Party Time

Today the kiddos had a Happy Birthday Jesus party at school. They got to eat lots of fun snacks, sing a little Christmas song, and had a gift exchange. It was a fun party and I am truly thankful for their teacher who always makes everything such fun.

Santa, Mickey the Elf, and A Performance.

December has started off with a bang this year. The weekend after Thanksgiving we headed to Branson for some Christmas fun. We ate with family, shopped, went out to Silver Dollar City, and stopped in a Bass Pro Shop to see Santa.

Hulse, you were ready to see the big guy and give him your list. Olivia, you just weren't that into it. So we stand in line, the camera breaks, we wait for the repair, your cousins go first, Hulse heads up and Olivia loses it. I jumped a barricade and scooped her up before there was utter meltdown. She was wearing a fleece and I couldn't grab her arm well to get her out of the North Pole so I'm sure we looked like a hot mess. So 50% of the Hankins kids saw Santa that day. Cut to this past Saturday. The kids and I were out taking care of some Christmas shopping and went into Wal-Mart in our town as the last stop of the morning. In the toy section at the back, Santa had stopped in and was giving out candy and taking pictures. Liv, you decide  that if you could get a candy cane it might be worth braving. So we go over and get the candy say Hi to Santa and I score it as a small victory. We get all the way back up to the front of the store to check out and you decide you want a picture with him. So I'm not missing this opportunity and we get out of line and head back to Santa. You did it, walked right in, sat down, and we have the photographic evidence to prove it!

Also last Saturday morning our family elf, Mickey showed back up dispatched from Santa for the season. He brought the kids some new PJs and hot chocolate for a North Pole Breakfast. He's been doing all kinds of fun stuff around the house when he returns from reporting back to Santa each night. We are happy to have him back with us!

Kids, you also had your very first children's choir performance at church Sunday night. You like singing in choir and had been practicing your songs so I knew you were ready. You will learn when you have kiddos that things are always more funny if someone else's kids are doing them and we had that experience Sunday night. You did a really good job and I think it's safe to say your class stole the show.