Trimming the Tree - Partridge Style

We have been so busy lately! Usually, Mike and I like to take the kids to a tree farm to get our Christmas tree but this year we ended up buying one in town. We went to the Rum River Tree lot and it was just as exciting for the kids. They wandered through a maze of fantastic pine trees.

Daddy stumbled upon our perfect tree. It was Balsum Fir and it had short needles. (Great for me because I hate vacuuming up the long ones, they clog my vacuum!) It was short but full, perfect for our family room. We were happy that the kids agreed it was the one!

Logan and Lily were all aglow when we got home. Immediately, it was time to set up and decorate the tree. Mommy and Daddy did all the prep work of getting the tree bag and tree stand in position. Finally we got the tree upright. Then we turned on the Christmas tunes and started decorating.

The kids helped Mommy string the lights, put on the (fake) cranberry strands and pine cone bundles. Then we diligently hung our many Christmas ornaments. ( I laughed at the cluster of ornaments on the bottom of the tree and sneakily moved them to areas that needed decoration.) Logan had a great time putting on the ornaments he's made at preschool over the years.


Finally, the tree was finished and our Angel needed to go on top. Logan did it last year so it was Lily's turn this year. Daddy held her up high and she placed it on the top of the tree in our little grand finale.

I'm really glad the kids enjoy doing this with me so much and I hope it never stops. We rock out to all the great Christmas music and make our tree look beautiful. What could be better than a little family time?

Here Comes Santa Claus!

So, every year I try to find a good Santa Claus that is reasonably priced and I don't have to drive really, really far. Usually, we go to Ridgedale or Cabela's (which has an awesome Santa & backdrop, for FREE.) However, this year, we went to the St. Michael Fire Station.

I have to say that I am very pleased with the results. Not only did we not have to wait forever, instead of paying for our photo we were able to give a donation of food or toys. We brought a bag of food which teaches the kids about giving and generosity and for their kindness they were rewarded with a visit with Santa. It was so fun this year because both of my kiddos (6 and 3 1/2) were EAGER to climb on Santa's lap.

Logan had the cutest conversation, telling him about how he wanted the Darth Vader Transformer and that he was doing well in Kindergarten. Lily (for once!) was a little shy but she did finally admit that she wanted Smokey the talking fire engine. It was fitting that they were meeting Santa at the Fire Station!

I am very happy with the photo that we got of them this year. Now I just need to get my butt in gear and print it and put it in our special Santa frame. :)

We also got a couple shots of them on one of the new fire trucks and the old fashioned fire truck that was parked behind Santa! :)

My Homespun Christmas Photo Shoot

Well, I know I said that I was going to remember to sign the kids up for a Christmas photo shoot at JC Penney's or Walmart...but it didn't get done. Again. For the second year in a row. Oh well, at least I made up for it by having a semi-decent homespun photo shoot.

I am actually very pleased by how these photos turned out. I simply set a red and green plaid blanket over one of our storage containers, hung the pine-cone wreath just above their head, and added a few rustic Christmas decorations. I thought it would be a good idea to use our wooden wall as a backdrop because our entire family room looks like a north woods cabin with real pine on the walls.

Both Logan and Lily were much more cooperative this year. They actually gave me several good smiles, actually at the same time annnnddd looking at the camera. Hallelujah!

So, I got a really cute shot to put on our Christmas cards this year. My dear friends and family should be getting them shortly!

Halloween!

Halloween in our neighborhood is straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. There are tons of cute kids in costumes and almost every house has their porch light on waiting for Trick or Treaters.

This year, Logan went as his favorite Transformer, Optimus Prime. Lily chose to be a purple fairy because she loves the color purple and fairies are better then princesses, just so you know.

The kids could not wait for the sun to go down! They were just itching to get out the door and go Trick or Treating. I made them eat dinner though they didn't consume much because of their excitement. We started to head out a little after 6pm as the sun was going down fast.

We walked around our block but I also took the wagon so when it was time to go home they could just sit and eat their candy. At each house they said Trick or Treat and were thrilled with their spoils. We saw a few of our neighbors and it was so fun to watch the kids admire each others costumes.

By the time we made it around the block Logan was ready to go home. He actually sat in the wagon while Lily finished the last couple of houses before home. He said, "Mom, I'm just done with this, let's go eat our candy."

Of course, we got home dumped out all the candy on the floor and the organizing/trading and inspecting kept them occupied until bed. It was a great Halloween!