Christmas FUN

I cannot believe how soon Christmas will be here...there's so much to do yet!!  Rylee is now at the age where she enjoys and is able to participate in many activities.  I am trying to start some traditions this year that we haven't done before to make sure we make the most of the season. 

So far we have put up our Christmas tree, which she was so excited to decorate!  Did anyone else decorate their tree in their undies??

 

I put out all of my other Christmas decorations Thanksgiving night while Rylee was sleeping off her turkey in the middle of the living room. 

Yesterday we wrapped all of our Christmas presents.  Rylee picked out the paper for each gift, taking careful consideration to the person receiving the gift.  She was also concerned that we didn't have presents for some people....gotta love her soft heart!! 

We also made a paper chain.  My thought was that we would take one link off each day until Christmas gets here.  She had fun running the glue stick!

Our Elf on the Shelf appeared this year, and oh boy is that fun!!  I don't know who is enjoying it more...Rylee or James and I.  Ry wasn't really interested in it the first day, but we are on day 4 now and she has taken a liking to Elfie.  Elfie appeared in our tree this morning and Rylee said to me very disapprovingly, "Mom! Elfie's in our tree!!"  She also left Ry a letter, which she wouldn't let me read to her...she told me she could read it herself. "It says, 'ABC, Santa is going to bring presents, Doc McStuffins.'"  Okay....well....I'm pretty sure that's not what it says, but whatever.  There was an Elf on the Shelf show on last week that we DVR'd and have watched several times already as well.  Kudos to the family who created this wonderful Christmas tradition! 

Later this week we will drop off our Toys for Tots items and the supplies we bought for the Ronald McDonald House.  We also sent a request to the local school to see if any families are in need of winter attire -- sounds like we may be doing some shopping for that soon as well. 

The rest of our Christmas "to do" list includes decorating our gingerbread house, driving around looking at Christmas lights and baking and decorating cookies.  I'm not really a fan of sugar cookies (except for the one's my SIL's family makes)....mostly just because they are a lot of work, but if Rylee enjoys decorating them this year, I will make it a tradition. 

I had planned to visit one of the Festival of Trees events as well, but didn't quite make it...will keep it on the list for next year. Another item we won't be doing is visiting Santa -- Rylee won't even look at him from afar at the mall.  I suppose I should take Wyatt though.  And speaking of Wyatt -- James still has to make him a stocking yet.  Yes, I said that right...James has made all of our stockings...the man can run a sewing machine in addition to chainsaws, tractors and skid loaders.

Oh, and there are so many great Christmas movies to watch yet and songs to listen to.  We have only seen Elf and Polar Express so far....Christmas Vacation, Home Alone and Santa Clause top my list of other movies to watch.  And I just downloaded a bunch of Christmas music this morning so I can listen to it as I go about my days.  My favs are as follows:

"Let it be Christmas" by Alan Jackson
"O Holy Night" by John Berry
"Santa Baby" by Kellie Pickler
"All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey
And really, many more....I probably love them all!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!  Enjoy the season, as it will be over before we know it!!