Tis the Season

Take a ride in a one-horse open sleigh, check.

Those carriage blankets kept us super warm!

It was -4 degrees when we arrived to do this, and -6 degrees when we left!

See our reflection?

 Tell the story of the nativity with many different mediums--felt pieces, little people play set, card board cut outs, etc. Check.

David, why do Santa and Rudolph come? To help us celebrate Jesus's birthday!

Meet Rudolph, check.

 Tell Santa he wants a thermometer for Christmas, check.

 Wrap presents and put them under the tree, check.

Too much tape, a hand written tag, the lines are nearly even on his A after much effort, and a sticker tag just  because that's what all the other gifts had--this one was my favorite present under the tree.

Christmas party with friends, check.

Endless Christmas Carols, check.

Watch Christmas classics like Rudolph, Frosty, Elf and Polar Express, check.
Watch Frosty 40 more times, just to see the part in the greenhouse where the thermometer turns red and Frosty starts to melt, check. (Frosty even sent a gift for David. Santa was kind enough to bring the gift from Frosty and  leave it with David's stocking.)

Read Christmas books together, check.
Do Christmas crafts, check.
Go caroling at an assisted living facility, check.
Make cookies and fudge, check. (but only one batch of each--not much baking this year!)

Make candy trains, check.

Attend a Christmas concert, check.

David is standing on the far left, in the red sweater. Sam and I were in the Mezzanine level--and we started laughing nervously when he stood up to watch the instruments play. Last year he zigzagged back and forth through the crowd of children to get up close and personal with the performers. This year he was kind enough to stay put, and just watch. This is where David's fascination with all brass instruments began--the Tuba, trombone, trumpet, french horn and saxaphone. He recognizes any kind of music with the big band swing feel to it--and he says, "Oh! This is concert music!" One time we were at the department store, and he sat down on the floor. He wouldn't budge until the song was over, because, he explained, "I'm listening to the concert!" I looked up, and sure enough, he had parked himself right under the speaker that was playing a Harry Connick Jr. version of Christmas carols. This boy loves him some good music!

Have a Merry Christmas the whole season long, check, check, and check.