My Madeline

We snuck in a short snow reprieve to go see my favorite holiday show...Madeline's Christmas.  I just love this Christmas tradition and I have found it to be MY treat.

As you may note, a sister is missing.  That is because her less than desirable attitude suggested I give her ticket to a more gracious guest.  So Lucy ran across the street, last minute, to invite her BFF to go with us.  And my, was it a lovely day.

The show was just as darling as it was last year.  I honestly can't get enough of the cast of precious little girls.  My Lucy promises she is going to be in the show one day, and honesty I wouldn't put it past her.  

Before the start of the show, the girls darted across the stage and took in the scenery and props.  It's such a treat.

We got our concession treats and settled in for the show. Lucy, of course, snuggle right up next to her Grandma.

Post show, we visited the set one more time with even bigger smiles this time.

But the best was yet to come...meeting the cast and getting their autographs.  So Magical!

This is a tradition I will never grow weary of...I pray my girls don't either.

Winter Wonderland

Honeslty, I've come to tune out the weather man's reports of "possible snow".  The majority of the time it doesn't amount to much.  But, hold on there, this time it did.  And it was the most amazing Winter Wonderland of white!

So, I tuned it out so much this time, that I was actually sitting in a movie with Lucy when the storm hit.  When my phone would not stop buzzing with texts from all over town, I decided we might need to scoot out a bit early.  I was having flashbacks to Snowmagedon a few years ago when it took us two hours to get home only two miles away.

Leaving the movie was totally worth it though.  We snatched up the bigs from elementary school and immediately started playing in the falling flakes. 

I'm telling you these snow bunnies did not want to come in.  They were snow ball fighting, snowman building, snow angle making, and hilltop sledding.  The lane was filled with all our friends.  SNOW much fun!

That was just in the first few hours of snowfall.  By evening, it was truly a Winter Wonderland.

This story could have a happy ending right there.  However....by bedtime, we lost power.  I mean like no heat in 30 degree weather...painful! I gathered every blanket out of every linen closet I could find and we braved the elements.  Us Southerners do not like being cold.

Over the next 24 hours the kiddos continued to play in the snow, yet had no where to come in to get warm.  I was convinced they had lost their marbles.  And if they hadn't, I was about to if someone left the door wide open again.  BRRRR.

My pleasant sunny mood returned when the power did.  And wouldn't you know these snow bunnies played out side for another 2 days.

That's how we roll when it Snows in the South. Snow-oak it all in!

The Nutcracker...Girls Only

I took my babydolls to see the Nutcracker this weekend.  It's become a holiday tradition for us girls.  And on that note, are there any boy holiday traditions? So far, Jack has managed to check out of everything!

We met the Miccas and Carpers whom we love to have family hang time with.  They, too, left their boys at home.  Girls only!

Per usual, Lucy had her Nutcracker book signed by all the dancers and Maggie stood by her side and silently smiled.

Before the show, we attended the Sugar Plum Tea, met the stars of the performance, had a few faces painted, and spent time with our darling family friends.

We are still attending the "lower key" Nutcracker.  I think it might be a while before we give the big show a try.  This one seems to suit us just fine and the girls are in complete awe from start to finish {hence the slightly abbreviated version}.

One more Christmas tradition checked off and a lot more to go...

Santa For Two

I'm  not even sure how to explain this "Santa for Two" business.  As you may remember, last year was it for Jack in the believing department.  But, I was still insistent that he would participate in our Christmas traditions {even seeing Santa}. 

Well, come Santa visit day, there was a big college football game on right at our appointment time, so there went Clay.  Jack was not interested, but I was insisting and Maggie had clothes drama {imagine that}.  Not to mention, I had just waved goodbye to a household of Thanksgiving guests.  I was spent.

So basically, I took an exasperated look around and said, "anyone with a smile can hop in the car and go see Santa with me".  And guess what?  One kid smiled and jumped in and her name is Lucy.  So off we went.

As we made our way onto the lane, guess who came chasing after us {with a change of clothes in hand}...yes, Maggie.  

So that is basically, how "Santa For Two" came to be.  I vow to never let this happen again.  Seriously.   

Just keeping it real, people...even during the holidays.

Things didn't get too much easier once we arrived {i.e. parking, elevator drama}, but seeing these precious girls of mine with Santa made it all better.  

I mean I can hardly handle the Christmas sweetness.

And this little one!  Oh, the Christmas magic is alive in her sweet heart and I can't get enough of it.

I'm looking forward to many more Christmas memories this holiday season and praying the sweetness of it all over shadows whatever is not in my plan.

Oh, and one more thing....just for nostalgia's sake....💕