Foster Fun House: Bye Bye Pumpkin Pie... Hello Rudolph!

The month since Gram and Pop left us (and since I last posted) has felt like a blur! We attended "Friendsgiving", Thanksgiving, I started Kharma Club Yoga (free yoga just for lighting candles and checking people in!), Andrew stopped going to pre-school, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here... details below! Enjoy!

Turkeys (above) to Santa (below)!

Thanksgiving at the Johnson/Smith's: Abby and Steve, our old neighbors, invited us to their family Thanksgiving this year. Abby's parents are transplants from the East coast, and they always have a ton of friends from other places join them... so we fit right into the mix! We had a very nice time, and Andrew loved being with Shelby again.

Playing "Ring of Fire" (left) and the aftermath (right).

Christmas Tree: We picked out our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. We went wild this year, and did the Costco special... had no idea what the tree looked like until we got it home! We were very satisfied with our purchase and I think it looks quite nice, if I do say so myself. And wow, what a difference to drive up, pay, and not agonize and argue over every tree!

The Elf on the Shelf (a.k.a. Buddy) is back:

He brought candy for our Gingerbread House Party!

Gingerbread House Party: We were invited to our neighbor's house to make gingerbread, and she had quite the setup (pre-made houses for kids and Moms, breakfast with mimosas, and gifts for everyone too). It was an amazing way to start off our week! The kids had a great time making new friends, and Andrew did AMAZING decorating his house all by himself! I was so proud of him. Addison was focused more on eating the house than decorating it, but we still managed to create a cute little village!

Yes! There were THIS many kids decorating houses. All at once!

A couple pics from "Mommy" School:

Sensory Play - Playing with "snow"

"Decorating" our Number Tree

Cookie making: Not quite the same without my Mom (even though I texted her throughout most of the day with questions)... or our Italian margaritas.

Our Christmas Party:
Mike and I looked at each one Sunday morning and decided we should have a Holiday Open House. The problem is that the only weekend left was the next one. So, I sent out a message to our East Bay friends to see if anyone was available... and about half of them were (which, frankly, was completely fine, because if everyone had been able to come, I'd be a lot more stressed!). We added in a few neighbors we only chatted with while getting the mail, and wah lah! A party.

Whoops. Forgot to take a pic BEFORE we got into the food.

The kids - above left: Addison, Addison, Pyper and Avery. Right: Andrew and Bash playing Mario Kart Not Pictured: Austin, Richie and Mateo

Above: Misti and Jason and Sue and Brian

Below: Drew and Juliana; Not pictured: Michele and Anthony, and neighbors -Chris, Nicki, and Raj

Santa!
We headed to the mall with absolutely no idea how this was going to go... Andrew had been hiding from Santa all season. Every store he saw him in, or thought he saw him in, he would hide behind me and peek from behind my legs. (I'm convinced he thought if Santa saw him, he'd know that Andrew had been naughty.) Addison on the other hand, had no problem waving to Santa and giving him a high five. Well, as you can see... that all switched as soon as it was time for the picture. After several minutes of coaxing and thinking I'd have to get in the picture in my yoga clothes, Andrew ran at Santa full speed for a hug, and Addison clung to me for dear life.

We saw Santa again at Andrew's old pre-school. We stopped going right before Thanksgiving... for a variety of reasons... but Ms. Charlotte invited us to come to their Holiday party. Santa came and gave out presents to each of the kids (even one for Addison) and a photographer was there to catch it all.

As soon as we walked in, Santa was calling for Addison.
Addison wanted no part of Santa... except to get her present of course.

Andrew, had no problem this time!

This is MY cookie.

Hmmm....

Trying again... but still not having it!

I haven't done that in a long time! :)

Livermore Christmas Parade and local lights:

We headed to the parade again this year with the Gervase family, and had a nice, leisurely meal before realizing that they actually started on time this year! When we finally found a spot, it was in the cross-walk and VERY crowded. But the kids loved it anyway!