A Snowy Lantern Walk

We went on a magical snowy lantern walk tonight. It was the first time we had taken one (and it's safe to say that there will be many more to come). After dinner we got into our jammies (followed by our snow clothes), grabbed our lanterns and headed out. The snow was softly falling and it was incredibly peaceful. We were the only people out except for the occasional car that passed by. It was fun to feel like this world was ours and ours alone. We explored and chatted and took in how peaceful it was as we walked. When we returned to the house the girls decided to play outside for a bit. Rosy cheeked and happily cold they came inside and requested peppermint hot chocolate to warm up with. As we sat by the light of the Christmas tree drinking our hot chocolate Grace said to me: "Mama, I am so glad that you came up with the idea for a snowy lantern walk! It was truly magical! I hope we can do this again and again!" We sure can, sweet girl. We sure can!

Skippy's Home

Our elf, Skippy, has been finding lots of good hiding spots around our house lately.  I do believe though he finds it a little tricky to find a different spot that is up high each day, out of the reach of little hands.  The day after we decorated the tree he found a perfect spot right near the angel.  The girls were thrilled and loved to check on him all day.  "That's a good spot for Skippy, mama!" was echoed throughout Tuesday.

This morning we came downstairs and right away Emma was sad to notice that Skippy was not in the tree anymore.  She looked around for a bit and then discovered him in her stocking.  "Hey!" said the littlest and off she went to get her trusty stool.

She climbed up on her stool and was still slightly too short to reach.  She pointed at Skippy and said "My hoho" extending her arms as if to indicate that she wanted to hold him.  Knowing full well she wanted him back in the tree I handed him to her and off she ran.  I scooped her up and she put him back in "his spot". 

And it has been decided that there he shall remain.  It seems as if we have a new part of the tradition now.  And I love that it was started by the girls.  From now on, as soon as the tree is decorated, he will find his "home" in it and remain there until Christmas Eve night.  Sounds good to me, sweet girls.  Sounds good to me. 

Boots and Bean Sprouts

This morning I woke up to discover this:

How I missed this last night I am not so sure, 

but it was rather sweet to discover it first thing this morning.

And later on we discovered this:

Our beans are sprouting!

The girls made these a couple of Saturdays ago when we went to the Children's Museum.

We've been checking every day, and today they had sprouted!

It's very exciting, and clearly required much investigation. 

The people at the Children's Museum had the girls spray their piece of paper towel with water. 

Then we placed it in the ziploc bag and the staff member stapled it. 

She then had the girls place their beans in each bag above the staples. 

We zipped it closed, and she told us to keep the paper towel moist and 

to tape it to a sunny window.  

We hope your day was full of  surprises, wonder and magic!

As always, we'll see you tomorrow.