the chipmunks to take the stage.