I know I’m a little behind with the whole kids meeting Santa bit. There was always some reason we never went to see him, but we finally did it. Our wonderful MMOCO (moms group) hosted a fabulous Christmas party complete with Santa and Santa’s Elf (Kim, you were AWESOME!!!). As you can guess the twinzies were VERY excited to meet Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas. Shenzie ran right up with no fear, sat on his lap, and told him she wanted Belle (Princess Belle).

Heaten talked big, but when the time came he chickened out and didn’t want to sit with Santa. He did however manage to tell Santa he wants [another] choo choo train.

We’re working on starting our own family traditions so each night the twinzies excitedly open their Advent Calender Candy and we read a Christmas story and sing a Christmas song. My family tradition when I was growing up was one I want to carry on. We got to open one gift on Christmas Eve as well as our Christmas Pj’s. The twinzies will each get to open their Christmas Pj’s and we’ve decided to let them open one family gift (a Thomas the Train board game that we’ll play together as part of the festivities) and they each get to open their stocking DVD’s. We will bake cookies for Santa Christmas eve and sprinkle our Magical Reindeer Dust (such a wonderful idea from my MMOCO Group). I’m not quite sure what is in the bag (mushed up cookies with sprinkles or something), and tied with a ribbon around the bag is this poem:

The Legend of Magical Reindeer Dust

It has once been said,
That right before you go to bed,
You should sprinkle magic reindeer food,
to quickly bring Santa and his brood.
For many years the legend has been told,
To boys and girls, both young and old,
Sprinkle the food throughout your yard,
Then finding your house won’t be so hard!
The reindeer can smell the food for 100 miles.
Just do not leave it in big piles!
After you do this you must go to sleep fast,
So Santa and his reindeer will not pass!!

Christmas morning will start bright and early I’m sure with their Santa gift left out under the tree (Shake Shake Bridge Thomas Track for Heaten and Belle along with a baby depot (changing station, high chair, bed, etc.) for Shenzie. Their stockings will be stuffed full of yummy treats, toys, and games and then they can open presents from us and any other gifts they receive. This Christmas will be my second Christmas without my sisters and family (my first was a visit to Jeff in Canada in 2004). This will also be our first Christmas without Grandma Bea who was such a HUGE part of Christmas my entire life. I’m so so sad to be away from my family, but thanks to Skype we’ll at least be able to “see” them. I’m SO excited for Christmas this year and of course Shenzie and Heatens excitement makes it even more fun!