The Zipps Family: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Part 1

I LOVE the month before Christmas. There are so many fun things to do like crafts, decorating, baking, christmas parties, etc. Last Christmas was...let's just say it wasn't my favorite ever. Chloe was itty bitty and Avery was so very sick. I decided that this Christmas was going to be great. Chloe was older and I was ~~a nazi about germs~~ determined not to have sick kids. My kids had probiotics every day, washed their hands pretty much every hour of the day, and did not set foot in a fast food restaurant play place. I'm slightly embarrassed that I was so crazy but it totally paid off. We still had so much fun, and it turned out to be quite possibly the best Christmas ever!!!

We did lots of activities during the month of December. Some I captured in pictures and some I did not. Here are the ones I did...

We moved into our house 2 years ago during the week of Thanksgiving. We were still unpacking, and I did our banister halfway with garland. It was a sorry attempt but an attempt no less. Last year I didn't even attempt it. I was in a state. This year, Bill and I tackled it before Thanksgiving, and now I am officially obsessed with having garland on my banister. I would have it there year round if it was socially acceptable. This year, I made a point to really soak up the decorating and music as much as possible.

Step 1- Putting up the tree

Step 2- hanging the stockings

Step 3- decorating the tree

Elfie Elf Shelf (as Ave so lovingly renamed it this year) made his appearance. He doesn't seem to be overly enthusiastic about doing really exciting new things each day other than switching spots but that probably is because he doesn't want to do so much this year and have to keep up the awesome antics year after year. Better to keep the expecations low. Smart elf :). Avery still LOVES finding where he is each morning and was so blown away on the days that he actually did do something fun and exciting.

This year, I bought a gingerbread village. I thought that both girls could do their own little houses instead of buying one big one. I did not anticipate all of the crazy assembly it would require but it turned out cute and I think the girls really enjoyed it.

Chloe got to decorate her first house!

Little by little I saw pieces go from the house to her mouth. I was actually pretty impressed that they landed on the house first before making it into her mouth! I'll take that as a victory!

Avery got very into it and did a great job.

On Christmas Eve, Kelly came over and helped us decorate cookies for Santa. I very clearly remember Avery hacking up a lung all over her cookies last year. They were completely inedible by anyone but her. This year was MUCH better! We had a great time. Bill ran some errands with Chloe and brought us home some Starbucks which just further enhanced our morning.