Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 19 - Santa's Elf

Scrolling through Facebook the other night, I noticed a post from a fellow Girl Scout leader. Santa had put out a call of help. Christmas is this weekend and he needed help sending his letters to all the girls and boys who wrote him. So, I became one of Santa Elves!

This is such a magical time! I've loved reading all the letters. Some pulled at my heartstrings, some had me laughing until I was in tears. Fonzy said I was having way too much fun with this. And you know what? I am! Once my boys stopped believing in Santa, the magic was gone. This has bought the magic back. The sweet innocence of kids asking to be put back on the nice list, and saying they will be good and get along with their brother. To ones wanting a chainsaw so he can help his PopPop chop wood, and ones that asked how Santa and his elves were doing then stating, "enough chit chat! Let's get to the point. Here's what I want for Christmas" One broke my heart saying all they wanted was a winter coat, while another asked to please give presents to the less fortunate, and world peace. How I wish for the same thing.

I love that the post office takes the time out of their day to pull all the letters to Santa to ensure he receives them. Little doses of magic all around.

I'm writing a letter to Santa myself to let him know I'm here to help out next year if he gets behind.

I still believe.

Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 13

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree, in the eyes of children they are all 30 feet tall. ~ Larry Wilde

Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 11

Another favorite ornament of mine.

On a side note I've never made gingerbread cookies. Not sure we'd like them. I found a chocolate sugar cookie recipe that I may try and cutout as gingerbread men. Or maybe I'll just make the true gingerbread ones. If we don't like them anyone want to volunteer to eat them.

Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 10

Every year during Christmas time our Mom would make Christmas cookies with us. Even though she died when we were still kids Karen and I have carried on that tradition with our boys. Our boys are teens now and no longer want to make cookies with us, but we still do it.

Next year we will have a little baby girl to make cookies with and we are so excited. My sister is due in March, so she'll only be about 9 months but she will be right in the kitchen with us, keeping the tradition our Mom started so many years ago. I do believe she'll be looking down on us smiling and loving all our Christmas cookies.

Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 8

When I saw this little marquess Christmas tree I couldn't resist it. I had no idea where I was going to put it, but bought it anyways. Now there's a little Christmas cheer in our bedroom and I love it!

I might be tempted to keep it out year round.

Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 7

Glue splattered, red pompom nose, googly eyes and crooked antlers. These are the best ornaments filled with childhood memories. How I wish I could go back to when they were little.

Snippets of Holiday Magic - December 6

On a cold, rainy day there's no better place to be than in front of the Christmas tree, knitting my first sweater. I'm so excited, it's actually looking like a sweater.

Raleigh Christmas Parade

Raleigh had their Christmas parade last month to start off the holiday season and I'm just now getting around to posting. My sister, Karen and I decided we were going, whether our kids wanted to come or not. They can be scrooges, but we were going to enjoy it. In lieu of kids, we had a friend, Neldy, from back home that we hadn't seen in forever join us and had a great time.It was a gorgeous day for a parade! The morning was a little chilly, but it warmed up nicely. Past years we've gone, we froze our butts off! Most times the kids wouldn't last until the end to see Santa it was so cold, but we got to see Santa this year! Also, one of our local high school bands, Cary High School, was in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade! How exciting is that. The Macy's parade is on my bucket list. One day I will be there! Until then, Raleigh's parade will have to do, which really is pretty good.

After the parade, we walked through downtown Raleigh for a favorite breakfast spot, but they were closed when we got there. Boo! But the day was so pretty, we quickly got over it. The trees were at their peak and I couldn't resist playing in them. I don't know how anyone can walk past a tree in all it's Autumnal glory and not want to jump in them! I can't resist!

Oh Christmas Tree

One of my favorite things about decorating the Christmas tree each year is bringing out all the little ornaments the boys have made. The ones with their pictures are my favorites and reminder of how time flies! I can't believe it's been 10yrs since Ezekiel's little ornament picture!

I've made a few knitted ornaments and need to knit more. Maybe for next year, not happening this year. I've noticed too that we seem to have a thing for snowmen. Quite a few snowmen on our tree. All these are some of my favorites.

Oh Christmas Tree

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Christmas! And I can have all the twinkle lights I want and no one will think I'm crazy - time of year!

Right after Thanksgiving I'm ready to get our tree and decorate for Christmas. This year was no exception. My boys decided this year that we should get a little tree. Not really sure why, but when we went to pick out the tree, Ezekiel went to the smallest one and declared it, "The One" It was as tall as him, and kind of skinny - just like him! I tried to persuade him to choose another one, but he was determined that this was it. So we took it home.

Titus wasn't too sure about the tree. He watches it out of the corner of his eyes, and darts past it whenever he has to go near it.

Elijah demonstrating how short the tree really is. I actually like our little Charlie Brown tree. No need for the bigger is better. Small feels just right this year.