Merry Christmas!

It was so fun and exciting with Carli and her third Christmas.  This year, she really began to understand what Christmas was all about.  She knew who the baby Jesus was (not really why he came), who Santa Claus was and that he was coming to bring her presents.  She still would have nothing to do with him though.  We never could get out of her what she wanted.  Every time we asked her, "'What is Santa going to bring you?" she would only say "presents".  So Joe and I were left to our own devices.

The holiday season began with Carli's first preschool performance.  Due to my health issues, I was unable to attend, but Joe was there ready to go with the camera.  Carli was good, until she saw him.  Then she wouldn't stay with her group, teachers, or sing the songs (which she knew and sang over and over at home!).  She kept running back and forth from the class to Joe.

When the tree was put up, Carli was fascinated with it.  She took ornaments off over and over again.  She loved to look at the lights around town and kissing the Tigger and Pooh blowups in our yard.

Next up, was the Christmas program at church.  This year, the two year olds were singing and doing motions to "Away in a Manger".  Carli knew these and did them all the time at home.  But, like in preschool, when it came time for the performance, she only stood there dancing around.

The Saturday before Christmas was the Herndon family get together.  Carli was a little shy since she didn't really know everyone that was there, but she played and had a good time.

Christmas Eve was the Laws family get together.  Carli loved seeing her cousins again and playing with them.  She really loved getting presents and new toys to play with!

It is a Minnie Mouse vacuum!

 

making sure Uncle Kyle doesn't miss anything!

Christmas morning was so fun!  Santa brought Carli an easel and put it under a sheet over it to hide it from her.  Carli came into the living room, running, but stopped short when she saw the sheet.  None of us could coax her into unwrapping any presents from Santa.  Austin even brought one to her and she would have nothing to do with it.  After opening his gifts, Austin got Carli and helped her pull the sheet off her easel.  That was all it took.  She tore open her gifts and giggled and laughed often!  We can only think that she thought Santa was under the sheet.  Hope he never does something like that again!

notice she is now wearing her new outfit!

add to read her book

love the easel!

reading with Austin

Later, Poppie came over and brought several things including a camera!  Carli loved it!

Next year should be even better!

Princess Elf Has Arrived

This year we began a new Christmas tradition with Carli, Elf on a Shelf.

This is a book and elf that is sent from "Santa" to help him watch the children to see if they have been naughty or nice.  The elf watches all day and reports back to Santa each night.  Then she shows back up in a different place the next morning to watch the child again.

Today, Princess brought breakfast to the family along with the book and DVD explaining what her job is.  Carli was more excited over the "chocolate cupcakes" (muffins) than anything else.  Now we just have to keep Carli's hands off the elf every day!

Elves always bring socks because it is so cold in the North Pole.