The Cost of Christmas Magic

Lately everything has been carefully monitored by how much it costs and if it really is a necessity. Spending $25 to sit on Santa’s lap and get a poor quality photo was not on the necessity list and I have been putting it off for weeks. Today I threw that out the window and finally said, “Yes!” to Jadyn’s pleadings to go and talk to Santa. She has asked every day since Thanksgiving. She wanted to go and see Santa and give him an enormous hug. She has even had Jenna start asking me over the last week. Well, today was the day.

We got up and went to our outdoor mall only to discover that Santa does not arrive until noon. (We were there at 9:45 – and it was cold this morning!) Since I didn’t want to disappoint my kids, we took off for an indoor mall. Santa was our very first stop.

The girls were so excited standing in line. They could not stand still for a second! At last it was our turn and Jadyn rushed to Santa, almost knocking him over with a HUGE hug! He just laughed, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” and Jadyn giggled. Jenna didn’t knock him over, but she was so happy to be able to sit on his lap.

Hyrum did remarkably well (no crying or fussing) for his first visit to Santa. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about sitting on a stranger’s lap, but he did OK.

They allowed me to take some photos of the kids talking to Santa while the “official” photo was being processed. I LOVE these pictures! This is why a visit to Santa was important. Both of the girls had Santa’s undivided attention for a few minutes as they told him exactly what was on their Christmas list and listened to him tell them that he was proud of them for being good girls and listening to Mom. It was so sweet to watch.

The rest of our mall visit was also costly…a ride on the carousel and a snack to tie us over until we got home. Ugggh. I am normally more prepared, but I wasn’t intending to be gone for so long.

Riding the 2 story carousel was a lot of fun. Hyrum sat on the elephant for a minute, but asked, "Down, Down!" He likes to sit on the seat and watch the girls go up and down.

Pure Enjoyment is a real treasure.

My kids had a wonderful day. The highlight was seeing Santa, but playing and riding the carousel were also treats. On the way home, we sang Christmas songs until I noticed that I was the only one singing. Yep…all sound asleep.

So, the day cost me about $35 (ouch), but the experience was priceless.

Halloween Night

Jadyn LOVED her costume this year. She was all decked out as Glinda the Good Witch from "The Wizard of Oz". She even practiced singing the song,

"Come out, come out wherever you are

and meet the young lady who fell from a star

and Kansas she said is the name of the star..."

My favorite part of the song is the accent that she used to sing - like a British Glinda. Cracked me up! She was absolutely beautiful...

Jenna was The Witch (but not the really mean one) from the Wizard of Oz. She was so cute and really liked the broom that she got to carry. She walked around singing,

"I'm a mean old witch with a hat - he, he, he, he

And I ride on my broom with a cat (meow)...

My shoes are pointed and my chin is too

And you watch out or I can scare you, BOO!"

Introducing all of our Wizard of Oz stars - Glinda, the Witch, and the Lion! Granted, I couldn't get a decent photo of all three of them, but this was not so bad. Hyrum's costume was a combo - a slipper head and the costume bottom. Sadly, Hyrum would not keep the head on for anything, so we used the one that came with the costume for trick-or-treating. Aren't they adorable???

Just before heading out - This is the full crew including Mr. Scarcrow in the stroller as Hyrum's buddy.

Daddy came just time for some trunk-or-treating and to help me take the kids around. He got to listen to Jadyn and Jenna get really excited to show off their costumes and talk about "The Wizard of Oz" to everyone that gave them candy. It was fun to do all of our candy gathering on one street (thanks for the invite, Mom) and then be done before the kids were too tired.

Jared and I were a couple from "Alice and Wonderland". He was a handsome 3 of Clubs and I was the Queen of Hearts.

I'll have to post some pictures from the family party that we had with the McClures (later). At least I posted some basic Halloween photos. We ended to night on a good note... Happy Halloween!

Preschool Halloween Party

Every year at preschool the spend the day before/on Halloween playing games, frosting yummy cookies, and finish the day with the parade. This year, Jadyn was so anxious for the parade and party that she could not even sleep the night before. She was very excited to be Glinda the Good Witch (Wizard of Oz) with a semi-homemade costume. It was fun to see all of the little kids all dressed up. Here are some highlights...

Since Jenna was with us taking pictures of all of the Halloween party activities, she was able to march in the parade as well. She dropped her witch hat immediately and had fun being a big girl.

Of course, what event would not be complete without one of my kids having a complete melt-down? After the parade, Jadyn sat on the pavement and cried like her life was over.

Fortunately, Nana rallied her spirits and we were able to grab a few shots with some of the little cousins and preschool friends. (Yeah, she was just wailing a few moments before and she was able to turn on the charm for the cameras....Drama Queen!)


Here is our car-pool group. I really love these girls. I am so glad that we get to all drive to preschool and have so much singing and talking in the van. Jadyn has wonderful little friends and that is a blessing that fills me with gratitude.

We love Halloween and we love preschool. It was a great combination! (with the exception of Jadyn's dramatic crying-fest) Happy Halloween!

Hyrum's Blanket

Hyrum loves his fuzzy blanket. He sleeps with it and likes to put it in his mouth... meaning I have to wash it almost every single day. Before he could walk he used to put the blanket in his mouth and crawl (scoot) around. Sometimes he throws himself on his blanket or hides under it. His sisters can take just about any toy from him, but heaven help them if they try to take The Blanket!

Gotta love that boy and his blanket!

Pony Carts and Parks

So, for those of you that have never experienced something as enjoyable as a pony cart, you'd better check this out. We were invited to the park since it was getting a little cooler (ha,ha) to have a pot-luck lunch and let the kids play and ride the pony cart. It was a great way to spend a day. The kids loved riding around on the cart and Jadyn even got to 'drive'.


Seriously, doesn't this look like fun?

One of my personal favorite stories from our Park Day happened shortly after we arrived. Jadyn was pointing me out to one of her friends from preschool (not knowing they are 2nd cousins) and told her that following,

"That is my Mom. She is very nice and so stylish."

Now, that not only made my day, but I knew I had to write it down so that when she is a teen and I am nowhere near "stylish", I will have this to look back on.

A few of the older kids tried to get a game of Red Rover going. I laughed when Jadyn was called over and "fell down" before ever trying to break the line. We'll have to work on that.

This is a picture with most of the young'uns. There were are few missing, but we captured most of the group and the all important Pony Cart.

My cute sister-in-law Melanie and her sweet little Addison.

Hyrum seems to be making friends with a younger cousin - except when she tried to take his blanket.

Jenna and Razzie were sitting on one side of a wagon and enjoying all of the yummy snacks.

Peek-a-boo! I see you, Jadyn!

Every kid needs to have time to rock with Nana and the park provided a perfect place to get away from our normal routine and relax. I count it a great blessing to have such an amazing mother-in-law. She is an extrodinary person and she loves her family so much. I really enjoy watching her with my kids. They all adore her. Apparently she had the magic touch on this particular day, becuase Hyrum actually fell asleep in her arms. Aren't they beautiful together?

This is Jenna tucking Hyrum in for his nap. Isn't that sweet? Jared's aunts made the beautiful quilts under him. I should have taken a photo of just the quilts. They are gorgous. Although I think the little boy sleeping on them is pretty darn cute as well.

Thanks for such a fun play day!

Princess Playgroup

What do you get when you have 6 princesses in a row? (This isn't a riddle. Jenna has the cutest little playgroup and I had them all dressed up like princesses.) The answer is: an adorable picture!

Every week they get a chance to come together and play. This last week was at our house. The girls excitedly raided our dress up closet. Jadyn helped all of Jenna's friends pick out the perfect outfit. Here are some photos of all of the little princesses. (Jadyn was part of the playgroup. She told me she was "helping her Mother with playgroup" but she had just as much fun playing as anyone else.) They all danced and twirled and had a wonderful time looking so beautiful.

This is the photo that I am so pleased with. Little bashful Sarah hid the entire time I had my camera out. I finally grabbed this shot of her before she ran away and hid again.

Jadyn is a bit envious of Jenna's playgroup. She really loves it when we have it at our house so that she can participate. I think that Jenna is going to love growing up with her princess friends.