Catching up...part 1

So, it's been over a month since I did a "real"  post.  We've been so busy with the holidays, sickness, and making lots of memories.  I think it's too much to put all in one post so I will probably have to do at least two.

We had so much fun this year with the holidays.  The girls really seemed to understand the magic of the season.  

The season started off Thanksgiving evening with the arrival of Tinker Bell with some new Christmas pajamas for the girls.  Of course, Tinker Bell isn't the neatest of elves so she made a bit of a mess with the girls other pajamas...

Tinker Bell continued her mischief throughout the holiday season such as eating the last piece of chocolate cake...

driving around with the princesses...

playing a rousing game of Hungry, Hungry Hippo...

bringing the family a gift (our annual family ornament)...

and an annual favorite of the girls: drinking the syrup.

Each morning the girls were so excited to get up and find out where the Elf had flown to over night!

Campbell was so excited to decorate her tree again this year!  Since they now share a room, it is "their" tree so Maggie got to add ornaments this year, too!

The girls were able to see Santa several times during the season and each time was magical for them.

Rock Hill has an annual "Christmasville" event which lasts for several days.  Despite Maggie not feeling well for much of that week, we managed to enjoy several of the activities.  

Maggie ran into one of her BFFs, Winn, at the snow day.  Aren't they cute together?!

We made crafts and met Jingle the Elf at the library with the Popes.

Robbie took Campbell on her first ferris wheel ride and it was a hit!

Once again this year, we had the girls empty their piggy banks and sort and count their money (with lots of help, of course!).  They did two things with their money: separated all the dimes for a donation and counted out money for a gift for each other.  I then took each of them to choose and pay for a gift for the other and then donate their dimes.  It's one small way we're trying to show them that the holidays aren't supposed to be all about the gifts they are going to get...
They really enjoyed shopping for one another and paying for their own purchases!

 

Here they are making their donations.  Campbell gave to the Toys for Tots and Maggie to the Salvation Army. I hope this is just the beginning of a life filled with generosity and charity.

More holiday fun coming soon!