Happy 3rd Birthday Lauren!

As much as I want to crawl into bed and crash after a busy weekend decorating the house for Christmas and preparing for Lauren's birthday, I couldn't go let the day end without recognizing her birthday...virtually.

We waited untll today to give Lauren her new bike.  The dining room was decked out in balloons and her bike was waiting for as she came downstairs.

She was excited to finally get it, as we had been talking about this bike for months.  

 She was slightly more excited about the balloons.

 It is just the cutest little girls bike.  Complete with streamers, a basket, and a bell!

We bought it a little on the large side knowing she won't get much use until next year, so  Lauren was a little frustrated starting out.  Hopefully there will be a few nicer days before winter really hits and we can practice.

More pictures to come tomorrow, but I think she enjoyed her day.

 Lots of love to my best girl!

XOXO

Aubrey

25 days of Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  You get to relive the best of Christmas all over again with your kids and do it exactly the way you want.  We get to create our own traditions.  

My family wasn't huge on Christmas traditions.  We didn't make Christmas cookies every year or have a night the family decorated the tree.  But getting to place my favorite ornaments on the tree and make sure my mom left off the ugly ornaments, became a tradition.  And even though we make fun every year, we still look forward to our stockings filled with chapstick, toothpaste, skittles, and if you're really good?  A toothbrush.  The favorite family tradition is reciting lines from "A Christmas Story" and "Christmas Vacation."  

"You serious, Clark?"

Last year, I purchased this little advent calendar that I filled with a hershey kiss for Lauren to enjoy each day.  This year, I stepped up my game with the 25 days of Christmas.  Something big or small that we'll do each day till Christmas!  I wanted to share my list for anyone else interested in a little extra Christmas spirit this year.

25 Days of Christmas

 Drive around and look at Christmas lights

  Decorate the tree

  Make Christmas cookies

  Write a letter to Santa

  Read a Christmas book

 Visit Santa

 Color a Christmas picture

  Watch a Christmas movie

  Make a gingerbread house

  Make a snowman

 Sing Christmas songs/dance party

 Celebrate Lauren's birthday  

  Make Chex Mix

 Read Twas the Night before Christmas

  Drink hot cocoa with marshmallows

Go sledding with daddy

 Put out the nativity and tell the story of baby Jesus

 Do a Christmas Craft with mommy

 Wear new Christmas jammies

 Make a card and mail it to special friend

  Build a fort and have dinner inside it

 Breakfast for dinner

  Do a Christmas craft with friends

  Put out cookies and milk for Santa

Celebrate Christmas Day

I did have to strategicly place each day's activity to make sure it worked with our calendar and will be moving things around should there be no snow or snow for certain activities!

Lauren was pretty excited to get her candy and write Santa a letter today.  She wished Santa a happy birthday in her letter and asked for a dollhouse.  A seed I planted because she hasn't asked for one thing...except snacks.  Seriously, this kid would be happy with a box filled with snacks that she could eat ALL DAY LONG!

The house is starting to get decorated...a little sneak peek at my Christmas wreath.  

What are your traditions?  Tell me.  I triple-dog-dare ya:)


XOXO


Aubrey