Sleigh Ride

Cousin Emily is in town for Christmas week.  We took a drive up to play in the snow yesterday at Happy Trails Horse Adventures.   Super fun.  Sleigh Rides, Sledding,  Warming tents.  Highly Recommended.    The girls loved it, minimal crying, lots of snow play.  You can pack in snacks and food to cook over fire/wood stove.    I hope it becomes a Christmas Eve tradition for us.

 Sleigh Rides

 

 Sledding

 "I do all by myself"

And then she crashed, face plant, all by herself too!   

 Huge Percheron Draft Horses.   Amazing, for the non-horse enthusiast who

doesn't get much time near them.

 

 Marshmallow Roasting

Warming tents for Snacks, drying gear, and taking a break

Santa

No tears, no crying, no drama.   Just a simple, easy visit to see Santa and chat about what kind of toys they hope Santa brings.   The girls were in awe of Santa, especially Makena.  Big eyes and a bit of shyness that melted away when Santa started talking about Barbie, Ponies, and all things Pink.  Santa knows.   The candy cane to follow helped a bit too.

Holiday Things

A few things we've been up to so far this Holiday Season....

 Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo.  Maddy loves this place.  

 Spendy to get in the door, but we had a good time.

Look, a good family photo!  These are rare.

 

 Christmas Tree hunting at Yakima Fruit Market.   Usually we head to a tree farm,

but this year we chose the simple route.  I went to this place as a kid to get trees with my Dad.  

I'll admit, it was much easier than the whole "u-cut" process,

which seems to be a fun family idea that never ends well.

 Tree decorated, House decorated, Lights on inside and out. 

Cat sweetly curled asleep on couch.  Done.

 

 The girls had their first "sleepover" in Maddy's bedroom.   Big Deal.  

And they only played for about an hour before I had to go up and threaten to put a

big ki-bosh on the sleepover, if they didn't shut their eyes.  

All tucked in and ready for sleep.....well until Mom closes the door.  Then back to their antics.

Holiday cookie decorating with some friends.  It was a sweet treat mess.

I caught Will lapping up that frosting, spoon after spoon.  I meant to tell his Mom, but got side-tracked....and before I knew it the bowl was empty.  Oops. Just a small sugar attack after that.

 

I don't see Santa

Every night with the girls we have a pretty strict routine about bedtime.  I had read books to Makena and was about to sing her a song, last part before lights out.   Lately, she is quite the funny little thing and her words coming out more and more are wonderful.  Here was our conversation:

Me:   Makena, which song would you like?  Frosty, Rudolph, Santa Claus, Jingle Bells?
Makena:   Santa Caus comin to our house.  Santa comin to our house.   Bring Dora Dollhouse and take.
Me:   Yes, Santa will come.  What is he bringing?
Makena:   Santa Caus bring Dora Dollhouse and take.  Take, Take, Take.
Me:   Pondering...   Cake??
Makena: YES.  TAKE!!!  (C is still a difficult sound for her)
Me:  I don't know if Santa brings Cake.
Makena:   Where is Santa?   (putting her hand above her eyes, lookout position scanning room)   I don't see Santa.  I don't see Santa.
Me: Santa is up at the North Pole making toys.  He'll be here in a couple weeks.
Makena:   I don't see Toys. I don't see Santa.
Me:  Okay, Makena.  What song do you want?
Makena:   Santa Claus.   (Followed later by Tinkle Tinkle Little Star....as sung by Makena)

This conversation cracked me up and made my soul leap a little.  Six months ago Makena was saying 4-5 words and mostly making the sound "du" or "du du" for everything.  Her progress is amazing.  She has worked hard and we have wonderful SLPs and a Preschool to give credit too. 

Christmas for me is done.  This is all we needed.

I'm sharing a video of Makena around the beginning of May.   We had a few simple words and was just starting to put two words together, still very much working on vowel sounds and consonants.   Today we are having conversations with four -five word sentences.   I watch her progress grow every day.   Its amazing.   Tomorrow I'll share a video of where were at now.