We kicked off our Christmas fun on Tuesday. We arrived at the mall to see Santa promptly at ten. Unfortunately, many others did as well. We finally made it to his lap at eleven. For the past two years, we were able to see Santa at Disney World. This year reminded me that we should visit the mall when Santa first arrives in November. The kids did great in the line, however, and we saw five families that we knew. My Favorite Boy has decided that the mall Santa is not the real Santa, so he only posed for the picture. My Best Girl attacked Santa with a huge hug (I think she almost knocked him off his chair), and then told him she wanted art supplies and toys for her puppy. Considering she had planned on requesting a cell phone and an iPad, I thought her actual requests were very good.

After seeing Santa, we ran some errands and then headed home. Somehow, my kids convinced their dad to open family presents on Tuesday. We will still have Santa presents and four more family gift exchanges, so the early opening won't spoil the fun. My Favorite Boy surprised his sister with the new Disney Sceneit? game. He also gave her a light-up necklace and a change purse shaped like a stocking. My Best Girl gave her brother an Under Armour hoodie and a book.

Dad recently gifted himself with a new Bose-style stereo, so my Favorite Boy gave him two new CD's that he wanted. My Best Girl made her dad a trophy at the local pottery place. It says #1 Dad.

I got some really nice gifts! The first present was a new pair of running shoes. The kids were excited to give these to me because they will be the shoes I wear during my half-marathon. My second gift was a new Dyson! I am glad we opened the presents early because now I can use it to clean my house before my husband's family comes for Christmas dinner.

After presents, I baked chocolate chip cookies and we played Sceneit. I hope Santa will appreciate that his cookies were made from scratch and not processed. :)

Later in the evening, we also played the 10 Days In The USA Game. My Favorite Boy got this for Christmas last year, and we just opened it this week! It is really fun, and I know we will play it many times during the break.

We are so thankful for this time together, and we plan to continue the fun. I love this time of year!

Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy