It's Christmas time! We have had such an amazing Christmas season this year. It feels like every day has been a new adventure, more festive than the day before it, if that's even possible. The spirit of the season is all around us, and we have cherished the celebration with family and friends. Here are a few of the highlights from the past few weeks… And the best part is that it isn't even Christmas yet…
The weekend after Thanksgiving, we joined our friends, the Briggs and the Lloyd families, to make gingerbread houses. When I was growing up, we made gingerbread houses every year, and it is one of my favorite holiday traditions. So there was really no better way to start out the Christmas season, before we even turned the page of our calendar to December too! Together, we topped our graham cracker houses and ice cream cone Christmas trees with all sorts of tasty candy treats. Harper even let me decorate her house with her; I think this might have been a ploy for her to eat more candy while I worked… But it was worth it.
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| Gingerbread architects at work |
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Our finished product:
a winter wonderland,
complete with a Christmas tree AND snowman! |
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| Dallin's fancy custom design |
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| Bundled up with my little bud |
After our gingerbread masterpieces were complete, our festive day was far from over. As the sun went down, we hopped into the car to make a very special journey: to get our Christmas tree. We caravanned with our friends to a Christmas tree farm in New Hampshire to cut down our own tree. This is something we have never done before so we were pretty excited. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we learned that they don't allow you to cut down trees after dark, and these days darkness falls around 4:30pm. This rule totally makes sense from a safety standpoint, but we were still a little disappointed. Looks like we can save this Christmas first for next year. Fortunately, the Christmas tree farm also had beautiful pre-cut trees to choose from, and so we searched and searched for the perfect one…
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Harper was NOT super excited
about the cold--
but we found our tree! |
There were a LOT of people with the same mission in mind; turned out, this was opening night. At first, Harper wanted no part of the Christmas tree madness. Of course, it didn't help that there were a lot of dogs there with their owners, and she is regrettably still not a dog lover. Needless to say, she spent a lot of time on Daddy's shoulders. It probably didn't help that it was absolutely freezing out, perhaps the coldest night we have had so far. Fortunately, we had anticipated the cold and were well bundled, layer upon layer. Even better, the Christmas tree farm had free hot chocolate and popcorn for patrons to enjoy in celebration of the start of the Christmas season. We enjoyed our tasty treats with our friends, sitting around a fire pit; that was an activity that Harper quickly warmed up to. We happened upon even more friends while we were there too, which was a nice surprise Then there was a magnificent fireworks display. I have never seen Christmas fireworks before, but it was absolutely magical, and freezing though we were, the kids were in awe.
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| Christmas tree farm family selfie! |
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Staying warm around the fire pit with our festive friends--
Hunter is the one in the little orange hood, barely peeking out! |
It was late by the time we returned home so we decided to wait until the next day to decorate our beautiful tree. Seriously, we must have picked the best one in the lot; it fit perfectly into the space we had cleared in the living room. The living room always gets a little tight around this time of year, but that also makes it feel cozier than ever. Harper and Hunter were super excited to help decorate the tree. Harper and I first got to work on untangling the lights and changing out the bulbs that had gone out. Then, under Dallin's direction, we carefully unwrapped our ornaments and placed them on the tree. Harper and Hunter were VERY enthusiastic about this part, and so we had to strategically place the more durable ornaments around the bottom half of the tree, with the more fragile ornaments out of the reach of curious little hands. Seeing the tree through the eyes of Harper and Hunter, as they stare up at the glowing branches with wonder, is simply perfection. This is really what Christmas is all about.
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| We had some help decorating this year! |
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At the tree lighting!
Harper's head is cut out (oops!),
but you can see her little hand
holding her balloon on the left. |
Later that week, while Daddy was working late, we decided to attend the annual town Christmas tree lighting with our friends. Growing up in this town, the tree lighting wasn't ever anything spectacular, but in the spirit of the season, we decided to give it a try. Again, it was an absolutely freezing night so I bundled Harper and Hunter under blankets in their stroller, and we headed through the crowds to find our friends, the Lloyds. My expectations were low, but I was happily mistaken; we ended up having a fantastic time! We saw Santa come into town on a horse-drawn sleigh, while snow floated down from the sky. The kids got balloons, and we enjoyed free hot chocolate and fried dough. We even got to take a ride on a little train, a definite highlight for the kids. It was festive and exhilarating, and we were grateful to have been able to share such a fun night with our friends. The highlight for Hunter was definitely the balloon though; that little guy sure is easy to please!
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Crosby, Carder, Brenn, Harper, and Marjorie--
plus t-rex in a Christmas scarf! |
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Harper and Mommy--
in 4D glasses! |
At the end of the week, we enjoyed another festive field trip with friends: a trip to the Boston Science Museum to see a 4D show of The Polar Express. This time, Hunter stayed home with our friend, Lucie, and I got to have a special mommy/daughter date with Harper. We rode over with our friends, the Lloyds, and met up with even more friends--the Laceys, Staples, and Stowells--when we got there (all minus the dads, who were at work). We spent some time exploring the museum before the show, and the kids all got a kick out of the GIANT dinosaur skeleton wearing a Christmas scarf. Then we picked up our special 4D glasses for the show. The Polar Express is maybe my very favorite Christmas story so I was pretty excited to see the movie version in 4D. They had taken excerpts from the feature film, condensed into a show that was about 20 minutes long. It was interesting to see what parts they selected, and it was definitely adventure to race down the train tracks, feel the snow in the air, and I'm even told you could smell the hot chocolate (I don't have a sense of smell). Harper was a little overwhelmed at all of the sensory components, and she was actually a little scared by the whole experience. Still, it was fun to try something new and to enjoy the time with friends. We made the most of it and did some more playing in the museum until it was time to go home.
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| Polar Express 4D friends at the Boston Science Museum! |
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Jingle bells!
All aboard the holly jolly trolley |
Last weekend, we enjoyed another fun holiday first as a family. The music program in our town put on a holiday fundraiser called the Holly Jolly Trolley. We got to ride an old fashioned trolley through the streets of town to see the Christmas lights on all the houses, while singing Christmas carols led by the high school madrigal singers. The kids even got jingle bells to shake during the songs; Hunter especially enjoyed that part. The trolley made a special stop for Santa to come aboard, and he passed out candy canes to all of the kids. Up to this point, Harper has been clear with us that she does not want to interact with Santa in any capacity--especially sitting on his lap. So when Santa came aboard the trolley, we waited to see how Harper would react, as she was sitting with some friends instead of with us. She made a beeline for where Dallin, Hunter, and I were sitting, but then she happily accepted the candy cane. Yet another holiday first: ho ho hooray!
The following Monday, we took another festive field trip with friends to a place called The Enchanted Village, an old fashioned Christmas village display. The display was originally created back in 1958 and was showcased throughout the 1960s and 70s at Boston's Downtown Crossing location of Jordan Marsh. The display closed in 1972 but was revived in the late 90s. Since Jordan's Furniture purchased the village in 2009 and restored it, you can now see it on display during the holiday season at their store down on the south shore. Despite the display's longstanding history in Boston, I had never seen it before so it was fun to take the kids and meet our friends there. As we walked through the different vignettes, faux snow floated down from the ceiling. It had the feel of magical Christmases past--talk about walking in a winter wonderland!
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Friends at the Enchanted Village, from left to right:
Mary, with Marjorie in the stroller and baby Teddy in the carrier;
Holli with Brenn; and me with Harper and Hunter in the stroller |
After we left the Enchanted Village, our next destination was Ikea. Harper especially loves Ikea; she is obsessed with Smaland, which is the kids' play area there. Her favorite thing about it is the ball pit, which she will talk about it for days and days afterwards. Once your child is potty trained, you are able to leave them to play at Smaland for an hour while you shop; it's a win/win for parents and kids. So on this particular trip, Brenn and Harper played, and the rest of the moms and kids shopped for a bit. We found a few great items for the home and also for Christmas. Then before heading home, we all had a bite to eat at the Ikea cafeteria. Definitely a successful trip!
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Cute Ikea shoppers:
Harper, Marjorie, Brenn, and Hunter |
Amidst all the Christmas festivities, our little man turned 15 months old this month! He is loving all of the Christmas outings and has been such a good sport. Since he can't walk, he has been stuck in the stroller or being carried since it is just so cold outside, but he has a very laid back attitude about it all. He loves all the Christmas lights and is just mesmerized looking at them. He is especially in love with our Christmas tree. When he is not staring up at the lights, he is trying to pull off the ornaments. He is particularly fixated on the few jingle bell ornaments on the tree, and he loves to pull them down and shake them. He reminds me of the little boy in The Polar Express, and I am quite sure that he too would have asked for a bell from Santa's sleigh if given the chance. The fact that the bells resemble little balls is not lost on us; this boy loves balls! I have a feeling Santa is going to bring him a basketball this year. Gotta start practicing! Gosh we love this jolly, happy soul. He truly makes us laugh each and every day.
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15 months old!
(Plus two hats)
Gosh we love this jolly, happy soul. |
Harper too loves getting her hands on the Christmas ornaments, and she is stuck on one in particular: also in her case, the Jack Skellington (a character from Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas) ornament. She calls it her "Jack Skellington bracelet" and is constantly taking it off the tree and wearing it around her wrist. Having loved Nightmare Before Christmas growing up, part of me is super proud that she loves it enough to be obsessed with this ornament. And the other part of me just wishes we could keep the ornaments on the tree. The other day, I found three Christmas ornaments in the back seat of the car. Between the two little Hs, I have a pretty good idea of how they got there…
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| Hunter and Daddy at the Zoo Lights |
With his love of lights, Hunter was especially excited about the festive field trip we took as a family this past weekend, to the Zoo Lights. This special holiday event takes place each year at the Stone Zoo, where thousands of lights adorn the paths throughout the zoo. It's pretty neat to be able to actually go to the zoo at night and to see the animal habitats after hours, but the glowing lights are really what make it a special winter wonderland. Like all of our other outings this month, we ended up going on a freezing cold night, but the lights were brilliant against the dark, crisp air. We also got to enjoy some delicious, hot fried dough, and to take a ride on a carousel. Next year, we will definitely be buying advance tickets though. The ticket line was horrendously long--and probably felt even longer because it was so cold out. This was another holiday first for me, and I was happy we toughed it out in line because it was such a magical night for our family.
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| Harper at the Zoo Lights |
This year, we have also been enjoying some of the traditions we started last year. Our "elf on the shelf" is back. Ivy (named by Harper last year) arrived on December 1, and every morning she can be found in a new spot around the house. Harper and Hunter love hunting for Ivy in the morning. Hunter will point wildly. The other day, Harper found Ivy in the Christmas tree, and she laughed, "Silly Ivy thinks she's a Christmas ornament!"
We have also been reading books from our Christmas basket, which is a special collection of holiday stories that we have added to over the last few years, along with some classics that were mine growing up. The books in the Christmas basket only come out at this time of year so they feel extra special. This year, Harper and I started reading the chapter book version of The Nutcracker. It's slow going since there are far more words than there are pictures, but Harper has been surprisingly interested. The version of the story that we have is illustrated by Maurice Sendak, one of our favorites, which is a special treat.
Of course, we have also been doing our advent calendar. Each night, we read a different scripture about the birth of Christ, and then we enjoy a Christmas treat or an activity. The other night, they received their very own nutcracker as their advent calendar treat. Harper loves the nutcracker! We thought about taking her to the Boston Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker, which is one of my favorite Christmas pastimes from growing up. However, we had some reservations about Harper's ability to sit through the whole performance without getting overly restless so we decided that we would save that treat for next year. I can't wait!
Another Christmas favorite at our house is A Charlie Brown Christmas. Not only do we enjoy watching the movie, but the soundtrack has essentially been on repeat the last few weeks. Harper's favorite song is the Peanuts version of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and she now knows how to advance the CD to find that track. Even Hunter likes singing the "Oooo oooo oooo" part along with the cast. The year Harper was born, Grammy Eccles gave her the Charlie Brown Christmas book; she recorded the story in her own voice, and it plays as you turn the pages. This book is one of the books in our Christmas basket, and Harper listens to it so often that she has it memorized. She will sometimes "read" it to Hunter too. I can hear her little voice now, saying, "When Charlie Brown's friends came outside, they decided to help…"
The little Hs and I have had so much fun the past couple of weeks working on various Christmas crafts. This year, we are excited to make gifts for our friends and family. We are making star ornaments out of wooden stars that Dallin drilled holes through. First, Harper painted the stars in various colors. I tried to encourage red and green paint only to keep things classic, but she insisted upon an array of bright colors--and who am I to put a damper on her inspiration? After all, pink and blue and purple have a place at Christmas too… After the paint dried, we layered some drawing with metallic pens in silver and gold. We finished them off with different colored ribbon ties, and we are so happy with how they turned out! Harper is really looking forward to sharing these gifts, and we already have one on our own Christmas tree.
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| Christmas crafting at breakfast! |
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| The finished product! |
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Ballerina friends,
enjoying candy canes together
after class. |
As we counted down the final days to Christmas, Harper was excited to share another open studio day at her dance school with Gramzy and Aunt Annie. In celebration of Christmas, she proudly wore her red tights, green tulle skirt, and Christmas headband in place of her usual ballet outfit. She and her classmates did an excellent job, and it's always so thrilling to be able to sit inside the classroom while they dance instead of watching from the outside the glass door. Having Annie and Gramzy in the audience was a special treat for Harper, who was all smiles. After class, the little ballerina friends enjoyed some candy canes together. Candy canes are quickly becoming one of Harper's favorite holiday sweets. Gosh, they are just so sticky though.
We continued our celebration with a special lunch out with Annie and Gramzy afterwards. As we walked to the restaurant, it was so sweet to see Harper walking alongside Gramzy. Despite the 90 year age difference between them, they are such special friends. Gramzy, with so much wisdom and experience to share, doting on Harper, who listens with as much rapt attention as her 3 year old self can muster. I was able to capture a particularly special moment, where they observed a Christmas window display together, Gramzy pointing out the various parts of the Christmas village in the window, and little Harper, just soaking it all in. There is so much loveliness all around at Christmas time.
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Gramzy and Harper,
mesmerized by the Christmas village in the window |
So often, this time of year can be hectic and over scheduled. Perhaps this month has been both of those things at times, but it has also been peaceful and perfect. I will catch Harper and Hunter in a moment together, playing or working on a craft, and I am overcome with gratitude for my little family. Each day is so much more meaningful through the eyes of my children, even--and perhaps especially--when they are acting like wild banshees because they have been cooped up inside when it's too cold to go out.
This year has been exceptional, full of Christmas magic and memories that I am quite sure we will carry with us always. We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas Eve tomorrow night with two families that we adore, and then we will have Christmas morning with our little family here at our own house, before heading out to Mimi's in the afternoon. We have done so much already to bring the Christmas spirit into our home and into our hearts that it's hard to imagine that it can get any better than this. Our spirits are already so merry and bright.
After dinner, the little kids changed into costumes for a little nativity performance. While I read the story of the birth of Jesus aloud from the scriptures, the kids acted out the parts: Brenn and Carder as Mary and Joseph, Marjorie as a shepherd, Hunter as a lamb, Harper as the angel, and Teddy as the baby Jesus. Hunter was the only unwilling participant; he did not want to keep his little lamb hat on--not even for a minute. So he is the only one we don't have a true photo of, but I assure you that he was a cute little lambie. 
Our second Christmas celebration was nearly as exciting as the first--but not because of the gifts. Gil PROPOSED to Annie! We had actually known that he was going to propose because Gil had asked my mom, Ben, and me to dinner earlier in the week to talk about it. So all week long, we had been waiting with such anticipation, and it was an honor to be a part of this special moment between them. Annie was so surprised and happier in that moment than perhaps we have ever seen her before. We can't wait for their wedding. Harper especially is excited to resume her flower girl duties. 
