Fa La La La La La La La La

I have to give myself a pat on the back for a moment because I've been trying to keep the spirit of Christmas joy well in session despite Erik being away. I got on the ladder and hung some lights and cursed at availability of outdoor outlets, like most folks do. We didn't get a tree given our travel plans, but the boys have not asked about it at all - they are just so enamored with neighborhood light displays more than anything. 

We've been to the library to read with Santa, went to the senior center to have breakfast with Santa, went to the Christmas parade (to see Santa, again) and will attend the Winter Wonderland set up at the local campsites this weekend (I suspect Santa will be there, too). We had a cookie decorating party for friends and exchanged small gifts with friends and neighbors along the way. The boys repeatedly sing Jingle Bells. Well, you get the idea: Christmas is alive and well. [Except Landon is legitimately scared of our elf on the shelf, Cookie, this year. But I silently applaud him because, yes, can't we all admit the idea is slightly creepy?]

Cookie time included the lesser known Gingerbread Shark and Gingerbread Squirrel, among others.