Second & Third Week of Christmas!

Dear Kate,
I may have mentioned it in the previous post, but if not, here's my spill... We do A LOT at Christmas time.  Like, a whole lot.  It's fun, Christmasy, traditionally type stuff.  Unfortunately/Fortunately, it's more fun/you get to be more involved if you are like, oh, I don't know, not 15 months old.  Mommy had lots of activities planned over the last couple of weeks, but several of them, okay fine, most of them, were while you were napping.  It just worked out better that way for multiple reasons, #1 being that you didn't really know what was going on so it didn't matter that you were involved or not.  So, there's that.  I promise you, though, that next year you will be right up in the business of Christmas!
So, to start our second week of Christmas, we began with a little travel back in time on Sunday.  That is, we went to the Dicken's Christmas in downtown Franklin.  It was a pretty yucky day with rain on and off, but we snuck in between downfalls and enjoyed being outdoors for a bit (not to mention it was a random 70 degrees outside!).  You and Christopher stayed in your strollers, but that didn't mean you didn't enjoy the scenery!  You waved at several dogs and Mr. Scrooge got a nice wave, too.

After Dickens, we joined the crew for dinner.  The Daddies were on a boys trip, so the mommies and kiddos enjoyed one last dinner together, thanks to Aunt Steph.
Monday, Sister and I made yummy treats for the neighbors while you took a nice long nap.  Next year, my sweet Kate, next year.  Wednesday we tried to pick an Angel Tree candidate but that didn't work out for us and we just bought a toy from Publix and put it in a box for needy children.  Thursday was gymnastics day for you and we let your sister buy presents at the Dollar Tree for everyone.  At some point we went to Publix where you and your sister enjoyed a much needed sugar high.  Please note the sarcasm...

On Thursday night, Mommy went to her very own gymnastics class, at the same place you and Sister take class, but this was for adults who want to flip around like their little girls :).  Mommy had a BLAST and will start going every Thursday, however, that night when I got home my tummy wasn't exactly feeling up to par.  I went to bed not thinking much of it and in the middle of the night that darn oh stomach bug attacked me!  I hoped it was just a one time thing, but by 7 the next morning, I told Daddy he needed to stick around a bit before heading into work because I just wasn't feeling well and by 9:00 am I told him to just call on in and say he was working from home.  I was worthless and could not stay out of that bathroom.  I was confident I was dying and had to rely 100% on Daddy to deal with both you and Abs.  At about noonish, Daddy made it clear that he prefers working.  He realized how much work goes into to keeping a monkey like you from falling off the counter or from just straight up crying because you don't get everything you want!  I was out all day long and Daddy and I even had plans to go see The Hobbit that night and had already bought tickets.  We canceled the babysitter but Daddy had to take you and Abigail to the actual theatre to get our money back for the tickets!  It was not a good day for him either :)  BUT, good news is, we all survived.  Or, well, Mommy was feeling much better by Saturday morning.  To say the least, we did not do any Christmas activity on Friday.
On Saturday, while you napped, Daddy and Sister watched The Muppets Christmas, but soon after that, we headed over to Christopher's house to celebrate his very first birthday!!! Aunt Steph did a great job with the Dr. Seuss theme and Mommy did a terrible job by forgetting her camera!  So I just stole some from Aunt Steph's facebook :)

 The birthday boy was feeling a bit under the weather, but did a fine job celebrating, given the circumstances.

We stuck around for dinner and even put you to bed over there, but then headed home to wrap up one more week of Christmas fun!
The third week of Christmas started on Sunday with a Clark girls tradition, going to see the Rockettes.  Yes, I'm sure you guessed it, you did not go because you were napping.  Unfortunately, Daddy caught the yucky bug I had, but fortunately, Mimi was able to come up and help him out so Sis and I could still go.  On Monday, we did another new tradition and, yep, you didn't participate... I'm sorry babe.  I told you next year would be better for you.  This one involved eating dinner in the car and driving around looking at Christmas lights.  It just wasn't something that you would enjoy and instead we let you stay home with Miss Lauren and Christopher and play while we looked at boring old lights :)
On Tuesday, we watched your sister Christmas program at school and she did such a great job!  You were very proud of her and wanted to walk right up on that stage with her!

Wednesday's activity ended up being two activities because A) Mimi was in town and B) Daddy had to work.  See, we were supposed to go see Santa on Friday, but Daddy already warned me that he would be super busy with work and would not be able to go, and since Mimi WAS in town, we decided to just change it from Friday to Wednesday!  So, Wednesday morning, we got all cutesy up to see the big guy!  He just so happened to be at the mall, which Mommy was a little leery about, but man alive, that Santa was so awesome!  I don't know what I was thinking...

I also was a little leery on how excited you would be, seeing as you scream  if Mommy leaves your side with Mimi right beside you, so I didn't know what to expect when an old beardy man was trying to hold you instead of Mommy.  Well, you didn't disappoint...

There was the 'I'm checking you out old man'...

 Then the 'No way am I going near that guy, Mom' plea...

And then the grand finale 'Why Mom WHY!!!' screaming as I placed you in his lap just to get that one shot.  You will thank me one day, like when you are 35 and have kids of your own and make them do it, too.  Or at least I hope you will :)

On a side note, you sister has either screamed or not gone near Santa for the previous 4 years, so not too long and you will be smiling with him!

 After Santa, we headed home for a nap and then headed to get Daddy at work because we were going to the Opryland Hotel to look at all the beautiful lights!   I LOVE that hotel at Christmas and every year I say we're going to stay the night there the next year so we can REALLY enjoy all of it.  It never fails, we always have to limit what we do and there is sooooo much fun stuff to do!  We still had a blast, don't get me wrong, but we just need to go and stay a day or two!  

We walked all through the hotel and you weren't too keene on staying in the stroller, so we let you roam away!  You also insisted on carrying this book the whole time.  Better than the toothbrush you are now carrying... 

We found the kids zone and you LOVED the art table.  We couldn't get you away from it, as a matter of fact.  

 And then when we did, we had to ride the little cars, which aren't exactly easy for you (or Mommy) to do, but it was fun for all of us!  

We eventually made it to dinner and of course got our fill of beautiful Christmas lights and then headed back home.

On Thursday, we relaxed at home trying to get a few things together for a trip to Munford.  Again, I can't quite remember what we did, but the calendar said "Christmas craft" and, well, I'm sure we did something along those lines while you were napping :)  Or maybe we just took a much needed break to prepare ourselves for the upcoming days!  I do know that on Thursday morning your sister got to go to your gymnastics class and was SOOO excited about it.  Usually she has school, but since school was closed for Christmas break, she got to go!  

On Friday, we headed to Munford with Daddy, Sister and Ellie for Mimi's Annual Baking Day.  Friday night Mommy and Mimi and Daddy went to Sarah's "End of the World" party (no worries, it didn't end, I felt confident it wasn't, so that's why we went) and so Bebe came and stayed with you and Ellie AND Clara Lee, AND Sister!  Seriously, all 4 of you.  And she is 13.  I mean, seriously, only Bebe could do that. AND, she got all of you to sleep!  We were all super impressed, and you even woke up at one point and she got you back to sleep, all with Clara Lee right by her side.  She is our champion babysitter, no doubt, and you girls love her.

Saturday was our big day, though.  It was our annual Baking Day at Mimi's house! We've done this a couple years now and I must say, Mimi is got this thing down to a T and it gets more and more fun with each year!  You started the day off right in the middle of it, but before long you were down for your nap so you missed several baking things.  Again, next year and you can be all up in that sugar!!!  Here are some pictures to highlight the events.  As you can imagine, it's lots of decorating and baking and TONS of playing with friends and family!!!

This was while you were taking a nap. Mommy was VERY grateful to be just chilling with the family.  

 And here's all the kiddos decorating away!!!  Next year, sweet Kate, next year! 

 We tried to get a group photo with you, but you weren't buying it.  See why we need to just wait until next year to really get full enjoyment out of everything???!

 You did join us (in the high chair, nonetheless) while we made yummy mini pecan pies.  You weren't real happy and I think we pulled out every teething toy Mimi had!  

 Something soon pleased you.  Oh wait, that was the 20th cookie Mimi gave you.  Yep, Mimi figured out that cookies didn't make you cry.  I guess not, huh...

 See, you were 'helping'

 It was a fun day, regardless of how much you helped or didn't help (or cried) and everyone had a blast, as we always do at Mimi's Baking Day!!  Just get ready for next year, k!  

So that wraps up our 2nd and 3rd week of Christmas.  All that's left is, well, Christmas itself!!! I can't wait!  

PS - Here are a couple pictures from Mimi's house a couple of weeks ago.  Aren't you all just darling?!!!!

  Love you beautiful girl!!!!! 

The First Week of Christmas

Dear Kate,
It's that time of year sweet Kate - Christmas time!  And with that comes lots and lots of activities.  You are still a little young to enjoy all of them, or really know what's going on, but you have had some fun times so far!  To start the month of December off right, you went with Mimi and Sister to Mimi's Christmas parade in Munford.  Mommy went on a girl's trip with Aunt Steph and Miss Leigh, so Mimi was in charge of you two for the weekend!  She got all the grandkids over before the parade to take some pictures and then everyone walked to the parade.  She said you were cute as ever with your waving abilities to EVERY float!  You just kept waving and waving and waving, happy as a clam.
On Sunday, Mimi brought you home and you helped Daddy built a gingerbread house.

Now, I will just go ahead and tell you this was your first, and probably your last gingerbread house you will help make, at least with Mommy and Daddy.  Why you ask?  Here's why... 

 Yep, that's right, it was a complete disaster!  It would look like it was going to stick, them BAM, it would fall to the ground.  Oh well, it was fun, or at least funny to watch!  

On Monday, we went to your sister's dance recital.  You thought she did fantastic and were so enthusiastic that Mimi had to take you to the back so other people could hear the show :)

Before the recital, we took a few pictures and you were Hilarious!!  Yep, with a capital "h"!  We sat you on the bench and you immediately said "Cheeeeeeeese"! 

Then I told you sister to laugh, and, well, you thought her laughing was pretty funny! 

 And then you showed us your belly button!  

 Silly girl!!  Later that day, Mommy and Sister got a care package together for a US soldier in Afghanistan (that was our advent calendar activity) but we let you stay with Mimi and sleep.  It may be a couple of years before that one takes any effect on you.    And on Tuesday, our activity wasn't exactly exciting for you, as you can't really write, nor do you really have a wish list for Santa.  The activity was 'write a letter to Santa'...  BUT, Mommy helped you out with the big words, and you were able to personalize it.  

And then there was Wednesday's activity, wrap Christmas presents, that you just didn't participate in at all, as we scheduled it during your nap time. I told you, more fun next year, or maybe even the next year.  Right now you just enjoying climbing anything you can get to, or carrying a baby doll around, or Mommy carrying you around :)  And, well, Thursday's wasn't too enjoyable either, decorate for the Polar Express Christmas Slumber party.  But that's not to say that you didn't have fun those days, just not doing the Christmas activity.  We went to gymnastics and you had tons of fun there.  You even did the swing this time.  Coach Christy was very proud of you, as was Mommy.  You also LOVE being chased on the running trampoline and when you get to the end you turn around very quickly and take off running the other way, laughing the whole time!  Thursday night, Daddy took you to Chick-fil-a for dinner because Mommy had book club at our house.  He sent me a text asking "Is it okay if she climbs up in this playground, because she is?" and my response was "you don't have a choice, now do you."!! You climb on EVERYTHING!  

On Friday we did yet another activity while you were taking your nap (painted fingernails and toenails for the Christmas party on Saturday).  Speaking of napping, we've been converting you to a 12:30/1:00 napper because you seem to sleep longer.  The problem is by 11:30 you are ready to go to bed and I have to do lots of things to keep you occupied and not fall asleep.  Also, we pick your sister up at school at 1:00, so I try to get you to stay up until we pick her up then rush home to get you to your much needed nap.  So far, we've done really well, and like I said, you sleep for at least 2 1/2 hours, sometimes 3, but it's a struggle to get to 1:00 for sure!! On Friday, I had you in the high chair while I was getting lunch ready.  I had the Christmas tree lights and music on and you really liked watching the lights blink to the music.  I looked up and noticed it relaxed you just a little too much... 

Notice the toothbrush???  Yeah, that's your new favorite toy. We've carried that everywhere you go, to the gym, to gymnastics, to pick up Sister, everywhere.  You are getting like 10 teeth in (okay, maybe like 5 but they are your molars so they count for extra!) and I'm thinking you like chewing on it.  Nonetheless, if I tempt to take it away, you have a fit.  

Finally on Saturday we did a Christmas activity that I'm am positive you enjoyed - our Polar Express Christmas Slumber Party!!!  The gang came over and we had loads of fun.  The big kids did a few art projects and the mom's decided the you little ones were just a little too little to be involved, although you clearly wanted to...

I'm pretty sure it was the chair you climbed on that was entertaining you, but whatever.  You sat there playing with all the markers while the big kids made plates and ornaments.  But you definitely did some playing with your cuz and best buddy.  

 And there was the book exchange.  Rather than adding more toys to your already high piled stack of them, each of the little kids brought a book to exchange with the others.  You had already found a book and decided you wanted to just chill on the couch while Mommy passed your book around... 

 No, that's not the book you got.  That's the book that comes free in the mail! That's okay though, we eventually read your book and Kipper and Jake loved their books, too!  

 After books it was dinner time and nothing says Polar Express Christmas Slumber party like a snowman pizza, huh!!  So cute, huh! 

 And after pizza, nothing says Polar Express Christmas Slumber party like dressing you kiddos all in matchy jammies and taking pictures!!!  Such cutie pies!!!! 

 And  then the out takes... 

  

 And while your sister looks thrilled to be sitting you (please note the sarcasm), she was not and was VERY anxious to finish off the night by watching Polar Express. 

 You, on the other hand, went to bed.  You told me you had no interest in watching a movie and would prefer bedtime instead :)  And man alive, bed time you did!  You went down at 7 and didn't pop an eye open until after 7:30 that next morning. Of course, you sister was up at 5:45, so that did Mommy no good!  That's okay because while you were sleeping, we got a delicious breakfast prepared for you!!  Yummy reindeer pancakes and a candy cane on the side!! You devoured it! 

 After breakfast, everyone played a little bit longer.  Man, that table was the best purchase I have made in a long time.  Just saying...

 Look at Kipper's 2 front teeth!!! He's getting so big!  Sooner than later, everyone got their things and headed home.  I have to say, it was an AWESOME slumber party and I am positive we will start doing this annually with the gang.  SO much fun for everyone.  

So, see, your first week of Christmas was fun after all, even if we did most activities while you were napping :)  

love you sweet Kate.  Can't wait to see what week 2 of Christmas has in store!!