The Sights and Sounds of Christmas

As you can tell it was a busy semester, so much so that I didn't get a single post written, but here we are, nearing the end of 2012 and after a wonder-filled Holiday season. So rather than trying to recap the past three months, I thought I'd just reflect on the past month or so for it really was a merry time.

The season got kicked off with a visit to Meijer Gardens in early December to see the many Christmas trees and the holiday train display. The girls loved all the colors on the different Christmas trees and watched the train circle around the display with smiles and giggles.

The girls were excited to see Santa for the first time shortly after that at a party at church. When we arrived, Alyssa was pretty much unable to talk to anyone until she had sat on Santa's lap. She made a beeline to Santa, running from several feet away and giving him a big hug. Lauren, on the other hand, slowly backed up when we got close and then just clung as she didn't want anything to do with "HoHoHo," so Aaron got a nice picture with Santa and his little girls.

After this, we didn't have high expectations for our visit to Santa at the mall. We waited in line for what seemed like an eternity, each of the girls thinking about what they wanted to ask for. Just before their turn, Lauren spotted the candy canes in Santa's chest for kids that sat on his lap, so there was absolutely no fussing when I set her on his lap. When Santa asked her what she wanted, she repeated everything that Alyssa said.

We enjoyed some quality family time together as we all helped decorate the tree, went to a Christmas parade, baked Christmas cookies, and drove one night to look at Christmas lights.

Alyssa had her first Christmas concert with her preschool. It was so cute to see all the kiddos up on stage, and she did such an amazing job. I love to watch the video and see her singing her heart out, mouth wide open, belting it out. At one point you can hear her over all the other kids. Her class sang "Rudolph" and "Frosty". She practiced the songs a lot and knew them pretty well, but every once in a while she'd get the verses for Rudolph mixed up. I don't want to post the video of the actual concert out of respect for the other kiddos. We've been amazed at how both of them have learned so many of the Christmas songs this year. Lauren doesn't quite sing every word, but she usually hits the words at the end of each line.

Alyssa also had a "show" for her Twinkle Toes dance class. They showed off their ballet moves and their tapping. Alyssa definitely prefers tap, but she does a good job with both as she's good at following directions and listening to her teacher. Again, I'm only including a very short clip so none of her classmates appear.

We had several other Christmas parties that we all enjoyed before we left for Minnesota on the 21st. Our week in Minnesota was filled with family and friend time, just what we needed. The girls were so very excited to spend time with the Menke family and play with their friends.

We went to a children's Christmas Eve mass at 4:30. The girls were tuned in to what was going on, watching the other kids carry in Baby Jesus to place in the manger. Alyssa even joined the kids up front as the priest talked to them about how important it is that they open the gift of Jesus' love and share it with others and both sang their hearts out, especially Alyssa to Away in the Manger.

After that we headed home to a nice meal and prepared for Santa's arrival. The girls placed carrots out for the reindeer. Alyssa only wanted to give Prancer one, and Lauren only wanted to give one to Lauren. Alyssa was concerned that the other reindeer might eat the carrots, so she had to write their names on plates so that they would know who they were for. And they placed cookies out for Santa and even stopped to pause for a few pictures to mark the holiday. They were allowed to open a few gifts early since we skyped with Aunt Sarah who couldn't make it home. And then it was off to bed.

Christmas morning was so exciting. Alyssa waited for Lauren to wake up and then they headed downstairs to find their gifts. Alyssa was so excited she didn't know what to do with herself - jumping up and down, pointing and laughing. Then they discovered that the reindeer had nibbled on the carrots and Santa had eaten the cookies. And then they dove into the presents. I got so into watching them open presents that I forgot to take pictures (and never got around to copying them from Grammy's camera onto my computer).  They enjoyed all of it and were tickled with the new toys, clothes, and treats. We spent the rest of the day playing and then joined up with the Krautkremers and Uncle Bob at the Krautkremer cabin for more fun.

Some of the highlights from the rest of the week were taking in a Gopher basketball game, a guys night at a Timberwolves game, a Happy Hour with a good friend, and hanging out with the Krautkremers and Skluzaceks. It is so fun to watch the girls together and also see them develop friendships. And we especially enjoyed a little more "adult" time as they're starting to entertain themselves more.

A highlight for the girls was going to see Little Red Riding Hood at the Old Log Theater with Auntie Stacy. They wore red capes and were treated to lunch at their favorite place - "Old MacDonalds".

We flew home on Friday, December 28. Neither of the girls slept on the plane as they were waiting for their drinks and snacks. We arrived into Lansing shortly after 11pm, and only Alyssa fell asleep on the hour drive home. Lauren was still wide awake when we drove into the garage shortly after midnight (she really is the Energizer Bunny).

They woke up the next morning to find Nana and PapPap waiting for them and that Santa had dropped off more presents under their tree in Michigan. Alyssa tore through the presents and Lauren enjoyed opening and playing with hers. She'd have been happy with just a few and then playing with them. They were a little disappointed that there wasn't a bunk bed under the tree, but Santa left them a note that his elves were still working on making it and that it would  be delivered in a few weeks. There was wrapping paper everywhere, toys galore, and two happy but tired little girls.

Experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes really is a fun experience. The girls enjoyed every last minute of the last month - from the Elf moving from place to place, the "mystery gifts" from the 12 Days of Christmas (thanks Aunt Cheryl!), the wide eyes at Christmas lights, the excitement of Santa, the songs of the season, and sharing in Jesus' birthday, it really is a special season. We are so thankful to be able to celebrate with family and friends and look forward to many more wonder-filled Christmases with our two precious girls in the future. From all of us to all of you, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!