Christmas Cookies with Aunt Shannon

This weekend we headed back to Gastonia for the second weekend in a row (second of four trips we have planned there in the next few weeks!) Aunt Shannon wanted to decorate Christmas Cookies with the girls and we had a Birthday Party to attend.

I thought this was going to be hilarious as one of Lily's favorite words is "cookie" and it is also her favorite food. She often wonders around the house or bangs on the pantry door inquiring to the location of her box of cookies. We actually have to be really careful not to leave the pantry door cracked as she will help herself to the box and its contents. So "decorating" cookies vs. "eating" cookies was going to be difficult. But she did great. The bowl of icing may have provided adequate distraction. But she colored the cookies though she didn't ice them. Next year I think this is going to be even better.

Morgan offered to share her cookie with me!

Lily proceeded to dip her hand into the icing and started eating it by the handfuls. My only thought was "at least I am not watching her tonight." Gail graciously offered to watch her while we went to our party. So if you want to pump her full of sugar then have at it. Plus she was having so much fun!

Yummy Icing!

But Shannon also found these markers that are for decorating cakes and cookies. So then Lily knew what to do. She is an expert colorer.

So Much Fun!

Lily then decided to eat the marker...notice the blue pen mark in her mouth. I am glad to report it washed right off so I would recommend these to people with kids...naked kids because I cannot vouch for it coming out of clothes but she was not blue mouthed the next morning.

Aunt Shannon and Mimi also surprised the girls with Advent Christmas Cookie Trees. We were stoked that Lily's was hot pink. Absolutely perfect! There are mini cookies tied to the tree that symbolize each day of December until Christmas. So cute! I put it in her room and I am sure she will be thrilled with a cookie a day for the holiday season!

I hope this becomes a new family tradition and it will get more and more fun as the girls get older!

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Lyle comes bearing Gifts

This is Lyle. Is a pretty old Elf. As you can tell my his 50's appearance. But he is loyal and true. He brought Lily a present all the way from the North Pole this week. She was so excited! She is a pro at the gift unwrapping, although a little slow. Lets just say I am happy not all of Santa's gifts are wrapped or it would be a long morning!

Oooo for me?

Thanks Lyle! (he is above hanging out in the chandelier!)

No Problem Kid. Just doing my job

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I wonder if Lyle told on her??

How could Lyle tell on this precious face? But when I was unloading the car last week this is what I came back into....yes those are Lily and Morgan's Christmas gifts. She had pulled the bag off the table and promptly pulled all the gifts out and started playing with them. 

 

BUSTED! 

"What Mama? I am too cute to be mad at!"

 

Later that night she decided to take her pet dog for a walk. But she was distracted by the temptation of juice. 

 

"ooooo Juice!" 

Now how do I picked this up without the doggy running away?

This is not easy!

"What the..."

"Ahhhh Finally"

 

"Now Carry On"

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Rave Reviews: Elf on a Shelf

Have you heard of this? This was a gift from Santa when Lily was just a baby in Mommy's belly. He was already watching her then! If you have kids and have not heard or requested this, it is a MUST. Elf came to visit us last year but Lily was so little it was hard for her to find him or to really get into any trouble Santa would care to hear about.

But this year when the Elf came of Sunday and Lily promptly named him "LLlllllliiiiiaaalllll" aka Lyle she knew she had a new friend. Now every morning we wake up and search for Lyle and his new landing spot from the North Pole. See Lyle flys to the North Pole every night to give Santa an update on how Lily is doing. If she has been naughty or nice and sweet as pie. And he never lands in the same place so we dash around the house each day before school to find where that silly elf is!

Lyle doesn't talk back but we talk to Lyle. Lily blows him kisses and tells him Hi! each morning. I tell Lyle when I see Lily being extra cute and sweet. Each afternoon she runs to see Lyle when we get home from School. "Hi lllliiiii"

But Lily knows you can't touch Lyle because then he loses his magic and can't fly back to the North Pole and report to Santa! Luckily he always lands up high as to not tempt her. What a silly little elf!

Seriously if you don't get this....you have no heart. Go ahead search it. You know you want to get an elf delivered to your house. 

A great family tradition....

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Thanksgiving Weekend-Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

On the Friday after Thanksgiving we headed to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens for the Christmas Lights Display they host every year. The rest of our family went last year and talked us into going to visit Santa and check out the lights. It was a little chilly but not unbearable. The lights were nice...no McAdenville but nice enough. The highlight of the trip was definitly going to see Santa.

We showed Santa to Lily and she was not overly impressed. She peered at him suspiciously around my shoulder. But when I asked her if she wanted to go talk to him this was my response....

This picture just makes me laugh. She really didn't want to go sit on his lap....

But Morgan was all smiles and was saying "Hi Santa" and waving.

But oh how the roles reverse. Lily was no longer suspicious once we placed her on his lap. More intrigued..."Who the heck is this dude?"

"And seriously dude what is up with your beard?"

"Wait! He gave me candy...Sweet"

"mmmm this is the guy that fits down our chimney?"

"Yeah Mama and Dada are crazy...this guy won't fit"

And remember the "hi Santa!".....

Mommy and Daddy had to swoop in to save her. "Get me away from this scary man!!"

Santa has a tough job.....

After that we bundled the girls up and headed outside to see the lights. We found one area for the girls to run around in. Lily looked so cute in her new hat.

Old Navy! 10 dollars. Too precious.

MiMi and Paw with the grandkids.

Couple shots...so far in between.

The Finleys

Here are few shots of the grounds as we walked around. My camera does not do awesome night shots without a tripod but I got a few.

One of my favorites

The carolers were really good and I was suprised at how young some of them were.

I would go again. Lily liked the lights and was really well behaved. She also surprised me with how good she was with Santa. I think it might be a little pricey for what it is (10 dollars per adult) but if you count the take it your self Santa pictures it isn't too bad.

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