Until Next Year Sylvester

I am really truly going to miss this guy. We don't do any crazy elf things. He doesn't get into mischief. He doesn't roll our bathroom. He just quietly moves from spot to spot. The kids talk to him every morning and say hello, and apologize to him when they're bad. 

The look on their face each morning when they go look for his new spot is priceless.This year he left a goodbye letter for the kids. 

It read:

Dear Josh and Jules:

I want to say goodbye. To Santa I must go. I will miss you both very much. I have enjoyed seeing you both get so excited about Christmas. Please always remember that Christmas is not just about presents, but being kind to others. Jesus taught us that, and that is why Santa flies on Christmas Eve. 

Jules: I've enjoyed watching you clean your room and use your manners. You are a very polite little girl. Remember to not take off your socks and shoes and throw them in the floor when you walk in the door. And eat your vegetables!!!

Josh: sometimes you are the sweetest boy. And other times you've been naughty. Santa and I have been watching!! Please remember to always be polite. No bad words, no hitting, and no whining!! Be nice and play fair. You are a good boy, I know it!

I love you both very much as does Santa. I hope he brings you lots of presents. Read my book again and always remember me. 

Love,

Sylvester

 I love our Elf, Sylvester. Until next year my friend.

Our First Nutcracker "Date"

This will top my list and my memories as one of the very favorite days with my daughter. I decided this year will be the year that Jules and I would try to go see The Nutcracker. They have a "Mini Nutcracker" which I would have preferred, but tickets went soooo fast, so the big girl Nutcracker at TPAC in Nashville would be the way to go! It was a risky move, since tickets were over $100 for the both of us, so it would have been an expensive mistake if she hated it.

She couldn't have been a better girl, and the afternoon was absolutely lovely. We went to lunch downtown beforehand at a place called Demo's. She requested spaghetti, so what better place than Italian? About 50 people stopped us to tell Jules how pretty she was. She was on her very best behavior the entire time.

The show started and she loved it. It was long, yes, and by the end she was ready to go, but she honestly did amazing. I loved every single second of it. Next year I think we'll try to do the Mini Nutcracker again though.

As special as it all was, I have discovered in my adult life that I still DO NOT LOVE The Nutcracker. I thought maybe it was because I was just a kid? Nope. Yes, I know, I suck. but I honestly hate it. HA!! Isn't that horrible? It's the most boring this ever. It's like CATS the musical but with no singing. Everybody just gets a ballet solo. But Jules loved, it so I loved it with her. It's one of those mother/daughter tradition things that I've looked forward to since the day she was born. It was incredibly special.

But maybe next year going the "shorter route" will help out this mama. Hehe.

I promise she's excited!

Tried to set the camera up to take our picture. Kind of a fail. Need a tripod!

Phone picture. She got to pose with one of the ballerinas from the show!

My little Eloise at the Plaza.

And don't feel sorry for Josh, he got a super date too. He got to go with his daddy to the Titans game!

Brunch With Santa 2014

This morning was their annual "Brunch with Santa" at their school. I love their little school so much. Im going to miss everyone when they go to big school. that which will not be named, as I can't believe they are getting that old. 


The little kiddos are all so sweet, and their Santa is so great with them!

Speaking of Christmas this year, Sylvester the Elf is back and they love, love, love him! My kids are just uber happy to find him every morning. We don't go all out crazy with him. I just move him from spot to spot, but the kids think its the greatest thing ever, so why mess with it? But, if you must, this post I did a while back is getting some crazy attention via Pinterest right now My little Joshy is ga-ga over Christmas this year. It's doesn't hurt that his best buddy in the whole world is his stuffed Gingerbread Man (Gingy) from last Christmas. I love, LOVE this time of year!!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see our day-to-day activities!

Oh hey look! I got in one! I've been good too!

On Josh: Sweater & Cords: Gap//Button Down: Janie and Jack//Shoes: Crocs (first and only pair - but they're boots and wool lined! They're cool, promise!!)
On Jules: Top and Dress: Jelly The Pug//Pants: Matilda Jane//Shoes: European Brand

Little Darlings

First Meeting with Santa 2014, and a Look Back at Years Past

Holy Moly where have the years gone??? As in tradition, we spent the first Saturday in December at the local Brentwood Library for our Breakfast with Santa. You can see years past here and here. We didn't go last year as we went to Disney (WAH! How was THAT a year ago?)

But, we ventured again this year. Brentwood Library does a fun little morning with Santa meetings, letters to Santa, face paintings, food, carolers, and the familiar and sweet magic show by Scott Humston. So fun!!



Snack Time:

Snack time lol!

2011! Seriously how cute is she? 

2012 - We got juice again!

Santa Pics!

And now its time to walk down memory lane.

2011 - Jules refused to sit in his lap. So, she took the stool at his feet. Ha!

2012 - I had to intervene again lol. Jules was so scared.

This year the magic show was magical for this guy!

Seriously, as soon at Scott came out, Josh says: "You know, Mommy, magicians (or however he pronounced it, ha!) always need volunteers. They ALWAYS do"

Well, Scott then came out and said he needed one. Whoever had the biggest smile. Well, the only thing I regret is not snapping a pic of this guy's smile. HYSTERICAL. Needing to say...no one else had a chance. 

Jake and Josh

And a look back at them years ago. Le Sigh...




How, how, HOWWWWWWW have they gotten so big????? So cute, so sweet, and so just yesterday, right?



We then headed down to Downtown Franklin for their Christmas Parade It was so quaint, so easy to see, and so perfect.

Me and my stinkers. Tis the season!

We ended the day with the kids first viewing of Babes in Toyland, with Annette Funicello. A complete classic, one I havent seen in 20 years but I've seen 20 thousand times. Oh the memories.

I'm a giddy person in Christmas season. giddy, giddy giddy. You can't get a smile off my face.