Holiday Happenings with Holly Sleighbells!

When I first heard about "The Elf on the Shelf" a year or two ago, I was a bit skeptical...did we really need one more thing to keep track of during the holiday season?! When some of Emma's friends started talking about their elves, all I could do was groan...until this year, when Emma's kindergarten class received, named, and enjoyed their own elf, Jingles. Emma added an elf to her Christmas list. However, knowing that waiting until Christmas would defeat the purpose, Grandma Karen got her one. Emma named it "Holly Sleighbells." Immediately after she was named, Holly started causing trouble! We tried to take a picture of everything she did, except for the time she "stole" my camera and started taking pictures of Emma's dolls (which explains the picture of the doll on the bed)! Sadly, in accordance with the "rules" of Elves on the Shelf (established by Hallmark?!) Holly had to return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve when Santa came, but Santa left Emma a note assuring her that Holly would have fun with the other elves and that she'd return next year!

Christmas 2013!

Another great Christmas has come and gone! We spent Christmas Eve at Uncle Kevin and Aunt Renee's house in Mansfield. Christmas Day with the Coe side of the family was at our house. As you can see, Emma received some wonderful gifts! As cliched as it is, though, my favorite part was having everyone together!

A Charlie Brown Christmas!

It's just a few days until Christmas...what better way to celebrate than to perform a new version of A Charlie Brown Christmas at church?! Emma shared the part of Sally with her friends Madelynn and Maci. All of the other members of the Peanuts gang were represented too, with Snoopy chasing the Red Baron, Woodstock giving his two chirps, and Charlie Brown getting a sorry-looking Christmas tree. However, the surprise stars of the show were Schroder (played by real-life second grade pianist, Jordan, who has an amazing talent) and the angel, played by Kaydance, who quoted Luke 2 from memory (just like Linus did in the TV version.)

Countdown to Christmas!

Over the past few weeks, we've enjoyed several Christmas events. First, we went to a candlelight tour in a nearby town, where we saw a toy-themed train display and visited with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and some elves. Then, Emma was in her school Christmas program where she sang and had a speaking part. We also had some fun in the snow, building Olaf (the snowman from the new Disney movie, "Frozen,") sledding, and making snow angels. On the 14th, we had a Christmas party with Todd's family in Toledo, where Emma enjoyed playing with her cousins and opening gifts in a loud frenzy of wrapping paper! While in Toledo, we also went to Children's Wonderland, as we have done every year since Emma was just a year old. The indoor light and window displays were fun, and Emma enjoyed a train ride, Santa visit, Christmas mini golf, and ornament making, too.