Santa of the South

December has rolled in with great anticipation around our house. We've festooned our "new to us" halls with decorations and the mood is happy, happy with the littles eager to celebrate the season with all of our traditions. One of those memorable traditions is visiting the famous "Santa of the South" at Phipps. Our reservations were booked months in advance and I'm so glad we recovered from the pre Thanksgiving week bug just in time to visit jolly old St. Nick. 

We like to take a preview of the whole scene on Santa's steps overlooking the grand tree display. The whole set up is magical in itself. I prepped Miller on how to be the big brother protector to put Eliza Kate at ease around Santa. 

There's something about "Christmas best" that melts this momma's heart. We always break out our Christmas Eve finest when we visit this famous Santa.

X marks the spot. These two waited patiently for their appointment on the masking tape X before visiting the man of the hour.  She had Miller holding her hand to lead her into the inner circle of trees. Once she was situated, I knew that our girl was going to finally be o.k. on Santa's lap.

She did blush and act uncomfortable when he adjusted her chin with his white glove for a picture. At 3  1/2 years old she still has a touch of shyness. Miller shared his itemized list and Eliza Kate was able to articulate her desires.  She added a random "princess unicorn" & Miller was bold enough to request an All Terrain off roading vehicle. I guess it's a good lesson that Santa doesn't always bring you what you request. This moment is my favorite of our visit. I love the sweetness of both children enjoying Santa. We're at a golden, magical age:)

Smile:) My favorite moment of our appointment is the recorded DVD that's sent a week later in the mail. We pull out the past years to review --it's one of our traditions. The screaming years are now archived and a distant memory.

Our visit was on the big screen for the waiting guests to view.   I thought it was an interesting perspective. No candy canes this year. Instead the littles collected Christmas Minion hats on their way out. Notice Santa still posed in the background. He surely has a stage presence.

With such a beautiful backdrop, I bribed the kids with Skittles for a few more pictures--for memory's sake. Miller likes to play budding photographer these days. With the camera strap safely around his neck, I'm fine with him figuring it all out. We had fun being silly and posing behind Santa's three story high, large tree. 

I gave Miller a little leg kick, song and dance, and Oh--yeah, he caught  it all on camera. Can you tell, we're all in the Christmas spirit?

Turkey Day

 It was a laid back Turkey Day this year--no traveling and we outsourced the bird {gasp}. All working moms really should go ahead and give themselves permission to let the friendly workers at Publix take care of their bird for the big day. Of course, Landon manned up with Miller his sidekick to whip up their famous Fokens' family stuffing. Thanksgiving really wouldn't be complete without our stuffing.

The stomach bug swept through our house the week before Thanksgiving, so Ek sadly had to miss her Thanksgiving feast. Both kiddos suffered from the throw ups at the same time. It about did me in, cleaning up after two vomiting children. I powered through and with a little Gatorade and a whole lot of Culturelle we banished the bug from our house just in time for Thanksgiving. The kiddos gussied up in our pilgrim /Indian paper bag finery for some quick photos while their tummies were feeling good.

Cutest little turkey around:)

Miller's wooden gun added a touch of cuteness to his costume. He insisted. When he wasn't waving it in the air, he was pointing it at me. A wooden gun safety class is in order for this Indian.

Grandmama and Poppy joined us for our feast with all the fixens.

 Miller actually ate a turkey leg this year. This was a big accomplishment after years of turning up his nose at the thought of eating turkey on Thanksgiving.  It really isn't their favorite meal. I just request that there is no complaining at the table. Complaining at Thanksgiving is a real killjoy.

Grandmama made a coconut, pineapple cake-yum!

Instead of a walk off the turkey jaunt around the hood, we opted for a rousing game of hot potato with Eliza Kate's pink playground ball. It quickly turned into dodge ball which had me clambering for my fragile decor:) Adult and kids both broke a sweat. Notice my failing upper tree lights! What's a girl to do with light drama so early in the season?

thanksgiving break

Thanksgiving break was a welcomed reprieve from the busy-ness of being a working mom for the 2 weeks prior to vacation. We were all starting to feel the effects of  #overstressedcrazymom:) I don't tweet, but if I did that would be my hashtag:)

We slept in, hosted a sleepover with bestie Grant, caught a dollar movie in the rain, and ate dinner out almost every night. Eating out is a love language of Miller's. 

I took these Minion sleepover buds to see a matinee of Despicable Me 2. Cute movie & they were kind enough to let the girls tag along on their movie date. Going anywhere with three kiddos in the pouring rain is no easy feat.  Shout out to super moms of three!

It was quite comical jugging all of the popcorn bins, drinks, and winter coats while opening candy in the dark. Eliza Kate threw in a Reese's Pieces candy spill mid movie just to keep my on my toes. There were shifty sitters and musical chair swapping games. I survived, and fun was had by all. There's really nothing else to do when entertaining an extended stay visitor during a downpour.

I took these Minion sleepover buds to see a matinee of Despicable Me 2. Cute movie & they were kind enough to let the girls tag along on their movie date. Going anywhere with three kiddos in the pouring rain is no easy feat.  Shout out to super moms of three!

It was quite comical jugging all of the popcorn bins, drinks, and winter coats while opening candy in the dark. Eliza Kate threw in a Reese's Pieces candy spill mid movie just to keep my on my toes. There were shifty sitters and musical chair swapping games. I survived, and fun was had by all. There's really nothing else to do when entertaining an extended stay visitor during a downpour.

They were BIG time in their Christmas Minion hats. Hysterical giggling at their new look!

 Our neighbor friend G hopped on over for the morning during the break. The little sisters took over the girls' designated house and the boys had a rough housing good time. These two invent the most imaginative games. At one point, they had an organized boy flipping gymnastics game on the bounce house. Our jumpy in the basement is a must have on rainy days.

Another highlight was our first family outing to a local Hibachi restaurant. The kids were a little overwhelmed at the thought of a fiery blaze lit at our table, but they were quickly won over with the entertainment value of the meal.  What six year old boy doesn't get excited over an onion volcano erupting at the dinner table? Since, Miller witnessed  the creation of "coca cola rice", he devoured his chicken and soy sauce as if it was doused in a caffeinated beverage. 

Thankful for a week of rest and togetherness. We used the time for intentional parenting. It's on these off weeks that I noticed how the littles needed a behavior tune up. Between Landon's new job and my surprise temporary teaching job, we welcomed this week with open arms. 

fall cuteness

 I took the opportunity to snap a few quick photos after church on Sunday in the backyard.  I wish I did it more often. Miller is growing taller on me and heaven only knows that his days are numbered that he'll actually hold his sister's hand. He surely knows the way to his momma's heart.

Our quick pose & smile led to more leaf throwing and jumping. Hey, they're only young once--So, I let them play in their Sunday best {sigh} :)

jumping leaves

One of the pleasures of having established oaks in our backyard is the leaves that  pile up in large drifts. Landon and Miller put in a good morning's work on a cold Saturday clearing off our back lawn. The result was hours of fun blowing of steam in the large piles of falling leaves. A simple pleasure-

That created lots of laughs and BIG jumping fun.

Eliza Kate loved to get a running start and shout "Kow-a bung-a" with a leap in the air. I freeze framed that one in my mind's eye. That's what I'm having to do these days, live in the moment as best  as I can while they're in the little years. 

Nothing like a little brother, sister bonding time in the crisp air. It was unseasonably cold. I think we're in for a cold winter.

Ode to the last days of fall--OH, how we've  enjoyed you!

celebrating november

We had quite a few friend parties to attend this month. Eliza Kate's new preschool friends from class and a few long time friends seem to have birthdays in November. Birthday invitations were popping up in our mailbox weekly. Sadly, I didn't cart my camera around to all of the fun. But, I just had to share EK's stage debut. She loved singing "Princess' Love to Have Fun" karaoke style at Ansley's Pop Star Princess party.

All the girls glammed it up in princess attire the day after Halloween. There was lots of girly activities to get involved in. 

Eliza Kate loved adding sprinkles to her very own ice cream treat. Too much cuteness to take in!

 We celebrated Maggie at her Over the Rainbow party. EK loved celebrating her 4th on the Tumblebus that parked on her driveway.

Miller sported a sombrero to ring in Grandmama's birthday:) He's always up for a party!

We had a family birthday outing eating out at "Mexican" {as EK calls it}.  A lit candle chorus was enjoyed over ice cream cake back at our house.  Miller decorated the chandelier with a balloon drop and streamers. The kids love doing special things for the special lady in their lives.
Birthday blessings to our friends & family!