Christmas festivities

We've kicked off the Christmas season in full swing here! Our tree and lights are up (I need some pictures) and we've been busy with holiday preparations. Christmas shopping has been done since before Thanksgiving as we celebrated Christmas with the Browns the weekend after Thanksgiving. So first on our agenda this December, see Santa of course!

The local garden shop does a really nice job of bringing in a Santa, providing hot apple cider and treats, and it is more relaxed than the mall. Henry got to spend lots of time talking to Santa and we got to take as many pictures - for free! - as we wanted.

We definitely prepared Henry for his visit to Santa by talking about what he would look like, and what Henry would do, and say. He started out pretty serious and skeptical....
but after just a few minutes he was smiling!
Henry brought his little Santa, which helped, and got to jingle Santa's sleigh bells.
What did he ask the big guy for? "Trains and firetrucks!" Of course! This was the answer he practiced, but he came up with it on his own. Before we went to see Santa, we asked Henry if he was going to cry and he said no. Sitting together having a treat after seeing Santa, Henry said "Cry Santa? Noooo!" He had a pretty good time and it was a great second experience.

We celebrated December 6th St. Nicholas Day. Henry left his shoes out by his room, and St. Nick, with some help from Jenny the Elf, left some yummy and fun treats.
Actually, this elf was Gabe's when he was little. Henry woke up from his nap one day, was holding the elf, and very clearly said "that's Jenny." And thus his magic elf was named! We've been having a ton of fun hiding Jenny all around the house, and Henry really loves to see what Silly Jenny has been up to. In fact, he tells Gabe where Jenny was that morning when Gabe gets home from work. And Henry says "Silly Jenny Everyday!"

And to start a tradition, we baked some Christmas sugar cookies for a party for our Lamaze group. Yes, we still get together after 2+ years! I'm sure that's some kind of record.
Here's my little chef mixing and stirring, and he really liked cutting the shapes as well.
But of course, the most fun was decorating with friends.
Yummy cookies!

Love celebrating the holiday with my baby!