North Pole express train ride

Dec 19 we took a train ride with our friends the M family. Let me start by saying these tickets are hard to come by and you have to book the ride a year in advance. So that is exactly what we did. So with much anticipation, the date finally came! We all were thrilled. We met for dinner at a local fish restaurant near the train tracks and then we boarded the train around 6:30pm. My family wore pajamas but B’s kids were the only ones in her family that wore jammies. Yes, we went to dinner in jammies and slippers Anyway, the train was supposed to leave at 7pm sharp but there was train traffic on the tracks so we were delayed a long time. Finally we got on our way an the front car detached from the engine. We were beginning to tell this was not going to be a good trip. But we did have carolers sing to us and some girl scouts read a story to us, they served hot chocolate and cookies and we even got a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The kids really enjoyed it all even though the adults were irritated that it was not going according to plan. I decided to make the best of it and took the boys car hopping. We walked between cars and even stuck our heads out the windows until we got in trouble. But the kids just had a ball! So even though the ride was not the full 2 hours like it was supposed to be, the kids will remember it as a wonderful time and so will I since it is all about them this time of year.

Thanks to B and her family! We had a wonderful time visiting and I know Z misses G BIGTIME! And I miss my friend B too! Since school started and G is now in kindergarten we don’t see them as often as before. But that has to change!

Waiting to board the train

The M family

ALL ABOARD!

Family pose on the train

G and Z having the time of their lives

Having fun with G and Z

Yum....hot chocolate

Mrs. Claus handed out the cookies

Z and Santa

Z and G with Santa

Christmas party and book exchange at school

Dec 19 was Z’s last day at school until next year. They had a little classroom party that day. Z had gifts to give his teachers and for all his friends in class so he was thrilled to get them handed out. Each kid got to wear the shirts hubby and I helped make and they did some fun crafts. They also had McDonald’s for lunch. I mean how fun and cool is that to get McDonald’s for lunch at school???!!! Then they ended the day with a book exchange. The kids got in a circle and handed a book around while the teacher played music and then the music stopped that kid got to open that book. It took about 20 minutes for all the books to get opened and the kids loved the game. When it was time to leave, each kid had a large grocery sack filled with artwork and goodies from classmates. The day was a fun one and we will miss everyone on Christmas break.

Leaving the house for school

Holding a couple teacher gifts

Z gets greeted each day by his friend B with a huge hug! She is so cute!

Getting ready for the book exchange

They all were reindeers with red noses and they wore handmade ears. TOO CUTE!

Showing the class the book he got

Playgroup Christmas Party ROCKED!

For those of you who don’t know, I organize a neighborhood playgroup http://www.meetup.com/The-Funatics-Group/ with the help of my dear friend D. Our playgroup has many activities planned each week but our Christmas party this year was in my opinion the best yet! (I thought our Halloween party this year would be hard to top…..but we more than topped that at this party.)

On Dec 18 our playgroup had an AWESOME party if I do say so myself. D and I have been planning this party for months. Each mom brought a dish to share so we all were able to have a nice meal during the party. Our friend K hosted. She is such a warm hostess. There were 18 moms and 31 kids there. It was a BLAST to say the least. We had arranged for a visitor to come to the party and bring each kid a gift. Turns out the visitor was SANTA himself. The kids just loved the surprise and they got exactly what they hoped for as far as gifts go. We also arranged to have an ornament exchange and the kids LOVED that too. Then to end the evening with a bang, we went caroling down K’s street. We gave each child a bracelet with bells on it and they sang Jingle Bells at each house. Then they would wish the people a Merry Christmas and run to the next house. It was just like trick or treating but at Christmas time. They loved it! Ooops, we actually ending the night hugging everyone before they left. The party was such a success everyone was glowing and full of excitement. Now that is what this group is all about to me! I love all the moms and kids in our group and have been blessed with some wonderful friends! I must not forget to mention the HUGE gift basket they gave me. I was just speechless! The basket was filled with some amazing stuff…..candles, lotions, candy, a movie, ornaments, nativity scene, a necklace, crafts from some of the kids, a gift certificate for a pedicure, scrapbooking stuff….and the list goes on and on. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Z couldn’t wait to get home to tell his Daddy all about the party and about the special visitor. Then he showed him all his goodies he received from friends as well as his ornament and Santa gift. I must tell you that boy was on cloud 9 for the rest of the night. Then he passed out within seconds of his head hitting the pillow.

Playing with some friends in the playroom

Eating chocolate cake

This is yummy cake!

LOOK it is SANTA!

Everyone is thrilled to see Santa!

Z getting his special gift from Santa

After Z had to ask Santa if he could open his gift this is what he got. He loves it!

Santa posing with some of the kids before he had to leave

Getting organized to go caroling

Jingle bells.....

Merry Christmas and now they are off to the next house

What a lovely gift basket I got!