Spritz Cookies

Oscar decorating Scottie Dog spritz cookies.
Eleanor decorating butterflies.

We also used green food coloring to make Christmas Trees and wreaths.

Psst, the ones with red hots are Mom's favorite!

All I Want for Christmas...

is my TWO Front Teeth!
We had an exciting Saturday morning...and have quite the story to tell!

We had just finished one of Daddy's wonderful bacon & pancake breakfasts

and Eleanor & Oscar were using rock magnets throughout the house to find other magnetic objects. Eleanor placed hers on this, the Big Ben kitchen wall clock, and the force was so strong she pulled it down onto her face. The clock took out her already loose front tooth!?!

To this day she has a bruise on her right cheek from where the clock hit her. And will forever remember the Christmas that she could truly sing "All I Want for Christmas Is my Two Front Teeth!"

Gingerbread Houses

We made gingerbread houses with friends after playing in the snow this year and had a wonderful time.

Oscar had fun both frosting and eating his decorations!

Eleanor's finished product.

Oscar's finished product.

YUM!

Oscar's Christmas Program

My little man dresses up nice!

Onstage with his classmates for their Preschool Christmas Program. They sang several long songs WITH hand motions and did an excellent job!

Back in the pew with his friends.

After the program we went outside to freshly fallen snow!

Trucks

Have trucks, will travel!

Oscar had fun playing with his black trucks, just like his Poppa Ronnie & Uncle Mark!

My Boys

Oscar & Daddy in their blues.

It was a cold day so Daddy put on his bridge coat. He commented that he didn't know wearing a coat could be so exciting (ie: picture worthy). To me he's not only a man in uniform but my husband!

My Cookie Bakers

Oscar (3 1/2) & Eleanor (6) baking cookies after school.

Mmm, red frosting & sprinkles!

US Botanical Garden

We went again this year to the US Botanical Garden's Holiday Train display. Oscar loved watching the trains & Eleanor enjoyed snapping photos. My Mom & I liked seeing the variety of plants & the children's excitement!

Photo? I'd much rather watch this train come around the bend Mom!

They even had a Thomas & Percy train this year.

The poinsettia's were huge & beautiful.

Oskie-Bear topiary!

(My fav nick-name for him, Oskie-Bear!)

Eleanor liked the pink and purple flowers.

Trouble up high on the canopy level...he did pretty good not getting ahead of us ladies.

Did you know it's hard to slow down a 3 year old boy on rockets?

Reindeer topiaries

Eleanor's beautiful find.

(Please don't ask me the name of it.)

THE bridge!

The USBG is located right at the base of the Capitol Hill, it was a clear cold evening.

Cirque de Holidaze

Mom & I enjoyed a great show, Cirque de Holidaze, at the Kennedy Center.

Mount Vernon by Candlelight

Marthalee, Eleanor, Grandma Judi & I paused for a girls group photo during our evening at Mount Vernon. It was cold and windy but we were bundled up for warmth!

Yes, the fruit is real!!!

We were greeted with HAPPY CHRISTMAS! (rather than Merry) and enjoyed the hosts in each room we visited in the mansion.

No photography allowed inside...you'll have to come see it yourself! Such a magical estate.

There were a dozen beautifully decorated Christmas trees to gaze upon.

Each tree had a different theme pertaining to periods of George & Martha Washington's life, ie: George the Surveyor, George the Commander in Cheif.
Live period musical entertainment.

Sipping cider & ginger cookies near the outdoor fire.

"Apple", the pardoned White House turkey, was in his cage in the wooden fenced in area behind us. (We couldn't see him but will go back during the day soon.) They had to lock him up for fear of foxes on the estate and his being white in color provided no camoflauge. Also, being from California, he is not accustomed to such foul weather.

I loved meeting Aladdin the camel!

George paid 18 shillings in 1787 to have a camel brought to Mount Vernon for his Christmas guests' enjoyment. Aladdin gave the palm of my hand soft tickly nuzzles and was so gentle. Raised in Poolesville, Virginia, this camel is three years old. Perhaps he reminded me of Oscar because of their similar age & sweetness?

Amazing 5-foot wide Gingerbread Mount Vernon

Eleanor with her newest doll, a caroling christmas tree decorator.

She chose well, as decorating the tree is one of her favorite Christmas activities. She is so excited this year as "her angel" is atop our tree. In previous years we have had a silver star.

Sweet Girl

Eleanor asked to have her photo taken before going to church on Sunday. Such a sweetie!