Mid-December

Some of our Advent activities have been a little more low-key over the last week, from watching The Miracle on 34th Street, to shopping for our toys to donate, watching The Polar Express, attending Avonlea Jane's Christmas concert,  seeing Santa Claus at the mall, and driving around Salem to see Christmas lights. Our bigger endeavors over the last week were making a gingerbread train and hosting our Meetup group's annual holiday party. 

Avonlea Jane in her last week of school this year. 

When heading out in the rain one night this week, David stopped me to say I looked just like Dillon. 

As for another pair of siblings, Avonlea Jane has started giving Will "he-he" rides, just like Daddy. Occasionally, she has to limit how many she gives out in a day, and Will doesn't care for hard limits. 

Getting ready for Avonlea Jane's Henny Penny Song Fest and keeping busy with the Nook

Will has been adept at using the Nook for quite some time, but Daddy is always impressed. (Avonlea Jane even figured out how to make her own purchases on the Nook. Uh-oh.)

The little kids filing in

Avonlea Jane is a little to the right of Mrs. Hermann, who is the teacher on the left. 

Partway through the program, there was a surprise visitor.

After her song fest, we headed to the mall to get pictures taken with Santa. 

Will had no interest in actually sitting on Santa's lap.

Later that night, after receiving a huge box in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa, the kids all colored their enclosed elf masks. 

Also included in our giant box was a gingerbread train kit. Will was torn between wanting to play with candy and wanting to play with his new horse he named Court. When we went to go see Santa at the mall, we also stopped by Barnes and Noble, and Will found this little horse. "Want he-he, Mama. Want he-he now, Mama. Peez. Horse now, peez." How could one say no to that, even if it is so close to Christmas? It was the most words he's ever put together.