The Days of Christmas

Our sad, sad tree. It was once a happy tree. We bought it from Superstore, brought it home and let it settle overnight like you are supposed to. We came down in the morning to find it leaning backwards on the wall. So I attempted to straighten it by myself, but with one set of hands it proved difficult. So me and the girls decorated it anyways. Jon came home with some new bolts for the stand and got it straight. Hooray! It was all fine and beautiful for 2 whole days. Then the lights at the bottom of the tree went out. I jiggled them and they came back on for another day. Then they went out for good. Jon then bought me another strand to replace them, but I never put them on because of extenuating circumstances (ward Christmas party and my lack of ambition). Then more lights went out. Now the only lights that are working are in the top right quadrant of the tree, and even those have been off for about a week because too many presents require moving to plug them in. Maybe this is my sign that an artificial tree is in order for next year......perhaps PRE-lit!

We went to go see Santa at the mall on monday evening. We all had lots of fun going to the mall and walking around for a bit (it has changed a lot). Roewyn wasn't really digging the idea of standing in line to sit on Santa's lap, so Jon and her went for a walk and Mayson, Avery and I waited. I was pondering getting a picture of them actually sitting on the big guy's lap, but quickly changed my mind after seeing the $20 price tag. No Thanks!

They had lots of fun playing with the other kids in line, and they were very brave when it was our turn. Mayson asked for ALL the Three Muskateers Barbies amd Avery asked for 'the wedding Barbie'.

We walked around for a bit afterwards and had dinner in the food court. Then we went to Spruce Meadows to drive around and look at all the lights. It was pretty cold, so staying in the car was much more enjoyable than venturing to the Zoo Lights. We did that last year - didn't turn out so well!

We came down for breaskfast one morning, and Jon had taken the seats out of the van to go pick up the hardwood. Avery was wearing the Ariel nightgown, and decided to sit 'how Ariel sits'. She kept saying 'Mommmy look!" whilst I was preparing breakfast. I finally turned and she said "I'm Ariel! This is like the picture on my nightie!" Funny girl.

I had left an open bag of chocolates on the table one night, and I thought Roewyn was upstairs. I was wrong.......I think she had about six.

We made a 'gingerbread house but its really Santa's sleigh' as Mayson called it. And Santa doubles as a tree ornament once his sleigh is gone, so that's kind of fun!

We came home from church two sundays ago to find a basket full of "the 12 days of Christmas" gifts, all wrapped up and numbered. Someone in our ward sure is great! The girls have had lots of fun opening a gift every morning. I've been wanting to take a picture everyday of each gift, but my half-awake brain doesn't really remember. The gifts so far have been:

1 kids DVD ( a fun cartoon)

2 feet for rubbing (peppermint foot lotion, which Jon HAS NOT used yet!!)

3 kids a-sleeping (a crib board and cards for mom and dad)

4 chocolate puddings

5 drinking boxes (see above & below pictures. I remembered that one!)

6 pretty hairclips (SUPER CUTE flower clips)

7 body pieces (a hand-made Mr. Potatoe Head, made out of felt and velcro, fun fun)

8 cans of soup (food storage)

9 socks for wearing (the girls got 3 pairs each)

I might just have to do a photo-op with all the gifts. 3 more days!!

Roewyn with her juice box at breakfast. She is actually saying "eese!"