Alanna didn't waste any time constructing her Lego cupcake shop. She had it completed in two days and wanted to show everyone she knows.
In a bit of a recreation from 4 years ago, I decorated the basement in a Hawaiian theme to announce that we are going to Hawaii in April!!! The kids were a bit shocked and confused with the non Christmas decor, but Paul caught on right away and then they were so excited! We had Pina Colada's and reminisced about our previous trip to Maui, and we told them all that we will soon explore on Oahu!
From Santa: Jackson - ukulele, which he didn't ask for but he has absolutely loved teaching himself how to play. Paul: Lumosity, a computer game that helps increase memory and strategy skills, Alanna: a green papason chair, she loves all things green lately and loves to cuddle up in her special chair to read books. Blaze: a set of Star Wars ships from Costco that he had his heart set on for months. I knew it wasn't as cool as he'd hoped, but it's what he really, really wanted and was begging for!
Also, we got a ping pong table top to go over the pool table. Many hours have been spent by all trying to perfect our serves and beat James!
My baby is growing up too fast, so I'm trying to enjoy times like this when he willingly wears a silly reindeer hat and loves it.
Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without Santa leaving a can of Pringles and chocolate covered cherries for each child!
It's Christmas, not Easter, Paul!
Sibling gifts are the best! They are still my favorite gifts to give! We spent about 1.5 hours a the dollar store letting the kids shop for each other. They are turning into very thoughtful gift givers! Blaze gave Jackson his own jar of "sugar peanut butter" so he could eat it with a spoon and not get in trouble for dipping into the family jar!
Paul has a love for sour tastes like Warheads, and pickle juice! Jackson knew he'd love these!
Alanna had said she wanted some silly dark hair extensions while at the dollar store, and so she got them. Blaze picked out Sparklers for her, and they were one of her favorite presents as she anticipated using them to celebrate New Year's.
And there were lots of chips. I think dollar store chips are probably the worst of the worst in taste and quality, but these kids never get chips so they don't know any better I guess!
Alanna was so thoughtful and gave me a mani/pedi set!
While I was helping Blaze shop, he found some beef and cheese flavored doggie treats that he thought would be fun to get for James. We were laughing so hard because we had just watched the movie "Elf", and there is a line about stinky beef and cheese. There was even "Elf" themed wrapping paper there that we couldn't resist getting just to wrap the doggie treats in. James was pretty entertained too, and Paul even volunteered to eat one. He didn't get far though, after the "treat" was in his face, he dared only lick it instead!
And then...James opened the Chewbacca suit from me! He was so creeped out by the one Michelle had for Halloween, that when Andrew told me he was getting a Chewie mask, we just had to get the rest of the suit. That's why it was hilarious that Luke got James Chewie boxers as well! I got James on video as he opened the mask from his brother, Andrew, and by then he thought there was a conspiracy to make a fool out of him!
No worries though, the costume will not go to waste! The kids love wearing it, and so do I. Wookie p.j.'s are so warm and snuggly!
James finally obliged and put on the outfit for a picture. I'm sure it's the first and only time we will ever see him in it!
How cute is my Blazer-bull-rooni!
