Christmas is all around...

We had a blast this weekend getting into the holiday spirit! Last year, Annie observed and seemed mildly entertained, but this year she really participated and it was seriously so much fun. I've always loved Christmas, but with a kid, it really does make it that much more amazing. Just seeing everything through the eyes of a kid - really helps you get back some of that wonder and delight that may have gone missing after years of cynicism :)

To review, here is the post from last year - please note Annie is wearing the same coat - definitely a benefit of a tiny toddler! There are a few decor items that really just aren't practical with a toddler - like a bowl full of ornaments on the coffee table, so things were changed up a bit. Also? I got Annie 2 Christmas books last year. WHERE ARE THEY?!?!?! Ugh. I know I'll find them around December 26th. So annoying.

While I was at yoga, Ben took Annie to Grand Meander, a bunch of Christmas events on Grand Ave

Breakfast with Santa was too crowded, so they just enjoyed a french toast muffin at Caribou - I think both of them were fine with the change :)

The only actual "event" they did was ride on a fire truck (big hit) and see a reindeer (of which Annie was scared, of course) - despite not hitting up the big parts of the event, we still had a great time.

I joined up with them after the fire truck ride, and we warmed up at Red Balloon bookstore (which doesn't seem like it's really very fun at all, but maybe I'm missing something. Not NEARLY as fun as Wild Rumpus, that's for sure.) I did get Twas the Night Before Christmas though, so it was worth it - and Annie can have fun looking at shelves of anything, so whatever.

We decided to just go to Bonfire for lunch instead of any of the events - it turned out to be a great idea - surprisingly toddler friendly, and lots of fun Christmas decor in there!

Annie spent much of the meal dipping her finger in the salsa and eating it, or "painting" her quesadilla

Best part? The build your own sundae that came with Annie's meal that I ate 3/4 of :) Not sure how much longer I'll be able to get away with that!

Later that afternoon, we headed out in the snow to get our tree! This is also the first time we've been out with Annie this year in the snow and she LOVED it - must take after her Dad there :)

Found a good one!

Annie kept saying "Tree! Car! TREE ON CAR!!!!" - it's the little things that are thrilling, apparently.

Christmas themed LEGO flowers!

We got word from Molly that they were going to go sledding, so we tagged along - how hilarious does Annie look in her new snowsuit? I'm surprised she can even walk in it :) (It's only 2T by the way - but yeah. It'll definitely fit her next year... then it'll be on to baby bro!)

We tried to get them to share (remember last year when we squeezed 3 kiddos on that thing??) but no dice!

Annie was THRILLED when it was finally her turn on the sled!

and then, her world came crashing down when it was Mia's turn - it'd be sad if it wasn't so illogical and hilarious :)

Seriously - such unadulterated JOY!

Had a HUGEEEEEEE meltdown when coming home - tried to hold her jacket on so we couldn't take it off. Hoo boy, life is traumatic sometimes for a toddler! Luckily her thumb and mommy were there to soothe her :)

Saying good morning to the tree on Sunday before we got to decorating!

Yup, this is me first thing in the morning - but it was so cute how Annie was so excited to help me make waffles!

Already wanted a bite :)

Finally got some! These Gingerbread Waffles are a huge hit - we made them last year and HOPEFULLY I get the waffle maker on my Christmas list so I don't have to borrow the neighbors the next time I want them! :)

Now that we were fed, time to decorate the tree!

Annie really liked all of "her" ornaments

Good job with the angel!

Very intently putting on all her ornaments - she was good about listening when I said each one got it's own branch and stayed interested pretty much the whole time I hung all the ornaments - I was amazed!

Yup, still in my robe.

She didn't bother the tree too much - we had to tell her a few times to leave the ornaments alone (I do let her take off one ornament - an apple that was Ben's ornament from 1987 - but that's it) The first day, she kept saying "touch it!" and would run over, quickly touch the tree, and then laugh hysterically. Hasn't done much more than that though, thankfully!

Most of the rest of the Christmas decor in the living room

Later that day, Annie was in her room for about 5 minutes alone, and this is what Ben found when he went to check on her :)

Then she wanted to put everything in her crib, get in, and hold each thing up individually to ask Ben to take it's picture ("Bear, cheese?", "Reindeer, cheese?" etc)

Unrelated to Christmas, but then, the best part of Annie's weekend happened when I came home with this monstrosity from Jen - seriously in love. I'm not joking that she played happily with it for nearly an hour without even coming out of her room, and the only reason she stopped is because it was time to eat. So, thanks to Jen's mom for finding this thing at a garage sale 5 years ago!

This is right after I set it up for her - she was bustling around that thing like crazy! So funny to watch.

Such a great weekend - definitely excited for all this month will bring!