Christmas Morning

New Jacket

Sara doesn't quite understand that the swing is for her baby doll.

Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus

What She MEANT To Say...

Last night, Hallie was "reading" us the Christmas story beside a little nativity set we have. It was so sweet, and she accurately told me that Mary and Joseph rode the donkey to Bethlehem. I was very impressed with my little girl...and then she told me that "Baby Jesus was boring." Thinking I misunderstood, I asked her to repeat that part of the story, and she looked at me seriously and said again, "and then Baby Jesus was boring." It took me a minute to realize that she thought she was saying BORN.

So, if you get Hallie's version of the Christmas story, try not to be offended by the boring Baby Jesus segment. It's not quite what she means.

Sweet!

I have just been informed that Juju, in her quest for Aunt of the Year status, has found a green My Little Pony for the Bug for Christmas! This is huge, because every time anyone asks Hallie what she wants for Christmas, she tells them "a green horse" very seriously. Way to go Juju!

(Shhhh...don't tell Hallie!) :)

Trying for the Christmas Card

We went to Gigi and Grumpy's house this morning to enlist their help in the dreaded Christmas card photo shoot. I am pleased to announce that we successfully got a few good ones and have ordered the cards! Woohoo!

Meanwhile, here are a few cute ones that didn't quite make the cut.




And my favorite of all...I don't remember what she is telling us, but it is VERY important...

Children's Museum

We went to the Children's Museum before we left Cookeville on Tuesday. The girls got to dress up and play. As you can see, Sara found a funny hat that she liked herself in and wore it around the museum.

Vocal Pedagogy and an Alter Ego

On our way to school earlier this week, we were singing a song from "The Bench" (a.k.a. The Grinch--the Dr. Seuss cartoon version), which is quickly becoming one of Hallie's favorite things to watch. In addition to being told which song to sing, I was instructed to "sing tall, Mommy." I can only attribute this to Mr. Berg. Hallie sat in on a few minutes of a boys choir rehearsal a few weeks ago, and that had to be where she heard this.

In other Grinchy news, Hallie thinks that "Cindy Lou Who" looks like her (they both have blue eyes, she'll be quick to tell you). So much so that she has dubbed Cindy "Pink Hallie" because she wears a pink dress.

"Merry Christmas!"

Hallie waved and said "Merry Christmas" to all the parade passers-by tonight.

Christmas Parade!

We huddled up and enjoyed a VERY chilly Christmas parade in Cookeville tonight! Charlie and Sara eventually fell asleep, but Hallie loved the whole thing.

Wiggle Time

Charlie is a Rebel at heart.
Chillin in the Ball Pit

Charlie and his friend Channing

We took the kiddos to a fun place in Cookeville called Wiggle Time today. They had swings, a slide, ball pit, and trampoline! The girls loved it.

We Love Nana and Papa