Merry Christmas to ALL

Merry Christmas to all of our Family and Friends. Hoping you have a holiday season full of love, happiness and laughter.

Love,
Sean, Bonnie, Emma, Abby and Miley

P.S. I will be taking a Christmas break from blogging. See everyone soon.

We have been "ELF"ed!!!

Check us out:

Click here to see us "ELF'ed. Make sure you check out all 5 versions. Just click on try another dance and it will bring up all the options.
ENJOY!!

Christmas Books

Over the years we have accumulated many Christmas books. So to make it more exciting to read them, I found this idea on another Blog (didn't bookmark the blog...now I can't find it). I wrapped up 18 Christmas books all in the same paper except for one. The idea is that the girls take turns unwrapping a book each night and then we read it. Wrapping them up makes it more exciting to unwrap and the surprise of finding out which book it will be. The book wrapped in different paper is for Christmas Eve...The Night Before Christmas. The girls have really enjoyed this and it will be a tradition I hope to do every year (only expense is the wrapping paper).

I put the books in a basket under the tree.

Family

Not sure if have posted about this before but if I did it is definitely worth saying again and again.

After my Grandmother (my Mom's Mom) died 17 years ago there was worry that the family of 3 brothers, 4 sisters and many grandchildren would loose contact. This was definitely hard for my Mom as well as me. I have many fond memories of the entire family cramming into my Grandmother's small row house in Highlandtown (now Canton) for Christmas, Easter and Birthday celebrations. There would be plenty of food, fun and family.

It seemed like after Grandmom West died there was a lull in the family gatherings. My Mom was always willing to have the entire family over at anytime. Then 9 years ago my Mom passed away. Several years went by without seeing the family together all at once. Just like my Mom I cherish my family and love to spend time with them.

So 6 years ago I started a new tradition: a Family Christmas Party in hopes of getting the family together as least once a year. I know this is a busy time for everyone, yet everyone seems to make it and have fun.

Yesterday was the 6th gathering and another one I will cherish. I have family that comes from the Eastern shore has far as Ocean City and family that comes from West Virginia. I try to spend time with everyone and catch up on the year's happenings. I know my Grandmother and Mom are just as happy as me to see everyone together.

(Aunt Jean, Uncle Tommy, Aunt Maryann, Uncle Dick, Aunt Gail and Uncle Carl - my Mom's brothers and sisters)

I want to thank my family for sharing in this wonderful day.

Dear Santa

The girls wrote their "Dear Santa" letters yesterday and then delivered them to him today. Abby did great...huge difference than in the past few years. Two years ago we saw Santa 4 times before she would even stand within 5 feet of him. The MAGIC of Christmas has the girls very excited.

Naughty or Nice

So which list will you be on this Christmas? This past weekend we started a Naughty and Nice list to help keep the girls in line. Then I remembered an idea from last year. Several people we know did this, so we decided to give it a try.

Have you heard of Elf on a Shelf??? If you haven't, basically it is a "pretend" elf that sits on a shelf or somewhere in the house and watches to make sure you are being good. Check our this website to read more about the original idea: https://elfontheshelf.com/indexnf.php

I personnally think the official Elf on a Shelf is a little creepy. So my friend Julie had an idea to get an elf from the Disney store since they have the new Disney Christmas show "Prep and Landing".

So this morning Magee the Elf appeared on top of a bookshelf in our living room. On the dining room table was this letter:

Dear Emma and Abby,

My name is Magee and I am an elf. I have been sent to your house by Santa Claus. Santa is very busy this time of year and needs help making his Naughty and Nice lists.

My job is to keep my eyes on you for Santa. I will come to your house everyday and sit somewhere where I can see you. I will make sure you are being good. Every night I will report back to Santa and let him know if you were Naughty or Nice.

I have strict instructions not to talk to anyone while I am in your house. You however can talk to me. If you have a message that you want to give Santa just let me know and I will make sure he gets it.

Another important thing to remember is that you cannot play with me or touch me. I have an important job to do and Santa doesn't want me playing around.

Santa has told me that the two of you are very good girls but sometimes have a little trouble listening your Mom and Dad. I know it is hard to be good all the time but just remember I am watching for Santa.

I hope I can let Santa know that you are good so he can keep you on the Nice List.

I have left a little book for each of you. This book will help you get ready for Santa's arrival.

Thanks for letting me visit you.

Your Elf Friend,

Magee

You can find the book here: http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-disney-prep-and-landing/?cmp=otc-abc_prepandlanding

When Emma first found Magee she said...."she is just a stuffed animal, look she is soft." Emma is asking lots of questions about Santa. Can't believe she is so curious at 6. I've had to be quick on my feet. Then before we left the house I heard Abby say...."Bye Magee, we are going to school and Mommy and Daddy are going to work." It was really cute.

The girls were pretty good tonight, hopefully this will work.

So the plan is for Magee to perch herself in a different spot everytime she returns in the morning. Hopefully this will keep the girls on the Nice List.

P.S. Abby said tonight that Santa lives at the North "pool"!!!!