Meeting Santa & Christmas Parties

On Wednesday we took Jake to see Santa. I give it a 5. Wasn't horrible, but wasn't great either. I feel like he would have done better if we had given him a chance to warm up to Santa, but the line was getting long. So basically we took him from the stroller & sat him in Santa's lap. He was not happy. He didn't cry, but he certainly didn't want Santa holding him. I wouldn't have minded if he cried though. Call me morbid, but I think photos of Santa holding the screaming kid are hilarious. My mom used to put out all our photos of us with Santa through the years. Our favorite ones were the one's that one of us was crying. Those make stories so much entertaining! But Jake wouldn't cry or smile. He just looked irritated. All well!

At the house once we got home. Much happier.

Jake's class had their Christmas party on Friday. Jake got to eat a cupcake for the first time. He loved it as well as all of the other treats. He cleaned his plate! He is the funniest thing to watch eat. He acts like someone is going to steal his food. You have to watch him closely, because he'll keep cramming food in his mouth!

Sweet little Luke beside him. Luke is a month older than Jake, but Jake is twice his size. Look at the difference of the amount of food left on their plates. Jake kept eyeing the food that Luke was leaving behind.

He really enjoyed the cupcake!

On Saturday night, our friends Travis & Paulette hosted everyone over at their house for a Christmas party. Such a wonderful time! We are so blessed to get to celebrate such an amazing holiday with such special friends.

Daddy & Jake

Since their were no stairs, the kids kept wanting to play under one of the tables.

Other fun - looking out the back doors & fighting over the ornament hanging from the door handle.

The kids telling Dru bye-bye

Our family

Well, this is probably going to be the last post before Christmas. On Wednesday we leave for Prattville, and then we will visit Birmingham. We'll come back on Sunday, but minus 1 person. Jake's daycare is closed the week between Christmas & New Year's, so he'll be staying with our parents. He'll stay with Robbie's parents part of the week & my parents the other part. It seemed like a great idea a few months ago, but now that it is actually here, it is not so easy. I've been away from Jake for 4 days twice before, but never for a week. I know that it will be good for us, plus will give him a chance to spend time with his awesome grandparents. At least we have New Year's to occupy us! One of Robbie's best friends from high school, Robbie P. and his wife Denise are coming down from Delaware to visit & stay with us. So excited!! We just hope that they will be able to get out of the state with all that snow!

Jake not being very nice for Santa. His shirt says "Who needs Santa when I have Grandma?". If he doesn't start acting nice (which includes smiling for me when I try to take his picture), Santa may not be bringing him anything & he will have to depend only on Nana & Mimi. Ha! (Actually, I felt pretty bad for him. He has teeth coming in all over the place. He has 4 coming in on the bottom and we think some on top. We just can't get a good view of the top gums. Poor little guy!)

I wanted to post a video of pictures of Jake for his birthday since he'll be celebrating his 1st birthday Christmas Eve. But I just don't think I'll get to it before we leave. (I'm still finishing up birthday party #1 decor & I still haven't even thought about the menu.) So the video will have to wait until after his birthday. Either way, we cannot wait to celebrate with him!

Getting everything ready

This Christmas is going to be so very special for us. We hope that you & your family have a very Merry Christmas as well! If you are traveling, please travel safe. Take care & God bless!

(PS - Our Christmas card came in Saturday. I folded, stuffed, stamped & labeled all of them in about an hour & then ran them to the post office to go out in the late pick up mail. So who knows when people will actually receive them! Hopefully before Christmas!)