Has another week really gone by??

Ok, so here we are at Friday again...wow! Just a quick weekly review before I need to run off to complete yet another task. I love the holidays with all my heart, but why does it have to be so exhausting!?

We saw Santa this week! If you'll recall the picture from last year, you may understand my complete and utter disappointment over the photo quality this year. Same mall. Same Santa. What in the world?? Allie looks like she left her sunglasses on too long in the tanning bed. It's all a little too orangish-yellow for my taste, but I guess expecting two amazing Santa photos in a row is a little optimistic. At least they are both genuinely smiling!

Anyway, they both told him exactly what they wanted (Lauryn wants a Barbie Vet Station and Allie wants a purple bike with a backpack and a water bottle...and she said every last word!)

I wanted to document this to look back on in a few years. This was Lauryn's most recent pick at the library. I sat down with her last night and listened as she read it with ease. I don't know why I continue to be surprised, but it just amazes me how reading came so naturally to her. Notice the age level in the top right corner (Grades 2&3)...wow!

Well, I adore my camera, but even it has its limits. I only got one picture at Allie's pre-school Christmas program. (The sanctuary is being remodeled so we all packed into a dark, crowded classroom to watch the program!) I probably could have only gotten a worse picture had we all been sitting in the dark.

Luckily I had the video camera and got PRECIOUS video of Allie singing! She was so proud and did all the motions and sang every word. She's on the front row wearing the red bow and black and white polka dots on her dress.
This week Lauryn "officially" became a Girl Scout Daisy! She has her tunic and patch and an official certificate that she earned after reciting the Girl Scout Promise. We are so proud!

Only one more week before we are officially on Christmas Break! I am almost as excited as Lauryn is to have both my girls home every day for two weeks. I can't wait to make cookies and wrap presents and just do a whole lot of NOTHING as we wait for Christmas Day!