Santy Claus

My behind-the-scenes shot...I almost like it better. Isn't Olivia so sweet-looking?

For the past week I've been getting the kids more and more excited about Christmas. I am still unsure about how to present the real Reason for the Season, Jesus' birth to them yet, but I think Lucas might understand a little from his faith formation class. They are having an little Christmas show after mass next sunday so I am excited to see how Lucas behaves!

  We started our countdown calendar and they love flipping up the Christmas Eve slip to see the Santa sticker...they each get a turn to cross off days. Then we read 'The Night Before Christmas' and I put on the lights in their room before bed. Last night after my frustration at not getting to workout at the gym, I sat and rocked them in their room (haven't done that in so long...they are huge now lol) and sang them Xmas songs...they really liked it! It was a sweet moment :)

   The other day I had to return a dress I bought for Olivia that didn't fit to Target, and while we were there we stopped by the mall just to get a little glimpse at this Santa character I've been reading to them about. They were real excited to see him with little kids sitting on his lap and he waved as they said "hi santa! toys!" and Olivia says, "presents!" haha! they caught on to that quick lol.

  So I promised that when daddy had a day off we'd visit Santa and tell him what we want for Xmas. So for the past 3 nights Lucas has been saying "see Santa Claus! toys!" and he's also been having tantrums. Reminding him that Santa only likes good girls and boys, sometimes works...other times, I have to bribe or punish. His screaming and whining never ends..Tonight we asked him to pick up his train tracks and he refused...defiantly saying 'no...lala clean up'...then telling us to "help", meaning do it for him. I wanted to spank him. John did. We put him in his room. Screaming breaking things etc...Olivia had already cleaned up her toys...so I asked Olivia if she wants to clean up his trains...she did and she got a treat...Lucas screamed for a treat, so I hope that taught him a lesson. We'll see tomorrow.

  Anyway, today we took them to see Santa. As soon as we drove by the Macy's, (we never go to the mall, so he's not that familiar) he points and says "Santa Claus! Store!" Since I couldn't really find a good deal on cute Xmas outfits (--and Olivia's dress didnt fit right) I decided to let them wear their new Pajamas for the pic :) We got to the line and it was empty, and closed off...Santa was about to go on his 2 hr lunch break...but they thankfully took pity on us and let us in before!

  Although I believe Olivia was as excited as Lucas, and remembered seeing him the other day, the key to her not crying in his lap I think, was having Lucas get on first. They were so cute sitting there smiling telling him "toys!" I forgot I wanted to have them bring him a gift...eh, next year :) He was a very cute Santa and very sweet.


The picture is kinda blurry, and washed out in certain parts, but what bugs me is that we are paying for these pictures, so the LEAST they can do is center the dang picture! In this day and age it takes so little effort to TRIM/CROP a photo!

The kids were so enthralled with the coloring books he gave them:

Last year 2010:

And 2009--just days before Olivia was born! :)

 We also like watching the Caillou Christmas movie--they really enjoy it and I think understand it. It caught me offguard the other day when Olivia started naming all the characters of the show....i.e. the cat "gilbert!",  friends "clementine! Sarah!" She's so cute lately. I wanted to get her a Caillou toy but they are few and very expensive..almost like they are already collectibles. I am contemplating making her a Caillou doll but I am a horrible seamstress lol.

  We are excited for Christmas. I am gonna work on explaining Jesus' to them this week :) Probably pick up some good picture book for them.