My Little Elves!

This week has been busy, getting ready for the holiday and traveling, but we still have packed in a lot of Christmas fun! We have been doing a "12 days of Christmas" with the kids, which has been a blast! Some elves have been visiting each day, since December 13th, leaving notes and clues that lead to a little prize hidden in their rooms! Danny and I have been acting the part pretty good, too...the kids aren't suspicious in the least bit and it is priceless seeing their faces light up when the doorbell rings and they find the envelope of clues the elves have left. One time, the elves apparently came through the chimney, because the envelope was sticking out of the fire place. We have even spotted elf tracks in the snow!!

Also this week, we went to see a house that is tradition to visit (at least when we have been living in this area), because it is COMPLETELY decked out, not only with christmas lights, but also with everything from complex train tracks to several display cases with different holiday collectables and stuffed animals, etc... There are a ton of moving parts...the characters themselves, as well as a ferris wheel, swings, puppets, etc... It truly is incredible! So when we went the other night, Cooper almost stopped in his tracks as we crossed the street, his eyes wide, and said "It's so beautiful!" It is so fun seeing the magic in their eyes!!

Finally, we went to see the Zoo lights last night. It was great and, again, so neat to relive being a kid again through our kids and savoring the magic and spirit of the season! After we visited the zoo, we went over at the Smith's as decorated their Christmas tree and I snapped this picture of the kiddos...cute little elves, huh?!

Since we're going out of town, and especially being home only two weeks between our travels, we decided not to put up our own Christmas tree, unfortunatley...kind of a bummer. So it was especially fun watching the kids "help" put up a few ornaments with the Smiths! Cooper was very diligent!!

We also just went to Jadan's preschool Christmas Party, where the kids sang a few songs they have been practicing. I must say, I was pretty impressed! They all seemed to know the words pretty good and were simply adorable!!! Jadan was thrilled to have some special visitors come and watch!!
The whole class!