Jingle all the way

Respecting holidays seems to be a thing of the past.  Halloween plans are made in summer.  Thanksgiving is locked down pre-college football season.  Black Friday deals a week before the actual Black Friday (yes, that IS a holiday :-P). Christmas in July. And so on and so on.

Typically I like to enjoy one holiday before even thinking about the next one ahead.  Why rush things, right? But I'm breaking my own rule.  Growing up we always decorated for Christmas the Friday after Thanksgiving.  But we'll be traveling this year and all that goes with getting home from out of town--the unpacking, the laundry, and such, there's just not enough time to decorate while actually enjoying the experience. 

So, today started the festivities.  Actually, last night did as we started a S family tradition.  Going to our outdoor mall to see the parade and lighting ceremony as we typically do with an added twist--having an in-car pizza party.  That's right.  We were lucky enough to find a parking spot, unbuckled, dropped down the third row, and indulged in the pizza and cheese sticks I picked up on the way home from the office.  Poor T had to have a cheese free version but still enjoyed it.  Even though it was cold, we all had a great time seeing Santa.

Teagan danced the entire time to the band.  Girl cannot help herself but to move when there's music.

Oh, Parker! I promise you, she was having a great time!

My girls!

And to top it off, we watched the video Santa sent to Parker :) OMG did she love it.

Parker's message from the North Pole

To officially ring in the Christmas season, our elf, Sparkles, arrived straight from the North Pole.  As he will every year, he brought the girls their personal Christmas tree and a note.  For those who don't know, this whole elf thing involves an elf who hangs around your house all day and leaves every night to report back to Santa.  When he arrives back to the house, he's found in a new place, typically causing some sort of mischief.

Silly Sprinkles all wrapped up in garland

I asked Parker to put the tree skirt on.  And she did.  Just not on the tree :)

I debated over the plush or plastic elf.  Glad I bought the plush (and yes, it may have to do with the fact that the plastic elf scares me.  Creepy looking thing).

Nothing but love for Sparks.

 The artificial tree is set up in the basement.  Next weekend we're doing it Clark Griswold style and cutting down our own real tree for upstairs.  The girls and I took a trip to Lowes today and stocked up on those huge inflatable Christmas things.  We need to pick up some icicles and such and boom, it's Christmas!

Of course, we could not have accomplished any of this without hot chocolate with cut out whipped cream.

Me: Parker, show me your shape P::shakes::

There's that shape!

Baada boom!

Wonder what that elf has planned for tomorrow??

And randoms: Sandy the horse. T's first time! Atta (cow)girl!

Scarf--the must have accessory of the season.

Meijer, of all places, where my faith in humanity was restored.  Somehow after we did the self check out, we neglected to put our paid groceries back in the shopping cart. A young college guy ran after us to let us know.  Yep, young college dude did not steal our Cuervo among other things

Then, of course, this deadbeat mom who puts everything on her AMEX (cash back!) did not have even a penny to ride Sandy.  A passerby saw my dilemma and footed the bill.

Little things, yes, but it truly is the little things that matter the most.