Whilwind December

I blinked yesterday and today is December 20th. What whaaaaat?!

We have been packed to the gills with parties and festive holiday cheer every day since December 1st. Don't believe me? Here's the breakdown:

On December 1st Marin and I kicked off the holiday season with Moms Together/Kids Together. Marin made a craft (a "Jesus is King" crown that I later had to wear to the dry cleaners because we were playing princess and queen) and played with some friends while I listened to Christmas carols and sipped hot coco stirred with a peppermint stick. That night I attended a Christmas party with my mom and her neighbor friends. We had a fun gift exchange and a delicious sit down dinner.

The next day we really kicked it into gear. Jason took a vacation day to stay with the kids while my mom, Aunt Vee, 2 of her friends and I hit the Geneva House Walk, Friday afternoon. We toured five gorgeous professionally decorated homes all decked to the extreme with holiday goodness. Always a favorite day for me. That evening we all met up with Jason, the girls and my dad, and walk up town Geneva for the Christmas Walk. The Christmas walk is a holiday tradition in Geneva stretching back longer than I can remember, where the merchants stay up late, and the street is bustling with carolers, roasted chestnuts on the open fire and carriage rides. Santa comes to greet all of the children, and light the 50 foot Christmas tree in the center of town. Santa Lucia, a Swedish custom, arrives by horse drawn carriage and hands out treats to all of the children. There is ice carving, and a candy cane pull when Graham's makes homemade candy canes and presents the first official candy cane of the season to the Mayor. There is also a live nativity with real animals- a favorite of Marin's this year. In fact, even with all the candy and hot chocolate she consumed, at the end of the night she said her favorite part was "the baby Jesus." Maybe she'll be a nun. Probably not. Emilie stayed snug as a bug in her stroller smiling away and didn't make a peep all night.


The next day, Saturday the 3rd, all four of us loaded the polar express for the North Pole. The elves that took us there lead everyone in Christmas Carols on the way, and our seats were all decked out. Every child received a jingle bell when they loaded, and they jingled them the whole way there. When we got to the North Pole, Marin saw Parker was there too! Together they made a craft with the elves, a stuffed dog that they dressed up in a Santa suit. Then we headed over to meet some of Santa's reindeer. I don't know who was most in awe- Jason and I, or Marin and Emilie. They were really cool. Then we headed over to see Santa and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. Emilie happily sat on his lap smiling, but Marin was happier to stand nearby. Marin told Santa she wanted a sleeping bag, a firetruck, some tools, and dollies. We said goodbye to Santa and headed inside to meet Mrs. Clause where we all had a cookie and listened her read us the Polar Express story. What a great day!

That evening, Jason's brother Brandon, his wife Holly, and Marin and Emilie's cousins, Brady and Camdyn arrived! We all walked to dinner down the street and while we waited for our table, walked to the popcorn shop. After a yummy dinner, we headed back home where all the kids hit the hay and the adults stayed up way too late, having a lot of fun. Highly regretted the next morning, but so fun!

The next day we all went to Chicago to the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. The kids loved it! Aunt Lindsay met us there, which was an added bonus. They jumped and played and slide and rode the carousel. Marin and Cammi decorated a sugar cookie and took a train ride. We headed home exhausted from a great weekend.

Monday night, December 5th the girls and I went to an ornament exchange at my mom's house with her former teacher friends. Marin was thrilled to be a party, and Emilie got to play with two other sweet babies, both born within weeks of her. That night we put our shoes outside our bedroom door since the next day was St. Nicholas Day. St. Nick brought the girls a Elf on the Shelf plate and bowl. (more on our elf in another post).

December 6th we got a real thrill at dinner time, when Santa called our house! He asked to speak with Marin, and there were jingle bells in the background from his reindeer. Santa told Marin that she had been such a good girl helping her mommy and daddy with her sister, Emilie. He told her to be sure to keep listening to mommy and daddy so that she could get that sleeping bag she's been wanting. He even said to say hello to her dog, Norah! Marin was thrilled!!!! She talked to him, and thanked him for calling and then told everyone she knew that Santa called her.

December 8th, the girls and I headed to my grandparents house to help my grandma make Christmas cookies. This is a fairly new tradition, but one that reminds me of making Christmas cookies with my grandma when I was Marin's age. We frosted over 200 cookies that day, and made a triple batch of another favorite that my cousins and I know only as "the apricot ones". And we ended the day together with a tea party- even Marin had real tea!

Our plans to meet Ross and Emilie in the city for dinner on the 9th were derailed when Ross' flight was cancelled. But, my parents were already set to watch the girls after one of their holiday parties, and the kids were so excited, so the girls were able to enjoy some time with Grandma and Grandpa while Jason and I went out for a quiet dinner, just the two of us.

The next day Marin was invited to Violet's 4th birthday party, and loved spending the morning decorating gingerbread men with all of her friends, in their personalized gingerbread man aprons. This was Marin's first birthday party without Jason or I there, and she did great and had a great time! We picked Marin up from Violet's party and headed to Joy and Lily's birthday party at the recreation center. Marin loved seeing Joy, Lily and Olivia, and had a ball singing and dancing along with the children's musician they brought in for their party. Even Emilie got in on the bopping and dancing.

That evening, Jason and I headed to our neighbors house for a Christmas party. It was so festive, had a lot of delicious food, and we had a great time chatting with all of our neighbors.

The next day, December 11th, we peeled ourselves from our beds once again, (I swear we don't have problems; just, you know- 'tis the season! ), Marin and I met three other neighbors and their children, plus my mom and dad in St. Charles to see "Scrooge, The Musical." It was a great musical at our small but fabulous community theatre. Sydney, one of our neighbor children, was one of the few children in the production, and she did an amazing job! She seemed much more like a 20 year old, than the poised 10 year old that she is. I loved taking Marin to her first play, and she loved all of the music and pointing out Sydney everytime she came on stage.

Monday, December 12th Marin had her last Monday school for the year. They had celebrated and sang songs all day long, and talked about the story of Bethlehem.

A few night later, on Wednesday the 14th, I hosted an ornament exchange at my house for our Geneva friends. There were about 17 of us, and when Jason had to be out of town at the last minute, the girls were here as well. Marin really wanted to stay up for the party, but she was exhausted, so my mom helped me put both girls to bed, and they didn't make a peep for the whole party. We had a great time together. I love throwing a party! What is better than your friends laughter filling your home?

The next morning we headed to Mika's house in our jammies for what I hope will become our first annual Christmas PJ playdate! Such great fun! All of the little babies were there in their pj's and my friends and I wore ours, too. Perfection! Still in her jammies, Marin earned a trip to the cupcake store with Grandma and Grandpa for being such a good little pumpkin during my ornament exchange. That night we met Abby and Jeff and Erica and Craig at a new wood fired pizza place in town. Food was delish and time with friends was the best part.

Friday was my mom's birthday, and we spent the day together starting with breakfast together that morning, where Emilie had her first "real" food, bananas. We took Marin to school together, and then shopped along Third Street until it was time to pick Marin up. After we picked her up, we all went out for what Marin called a "fancy lunch". A great day spent together.

After naps for the girls, Jason and I and the girls headed downtown to Molly and Brian's house for our 8th annual Conti/Patterson Christmas dinner. Molly cooked a delicious meal as always, and gave both of the girls perfect presents that they have been playing with ever since. Molly surprised me with a home made pillow made out of her bridesmaids dress from my wedding. The night ended on a high note when we all cracked up when Marin, so exhausted, peed right on the floor. Nothing like leaving our mark.

The next day, Saturday the 17th, we headed to Chuck E Cheese for Alex's 2nd birthday party and when we were all played out, headed straight to Little Monkey Bizness for Finn and Tripp's birthday party! Our friends rented out the entire facility, and the kids had a great time playing with their friends and eating yummy treats. When Santa arrived for a surprise visit, that was truly the icing on the cake! Marin told us that she'd already talked to Santa, but when he called she and Emilie by name, she headed right up there and listened when he said they'd been good girls this year. Although Emilie almost landed herself on the naughty list when we kept pulling Santa's beard.

With all of the nonstop events, Jason and I decided to forgo the three holiday parties we had been invited to that night, and instead used our babysitter to see a movie together. We got a few drinks together afterward and came home to happy little munchkins.

Sunday, the 18th, we woke up to snow! Marin asked to play in it right away, and Jason jumped at the chance. They made a snowman, appropriately named Frosty (truth be told, Marin first named him Daddy). After frosty was complete they came inside for hot chocolate, and together we all headed to see the Nutcracker. The dance company where Marin takes ballet put it on, but Marin's class was too little to participate. Still, with children aged 3 1/2 through high school participating, it was adorable and we even got to see many of our friends performing! Marin and Emilie loved it; watching the stage very intently, and even dancing along to the music at parts. In fact, I expected Emilie to just sort of be along for the ride, but she bounced and smiled and had the time of her life.

We came right home from the Nutcracker to put the finishing touches on hosting my mom's birthday dinner. A few minutes later, Uncle Jake, Aunt Katy, Great Uncle John, GG and OG, and Grandma and Grandpa came over for a fun celebration of my mom and a nice dinner together. The perfect way to spend the afternoon!

That night, Marin was invited to a Christmas sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and she got to open a new present from Mommy and Daddy for the occasion. When she opened her Grinch PJ's, she screamed, "OH MY GOSH!! I LOVE IT!!!" and hugged them tightly to her chest. Grandma and Grandpa started their Christmas sleepover by driving all around to see beautiful Christmas lights. Then they all jammied up, and watched the Chipmunks Christmas. A huge hit with Marin.

Yesterday we had a mommy/daughter casual lunch at Panera. Today we had a playdate with Kai in his awesome basement playroom! Then we finished up our Christmas shopping in front of the big tree!

We've been busy (on top of all of this I've shopped for and wrapped over 150 presents), but we love packing in the fun, and feel so lucky to share the season with the best friends and family on the planet. We've had so much fun listening to Christmas music. Marin has learned all the words to all of her favorite songs- among them is Jingle Bell Rock.

Of course the fun will continue in the coming weeks! This week we have a cookie making playdate, a Christmas tea, and even a special lunch with Daddy. And then, as Marin says, "To Sunday, Santa's gonna come down our chimney aaaaand.....leeeeeave....PRESENTS!!!!!