It's the most wonderful time of the year

December is such a magical time of year. Everything is covered in twinkling lights and everyone is filled with the spirit of the season. People are a little more thoughtful, friendly and patient and it is a time to share with others the love we have for each of them as well as the love of our Savior.

With children, the holidays are just that much more special. There is a real magic in the air and they believe anything and everything is possible. We began the month with one of our favorite parts of the Christmas season...holiday pajamas. Grandpa Van and Grandma Ruth came for a short visit and we had fun showing them our new stompin' grounds and kicking off the festive season with some early Christmas gifts. Grandma Ruth gave the girls the cutest "elf" jammies and both girls were thrilled to wear their snugly Christmas pjs many many nights over the last several weeks.

I spent countless hours working at Isabelle's school with the PTO in organizing a Cookies with Santa event on the first Saturday of the month. After many hours of work, the event went wonderful and not only did Santa Clause show up at the school on the Fire Truck driven by 5 firemen, but Mrs Clause and Mrs. Cosby did too! I was sent to pick up Santa and was talked into riding with him in the fire truck to make his grand entrance. Feeling a little bit exhausted and silly sitting in the big red truck, all the time and effort was worth it when we turned the corner to the school and the fire truck let out its siren and I could see Isabelle and Olivia from afar jumping up and down in excitement! We had a fun time visiting Santa (Olivia wasn't scared a bit), making reindeer food and eating cookies and hot cocoa with Belle's schoolmates.

Another highlight of the month was Isabelle's first viewing of The Nutcracker. The Houston Repertoire Ballet Company came north to do a few shows one weekend and so we surprised Belle with some spur of the moment tickets and some big girl time with her mom and Grammie. We went out for ice cream first where Grammie game her a real glass Nutcracker ornament of her own to remember the day and then we made our way to the theatre. Isabelle sat very still during the entire show and loved every minute of it. All of the magic and music was wonderful and when the final curtain fell, Belle vowed that she would be on stage performing herself NEXT Christmas in The Nutcracker. (Looks like we have some work to do this year in the ballet studio!!)

The month has also been full of shopping, writing letters to the North Pole, playing dress up ( like usual), croup, ice skating, climbing (Olivia!!!!), Rockband, Neenu the Elf and more. Typical Cosby girl type days sprinkled with moments of holiday magic.







The final events of the month before our official Christmas Break were at Isabelle's School and a Christmas Tea Party with her BFFs. We had fun at her class party making ornaments, opening gifts, eating cookies and being with friends. They even celebrated by wearing their favorite PJ's to school and watching/reading The Polar Express one day. Isabelle has been blessed this year with good friends and a dedicated teacher and she loves spending time learning with them.



I made a conscience effort this year to allow myself to "enjoy" the holidays fully. I shopped early, ordered Christmas cards before Thanksgiving, created gifts that were thoughtful but not too time consuming and just stayed one step ahead all month long. And it worked, almost completely stress free! We enjoyed a festive and fun December and all 4 of us did a holiday jig when that final school bell rang and we were finally free to do whatever we choose. Now, on to the main event...Christmas Day!

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