Gingerbread Houses

This weekend we'd planned to get together with some good friends but had to cancel at the last minute because the stomach flu had hit their family.  Georgia was so disappointed but came around when I brought home gingerbread houses to decorate.
Much to my surprise Leo was just as careful with his design and candy placement as his sister.  They kept complimenting each other on their houses and almost all of the candy was used for decorating.
The houses turned out great and have become a (not so) secret source of treats for the kids as I see fewer decorations by the day... tis the season!

Let's Go To The Hop

On Friday night, Georgia's school had a Sock Hop, it was beyond adorable.  I did my best to whip together a poodle skirt and much to Leo's dismay I slicked his hair back and rolled up his jeans.
It's so fun to be in a neighborhood that rallies together in last minute trades of skirts, bobby socks and all the right stuff to make sure each kid is feeling their best!

Everyone had a great time and the kids danced the night away.

Part of the neighborhood crew

Leo and our neighbor Olive, he adores her.  I told her mom I 

would save these pictures for their future wedding album.

 

Santa 2015

When I asked if the kids were ready to visit Santa this year, they couldn't wait to go.  As luck would have it we arrived to find a short line and got to do a little Santa prep while we waited.  

Last years picture was classic, Leo's mouth wide open mid scream, Georgia sitting nicely and smiling.  I wasn't sure if Leo would cry this year or not but he'd said he wanted to go.  

When it was our turn Georgia walked right over and started chatting with Santa, Leo totally clammed up and wouldn't make eye contact with the big man.  Luckily, the photographer jumped in and tried to make the best of the situation.  He attempted to distract Leo and brought a rocking horse over as it was becoming clear there was no way Leo was going to sit on Santa's lap.   

There were many attempts to make him crack a smile but nothing.  In my mind this picture is a win, he wasn't tortured enough to cry but his sentiment clearly comes through.

After we paid and made our way through the store we started to head outside and Leo said in a concerned voice, "I no tell Santa what I want."  I asked if he wanted to go back and he said yes.  With only one person in front of us we didn't have to wait long.  Santa remembered Leo by name and invited him back over.  Leo cautiously walked over, I told Santa why we were back and we waited.. Leo finally said, I want.... I want... I want a toy.  Santa suggested a stuffed lion but then Leo said, no, I want a Blaze toy, (a big red truck) and Santa agreed that this was a good choice.  We again thanked Santa and said, Merry Christmas and started toward the car.  Leo turned to me, a bit confused and said, Where's my toy?  To his credit I hadn't explained that the toy wouldn't be immediately delivered to him.

Apparently Leo has a much better phone relationship with Santa...

It's Out!

Georgia has been excited to lose her first tooth since preschool and it finally happened!  She has been wiggling one for a few weeks and two days ago it came out!  The look on her face was priceless, she started jumping up and down with excitement.  The first thing she wanted to do was send a picture to her cousins.  

I said, Well, I guess you're going to get a visit from the tooth fairy tonight!  She said that she didn't want to put it under her pillow, she wanted to take it to school with her to get a tiny tooth treasure box.  Apparently her teacher trumps the tooth fairy.  We left a note for the tooth fairy asking her not to take the tooth and she was thrilled to come home with her treasure box yesterday.  

Last night Georgia wrote a note and left her tooth on her bedside table and the tooth fairy delivered a tooth pillow for future teeth and a sparkly note and dollar bill.