Holiday Prep

It definitely is that time of year. And although I've been super stressed, the girls are REALLY enjoying the holiday season.  

It all started with Thanksgiving at Great Papa's house.  We had a wonderful meal and great company. Thoroughly enjoyed the day.  Elanor and Lydia both love all their cousins and aunts.  They love the play time they get at these holiday parties.

Leslie, Lindy, Great Papa, Megan, Brad, JM, Dan, Lydia & Elanor

This year, we all wrote letters to Santa.  Macy's donates $1 for each letter to Santa they receive to Make-a-Wish.  Elanor got all her cousins, aunts, uncles and Great Papa to each write a letter to Santa, then we took them all to Macy's to drop off at Santa's mailbox.  

We even snuck in a second letter to Santa...hey...every $$ counts!

Ella has been in ballet class, every Saturday, since last August.  So as a special treat, we went with our neighbor, Olivia, to see the Nutcracker at our local theatre.  The show was amazing.  Ella's favorite part was to see each and every ballerina's crown.  We even got to meet one of the ballerina's in the lobby before the show started and it was fun game to try and spot her when she was on stage.  

Mommy and Ella waiting for the show to start

Olivia and Ella waiting for the show to start

Our favorite ballerina 

As a very special treat, we got to take a trip to the North Pole, aboard the Polar Express.  Grandma Margaret came too!  I can't believe we got to go!  We got dressed in our PJs, drank hot cocoa, watched the waiters dancing in the aisles, heard the story of the Polar Express and then saw Santa's house!  

I couldn't believe it, but Santa himself, got on the train on the way back to Sacramento.  We even got to talk to him!  Elanor told him what she wanted for Christmas, and then...as if that wasn't enough...Santa gave us the first gift of Christmas!  A shiny sleigh bell.  And all 5 of us could hear it ring!

drinking hot cocoa

There are two very special homes in San Rafael that go ALL OUT for Christmas light decorations.  We took a special trip, with our friend Molly, to see the lights.  It was a so fun.  At one of the homes, snow even fell from the sky.

Ella and Molly at the "Bear House"

Ella and Molly at the "Mickey Mouse Christmas House"

Lydia at the "Mickey Mouse Christmas House"

Lydia and Santa

Next up, Christmas.  I'm not sure if I am ready...it's going to be CRAZY this year!  Can't Wait.

Trick or Treat

There are certain things you just cannot buy, and that includes adorable halloween costumes, fun times, and memories.  We've been making all three of these this month.

It started off with Halloween, I asked Elanor what she wanted to dress as this year and she chose both her and Lydia's costumes (butterfly and dragon). 

I thought it would be fun to make them.  I'm not sure when these "great" ideas pop into my mind...it must have occurred sometime between sanity and sleep, but I am really glad I spent the time.  I am not much of a seamstress, but I think they turned out so cute!  

We also carved pumpkins, and went to a Pumpkin Party at Ella's preschool.  In Ella's class of 30 or so children, there were 6 girls dressed as Elsa this year!  Let It Go, Let It Go...

Squishy!

In between the madness that is our crazy, fun lives, we decided to spend a day at Alcatraz.  The boat ride was super fun, and the tour was interesting too.  

It was a bit rainy, but we made it through the rain to see a beautiful rainbow.

And we've been squeezing in some park time play...

Play at home...

and shopping time play!

I am very excited that the holiday season has started.  I am excited that there is rain, and I can't wait to see what fun, exciting, memorable events we have to look forward to over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

To the Birthday Girl!

Elanor turned 4!  We have been celebrating all week.  It started with a fairy birthday party this past weekend, where 9 of her friends came to help celebrate.  Everyone had the opportunity to dress up like a fairy with a tutu, wings and a wand.  We had a scavenger hunt, ate pizza, decorated cupcakes, and had so much fun!

Elanor, Piper and Olivia

Ella and Bella

Ella, Paige and Bella

Elanor

Lydia

Last year, I asked Elanor a couple of questions a part of the Cute as Can Be and Now She's 3 post.  I asked her the same questions again this year.  Here is a little bit about 4 year old Ella...

What's your favorite color: Pink
What do you want to be when you grow up: Elsa
What's your favorite animal: tiger
What's your favorite book: Angelina Ballerina
What's your favorite movie: Frozen
What's your favorite song: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Who is your best friend: Molly & Olivia

Happy Birthday Elanor!!

In addition to celebrating Ella's birthday, we took the girls on their first camping trip in Lassen National Park.  Uncle Brad and Auntie Megan joined us, and it was so much fun!  We had a camping cabin right on Manzanita Lake.  I can't wait to go back.  Here are some photos.

Early morning painting

At one of the many lakes in the park

Just playing!

A quick group pic

at Burney Falls

Hiking around the falls

Just playing in the dirt

Sisters

Good Day Sunshine

PRESCHOOL!  Elanor started PRESCHOOL!  We are so very excited for her, and she is excited as well.  She finished her first week which consisted of painting, coloring, beading, making new friends, playing outside, new books, a fire drill, and much more.  Next stop...College!

First day of Preschool

Besides preschool, we have been having a lot of fun playing and learning at home.  Elanor and Olivia LOVE to play dress up, have tea parties, and use their magic wands to turn mommy (Leslie) into various different animals...  Lucky for me, they always turn me back into a mommy at the end.

Princess Tea Party

And we had our annual block party in which we had car races down the street and rode our bikes with the neighbors.  

 Car Races

Ella and Olivia on the tricycle

And the party ended with a talent show.  Ella participated in the talent show for the first time...she and Olivia "twirled".  It was adorable.  Lydia loved watching....

Liddy watching the talent show

and then ended up dancing with the girls in her pajamas!

Dance Party

The morning after th party, we got up and went to the beach.  It was the best day at the beach we have had.  It was fun, relaxing, and everyone had a blast...yay summer!

Heart's Desire Beach

Let's Go!!

That's been the theme of the summer.  Come on Mom!  Let's Go!!  I hear it every day.  And every day is a new adventure.  We haven't travelled far, but we've sure covered some ground the past few weeks...

We spent a day at the California State Fair with Grandma.  We found the petting zoo (and a deer that wanted to eat our clothes!), rode the monorail, visited the vegetable gardens, county exhibits and more. 

Elanor rode some rides and went in the "Silly House"

Lydia played in the "corn sand"

and the regular sand.

We also spent a day in the City at Golden Gate Park.

we started at the children's playground where they had big slides and little slides... 

and one HUGE slide!

We went on the carousel

and then walked over to Stowe Lake for lunch.

We are so fortunate to live by such a wonderful City and its beautiful "Really Big Park".

We have also been exploring closer to home and finding new hiding places...