CHRISTMAS EVE 2009

We started the evening with decorating Santa's cookies that we baked the evening before!

We can't forget the carrot for Santa's reindeer!

Oh, the excitement and anticipation of opening one gift Christmas Eve!

Ava got a Nativity Scene Christmas Tree ornament. She has been fascinated with the Christmas Story and wants me to read the story book several times a day. She keeps asking if she can go for a little visit to see baby Jesus!

A new Christmas book to read Christmas Eve!

New slippers for Christmas Eve!

And new Christmas jammies for Christmas Eve!

Hanging her new ornament!

All decked out in her new duds!

The 1st of December, after being at work and Daycare all day we arrived home to see that Santa's "book" elves had paid us a visit! Under the tree were 24 wrapped books. Some new and some old. We were to open one every night to read before bed, and when there weren't any left, we would know that the next day would be Christmas! (got the idea from Tiffany's blog-thanks Tiff!)

Ava opening her last book from Santa's Elves!

One last picture with Santa's and the reindeer's snack!

Getting Santa's key ready to hang on the outside of the door...so he can get in of course...seeing as how we don't have a fireplace with a chimney!

Ava's sound asleep, the presents are under the tree, so I'm off to bed too!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

MOM'S GIFT....AND AFRAID NO MORE!

This is the home made nutcracker that the kids made a Day Care....Ava has a severe FEAR of Nutcrackers...to the point where I have had to remove them from my home...at our last session at the photo studio to get Christmas Pics done...she spyed the Nutcracker as soon as we walked in. I told the photographer she was afraid of them and she proceeded to put it behind the screen Ava was to stand/sit in front of for her pictures. If you have any idea about PTSD and the anxiety involved...there was no way she could get on the set knowing that "THING" was behind there. I had to ask her to remove it from the room...and even then I could see how nervous Ava still was.
Anyway, my Daycare Provider, Jan had no idea of Ava's Nutcraker fear. I think it went so well because Jan never told them what they would be making over the several weeks it took them to finish them...primarily so they wouldn't spill the beans to the parents and ruin the surprise but also so they could use their imagination as their creations came together. They did 7 of these. The oldest child is just 5yrs...I think they did a splendid job especially for their ages.
I think Ava has found a new friend in her Nutcracker!!....and lost an old fear!

I COULDN'T RESIST....MORE OF MY BEAUTIFUL GIRL!!

Helping Papa pick out our Christmas Tree!

SANTA CLAUS PARADE 2009

SANTA VISIT 2009

FIRST SNOW 2009