Preparing for Christmas

Christmas is upon us, so we are busy preparing for it. My holiday always starts with PCC's Holiday Show. I bought the cutest Christmas decor! I decorated the house Thanksgiving weekend and I must say- this year's tree is my best yet! I'm super proud! The elf is visiting the Advent calendar daily and leaving treats for Danica and Maverick this year. And it's so fun to answer Danica's questions about the elf- is he still here?, where is he hiding?, how did he get into our house?, why can't we see him?

I teach Danica's Sunday school class the first weekend of the month. This past Sunday, the lesson was centered around the Christmas story. When I realized the kids knew this story well, I decided to add some things to it that I knew they might not have heard before. So we talked about the Christmas star and the gifts the wisemen brought to Jesus. It was fun to teach them all new things. It was also a pivitol moment when I realized that Danica's level of understanding is maturing and it's going to be time to talk to her about some tough stuff soon. She is already asking some amazing questions about God, strangers, violence, sick children, etc. And I tell her almost daily that we are not perfect and life is full of trials. And I'm sure I tell her daily not to let the bad things ruin a good mood and to see the bright side of all things. Gotta raise a happy girl! (And thank goodness for Pharrell and his song, "Happy". And that he has been a judge on the Voice and that Danica loves that show!)

Joe and I are close to finishing our Christmas shopping for the kids. Danica has only asked for the Elsa with the Ice Dress and My Little Pony stuff. Elsa is slowly making her way out. Elsa was the theme of our Christmas and her birthday last year. She has spent the entire year dressing up as Elsa and singing Frozen songs. I'm getting her the Ice Elsa and taking her to the Frozen themed Disney on Ice, but I have a feeling that Frozen is on it's way out. My little ponies have taken over. She started a collection of the ponies this year and is only missing a couple. But now they released a new movie- Rainbow Rocks. All of the ponies as we know them are in their human form. So now she wants all the humans, the movie, and wants a Rainbow Rocks themed birthday party. We are going to miss you, Elsa.

Speaking of music, I found myself thinking about Danica's musical interests since age 3 today. When she turned 3, she jumped on the brick fireplace at Mema's house during her birthday party and sang for the family in her one of her princess dresses. Then at 4, she was in love with Barbie's Princess and the Popstar and would put on a concert for everyone. At 5, it was Frozen. And now she is getting ready to turn 6 and prefers the rock-n-roll style of the Equestria Girls (that's what the My Little Pony humans are called). She certainly LOVES music and dancing. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was young. I remember singing all the time- just like she does now. And I remember buying cassette tapes of all of the fun music from my favorite cartoons. I've even shown Danica you tube videos of Gem and the Holograms! Gem is OUTRAGEOUS! Did I mention Danica can carry a tune? She can really sing. Her voice is amazing. She is already in tune to the different ranges in her voice. She used to tell me she sings just like Elsa. Now she tells me she sings like Adagio (Equestria girl). She is a hot mess for sure! But she is so precious!

We still need to take the kids to see Santa. Maverick hasn't seen one yet and the magic of Christmas for a two year old really doesn't start until they see that jolly old man, does it? He likes the Christmas tree a bit more this year- at least, he's not taking the ornaments off the tree and throwing them on the floor! I think we'll see Santa this weekend and go see some lights. I understand Hillridge Farms has pretty lights and that there is a drive-thru light show in Windsor. I LOVE this time of year!