'Tis the Season...weeks 1 and 2

The past two weeks have been full of Christmas fun! We started our Christmas book advent on December 1st. I love that every night Landry opens a new book, enthusiastically says, "Thanks Mommy...I always wanted this one...I was hoping for this one!" and then we get to cuddle up and read a story. Seriously, every time he is so excited and so appreciative...it warms my heart...especially on the nights when we have just had a dinnertime battle. :)

The first book was Elf on the Shelf...which meant the return of this guy...Elf. We are super creative with names at the Lofgren household. :)

Days 1 and 2 of Elf...just hanging around and watching.

Days 3 and 4...Elf had a message for Landry: 

"Dear Landry, Santa says you better be a good listener at bed time!"

Days 5, 6, and 7...yup...Elf got caught in the basketball hoop and stayed there for TWO nights. 

We think that he stayed in the same spot because Landry hadn't been a very good listener so he didn't want to tell Santa the bad news. What do you think?

Days 8 and 9...ziplining Elf...and hanging out in the lights.

He must have wanted a "bird's eye view!"

Days 10 and 11...Elf loved being in the tree...and then decided to do some climbing!

Days 12 and 13...Elf went back to the shelf...

and then tried to live in Landry's gingerbread house but he was too big!

I love that every morning the first thing Landry does is goes to look for Elf. If he can't find him right away he walks around calling, "Mr. Elf...Mr. Elf...where are you?" So stinkin' adorable!

Landry also made his first gingerbread house of the season! One of the sweet families in my class gave Landry a kit to build. He could hardly wait...and as you can see...he was so proud of it!

On Friday night our group of friends all got together for pizza and then walked Cindy Lane/Candy Cane Lane/Christmas Tree Lane Clovis/ whatever it is really called...the neighborhood with all of the lights! :)

Then yesterday, my mom and sister came over for cookie baking fun!

Right away Landry loved playing in the flour!

Rolling out the dough...you can see he likes his to be more like crepes than cookies. :)

Once they were baked it was time to decorate...it takes a lot of concentration. :)

Landry is sticking with his style of piling as much frosting, sprinkles, etc all on one spot of the cookie.

Here are the four cookies that Landry decorated!

Yup...he decorated a whoppin' four cookies...then took off and left my mom, sister, and I at the "Sugar Cookie Sweat Shop" to finish decorating all of these...

I think we may have made a few too many...what do you think? :)

I can't believe that Christmas is a week and a half away. I love making the time to have fun with friends and family. Today we are going to visit Santa Claus...wish us luck. So far Landry is very excited to talk to him...but that could all change very quickly. :)

Preschool Christmas Program!

This morning Landry's preschool had their Christmas Program. I have been giddy with excitement about this since the note came home sharing the news that his class would be performing, on stage, at the Mercedes Edwards Theater. I mean...what is cuter than a bunch of three year olds singing Christmas songs?

I will also say, I was very nervous. Let's be honest...our child does not like new things, being thrown into a situation he doesn't really know about, and is super shy. I had been trying to "prep" him for it all week...explaining that he would be on stage, with his class, singing his songs, in front of ALL of the parents. He said he was, "so excited." I had a feeling his tune would change once we got there.

And...I was right! He was less than happy...screaming, clinging, crying, not wanting to go with his class, it was less than awesome. So much so that I went to my seat, in tears. Let me just say that Christmas programs are a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Seriously. Not for the weak.

Showtime came and here is Handsome...not quite sure about what to do.

His adorable class

He's starting to get into it

Rocking out...he is on the far right side!

All finished and leaving the stage!

Once he got up there he did an awesome job! He was into it...having fun...singing...dancing...and showing everyone what he was made of. Seriously I cried and laughed through the entire thing. Here are some videos of his performances. Sorry about the shakiness...like I said, I was laughing, crying, trying to watch, etc. Clearly I will not be a videographer anytime soon. :)

 

Here is the YouTube link to their first song...Landry is all the way to the right, in the white shirt.

 

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Here is their snowman poem...

The YouTube link to my favorite...

 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

And finally...this is how they said good-bye...or "peace out!"

Needless to say, we were SUPER proud of our little performer!

 

 

***I have to add that I have been working on this post for 3 hours...yes, 3 HOURS!!!! For some reason Blogger wouldn't let me upload the two videos...hence the YouTube links. Anyone with any info as to why they wouldn't let me load them...please share. :)

Giving Thanks...Preschool Style!

Yesterday was like Christmas for me! Landry's preschool class had their Thanksgiving feast and since I was on vacation it meant that I got to be a mommy and go with him to celebrate with all of his friends. :)

 

We had already missed the pumpkin patch field trip, community helpers day, and the Halloween party...because they were on days when I had committments at school that I couldn't miss...and I was feeling really guilty about it. So, I was over the moon when I learned that their Thanksgiving feast was going to be during my vacation. I was definitely more excited about it than Landry.

 

Here I am with my Bubs!

 

As you can see they had the whole spread. Turkey, ham, stuffing, apples, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, rolls, cookies...and Landry's favorite...pumpkin pie!

Before they ate, each child said what they were thankful for. It was so stinkin adorable...and because I am such a sap...I teared up a bit. Most of the kids said they were thankful for their mommy and daddy. A few of my favorites were the little boy that was thankful for Power Rangers and the little girl that was thankful for pinto beans! :)

 



 

Each child made their own "I am thankful for..." placmemat. Landry wrote that he was thankful for his mommy and dad. On a different project they did in class, he was thankful for his cats...so I was glad we made the list. :)

 

One thing I know for sure...he is definitely thankful for his two AMAZING preschool teachers...

 

Miss Courtney...

 

 and Miss Annette!

 

We are so very thankful for them and for all of the staff at Brighten Academy! From the very first time I walked in the door it felt like a home. Each and every one of their staff members goes above and beyond and you can feel how much they love their jobs. We are so very grateful to know that Landry is in such kind, gentle, caring hands when he is at preschool.

 

Here is Landry's preschool picture from the fall...his first school picture...cue the tears!

 

Today we are off to Visalia to celebrate with my family and then we are headed to Gary and Mary's to celebrate with the Tigh/Lofgrens. We are so thankful for this day to spend with our family and loved ones, our health, and for all of our friends that make our life so much fun! We wish you and your loved ones a safe, fun, and festive Thanksgiving!

 

Just a Morning at the Park

It is vacation...which can mean one thing for sure...Landry and Amy playdate!!!

This morning Landry and I met Erin and Amy at Oso de Oro Park for a morning filled with donut holes, Starbucks, play time, swings, duck feeding, and leaf throwing.

 

It was a bit chilly but this little bear was ready for some fun!

 

Nothing like going down a wet slide to start the morning off right. :)

 

 

I just about died of shock when Mr. Cautious decided to actually get a bit daring and climb on the wall!

 

Nothing beats swinging with your buddy. :)

 

After spending some time on the playground we decided to walk down to the lake and feed the ducks. Landry loves to go and feed the ducks with my mom. The difference is...those ducks are behind a fence...these ducks...not so much!

 

Amy was fearless and went right for them. You can see Landry's stance.

 

Amy had them literally eating out of her hand!

 

Landry quickly retreated to the safety of the bench...and worked as the guardian of our Starbucks drinks. :)

 

Did I mention that these ducks were NOT shy?

 

Time for a donut hole break!

Erin and Amy feeding the ducks at the lake.

 



 

Once the ducks had gone back to the water...on the lake...Landry decided that it was safe to feed them again. :)

 

 

How cute are these two?

 

Love this little girl's face!

 

Once we ran out of bread...Amy and Landry discovered...leaves!

Lots of leaves!

 

We headed back to the play ground for some fun in the sand...

 

and on the teetertotter...

 

and we had to take a picture on the bear before we left!

 

Oh how I love our playdates and adventures together! These two are absolutely adorable together and have so much fun.

 

You know it has been a fun time when both kiddos are crying as we are dragging them to the car...and they are wet and covered in sand and leaves. :)

Can't wait for our next palydate...Landry says it needs to be NOW! :)