It's the most wonderful time of year! Thomas the Elf rejoined us this year. We love Thomas! He is so silly and gets himself into all kinds of trouble! We never know what Thomas will be doing when we look for him in the morning.
Both kids really enjoyed the Snow Day in our neighborhood this year. They had such a blast going down the "mountain" of snow. I still remember snow day the first year we lived in the neighborhood. I had just had Carter and I ventured out of the house to watch Davis. That first year it was FREEZING. This year it was a little different, temps in the 70s and no jacket needed.
Carter loved going down the hill with her friends Jane and Michael!
We also enjoyed the annual gingerbread decorating in our neighborhood. We loved playing outside (note the t-shirts) and putting tons of candy onto the house. Davis ate of the house for the next two weeks and I finally had to throw it away because it became just a structure! Davis is not a big chocolate person but he LOVES candy.
Carter isn't particular. She will eat anything. Chocolate, candy, any sweet, salty, etc.
I was the guest reader in Davis' class the second week of December. I seriously love going to his class to read. All the kids treat you like you are a celebrity and you can tell it makes Davis' year to have me show up. I took several Christmas books with me, including Davis' favorite, The Grinch and had such a ball reading to the kids. I go to school a little early so I witnessed all the kids working in their centers.
We also headed out to the club to have breakfast with Santa. Carter walked in and IMMEDIATELY said "NO SANTA!" Which is pretty much the attitude she has kept for the entire month!
She did decide that she would like Santa to bring her "two babies!"
Davis walked right up to Santa and told him that he would like a bigger bike but that he could not remember what else he wanted! Santa told him to just make a list and send him a letter.
Davis enjoyed some time by the fireplace on his birthday eve!
Both kids had such a great time helping decorate the house for Christmas. We enjoyed our 12 days of Christmas tradition. This year it included skittles, Christmas books, looking at Christmas lights, game night, a trip to the Children's museum post Christmas, ice skating, coloring books, magna tiles and ended with pajamas.
Papa and Grammy were in town the night we went to check out lights so they joined us!
One of my most favorite, favorite things we do is the Knecht Weekend O' Holiday fun! We started this tradition about seven years ago. It was one of those Christmas seasons were we blinked and felt like Christmas had come and gone and we hadn't gotten to do all the fun Christmas things we enjoy doing (lights, cookie baking, movie watching, etc.). We decided after that particularly hectic year that we would designate the weekend before Christmas every year as the Knecht Weekend. We started this tradition pre-kids but have continued it and it has worked out great. We turn down all invitations to parties, events, etc. and instead are very, very intentional about spending time as a family. This year was fun because Carter was an active participant in all the fun.
We started the weekend off by taking the kids to Bennihanas! Neither had been before and they both loved it! The next morning Davis asked if they served breakfast because he wanted to go back! They loved the food and loved the entertaining chefs.
Saturday we headed to the Dunlevy for breakfast. We loved it. It is a new place on the bayou that serves good food and is family friendly. From there we headed to Discovery Green for ice skating. I will have to update with those photos soon! We told Davis that if he earned 10 good behavior stickers he could go ice skating. The week before break he earned his 10th sticker so we were able to do that during our fun weekend. Saturday evening we got fajitas and played at our house. Sunday we made chex mix and cookie dough.
By the end of the weekend we all felt like Davis:
I took the week of Christmas off and I am so glad that I did! I really enjoyed time playing with the kids. Monday we had a play date with a few other families. We made pizza and baked/decorated Christmas cookies. It was such a ball. The kids all loved it and it really put me in the Christmas spirit!
Post party! This kid can nap! He started out taking a nap in his bed then ventured down to the living room where I had crawled on the couch to watch a Christmas movie. He snuggled in next to me and went right back to sleep. I so treasure these moments and it made me so glad I had taken time off to spend a little extra time with him.
Monday night I took Davis to his first basketball game! I took he and his buddy to see the Rice Owls! It was great! We sat on about the third row right behind the bench. The boys loved it because we were so close to the action and really go into cheering on the girls!
Tuesday Davis had his first ever basketball practice! We followed that up by lunch at Mia's!
We started off Christmas Eve by making our annual Knecht painting. Stay tuned for the finished product!
I noticed Bethany Scully's elf had a going away party. I am happy to share that Thomas' friends also threw him a going away party last night!
Updated:
6:40 am showing of Star Wars!
Both kids really enjoyed the Snow Day in our neighborhood this year. They had such a blast going down the "mountain" of snow. I still remember snow day the first year we lived in the neighborhood. I had just had Carter and I ventured out of the house to watch Davis. That first year it was FREEZING. This year it was a little different, temps in the 70s and no jacket needed.
