Holiday FUN

Snowman, Santa, reindeer, pancakes, cookies, snow angels, and sledding! The weekend was full of fun Christmas festivities! 

With a slight warm up, the snow was perfect packing snow so we kicked off the weekend with our first snowman in the front yard! Jackson packed in some snow on him and tilted his head at him in confusion when we were complete (I think its because Frosty needed a hat). Overcoming a face plant in the snow, Jackson was not as excited as Mom about Frosty.

Our first snowman!

Saturday continued on a Polar Express trip to the North Pole. An absolutely adorable event that our Park District puts on. We rode in a trolly to the "North Pole" while being read the Polar Express. At the North Pole Santa and Mrs. Clause were there to meet us while their Reindeer ate some food and rested closer to the fire. We indulged ourselves to cookies and hot coco before taking a walk through the forest to search for Elves. 

Jackson was very hesitant about Santa upon first meeting.

By the time we were ready to say our Christmas wishes to Santa, J had warmed up to him a little it. He willingly sat on his lap, eyes fixated on Santa with a look of admiration and curiosity. Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas; after we repeated it for him, Jackson replied with certainty, "Mick-me." Santa then handed him the magical silver bell as Jackson said good-bye.

Jackson meeting Santa

Our family truly loved the Polar Express. Our ride back hope from the North Pole was full of Christmas Carols and Jackson has since been completely in love with the silver bell.

Sunday Funday began with Mickey pancakes (you know your in for a good day now). After trying to see Santa one last time, we surrendered the insane 2 hour line to snap photos by the Christmas scene. 

Christmas cookies were next! At first we started Jackson on frosting some cookies. He enjoyed it, but once he saw the sprinkles he was in love!

Jackson was focused on decorating cookies so much that he went through an entire bottle of sprinkles. He loved it! The only thing was that every time that we turned around Jackson was eating another cookie!

After our baking fun, we set our for the snow! Hesitant, as to be expected, Jackson didn't know what to think about the idea of a sled and snow. After one ride down the hill, he was smiling and saying "moorr."

We went down the hill several times, each with a bigger smile. Jackson ended up loving the "slopes."

Family should never be taken for granted. My little angel loved this weekend, and so did I. 

Christmas Card 2013

Holiday cards are one of my favorite parts of Christmas. There is something magical about a hand addressed envelope arriving in the mailbox. I love the anticipation of what is inside and the joy that comes from seeing family pictures or hand signed names.

 

So when it comes to our Christmas card, I take great pride in trying to send a card that brings a smile to those that open it. My goal, to festively capture Jackson's personality.

 

This year it took a few snapshots of little man to find the one that I wanted to use. Each attempt showed a little glimmer into his amazing personality.

 

Focused on a task. When you ask him what he wants for Christmas he will often say "Mick-me", sometimes "Buzz" (Lightyear), and sometimes "quacker" (cracker).

His busy blue eyes, always observant of his surroundings.

 

 Since last year I had wanted to make this below scene a reality for our card. Our tree wasn't yet wrapped so it made it a little difficult to prop on top. Jackson got scared after a few minutes of it on top of his little car and soon wanted nothing to do with that tree any where near his car. I am still obsessed with this.

 

 The photo that won our hearts for our card though was a candid I snapped in my parents backyard. His infectious smile showing off his new pearly whites, glistening eyes full of hope and promise, and tiny little fingers against a coat too old for an innocent little toddler. He is winding down from a big laugh, eager to be made to do it again. Present in the moment, but showing his mind is turning for the what he is getting into next. He is FULL OF JOY.

Love.  

 

May your 2013 holiday be "Nothing but Joy" too!

First Snow

* First real snow of winter. *

 

Determined to not miss such a memorable holiday first I came home on my lunch break to spend it in the snow with J. 

 

He was hesitant at first, unsure of why mom and Grandpa were so excited. He was so innocent to all the fun potential snow has. His hands seemed to get cold quick and we had to distract him back to all its excitement...snowballs!

 

A few snow balls thrown at Grandpa and then several attempts at the dog had him laughing and loving it.

 

With the temperature around the teens though we couldn't play for too long. Hoping we get some more today and a little warm up, next task is a snowman!

 

 

Thankful for these precious moments!



Obsessions of a toddler

Obsess: To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.

It all started with an attempt to familiarize Jackson with the characters he would see in the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. My parents bought him the DVD of Mickey's Christmas Carol. First watch of it he was a curious fury of excited fear. It ended and he said "moor." And so it began...

By the time of the parade he was requesting "Mick-me" periodically with a point to the TV and an adorable attempt to speak like a big kid. The parade only fueled the love by actually seeing Mickey. 

Making your child smile is one pure joy of parenting. I thought I had felt that longing to do what it takes to make Jackson smile before; but then I witnessed him at the parade. Once Mickey waved on the opening float Jackson braved the below freezing weather to see Mickey again at the next float, and the next one, and....with tearful eyes he kept hope till we finally left. His eyes have never shown so much raw emotion for a physical item; hope and love. My heart absolutely melted. 

The next week he incorporated "Mick-me ON" to his vocabulary. This continued to the point of full out tantrum over Thanksgiving week when his request was not fulfilled. Mickey became an obsession. 

I came home with a Mickey for him right before Thanksgiving. Jackson was star-struck. (super-mom or silly decision?) He stood there for a minute and looked back and forth from me to Mickey before finally giving it a hug. Mickey has since been everywhere with us, gone for ride on trucks, been feed bananas, and kissed and high-fived more than anyone. 

Jackson's requests to watch Mickey Christmas Carol only grew. Waking him up turned into an immediate "Mick-me on." He spots Mickey everywhere! Whether it be black Friday shopping, or on a Christmas ornament (which he proceeded to break in hopes of having Mickey closer to him).

Mickey gets kisses and hugs, snuggles and loves (sometimes even before Mom and Dad). Mickey is his best friend.

I even came home from work today and instead of my usual "hi mommy" all I got was "Mick-me on." We finally watched Mickey once before bath time and then as a result of great behavior once more before bed. 

I try my hardest to limit how much he watches Mickey and most importantly when he watches it. I know its only a phase....will it make it to Christmas?

Tis the season

 Counting the days till Christmas was (is) always a joy! Growing up we had a variety of advent calendars, cotton balls on Santa's beard or chocolate pieces in windows of a home. I wanted to create something this year that I could adjust each year but start a tradition. Having started my quest over a month ago, I fell in love with these red burlap bags from Michael's only a week prior. With a little tlc of felt numbering they were ready to be filled! This year, holiday graham crackers, a small coloring book, three reindeer ornaments to hang on the tree, frosted star cookies, and, of course, StickyGram's filled them up! I can not wait for Jackson to start the countdown tonight. 

Homemade advent calendar

Jackson loves books, and now he is even saying the word! Last year he was gifted several wonderful Christmas books. Wanting to incorporate the Elf on a Shelf story for December 1st and the other holiday tales, I wrapped each up and labeled them with a date in December. He has the perfect amount of books for each weekend leading up to Christmas, with two more mixed in. On the dates we will spark his interest in the holiday story by unwrapping a book to read before bed (or maybe nap). I am already excited at the thought of being able to do this for more and more nights each year.  

Ever since I was a little kid my family has gone and cut down a Christmas Tree, almost always the weekend of Thanksgiving. This year was no different, and then entirely different all at the same time. Jackson ooohh'd and aaahh'd at the trees with such purity. When he saw us measuring the bottom of the tree he insisted on helping. 

Jackson measuring our tree to make sure it would fit

Jackson was fascinated with my husband, then my father for his own, sawing the tree down. He enjoyed the fresh air walking around the farm but because mom had him bundled up so well each time he fell over he was like a rolly polly, awkward and stuck, needing help to get back up. With our little helper in tow we found a perfect tree for our home.