Signs

Joel has started posting signs on his door. 

You never know what will be taped to the door.  Its changes daily at times.

Dear Santa

Breakfast with Santa

Joels school has a breakfast with Santa every year that we've loved going to.  There are crafts, a store for kids to buy presents and of course Santa. 

While we were standing in line to see Santa, he came out and sat down then proceeded to take OFF his beard and then put it back on. Then he stands up and fluffs his pillow in his costume.  Several kids were horrified.

Norah was not sure about this Santa.  He clearly wasn't the real Santa but she almost didn't go talk to him.  She kept looking back at me like who is this because this is NOT santa. 

She did go sit on Santa's lap.  And told him she wanted a real puppy for Christmas.  I guess in her mind the more Santa's she tells the better chance she has of getting it.  (she's not this year)  But this picture make me laugh because even Joel wasn't sure about Santa and he wouldn't sit on his lap. Colin is holding him in place. 

time

 
This boy.... one morning he came in asking if it was morning and time to get up.  I told him that morning wasn't for half an hour.  It was the weekend and I wanted to sleep in a little later than normal time.

So he sat there and mumbled under his breath for a long time. It took me a while to figure out he was counting.  He counted to 60 thirty times and then proudly announced that it was morning and time to get up. 

Deck the Halls

 They all talked me into getting a real tree again this year.  I'm sure the tree guy thought it was strange that I didn't go near any of the trees and stood far away and said that one looks good enough.  But so far it hasn't been too bad and I only took allergy medicine for a week and then stopped. I did make an evergreen wreath for the front door and my hands broke out in a rash for a few days after that.  So when it came to the tree Brent and the kids were in charge and it came out looking great.

 Joel and Norah were excited to show off their ornaments they made at church

 And then when I was trying to get everyone together for a picture I glanced over and saw this. They were standing this way all on their own.

We started hanging our lights outside the Sunday before thanksgiving.  It was a nice day so I talked Brent into starting. I figured a few days wouldn't matter and we should take advantage of the nice weather.  As soon as we started  the boy across the street rode his bike up the sidewalk and started lecturing us about the importance of remembering Thanksgiving.  People overlook that holiday and then forget to be thankful.  Then he got back on his bike and rode away.  Brent was up on a ladder dying laughing. He felt justified in his arguments earlier about waiting.   It ended up taking about a week to finish.  We didn't go all out but half the strands weren't working and we had to find the timers and extension cords for the lights. So in the end we were glad we started early. But next year when I try to start early I'm sure Brent will remind me of this and the importance of remembering thanksgiving.

Really the last goodbye

After Santa we got lunch then drove to the farm.  We only stayed a few hours and then left but the kids had fun playing in the leaves and walking down to the creek.  I'm glad we went and had one last day of playing at the farm. 

The papers are being signed and keys turned in so it really was the last time at the farm.  Driving away it was hard to imagine never driving back there again. 

Grandma always told us that the farm was their dream - that when they died it would be sold and split into three ways so her boys could live out their dreams.  I'm glad were able to enjoy their dream for as long as we did.

Santa

When Colin was six months old we were at the farm for thanksgiving. Grandma was so excited to tell us that Santa would be at the southern states store that Saturday.  It was magical and sealed it for us that this Santa is the real deal.  I will never forget the time Santa asked Colin if he still carried his blue blanket around with him. 

 We've missed a few years here and there but its just magical each time and the kids know that any other Santa we see is just Santa's helper.  Its hard to describe if you aren't there but this Santa is real. 
In a last minute decision - as in during breakfast Saturday we decided to go - one last time and then stop by the farm for a few hours.  The kids got dressed quickly and cleaned up breakfast in record speed and we got in the car and just made it to see Santa. We haven't been in two years so I'm glad we went. 

And it was just as magical as its always been. 

After Norah was afraid of Robbie in the turkey suit I wasn't sure if she would like Santa. But she did and now its all she talks about.

Santa had just asked Norah if she was naughty or nice - she wasn't sure and didnt know what to say.

She wasn't sure (lets say she's been more naughty than nice lately) so they looked up her name on his list.

She was really worried for a few seconds

She was on the nice list!  WHEW!

Magic happens in the middle of a farm and feed store aisle

We love this Santa and I'm really glad we decided to go.