Elf on the Shelf

This morning, while putting up the Christmas decorations, the doorbell rang. The kids scurried to the door to find a brown package on the front step...addressed to them...from SANTA!!! They ripped the package open to find this: Apparently, Santa has sent a "scout" elf to our house to watch the kids and make sure they are on their best behavior. The kids got to name him. Jameson. Yes, Jameson (sound familiar? Check our liquor cabinet and you'll see where that name came from...Craig's favorite whiskey).

Every day, Jameson sits somewhere in our house and watches the kids. Every night, he flies back to the North Pole to give Santa a behavior update. And then he flies back to our house, before the kids wake up, and finds a new place to sit.

Jacob is a firm believer! And is doing his very best to make sure Jameson sees all the "good" he's doing. This includes several conversations with Jameson every day. "Jameson, did you see me pick up all my toys?"

Sophia, on the other hand, is quite the skeptic. She's not so sure he's the real deal. And whenever she does something naughty, she quickly peeks up at Jameson to make sure he was watching.

The Kids

I know, I know. You don't even have to say it.

They're pretty darn cute, aren't they!?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a great Thanksgiving!! This year, with our siblings at the in-law's, we hosted Thanksgiving for our parents. It was so much fun! Here are some of the things we were thankful for that day:

1. The smell of turkey permeating the house
2. The company of Grandparents
3. The "so-full-I-could-burst" feeling (Hey, this is one of the only holidays where gluttony is widely accepted!)
4. The peace and quiet while Jacob & Sophia took their naps
5. The variety of pie
6. The leftovers!

Carving the turkey

Jacob managed to swindle a turkey wing

Putting together puzzles with Nana & Grandma
This was about the extent of Jack's day
Sophia & Mom enjoying some cuddle time

Now, here is our real Thanksgiving list:

1. Our families

2. Our friends

3. Our Savior

4. Health

5. Craig's job

6. The safe & healthy arrival of Jack

Our list could continue, but I don't think Blogger has enough file space to hold it all. We hope you had a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Santa's Workshop

This afternoon, Craig and I took the kids to the Macy's 8th Floor Display. It was the first time that either of the kids had been to it and were excited to "transport" into Santa's Workshop. They experienced what a day in the life of an elf was really like. And at the end, they even got to see Santa himself. (Disclaimer: there are no pictures of Santa, due to the fact that Sophia was screaming at the top of her lungs while we were with him).

Standing in front of the singing trees
Lovin' the snowman

(although, based on Jacob's face in this picture, you wouldn't know that!)

As for Jack?...

He seemed more interested in taking a nap.

Naughty or Nice?

Jacob is anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival. With every toy commercial we see on TV, Jacob blurts out, "Oooo...I want that for Christmas too!" If I had a dollar for every toy or item Jacob claims to "need", I'd be one rich mama!

Today, we were listening to Christmas music and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" came on. After listening to the words and hearing that Santa only brings toys to good boys and girls, I asked Jacob if he thought Santa would bring him any gifts.

"Yep." Long pause. Contemplation. "Although, I was a little naughty this morning. So, maybe he'll only bring me 2 presents. I could be happy with 2."

Knock-Knock

Sophia's been into telling knock-knock jokes lately. Don't ask me how she got on this kick, or if she even knows what a real knock-knock joke is, but she enjoys telling them. The other day, we were in the car, she turned to Jacob:

"Knock-knock"
"Who's there?"
"Poopy pants"
"Poopy pants who?"
"Jacob has poopy pants" (laughter ensues...only from Sophia)
"Hey! I do not!!! YOU have poopy pants. Not me!"

Even at the age of 2, Sophia knows how to get under her brother's skin.

Sophia's New "Doll"

Sophia's relationship with new baby Jack is hit or miss...but when she loves him, she REALLY loves him! Today, she INSISTED on holding & feeding Jack all by herself. And she did a great job! Well, other than the burping part...she's not exactly gentle when you tell her you have to pat him on the back....her "pats" are a little more aggressive. Or perhaps it's just some pent up hostility towards sharing the spotlight!