December Festivities

I was fortunate enough to have a MUCH needed girls' trip in December.  Laura and I decided to visit Canton for a pre-Christmas shopping trip.  The roach motel was waaaay overpriced, but well worth it so we could stay two nights and get an early(ish--we all have kids, so it was heavenly to sleep in) start on shopping Saturday without having to drive over an hour in the Trade Days traffic.  Even better...our lifelong friend, Mandy, who lived down the street growing up, was able to join us!  I hadn't seen her in years, so it was wonderful to all catch up. 

Shopping day!  After a (shoddy) breakfast at the motel, getting ready, and a bit of shopping, it was time to enjoy some everything's fried fair food!  Corn dogs were a must, but I had been waiting since my last Canton visit (when I was pregnant with Carter) for the ultimate...red velvet funnel cake!!! 

My little Canton cart was pretty darn overflowing by the end of the day, and that was after a few trips back and forth to the car.  I'd say it was a success!

And then we realized that Mandy somehow needed to fit into the backseat.  Good thing it wasn't far from the motel!  It was a fun weekend and so good to catch up with my girls.  Moms like us are not so good at taking a break from family to rejuvenate ourselves.

Back at home, it was a busy month!  Reid was totally into decorating this year.  And had the *ahem* muscles to prove it.

He was a Bear of the Month in December!  Makes a mom proud!!  Our December Friday Live is in the morning and is called Holiday Live.  Thankfully, Jason was able to attend the first part and barely made it to see Reid get his award before running off to work.  He even snapped a cute pic of Reid coming up the ramp on the way to the assembly.

 

One of the perks of going to the same school as your mom, right in the classroom across the hall at that, is that your mom can sneak across the hall for a quick selfie.  My little reindeer loved his party! 

This little stinker loved being home for the Christmas break.  He began his obsession with the pantry...and standing on water bottles, which is apparently hilarious.  Eek!

 

Somewhere in December was Jason's company party for the kids.  Structuretone always has a very kid-friendly, fun party and it's neat to meet all the people Jason works with.  Reid loves the doughnuts and cookies...Carter loves the fruit and cheese.   I love that we get to see a normal-looking Santa and take pictures that don't cost $30 after waiting in line for two hours.  Last year, Carter didn't seem to mind sitting with Santa, so I figured this year we wouldn't be so lucky.  Yep.

 

 

Carter was done!  It did make for a funny picture, though.  Reid wanted to open his magic kit from Santa right away, and he was enamored with his snowman balloon.

Carter got an adorable remote (that he apparently thinks doubles as a phone--he makes "calls" and listens to music all the way to Holli's each morning) and other goodies.

Reid even got his face painted this year...a BIG deal after avoiding it his entire life.  I'm pretty sure they had lots of fun and someone is counting down until next year's party.

Reid wanted a "special" breakfast one morning, so we made holiday pancakes.  I'm a good cook, but a terrible baker.  Note to self:  next year, use pre-made pancakes.  Thankfully, he didn't seem to mind.  We used his new cookie cutters and decorated them with sprinkles, whipped cream, and M&Ms. 

Someone was also obsessed with his "lungs" over the break.  Eek!!  Not even gonna go there...

Two little cuties

In the "hot tub" one day as I did laundry

Carter insists on feeding himself, yet ends up with half of it on his clothes, tray, and hands so he freaks out because he can't stand stuff on his hands.  At least he's trying.