Playdate with Santa

The girls had a playdate at the park with Santa and all of Ella's school buddies. Ella was certainly very excited to see Santa show up and even more excited that he brought both her and Madeline books! I have to say I love all of the moms of Ella's friends. They are so sweet and full of great ideas to get the kids together to have fun. I couldn't believe how hot it was though. I should have been wearing a tank top and shorts to work on my tan while the girls ran around on the playground. It was THAT hot. Not complaining though. I loved it. Just odd to see Santa in this furry red suit and black boots while the rest of us are sweating in tees and flip flops. 

There is always a battle between friends about who can push Madeline in the swing. I guess Ella won this time.

Taylor asking for a REAL computer

Emme asked for a Barbie...

As did Ella (thank goodness she kept asking Santa for the same thing)

Always wanting to play with the big girls!

So cute!

Taking a breather.

Love these two.

St. Augustine

The girls and I took a road trip last weekend to St. Augustine with my wonderful mother-in-law. I can't believe she wanted to brave an entire weekend with my girls, but she did it! I have always wanted to go there, but especially during the holidays since I have heard how beautiful it is. And it truly is! I was not disappointed in the least bit. The whole city is decorated in lights and Christmas decor.  We met up with one of my best friends, Jaimie and her friend, Erin for lunch and hot cocoa. The girls adored seeing them. Later that evening, we took them to Winter Wonderland where they saw Santa, played in a little elf village and we all froze;) Seriously, the weather was crazy. It was as windy as Oklahoma (the fake snow wouldn't even blow away because it was all stuck in a tree from the wind), and icy cold (hehe I say icy and really it was probably 60 degrees out). I did giggle to see the Floridians dressed like they lived in the arctic with snow hats, heavy coats and scarves. I looked at my kids in their little fleeces and they didn't seem to mind the temperatures. But apparently my old bones can't handle the chill in the air because I wanted to steal every winter coat I saw that night. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Add it to the list of memories I am making with my girls!

Gorgeous Casa Monica (Tom a romantic weekend getaway here would be FAB!)

Granny P speed walking

Me & Mine

Inside the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

Erin, Jaimie and myself in front of the oldest schoolhouse

The girls had fun running around the Fort there

When did she grow UP??

Hello windy day!

Trying to get a sneak peek at Santa!

Santa's den

Las year Madeline loved Santa...this year not so much. Ella LOVED him though.

Ice skating..so pretty

How did you get her to sit still?

The girls all tuckered out in the hotel

Only in Florida...

...can you dip your one year old's feet in pool water in December. And have her keep wanting to go in again. And again. And again. Glad I am not the only one loving the warm weather here:)

Cookie Party!

   Ella's friend, Emme, had a cookie party last week. Such a CUTE idea for a little playdate! The Christmas music was playing, the girls decorated sugar cookies, giggled, and the moms ate yummy food and chatted. Ella filled up a tin of deliciously frosted cookies, layered with sprinkles, m&m's, and marshmallows. She had a wonderful time and loved offering the cookies to everyone at home who politely said "no thank you" minus Gma who took one to work the next day and swears it was SO delicious. If she really ate it, I am sure she was on a sugar high for a few days afterwards! 

Washing their hands before the decorating begins

Sweet Ava

Such concentration 

Emme just had to taste the icing

Jimmy loves cookies!

Madeline actually put down her cookie to eat some fruit. 

Such cute kids!  

O' Christmas Tree

I will admit it: I didn't want to put up a tree this year. It had nothing to do with being sad about my husband being away or not being in our own home for the holidays. It had everything to do with Madeline. I figured she would destroy it in 3.2 seconds. I thought I would constantly be redirecting her away from the tree, putting ornaments back up, or vacuuming up the broken pieces. Lucky for us...and for Madeline...she is actually very good with it. Sure, she touches it and occasionally takes an ornament off, but it's nothing like I pictured it. She did pull off a lot of them while we decorated it, but we put her to bed, had a few beers (my mom and I...not Ella of course) and all was jolly again. I loved hearing how excited Ella was every time she pulled an ornament out of the box. "Ohhh this is my faaaaaavorite one" or "oh this is just so pretty and cute". We continued the tradition of popcorn and hot cocoa by the tree with Ella and this little one was so tuckered out after decorating, she passed out on the ottoman like an angel. 

Ella sitting on the rocking horse looking at the tree

Love the glow

I took pictures of some special ornaments...I brought this home from Rome for my mom (we share a LOVE for ornaments)

Handpainted brought home from Prague

Angels with beautiful wings...belonged to my great grandma

MY Christmas bulb. 31 years old that little thing is;)

The Citadel ornament. No explanation needed.

My mom picked this up when we took her to Salzburg, Austria. I LOVE it.

Is there anything sweeter than this?

Or this?