A Christmas to Remember

 Time did not slow down at all as we sped toward Christmas Day. The kids actually had school until December 22, so the week was filled with themed days, parties, and final tests for Tuttle.

Jacob's 1st grade teacher treats Christmas as her Super Bowl with all the activities, crafts, dress up days, and fun! I made a snack for Grinch Day and read a few of our favorite holiday books to his class.

Maggie had to skip school on Monday and Tuesday for gym practice, but she returned just in time on Wednesday for her class party. She helped create a "Poke-a-Tree" game, and it was a big hit with her classmates. I cannot believe it was her last elementary holiday party!

Jacob's class performed the most adorable play for the parents during their party. Since he is one of the tallest kids, he was on the back row, so he is blocked by Santa in the group picture. Luckily I took a complete video of the performance to share the songs and story line with Daddy, Tuttle, and Maggie. :)

I also used Christmas as another excuse to get together with my favorite neighborhood girlfriends for a dinner out in Roswell.

We ventured to Peachtree Road United Methodist Church for Christmas Eve service and were reminded again why it is so hard to find a church closer to our new home. PRUMC is such a beautiful and special place, especially during the holiday season. We always leave with the decision that we will make the drive more often to worship there.

Christmas Eve is one of the only nights that the kids willingly go to bed. All three were in their rooms before 8pm!

Despite all their naughtiness, the Thorne kids received a visit from Santa!

Maggie set an alarm for 6:50am, so everyone was up bright and early to investigate their loot. Tuttle was most surprised with his new iPhone 13!

Jacob spent ALL DAY assembling his two big Lego sets.

Even though it was very cold, the weather did not keep Maggie off her new scooter. Holland and Piper received the same scooter from Grandmommy and Grandaddy, so all three rode until it got dark!

We hosted Grandmommy and Grandaddy and the Peace Family on Christmas Day, so we had another explosion of gifts and fun once they arrived. Jacob's Pop-a-Shot basketball game was the biggest hit. Even Grandaddy was shooting hoops!

The next day we celebrated our final Christmas celebration at Larry and Beth's house. Beth and Gram have organized an outreach activity the past few years with the cousins. This year everyone assembled treat bags and stuffed animals for Hope House at MUST.

We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas season. This was a holiday to remember!

Party, Party, Party

 We still have a week until Christmas Day, but we have already fit in so many holiday fun and traditions.

It would not be Christmas without our trip to Mellow Mushroom and the Garden Lights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. It had been raining constantly all week, but it cleared up long enough for a beautiful night with the most amazing lights. It was especially good this year with new features.

Maggie and Jacob's elementary school hosted The Giving Tree program where the students presented toys to MUST Ministries for Christmas. Jacob was chosen as a gift bearer this year, so he was able to carry his class's gifts into the assembly to present in front of the audience.

Our three Beethovens performed their Christmas songs at their recital. Ms. Becky reserved the piano at Von Maur, so not only did the families get to enjoy the music, but holiday shoppers got a special treat, too!

Maggie traded cookies, decorated gingerbread houses, and played game with her Roswell Gymnastics team at the annual Christmas party.

I hosted the Foxhall ladies for a White Elephant home decor gift exchange and drinks/appetizers. I love our neighborhood and find any excuse to get together even if my gift got stolen by one of my closest friends. :)

Maggie had another gym party with her Level 6 team to exchange Secret Santa gifts. I did not take any pictures, but the girls headed to The Pasta Factory after Friday practice for dinner and to unveil their presents! Much to Maggie's surprise, her bestie, Alma, bought for her!

Our weekend morning started with homemade waffles for the family. Maggie made this festive breakfast all on her own!

Afterwards, we drove to Phipps Plaza to chat with Santa and submit final lists.

The boys were determined to be on the Nice List and even let me snap a sweet photo.

Jay and I were thrilled to fit in a holiday date night and enjoyed the YUMMIEST meal at Canton St. Social. The mussel appetizer still has us drooling! I loved reconnecting with my favorite guy during such a busy season. 

Today was our first official Christmas celebration with Gram and Grumps. While we always look forward to watching ALL the cousins open gifts, I was anticipating the gift I bought for my mom. There was a coat that she found in Paris and talked herself out of buying it TWICE. Two months ago I tracked down this special piece. Just last week she mentioned how much she regrets not buying it. I could barely hold in my excitement. Her reaction will definitely be the highlight of my entire holiday!

The kids still have another week of school, but it mostly will consist of theme days and parties. (Sadly Tuttle can only look forward to tests and final assignments). Christmas memories are just getting started!

Sugar Plum Success

 I interrupt our regularly scheduled Christmas program to make a huge announcement. MEET SEASON has begun for Maggie competing Level 6 with her Roswell team.

Her new optional leo arrived just in time on Friday, and I have finally figured out how to style Maggie's hair for meets without the fear of it falling during an event. 

When I explain that Maggie works hard, that is an understatement. She is focused, driven, and such a supportive teammate as she spends at least 16 hours a week training. If Maggie sets a goal, she is going to make it. I have no doubt about that. Honestly I went into this competition season with much less nerves than previous years. I knew she was ready and would show out for the judges.

We did set realistic expectations because the girls at her level are amazing, so we were hoping for an all around score of at least 36 to be close to the gym's requirements of two 36s to train the next level.

Maggie was ON FIRE! Not only did she achieve her initial goal of 36.925, but she placed 3rd on beam (9.35), 2nd on floor (9.4), 1st on bars (9.4) and 1st ALL AROUND in her age group! What a spectacular way to start the season! We are so proud of Maggie and her entire team. 

Maggie is ready to return to the gym this week to make corrections. She does not have another meet until January, but we are ready to see what she can do!

More Thankfulness

 We always get twice the celebration with our second Thanksgiving at Gram and Grumps's house. This year there were 30 people eating a delicious meal and cheering on the Dawgs to another victory!

I wish we got the entire family together more often because it is always so much fun!

To be honest we had already started decking the halls before Thanksgiving, but now the house is in FULL Christmas mode. Jay has been traveling a lot for work recently, so we made sure to decorate the main tree while he was home because it would not be Christmas without Daddy singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and putting our favorite ornaments on the tree.

The kids survived another year designing gingerbread houses. There was only one major sibling brawl, so I call that a win. Special mention goes to the glue gun that guaranteed stable houses to decorate.

We are done Christmas shopping, cards are ready to be mailed, and the elves have arrived to monitor behavior. Let's enjoy a memorable holiday season!