my belated post on winter happenings

Taylie's Preschool Sing-Along:

This past holiday season was, in a nutshell, pretty much like the rest: FUN!
Thanksgiving was awesome, Like always :)
Kid Birthday's were awesome, Like always :)
Christmas totally rocked, like always :)

Something new that we did get to do this year was special because Taylie is in preschool now. They had a little Christmas program and a meet-and-greet with Santa which was pretty adorable. Except for the fact that Taylie refused to sing, cried most of the program and complained about her scarf because she hates green. It was super entertaining :)

I included a few pictures from the Christmas Sing Program. I am so in love with this preschool! Her teachers and the whole program is just so creative and you can tell that they love the kids.

They jazzed up some old favorites that the parents would know, but the kids were clueless to, and changed them into Christmas-y songs. Do you remember the old Batman theme song?
You know: "nananananananana BATMAN!"...?
Well this room full of 3 and 4 year olds were singing: "nananananananana SNOWMAN!"
There was a huge variety like that and it was pretty cool and just plain adorable :)

During the whole program Taylie sat in protest of the fact that she didn't like her scarf. The teacher came and got me because she was all kinds of upset so when I checked on her she was crying. I sat down with her and asked what was wrong. Through her tears she says "I...hate ...green!" It was pretty hard not to laugh, because she was so serious and upset, but she really does hate the color green. She will pick anything else over green. To make matters worse, her favorite is red. It was a low blow to a 4 year old.

The poor teachers had no idea and the idea did cross my mind that it would be an easy fix to ask for a trade, but I thought that would set a bad standard. You know: she is mad and doesn't like something so she pitches a fit and mommy comes in and fixes it...? I thought that it would set a bad precedent, even though she is 4 years old. I still feel bad about it actually...

After the sing-along show, Santa was waiting to meet all of the kids. Taylie was so excited to see him I thought that she may pee her pants! They were very organized and handed out numbers as you got there so then you got to meet Santa in the order that you got to the program. I thought that was a clever way to achieve positive reinforcement in the parents to be there early...oh yes, I noticed we were being played by those who work with toddlers. It goes to show, you stick with what works, no matter the age. :)

Taylie loved her visit with Santa. Luke ran away and hid behind my legs. That one situation shows the difference between my kiddos so well. :)

Christmas Eve:
We kept up with out 2nd annual Christmas Eve Morning Breakfast with Grandpa and Grandma Brooks. We went to Village Inn for breakfast and then we all come back to our house to hang out and exchange presents. The kids were insanely spoiled, as usual. :)

Grandpa and Lukie playing with the hand puppets. Lucas has claimed the pig as his own and calls him Porky. Nobody else is allowed to play with Porky.

That night, we went to Grandpa Schlenker's house for the best meal of the year! Prime Rib with all of the fixings! It is seriously my most favorite meal of the year!!!! I went home so full it was almost painful.

Christmas Morning:

Santa spoiled the kids. As usual. They both got everything they asked for, which is pretty awesome because little kids have little lists and mine seem to focus on the same thing or 2. It is super easy.

Taylie and her new CTR ring.
(side story: She had one earlier in the year and kept taking it with her into the bathroom when she went potty. We told her that if she lost it, there was no way that either of us were going to be sticking our hand down the toilet to retrieve a ring. She dropped it, of course. We told her that it was a hard lesson learned and that maybe if she was really good, Santa would bring her a new one for Christmas. Taylie was fixated on being very good from July until Christmas so she could get a new CTR ring. She was obviously a very good girl :) )

...and a Pillow Pet Lady bug. She has an incredible memory. She had seen it back in JANUARY of 2010 and still wanted it for Christmas. So I gave in.

Lucas got a monkey Pillow Pet. A monkey, just like him. :)

They actually both use them every single day and sleep with them instead of their normal pillows. To each their own!

Taylie was ultra concerned with the idea that Lucas would touch her things from her stocking. She kept them hoarded up on my fireplace.

Lukie's favorite present that he has been longing for all year....

A BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! That is a happy face if I have ever seen one!

Santa also brought her a Barbie. When I was looking for Barbie's in the store, I was a.m.a.z.e.d. at how stinking slutty Barbies have become! I was very grateful that this was one that was more dressed than the others.

We had an awesome holiday season and we are always spoiled way more than we deserve! Thanks so much to everyone who takes care of us and loves out kiddos and who makes this special time of year amazing!