Santa pictures take two

In the beginning we had this....

Mom found a rare opportunity in the Holiday Season. I took the kids for storytime at a shopping center nearby. Maddy happily sat listening to stories and Makena managed to entertain herself.  I  looked around to see they were doing Santa photos and no line!  We tried to get Santa Photos last weekend and what looked like a rather short line was estimated at 1.5 - 2 hours.  No way, would our girls wait that long.  I thought Santa Photos might be a bust this year.   

But....this was my chance. I jumped at the chance and we spur of the moment, went and got Santa pics.   But as we got closer the girls started to realize what was happening. I plopped Makena down on his lap..and we have picture below. Maddy literally shook her head and started to cry.    With a bit of luck from a fantastic photographer,  patient and wonderful Santa, and the magic candy cane....we got the photo below. Its a amazing we got both girls smiling. If you look close, you'll see Maddy holding the candy cane and Makena holding a cookie. Go figure, sugar helps every time.  

A huge thank you to our friends, Kari and Melissa who were with us, for helping us out and making it all happen.   This was definitely a day this mom was grateful for her other mom-friends to lend a hand.

And by the end we got some smiles!

First Haircut

 First haircut for Makena was last weekend, check out the chairs, 57 Chevy, Blue Angels jet.  Wow I'm jealous, I never had anything like that when I was a kid.  All we got was a board across a full-sized chair.  She was not terrible happy about the whole process, but a Disney Santa movie sealed the deal for us.

Preschool Pictures

Maddy is enjoying her time in preschool.  It's a toss up as to who gets the most benefit, Mom for a few hours of downtime or Maddy.  She plays 'Monster' on the playground, apparently she growls at the other kids and chases them all around, good times.  She gets to stay for lunch on Fridays as well.

Remember Curley?

The girls and I went over to Swansons Nursery today.    We did this last year, see here for a refresher.    They have a couple Reindeer over there, as well as Curley the Camel and Moe, the Miniature Donkey.     We met our friends Melissa, Molly and little brother Tate.    

The girls had so much fun checking out the animals, playing, and much giggling.  Again, this year I was amazed on how big Curley is....and then he started growling or grunting or something.  Ughh, when something that big growls at you...well, it was time to move on.  

 

We also had lunch in their cafe which proved quite hectic with 4 kids ages 2.5 months to 3.5 years. Tate sleeping, Molly giggling, Maddy talking very loudly, and Makena throwing food. Good times!  I should have snapped a picture of the spilled milk, endless food everywhere, and the basic carnage left behind as we left.  Instead, I just left a nice tip for the poor waitress.

On the way home,  I looked back and the girls were giggling softly and being so sweet.  Its rare.  I snapped a picture to prove it.  Can you blame me?

Oh Christmas Tree

Today was tree day.  The annual trip to a Christmas Tree Farm to chop down our town tree.   Michael have made this an annual tradition since before the kids were born.   I never did it as a kid, it was always the local tree lot.  But its kind of a fun thing to do.   The last few years we've headed out to Carnation Tree Farm.   Cute place, good trees, not too spendy, some treats, and far enough away to feel like we've taken a little drive out to the country. 

 Maddy went from tree to tree, screaming "This one, This one.  I like this one!".  

 And we found one....finally!   We managed to lose track of how far we walked, but certainly felt it trying to get the tree and two kids back to the car, with all gear and stuff intact. 

 Poor Makena lost a boot somewhere on the farm, which became an issue when she wanted to get down and walk around.  Luckily, some wonderful woman found it and saved the day.  Or at least made saved a pair of boots! 

Tomorrow's agenda.  Decorating the tree.