New Holiday Traditions - Elf Visitor and "Activity" Scene

Christmas is just around the corner and we are anxiously decorating, shopping and wrapping. Of course, Tate can hardly contain himself with the anticipation of Santa's arrival. He counts down every day on our Snowman Countdown. He's singing all his favorite Christmas songs while Avarie bounces along. You are only allowed to sing along if you sing it his way, his words. Derek and I love to listen to him practice his songs for his preschool production every night through the baby monitor. I don't know if his teachers are happy or sad that he won't be there for the actual production - he does know all the words, but you probably can't hear the other children singing. That's Tate!



We have had an Elf visting us, sent by Santa himself. He arrived a few weeks ago and Tate has named him Harrison. He is our Elf on the Shelf and he is here to watch Tate and Avarie and then report back to Santa every night. Harrison has brought little treats, made a few messes and has found all sorts of crazy places to hide. You can see a few of them in the pictures. Tate is not so sure about the whole thing, too smart for his own good. Despite the fact that the story said the elves can't talk and you can't touch them, Tate has been heard telling Harrison to "count to ten" and that "if I could reach you, I would touch you." Of course, he has also been heard apologizing to Harrison when he's had a bad day and pointing out presents he would like in the catalogs. We hope that Harrison gives enough good reports that Santa will want to visit us on Christmas Eve.



Another new tradition at our house is the Nativity Scene that Papa and Nana left us when they visited in November. It is a darling set, made of wood, almost like the old Fisher Price Little People. Tate calls it the "Activity" Scene, and enjoys moving everyone around every few days. Avarie has tried to reach it on the coffee table but her big brother is much too smart and has moved it way to the back so she can't reach. Poor Avarie - foiled again!



We still have a few weeks until Christmas and will squeeze in a few more holiday activities including the Tacky Lights Tour, the Christmas Performance at the Zoo, and baking and wrapping. We got some snow last week and we are headed to Colorado to get our fill of snow on Wednesday. Amy is graduating from CSU so we will take an extended weekend and meet my dad and Kay in Beaver Creek and spend the weekend with Derek's family. This will be Tate's first time skiing so check back for those pics!!

Here's some pictures ~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16970203@N02/sets/72157603427658407/