Chippy - Recap

Chippy plays Christmas Bingo with the Daddy Dolls
(Santa Bear is calling the "numbers")
 

Chippy got stuck while trying to sneak a snack from the Treat Jar
 

Chippy decided this was the year to fulfill a life-long dream of ziplining

No hockey season? 
Doesn't stop Chippy from taking a few practice slapshots!

Channelling his inner Mission Impossible and tries to get into the microwave for my friend, Robin's, yummy cupcakes!

Chippy thought My Marine's picture could use a little sprucing up!



All those impish antics made him hungry for a little snack. 
PB and J with ice cold milk hit the spot!

Chippy helped me out by stamping all the Christmas cards!

Spelling out "HI" with candy canes!

Snitching a taste of Nani's birthday cake

The stockings were hung on the railing with care....thank you Chippy!

Chippy took advantage of his last night with his Santa friends 
by bonding over toasted marshmallows

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Christmas - Deployment Style

This Christmas was very lowkey....and I'll admit, a little hard for me.  Nani and Nudgie were fully aware that Daddy was not home for Christmas, and this time we didn't have a house full of people like I did the first time around.  But having a house full of people was just not my cup of tea either.  I just wanted to be with my girls.

We started Christmas Eve off by pulling up Norad and watching to see Santa fly over Daddy.  They were so excited and shouted Merry Christmas when Santa flew over....delivering presents!

After watching Santa deliver presents to Daddy, we made some cookies for Santa. 

It was Chippy's last day with us, and he left the girls a couple of very special things....some magical reindeer food and a Christmas coloring book so that they could remember him all year long!

And it wouldn't be Christmas without My Marine wearing his "Bah Humbug!" Santa hat!

As promised by the weatherman, we did start to get some snow Christmas Eve!  It was going to be a White Christmas after all!

After the girls got into their Christmas jammies, we sprinkled the reindeer food and put out cookies and milk before they got too tired.

Then we snuggled in for some hot chocolate and "A Year Without a Santa Claus", but the girls were so tired, they only made it to Heat Miser and Snow Miser before asking to go to bed "so Santa can come"

Shortly after that, Santa was able to sneak in and set out all the presents for my sweet girls!

Around 8pm, I was just getting settled myself when my door bell rang.  Who in the hell rings someone's doorbell at 8pm on Christmas Eve......and I'll admit it, my heart stopped just for a few brief seconds while I thought, "Please God....no....not on Christmas Eve..." 

Turns out to be a flower delivery all the way from My Marine.  I guess Santa's elves forgot to put it in the sleigh.....

And so we settled in for Christmas Eve dreams.....waiting to see what Christmas Day would bring us!

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My Favorite Things......

Christy over at Superheroes and Princesses recently did a post about her favorite Christmas things.  I love stuff like this - and I've been so busy with Nani's school activities, her birthday, and other craziness of the season that I just haven't had the time to sit down and write lately.  So, I'm going to borrow Christy's idea and share with you some of my favorite things!

(If you get the chance to visit Christy's blog, please stop by for a visit!  She's an incredibly creative mom and has some fantastic ideas and activities for the kids!)

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Christmas Song:  I have a few actually.  "The Little Drummer Boy" by the Vienna Boys Choir is tops on the list.  But any version (done well) can make me cry.  The message of such a simple gift for our Lord is so strong in this song.  I just love it.  I also love "The First Noel".  This was the first Christmas song I sung to Nani after she was born.  I remember just holding her and walking around our kitchen singing this song to her.  Another is "Silent Night" - I have a favorite that is actually sung in Croatian that just gives me goosebumps!  And finally, "Silver Bells" - just because it conveys the fun and busyness of the season.

Tradition:  We have quite a few and I'll be writing a post on this shortly.  But with regards to our tree - there is one ornament that must go on first every year.  It's a hand-blown heart with a dove.  It was the first ornament we bought after we got married - and it's always the first ornament on the tree.  We also have ornaments with the girls' pictures in them and add to those every year.

Gift To Give:  This year I'm excited to be giving homemade gifts.  In the past I liked to give gifts from everyone's wish list, but this year we're focusing more on handmade gifts.  (I hope everyone likes them!)

Gift to Receive:  My engagement ring.  My Marine proposed on Christmas Day.  Nani.  She was born on 12/10.  My Winnie-the-Pooh blanket my daddy got me one Christmas.  After that - chocolate, Starbucks cards, fuzzy socks, jammy pants.

Christmas Movie:  "It's A Wonderful Life", "Christmas Vacation", "Mrs. Santa Claus", "A Christmas Story", and "A Christmas Carol" - both with Patrick Stewart and the Muppets.  Those are my MUST WATCH movies during Christmas!!

Christmas Cartoon:  "A Year Without a Santa Claus" - I just LOVE Heat Miser and Snow Miser!

Christmas Book for Children:   "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Christmas Dessert:  There's dessert??  I just eat all my cookies!

Christmas Cookie:   Lemon drops

Ornament:  There isn't just one that I can pick.  Each one on our tree has a special meaning or a story behind it.

What about you?  Do you have any Christmas favorites?  I hope you'll share!!

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