Letter to Elfie

You might remember from yesterday's post that Elfie 

went back to the North Pole with Santa and left Landry a note on his white board. 

He was so excited about the note and right away decided that he wanted to write a letter to Elfie. 

**Cue the super proud mom/teacher moment!*

So, we grabbed a piece of paper and Landry got a marker. I thought he wanted me to write it for him...nope, he wanted to write it himself.

He started to write...without any prompting from me...

he looked at the white board to figure out how to spell "Dear" and "Elfie."

Not going to lie...I was super impressed that he knew to do that...I have second graders 

who still don't remember to do that. :)

He also showed me that he knew "sticky fingers"...finger spaces in between words.

I helped him sound out the words and he wrote the letters that he thought matched the sounds.

"Dear Elfie, love you very much. I want to see you soon."

If you write a letter, then you have to put it in an envelope to mail it.

Here is his letter...all ready to send to Elfie!

I was so proud of him and it was probably the highlight of my Christmas!

The down side...he is now expecting a letter back from Elfie. So, it looks like instead of 24 days of elf antics...I have now gotten myself into a year round commitment. ;)

Christmas Cheer!

This past week has been filled with more Christmas fun!

We kicked off the week with a day of baking cookies. 

You will notice that Landry is in a stage right now where most of the time we get this cheesy smile. Ha! :)

That's better!

Landry could hardly wait to decorate the cookies.

Here he is...with his signature decor...lots of frosting and even more sprinkles. :)

On Christmas Eve we headed over to Grand Papa's house (Chad's grandfather.)

Landry had guessed that he would get more silver dollars...and he was right!

Grand Papa, Landry, and Fran

Fran was so sweet to give Landry this darling puppy puzzle!

Landry also got to open one gift from G.G. and Poppie.

The Lofgren men love to give...and receive...guns. 

Poppie is getting Landry started with the family tradition...with fun styrofoam dart guns.

Here he is learning the right stance from Daddy.

And of course...it didn't take long for the big boys to get in on the action!

Nothing quite like a good 'ol quick draw contest to celebrate Christmas Eve. ;)

When we got home it was time to get ready for Santa!

Landry got the cookies he had decorated earlier in the week...and carrots for the reindeer of course!

Here was his note...

We woke up in the morning and...

Santa had come! 

He left Landry a new bike, Elsa doll, Frozen book, other story books, and a stocking filled with goodies.

Elfie went back to the North Pole with Santa...but he left Landry a note on his white board.

Can you tell that Landry was so excited to get the Elsa doll he had been asking for?

After a relaxing morning at home, it was time to head to Nawnie and Papa's (my parents) to continue the festivities. As you can see...there were hardly any presents. ;)

Landry...before the opening began...you can see who made the trip with him. ;)

Landry's favorite gift of the day...cowboy boots!

He has had them on since opening them. I had to talk him into taking them off to go to bed...and he already has them back on. ;)

We had a great day...full of delicious food, family, and lots of love!

Landry with G.G. and Poppie (Chad's parents)

Landry with Nawnie and Papa

The Krusers

The Lofgrens

and our sweet little family of 3...and 3/4. :)

As I mentioned in my last post...I tried to slow it down and soak in every minute of our last Christmas as a family of three. Next year we will have another little one to share the joy with...and I can hardly wait!

Holiday Fun!

The holiday season is always busy, crazy, hectic, and pretty much a blur! 

I have tried...as much as possible...to keep things simple this year...and to really cherish this last holiday season with just Landry. Next year we will have a new little bundle of joy...who will bring so much excitement...so I don't want to miss soaking up every last minute that I have left with just my Little Man. :)

December started with our Christmas book advent...and the arrival of Elfie.

Landry could hardly wait for us to decorate the tree together. I will confess...it is a bit challenging decorating with a baby bump. You take for granted the places you can "squeeze" through...until you have 10 pounds of baby sticking out of your stomach. :)

Landry's decorating style from last year continued on this year...all of the ornaments in one spot. ;)

The next day it was time to give Santa his list! 

He was sooooooo excited to see Santa and had been 

talking about how Santa is a really a nice guy and that 

he wouldn't cry this year.

Well...there were a few tears...and a plea to go home...

but after a bribery of pancakes...his frown turned upside down.

He really is getting too big.

And I'm not going to lie...I kind of miss the crying pictures. ;)

The next weekend brought lots more fun.

Last year we started a new tradition with our friends 

of meeting up for pizza, Starbucks, 

and then walking Candy Cane/Cindy Lane in Clovis 

to check out the beautiful Christmas lights.

It is such a fun night...and the neighborhood decorations don't disappoint!

The Edells...

Brian...wishing that Kelly was there with him...

and the Nettos.

The three of us have taken a picture in front of this house every year.

This year Landry and Chad were taking a while to get in the picture...

so I seized the opportunity. :)

You always know your child has had fun when he 

crashes out before you even get the car started!

On Sunday it was time for some gingerbread house fun!

This week Landry had a pajama Christmas party at preschool.

Chad and I were unable to attend due to work commitments...

so I am so thankful for a fellow Firefly mommy for sending me this picture and videos

of the kids singing their holiday songs in their jammies. :)

Last night we celebrated with our friends at the annual 

Netto Friends and Family Christmas Party.

Santa always makes an appearance...

and this year I am giving his "bowl full of jelly" a run for its money. :)

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE this time of year and all of the fun traditions we have with friends and family...but I will kind of be glad when it is over.

This 7 months preggo mama is tired...

and stressing about the fact that there has been very, very, little progress made in the nursery. 

So, it is one more week of fun...and then nursery time! ;)