Christmas Countdown, Nutcracker and all kinds of stuff!

It's hard to believe that it is already Dec. 12. We seem to jump from Thanksgiving to the middle of Advent in the blink of an eye! This year's Christmas Countdown got off to a great start. We have celebrated Mimi's 70th birthday, shopped for our "Adopt A Family", and made it through another Nutcracker. The kids were disappointed to miss the Christmas Parade this year, but one case of tonsilitis and one round of the stomach bug kept us home. Mama did not mind too much though because it was Cold that night!Molly had a great time in the Nutcracker this year. This was her third year to be in the show and she was a snowflurry and a lamb in Marzipan. It is so amazing to see the hard work these kids put in for months take shape on stage. The magic of it all is reflected in the eyes of all the future ballerinas in the audience. Molly seems to have found her place on the stage. She is so at home there. She dreams about future parts and makes plans for when she is the director!Last night we went to Winter Wonderland. This is an annual trip we make as part of our Christmas Countdown. The kids always spend time with Santa and mail their letters to the North Pole. I am sure Max is starting to outgrow some of the things we do, but he continues to have fun and surprise me with his enthusiasm for little Emma and Caroline.