Winter Decorating

I gave Maddie and Sydney Christmas cookie cutters that they dipped in red and green paint and stamped on paper. It turned out really cute.

In the afternoon we took down our fall window gel clings and put up winter ones. I love them because even if the girls tear them you can stick them back together easily.

Making Ornaments

I gave Sydney some pipe cleaners and let her fill them with pony beads. I then shaped the pipe cleaners into ornament shapes that Sydney asked for (a ball and a candy cane). I didn't get to take pictures of her actually making them because a two year old nearby was determined to spill the bowl of beads :) I had planned to do this activity during Maddie's nap time but it was so beautiful outside that we played in the courtyard most of the afternoon. Anyway here are pictures of Sydney's ornaments. She was very proud of her hard work.

The Polar Express

We visited the North Pole and Santa's workshop tonight as we rode "The Polar Express," based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. We took a ton of pictures so I've posted them with captions below. Enjoy!

Entering the station dressed in our PJ's and ready to head to the North Pole!

Waiting to board.

Getting hot cocoa, Yum!

Opening up our chocolate candies.

The view outside. There were golden presents on each window for decorations.

The conductor telling us we're almost there!

Getting warm scarves.

"Little Red Riding Hood" (we just saw Hoodwinked on Amazon :)

Maddie enjoying her hot cocoa.

Elves greet us when we arrive.

"Merry Christmas!"

Seated inside the theater waiting for the show to begin.

Me and my girls <3

The Elves singing "Jingle Bells."

The boy in "The Polar Express" is all grown up and is now reading the story to the audience. 

Sydney and Maddie meeting Santa. 

 Santa picks a child from the audience to choose the first gift of Christmas. This was planned out with the child asking for a bell from the harness of one of Santa's reindeer as they reenact the story. Then the child asks that everyone gets a silver bell too!

Ready to head back home.

Maddie getting her silver bell.

Posing with our silver bells.

Playing "Princess Go Fish" until we arrive at the station. We had a great time!!

Polar Express Video

Here is a video from the train ride to the North Pole...

Holiday Decorating

In our home we put up Christmas decorations during Thanksgiving weekend. That's how my family did it when I was growing up and Andrew and I have continued this tradition with our family. We don't go all out, just the tree and some small holiday decor in the house. The girls hung most of the ornaments. I sat in the rocker and gave them ornaments while Andrew helped them securely hang them to the tree. We only lost one ornament, nothing sentimental, so I consider the decorating a success :)

Setting up the tree, Maddie is reading along with her directions :) 

Sydney decorating the stairs. 

Nice work, Syd! 

I hung some Christmas lights in the playroom and later found the girls coloring in the dark (except for the lights). Sydney brought out markers and coloring books to share with Maddie. Such a caring sister, she even shared her favorite journal for Maddie to color in.