Goodbye Elf on the Shelf

Since Thanksgiving we have had a visitor at our house. The Elf on the Shelf! He is a tradition we started a few years back for Taylor. He comes out at Thanksgiving and leaves on Christmas Eve. His purpose is to sit around our house and each night he reports to Santa what he has observed.(Good or bad) Each morning he is in a different spot and the kids have to find him. They are not allowed to touch him or he loses his magic. Anyways, Taylor was older when we first got him but the twins are a perfect age for this...It is amazing how well he has helped me out this month...He moves to the playroom when it needs cleaning..to watch and see that everyone does their share. He is just great! I just want to keep him out year round. Of course Maddie had a bad day and told me she "was done with him" he needed to leave! So I guess tonight his job will be done and he will report to Santa for the last time. See ya next year Elf~ Merry Christmas~

***Thanks Christy I borrowed your picture**

Christmas Party!

Today the girls had their Christmas party at school. They had been sick yesterday...but I didn't want them to miss out. They made crafts and got lots of goodies. Here are a few pictures...enjoy!

My Angels~

The girls preschool had a Christmas program the other night. They were so cute singing their songs. Madison and Ashley were angels...at the last minute they ran short of donkeys for the play. They asked the girls to switch and be donkeys...Ashley and Maddie quickly told them no!!! They were going to be princesses (i don't know where princesses fit in with the Christmas program) but they thought that because she wore a crown/halo.

SANTA

Tonight we took the girls to see Santa. It is amazing the difference a year makes. Last year Peyton(my brother's daughter) cried and was frightened of Santa. Madison was on the verge of tears and would not talk to him. Now this year... Peyton went running up to him, as all three girls jumped on his lap. Santa then asked the girls what they wanted for Christmas....Ashley would not hush...she went on and on listing every toy in the toy store. Peyton and Madison hardly had a chance to respond. Needless to say everyone in line was ready for us to go.

Christmas lights....Colored or Clear?

The past few days we have been working hard to get all of our Christmas decorations out. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love decorating. My favorite is my Christmas tree! Every year since we got married Jon and I argue as to what lights we should use on the tree! I like the multi colored and he likes nothing but clear! So we have just rotated each year...one year it is clear the next multi colored...until last year!!! I found the best tree ever. Our tree now has both. It came with a remote control so you can either have all white or all multi colored. Yes I know...very cool! The kids do nothing but play with the remote(so it really looks like we have a blinking tree)...but when I am here I have it set on colored and when Jon gets home he turns them to clear! I took some pictures...but my camera did not do the tree justice (I have a new camera on my Christmas list) Anyways~ Jon and I are both happy...Tis the season!