Ho! Ho! Ho!

It's Christmastime and the kids are ready for it! We kicked of the season by having breakfast with Santa at the neighborhood golf course clubhouse. We went last year and the kids have been talking about it when we drive by there ever since!

Nothing brings out a parent's pride more than watching your children in some sort of program. We were quite impressed with the school Christmas program when they performed last year and were told that the triplets would be on the front row this year since they would really project and perform during practice. Payson and his good friend, Ryan, really took their roles seriously and followed their director's every move. They were like two perfect peas in a pod!

Ryan and Payson performing in perfect symmetry.

Notice how many of the other kids have lost interest while Ryan and Payson stand front and center, still following the director's lead. These boys were unstoppable!

Meanwhile Hayden and Madison were doing a little bit of singing and hand motions here and there, but were generally more distracted than their brother.

In fact, Hayden was pretty nonexistent for the first few songs while she fretted over a lost headband. But, once she found it she was ready to be up front. This video is a MUST SEE as it captures Hayden's vying for the prime position. Be sure to watch her on the left side of the screen. (In her defense [after all, I am her mom- ha!], she was told by the teachers to be in the front but once performance day came and all of the classes were combined for the first time, the front became a little more obscure.)

Nunie and Pops cheered on Madison and her siblings during and after the performance.

Speaking of performances, I took the girls to see a small production of the Nutcracker for the first time. They were in awe of the ballerinas and they have been dancing and twirling all around the house ever since. Hayden has recently had two aliases, one being McKinsey, and now she often wants to go by Clara, the little girl who receives a magical nutcracker on Christmas Eve.

We also took the kids to a Journey to the Manger event at a local church. They got to walk the streets of Bethlehem, pay their taxes and visit the various merchants and crafters of that time.

It was hands on fun as the kids got to help make dreidels and flour and take home treasures such as rings and a bracelet.

At another local church event the kids enjoyed visiting baby Jesus in the manger and petting a real donkey and sheep.

And, they had another visit with Santa Claus! This time they decided to sit with him one at a time. Surprisingly their Christmas wishes have been consistent with each Claus: Hayden wants a stuffed panda bear, Payson wants a stuffed bird and Madison wants a stuffed penguin. Wow, Santa has it easy again this year! (Last year they wanted a stuffed rabbit, balloons and stuffed dog, respectively.)

Our Elf on the Shelf, Alvy, has brought the kids lots of good cheer again this season but this year he's getting into a little more mischief than usual. He found these sprinkles too irresistible.

The grown-up Melkers have also gotten into the spirit with several fun holiday parties. Girls night!

Keith and I had a great time at his company's glammed-up holiday party, as usual. Such fun!