The First Big Snow Storm

We had our first big snowstorm the second weekend of December. Overnight it dumped about 12-14 inches. We were a little worried since it was the last day of Prelude and Santa was arriving by fire truck! Somehow it all worked out and after visiting Santa Caroline, Gramma and Daddy went out and played in the snow while I stayed inside and took care of George. Caroline's favorite activity was eating the snow lol

 Showing Gramma her playhouse/clinic

This is how I feel about shoveling too! 

A Visit with Santa

Every year we take Caroline to visit Santa, but she just isn't too keen with sitting on his lap or going near him for that matter. She loves to chat with him, but not too closely. This year, Caroline has given Santa a hug at Home Depot with Daddy and at pre-school with Gramma. I finally got to see her with Santa when we visited with the whole family at the last Prelude event in Cape Porpoise. This is our third year in a row and we really enjoy this Santa visit better than the malls.
Caroline brought her list and was ready to give it to Santa but she got shy. She talked with him from afar but then had a chance to go see him again before we left and she sat next time him after saying, "Goodbye." Then, she went back up there again and gave him a hug! She also took her list back. I guess he had enough time to memorize it :)

 Caroline's list written all by herself! (I only helped with the S in Santa)

1)Tape 2) Rainbow Ribbon 3) Rudolph

 Santa Chocolate pop or Lobster chocolate pop. Decisions decisions. 

She chose Santa

 The kids sang "Santa Claus is coming to town" for Santa.

 Caroline was the only kid singing it!

 George wasn't impressed :)

 Heading back up to take her list and say, "Goodbye"

 Hugs!

Trimming the Tree

We had our tree sitting in our living room unlit, undecorated, with the orange tags still on it for a week. We finally had the time and energy to tackle it Sunday which was perfect since it was snowing, we were going to see Santa later on in the day, and it was Gramma's last day here in Maine. We turned on the Christmas music and got to work!

Sisterly love

George's stocking makes its first appearance :)

Really getting a hang of decorating the tree this year

 George's ornament getting hung on the tree!

He was very nonchalant about this occasion.

 For now, there are no fights on who will put the star up top

She does such a good job though :) 

Grandparents Cookie Decorating @ Pre-school

Caroline's pre-school had a grandparents cookie decorating day and luck would have it, it was when Gramma was visiting from South Carolina! So, they both got to go and decorate cookies and gingerbread houses while George and I stayed home and relaxed. There was even a very special visitor who surprised everyone! I heard from several people that Caroline was very engaged in the song singing and story-time and asked and answered lots of questions. No sugar high for this one, she waited to eat until she could bring her treats home for her family :) She was very deliberate in her decorating and Gramma told her to set everything out beforehand and think about how she wanted her house to look, just like Grampy does. I think she did a beautiful job :) She wouldn't sit on Santa's lap,but she had so much fun with him and gave him a big hug and surprised everyone by doing this. No one was ready with the camera since she had already walked away!

Gramma's Visit

Gramma came up from South Carolina Friday, December 6th and stayed until the early hours of Monday the 16th. Although we couldn't get out and do too much since George is still too young, we had lots of fun hanging out at home. The very first night she was here Caroline requested her Macaroni and Cheese and Caroline was very happy to make it alongside Gramma. We also went to see the Norton Lights in Wells and Caroline loved the "crazy dancing trees."

 Snuggles with Mommy while Caroline and Gramma played

 George doing what George does :)

Norton Lights

Prelude Pancake Breakfast

Last year Caroline and Alan went to the Prelude festivities without me since I was in Virginia for a food bloggers conference. I've always wanted to go to the pancake breakfast and I was quite envious so this year it was on our "must do" list. We missed the tree lighting in Dock Square the night before since the weather wasn't that nice and we just couldn't get things together in time. We all set out to the pancake breakfast at Washington House with Gramma and enjoyed some pancakes. Caroline ate both huge pancakes and one link of sausage and a large cup of orange juice. We were quite impressed!
Afterwards, we took a ride around town since there was a beautiful dusting of snow the night before. Then, we came home and I took a nap, George and Gramma hung out, and Caroline and Daddy went to Home Depot to get some lights for her playhouse!