Everything "Christmasy"

We moved in on Sunday the 10th and have been unpacking ever since. Things are at least liveable now and the girls are getting acclimated to their new rooms. I have invested an ungodly amount in Target products this week. When will I actually buy stock so maybe I can earn something back?!

Andrew celebrated his 30th birthday on Monday. The actual day was a little unceremonial, but he did get a new house for his birthday so no complaining. :-) We actually celebrated Saturday night by going out to the Green Mill restaurant with my dad, Clare and Grandma Mazie.

Sometimes it really is the little things that make you happy. Kind of like those Mastercard commercials. This would be our version:

Cost of a new house in MN: an amount much more reasonable than a house in Southern California

Cost of moving: too much STRESS

Being in a new house for Christmas: Priceless

Having your own non-coin operated washer & dryer for the first time in 11 years!: WAY BEYOND Priceless

Anyway getting back to the title of this post....Ella loves the word "Christmasy". To her, anything and everything holiday related is Christmasy. Including Santa. She could say Santa last year, but not this year. He's just Christmasy. Holiday lights on houses at night: Christmasy. Packages under the tree: Christmasy. It's actually quite cute.

I had a funny conversation with her the other day. She's been a little less than good lately. I'm just going to blame it on transitions in her life right now, and not the fact that she is just very defiant with me. So I was having a little talk with her the other day about how Santa only brings gifts to little girls and boys who are GOOD. And that it was especially important to be very good right before Christmas because Santa was still paying attention. And if she wasn't good, he wouldn't bring her any gifts. (Gina: I almost used your "I'm gonna call Santa and tell him not to bring any gifts." trick)

Later on, we went to the grocery store and she was particularly well behaved. I told her how much I appreciated her good behavior and her response to me was, "uh huh, Christmasy." (I had not mentioned Santa at all in this conversation). So then I said to her, "Oh, so are you only going to be good in December now, until Santa comes?" She said, "All right, Christmasy." That will teach me. She's way too smart! :-)

Lily is hanging around too, she just sort of goes with the flow. She loves all the holiday lights when we drive around at night. She points and "oohs" and "ahhs" appropriately. They both love the Christmas tree in our family room. Ella helped me put the nonbreakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree. Right now I have a gate around the table the tree is on so they won't open the gifts prematurely. Ahem, like they did at Aunt Gail's house last Saturday. (SORRY, Aunt Gail!)

Andrew took the girls to Madison to vist with Aunt Gail and all the Isaacson clan. They had a great time! And we look forward to visiting with everyone again this Saturday for Isaacson Christmas. I can't believe Christmas is almost here already! Hopefully things will really slow down for us after the New Year. I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit. We'll see! ;-)

Since I'm sure I won't get another post in before, we hope everyone has a fabulous holiday (whatever holiday you celebrate) and ring in the New Year with gusto!

Cheers!