The elves brought us tickets to ride the Polar Express and even new jammies and slippers to wear! To say the kids were excited would be a bit of an understatement. We sang carols and watched Christmas movies on our 3 hour drive to the mountains and then took a little walk around Bryson City before we boarded the train! We had such fun seats and the kids got goody bags to dive into while we started the ride. Then the wait staff brought us delicious mugs of hot cocoa topped with the most yummy whipped cream- along with the fun 'hot chocolate' dance!! Then the waiters read the book 'The Polar Express' to us and then the car went dark- the kids were in awe as we travelled to the North Pole where we saw Santa's house and even the hobo sitting on top of a train! The next thing we knew- Santa had boarded the train and he came around to everyone and gave us our own bells! It was such a fun night. Mikey kept repeating over and over on the way home 'was that the most fun night??!' I'm so glad we were able to do this with the kids.
Leave it to Mom to ruin a perfectly wonderful family photo!!
And for 20 minutes STRAIGHT on the way home, Kaitlyn sang 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town':
We were finally able to make our annual Christmas trip to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens to see all of the festive lights and..... Santa!! And coincidentally, Joe, Pat, Kevin and Isabelle were there too! I love, love, love this holiday tradition.
One of Mikey's favorite things to see- the train! And Papa Joe too!
The kids listening to Mrs. Clause read stories while they waited for the big guy to arrive.
We had our favorite neighbors over on Sunday to celebrate our annual 'Friendsmas'! I made a yummy dinner and we exchanged gifts and watched football. All of our favorite things!
Nana Pat and Papa Joe got Kate and Mikey a 'claw' game!!!!
Monday, since I was off work but Kaitlyn still has school, I used the day to finish up some last minute Christmas errands but was able to go have lunch with Mikey at his school. Love his sweet face!
I am so so lucky that I got to chaperone another field trip for Kate's class. This time the kindergarten classes got to go 'uptown' Charlotte to Imaginon Children's Library to watch a play: 'The Night Before'. I met the bus at the library and got to sit with Kaitlyn and her friends and we enjoyed her first 'off Broadway' performance!!
I got to go Kaitlyn's school yesterday morning and make a gingerbread house with her. It was such a fun event and Kaitlyn loved using every kind of candy on our house. It was a great morning doing holiday activities!
Kaitlyn and her teachers Mrs. Chapmand and Ms. Beaumont
Last night was Kaitlyn's turn at her gymnastics show. She has moved up to the 'Mighty Mites' team and got to do a special dance number. She did great and had a super fun night tipped off with purple (her team color) cupcakes from her coach! Good job sweetheart- we're very proud of you!
Mikey had his first Christmas show at gymnastics. He said his favorite part was going a flip on the bars but I think he liked flirting with all of the coaches! We're so proud of our boy.
Yesterday was so gorgeous outside (75 degrees and yes, it's December 13th!) that we took the kids to a parking lot to ride bikes. Mikey decided that it was the day to remove the training wheels! Here he goes:
The best part was this- right after he made his first run without the training wheels, Kaitlyn jumped off of her bike and did this:
Daddy took him back again today while Kaitlyn and I were having Mother/ Daughter day at the Nutcracker and this is the professional rider now:
I am so so so proud of this boy. Put his mind to it and just did it. Look out world- here comes Mikey!!
