Christmas Preparations

Even before December arrived, Kate and Rose were already anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Elf, aptly named Elfy by Owen many, many moons ago. We had gotten a small Christmas stocking in some junk mail mid-November, and Rose immediately claimed it for Elfy. She hung it up on the front door hinge - the same place where Elfy arrives at our home every year. Every day they would check to see if Elfy had come. And every day I'd remind them that it wasn't even December yet! 

Finally December arrived! Elfy used to come on December 1st, but that proved too difficult with different school schedules for all the kids, so he instead decided to arrive on the first Saturday of December. This year, December 2nd was the big day! The day of Elfy's arrival!

Elfy was found hiding in the stocking that Rose had hung for him. He had brought a note directly from the big guy himself - Santa Claus! The kids gathered around to listen to what Santa had to say.

Poor Kate was under the weather and didn't want to leave the couch so Shane re-read the letter to her.

Later that day, we had planned to visit Santa for brunch at the golf course. With Kate sick, Aria and I stayed behind to take care of her, and instead, Nana Judy, Popi Dave and Uncle Jason were able to attend with the rest of our crew.

Rose made sure to bring her Christmas list with all new items that she had not mentioned previously. Santa sure had some work to do!

Over the following weeks, we worked to get the Christmas tree decorated. It was a several day process, and the kids quickly lost interest. So we shifted our focus to hanging our most sentimental ornaments and called it good. 

Owen insisted on putting the star on the tippy top of the tree...one handedly as he broke his collarbone a week before. It proved a difficult task with a broken collarbone, but he gave it his best attempt. 

Later that night, we celebrated El Dia de las Velitas with a delicious Colombian meal. We then bundled up and ventured outside with candles in tow to decorate the yard. We were a few days late (it's celebrated on December 7th, the eve of the Immaculate Conception), but for us a weekend celebration tends to be the most joyful without having to rush through the festivities.  

December has sure flown by for me (the shopping, the wrapping, the planning, oh my!), but it's a different story for the kids. They have been counting down the days which are seemingly taking forever and are eager for the big day to finally arrive.