Christmas Recap

Christmas Eve we do a yearly tradition of the Macy's light show, Reading Terminal shopping, and lunch. The weather was warm this year (record breaking)- in the 60s and 70s on Christmas Day. Walking around the city without jackets was a nice change! Christmas Eve night we went to my husband's aunt and uncle's house for dinner and to see his side of the family.

Our crew in the city:

 Summer and I at the Reading Terminal:

Christmas Eve night:

 Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn:

Christmas Eve I was up until 2:00 in the morning wrapping. Next year I will definitely start wrapping earlier in the week! I had to do the girls' gifts and set them up under the tree (the fun part), our parents gifts, write a note from Santa, and clean up. I also took a few pictures before going to bed. 

Santa's Work!

 Ellie's pile

Summer's pile

Their stockings were very full this year. Santa even had to leave out a couple things in each because they didn't fit. Here is what was inside:

Ellie got the Merida dress and doll she asked Santa for, as well as everything mentioned in this post. Summer also got Elsa and Anna, and she loved the tutu Santa brought. We gave her friend, Frankie, the same one and as she opened it she exclaimed, "Frankie!" She took off her pants and put it on immediately, as well as a crown (on backwards!). After opening every gift Summer said, "Wow!" then posed with the item by saying, "Cheese!" It was adorable. Ellie loved all of her gifts and had a constant smile on her face. She was a pro at unwrapping each gift. Santa left a pink Jellycat bunny on her pile and she gave her the biggest hug. She has been asking for one for at least a year ever since my sister gave Summer one. Santa finally caved and brought her one, too. The girls loved their Play Doh sets and have played with it everyday. They were both excited to receive more Magiclips and a new princess tent. 

These pajamas I am wearing are the comfiest! It looks like they are only in XL online, but may have more sizes in store. 

Nick and I recently bought a new Mac desktop, which was our big gift to ourselves. We needed to replace our five year old Mac. We still exchanged a few gifts and filled our stockings. He bought me these slippers from J.Crew, which I love, but I need a bigger size. He also gave me J.Crew pajamas and my favorite socks, running socks and new headphones I had asked for and new Ugg boots to replace the ones I have currently. I had bought myself new perfume and dropped it in my stocking because I know my husband never fills it. Every year I laugh because there is only one or two things in my stocking so I will usually help him out. :) I bought him these Sorel boots, a griddle, and a running top plus a few more things in his stocking.

We had breakfast at my parents, then visited my inlaws and went back to my parents for Christmas dinner of filet roast, which was cooked perfectly and so delicious. I haven't had meat in a long time and this was so worth the wait. This was the first year we my parents got a picture with all the kids without one of them crying. A Christmas miracle! Ellie and Summer are so lucky to have four cousins who are also their best friends. The oldest, Maeve, is 8 and she still plays so well with Ellie despite their 4 year age difference. 

Outfits:

My dress (sold out online) and boots

Summer's dress and shoes

Ellie's dress and shoes

 The best family pic we could get!

It was a busy couple of days, but always so much fun and the best days of the year! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

** Affiliate links are used in this post for all purchased items.

Merry Christmas!

Our 2015 Holiday Card:

Christmas Week + Festivities

Ellie had her Christmas concert on Monday and it was so adorable. Watching her sing all the words from each song and do all of the hand movements was just too cute. I was so proud of her! Throughout the concert she would look up at me with a huge smile on her face and wave. It made my heart melt knowing she was having fun up on stage. Here are a few pictures from that morning:

We saw Santa last week and the only way for Summer to be a part of the picture was for me to join. I love crying Santa photos, but I don't want to scar her. So, I joined and sat next to Santa. It was a cute photo. After Santa we found those animals that you can ride on in the mall. Ellie really wanted to do it so we did and it was hilarious. I have video of her crashing into the fence and I was laughing so hard I was crying. After that I got on with her. We ended our mall trip with a ride on the carousel.

Last Friday night Nick and I met a few of my friends from college (University of Delaware). It was a really fun night out in the city!

We made sugar cookies over the weekend with homemade icing. The cookies may not look pretty (decorated by the girls), but they are delicious! Soft and chewy. I am making a couple more kinds today and will hand them out with the girls to our neighbors. The girls used the cookie cutters and I put the icing in bags for them to decorate along with sprinkles and mini m&ms.

We also have been painting ornaments and Ellie made a gingerbread house out of foam. This was a great buy from Michael's and a good alternative to candy.

The girls have been wearing princess dresses and capes (made out of blankets) everyday. It's the cutest and I know this won't last forever so I am letting them wear them out of the house.

This morning we are meeting friends for coffee, then a few errands and I am dropping my Santa gifts off for the family I bought for at my Mom's school. She also has her annual Christmas party so we are going to that. We are enjoying the festive season, and hope you are, too!

Girls' Christmas Wishlist + Stocking Stuffers

Polish / Hair Set / Crown / Legos
Necklace / Teacup / Felt Crown / Socks
Anna / My Little Pony

Everything shown above is what the girls are getting in their stockings, as well as bubble wands, princess wands, and a few other small things. The nail polish will be a hit- they love getting their nails painted. Summer is getting a glitter purple and Ellie, a glitter pink. I actually got two sparkly crowns for each of them because Claire's was having a sale the day I bought them. We can never have too many crowns, especially since I seem to always step on them (I'm lucky if I'm wearing socks- those things hurt!).




Dress / Doll / Flutterbye
Play Doh / Craft / Book / Game

Mrs Potato Head / Elsa and Anna / Magiclips
Singing Anna / Puzzle / Castle / Play Doh

Ellie asked Santa for a Merida doll and dress. Merida is the character from Brave. Summer, continuing her obsession with Frozen, is asking for Elsa and Anna. She initially also was asking for a baby, but has since crossed that off her list. I'm happy about that since we already have enough baby dolls! I like their short, simple list. I know it won't always be like that. The photo above is what the girls are getting under the tree this year. I really tried to lighten the present load this year and not overwhelm the girls with too many gifts. The castle is a joint gift and will have a big bow on it Christmas morning. My sister had gotten this same gift a couple years ago and they loved it. It was so well loved that it recently ripped so Santa is replacing it. The girls are also getting new markers and crayons and tutus. I bought this one for Ellie (during their Black Friday sale) and this one for Summer.

I also just got a family with three kids that I will be buying for so I need to get started! The ages are a 5 month baby girl, 3 year old boy, and a 6 year old girl. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime!

Happy Shopping!

** Please note: Affiliate links are used in this post. All of these items I have purchased.

Weekend Recap

On Friday Ellie stayed for a longer day at school so Summer and I went shopping.
 Summer was asking for a muffie as soon as we dropped Ellie at school. She loves the pumpkin muffies from Panera (I just bought a pan to make them at home). Since it was Friday I treated both of us to one.

We stopped by to wave to Santa and he was nice enough to give her a few things. She was so happy!

I gave Summer a lollipop in Hanna Anderson and she found a spot in the store window to hang out in. Five minutes later she was in the stroller passed out and still holding her pop. So cute and I was able to go into Lululemon and shop and try on clothes while she was sleeping.

Friday night we went to our local tree lighting. We ended the night with ice cream. Summer is telling Nick that she can't smile because she has ice cream in her mouth. Impossible to get all of us smiling at the same time!

Saturday my in laws took the girls for the entire afternoon and Nick and I went shopping. It was so nice to have time to do this together. I have been doing most of the shopping online (why do all of the packages have to come when my husband is at home??). I think we are done with the girls and I just have to get a few more things for family gifts. I really tried not to go overboard this year with playing Santa. I will write another post with their wishlists and mine, too! Nick and I also got a few more things for our yard. He has been wanting an inflatable for years and we finally got a Santa so he is happy. I picked out two reindeer with lights for our front yard. I am loving our street this year. Everyone has really stepped up with Christmas decorations and the girls love it! We were even able to get an early dinner just the two of us.
The girls are checking out our new Santa:

Saturday night we built our first fire. The girls snuggled on the couch and watched Elsa and Anna videos on You Tube (a special treat). We also put on the Polar Express. I went out to get marshmallows and we roasted them, too. It was a fun family night. 

This morning I went for a run, then we all went to a local Farm for a hayride and pictures with Santa. We also got our tree. I was practicing using my camera (I've been getting lessons) in manual mode and forgot to switch it to Auto for a family picture so it didn't turn out well at all since the sun was in front of us. The hayride was such a cute idea. It was decorated for the Holidays, we sang Christmas songs and they took us around the farm to a gazebo where Santa was waiting where we were able to take pictures with him.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!