They spread 300 small candy canes across 3 front yards and passed out bags with the instruction that once each kid got 10 candy canes, they needed to stop. That didn't stop some of them coming back with probably close to 30 in their bags, but fortunately kids like Camryn aren't old enough to care (nor did I want to bring home 10 candy canes). Turns out Camryn really likes candy canes. She consumes just about anything that qualifies as food (except bread).
After the hunt, we had the cookies and hot chocolate, although I thing most of the hot chocolate was spilled on their garage floor. At the last count I heard, I think 8 different kids spilled their cups of cocoa.
Did I mention it was freezing? But we knew we had a special guest coming soon so we stuck it out. At last it was time to take the kids around back for a group photo. I figured it would take longer, but those kids lined up pretty good.
Then the kids were told to head back up front, and guess who was there when they got there?? Santa! Not sure if we can ever repeat this in the upcoming years. The element of surprise would be gone. But it was fun to watch all of the kids get excited. Santa had all of the parents stand on one side of the garage and all of the kids stand on the other side. We then had to take turns singing jingle bells and whichever group was better, Santa had brought something special. The kids won (are you surprised?), so they huddled as tight as they could get around Santa and watched him pull the first gift out of his bag. He had one with each kid's name on it. They took turns sitting on his lap and opening them up. It was so sweet!
Camryn got a Hello Kitty dolly and some stickers to match.
And then on Sunday we were invited to have dinner over at Craig's Aunt Wanda's house. Kind of an early Christmas gathering, which was fun. We always have a great time with Susan, Jon & Wanda. Wish our schedules matched up a little better.
Susan, Wanda & Jon
Susan brought her reindeer ears and nose which were a hit with everyone. The nose was passed around and we all had to take a turn being Rudolph. Craig even wore it while the group sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."
Rudolph Camryn. She seems to be infatuated with Rudolph this year, although she doesn't care for the TV show that has come on every year since I can remember. She doesn't like the Bumble. Even though she tells me he's a good monster because he puts the star on the tree at the end, you can tell the character bothers her.
Collins Family
Jessie and me (part of my quest to make sure I'm in some of the family gathering pictures, and not just the one taking them)
2 comments:
You got to love the fact that Cam is still pretty innocent this year. Sounds like your neighborhood is a kid paradise. Craig definitely wears the nose the best!
Fun! Craig makes a great Ruldolph too, by the way!
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