We must have accidentally let some animals out of the zoo when we went to see them. Look what we ended up with on Christmas Eve! But, at least they are cute!
Actually, Grandma and Pappy gave the kids these hats. They were a hit with all the grandkids!
We tried to make some new traditions this year and one of them was attending an event at the Folsom Zoo. They had lights on all of the animal cages and lit up the whole zoo in all the Christmas color. It was fantastically beautiful. This is something we'll have to add to the list to do again...and again.
Anna, Aria, Matea, Tyler, Joey and Lucy
Matea, Lucy's bottom, Tyler, Aria, and Joey
Since it's Christmas time they let the bears out of the cage...Santa Paws!
Luckily Santa Paws didn't go after Santa Clause! He was hanging out over by the wild animals...not the kids, but real life wild animals...and handing out candy canes.
Here is a view of some of the decorations at the zoo. It really looked amazing and beautiful. It's nice to think the animals get to enjoy a little bit of holiday cheer as well.
The Folsom Zoo also has a tiny steam engine, so to cap off the evening we decided to climb aboard the choo-choo train. The kids were pretty excited for the thrill ride! Not really, but with the chilly air in your face you can pretend that you're on quite the coaster!
Matea was loving it!
Next year we look forward to attending the Folsom Zoo event! At the rate I'm updating this blog, though, that's not too far away. :)
One of Lucy's favorite friends is Gabi and she was turning 5! Gabi had her party at Girlfriendz and the girls were so excited to get their hair done, pick out cute outfits, have their makeup done, and their nails painted.
They were also allowed to pick out an accessory and Lucy's was the rock star headset...of course.
She most certainly IS a rock star!
Strike that pose girl!
Here is the whole gang. Happy Birthday Gabi!
Lucy and Brook went for the rock star look, as opposed to the princess or diva choices.
She's back to being my baby girl. She really enjoyed herself at this party and couldn't wait to do it again. Specifically, for her 5th birthday...
It's a good thing they had this full length mirror so the girls could inspect themselves from head to toe!
On December 17, 2011 Lucy had her first recital with Tumble Time's dance program. The girls had a tap dance to perform and a ballet dance. They were just the cutest little things EVER. Their teacher, Miss Cami, has such energy and she did really well with the girls.
These black hats were part of their tap number. They were a little big, but they looked cute during the dance.
Matea and Lucy...pre-show!
Alexis, Matea, and Lucy - who knows why they were hiding out under the table!
The tap dance - "Don't Rain On My Parade" (from Glee)
The ballet dance - Song from Rapunzel (I think?)
After the show Lucy got some flowers from Grandma and Grandpa and one from Matea and one from Alexis. Bad Mommy and Daddy didn't bring flowers. :( And she wanted to know why!
Big kisses from one of her BIGGEST fans!
Lucy, Alexis, and Matea - the three of them have been in gymnastics, and now dance, together for a long, long time. They are GREAT friends.
Miss Cami - the teacher they ADORED!
Lucy and her Daddy...another one of her BIG 'ole fans
We might have a star...or a diva...on our hands. We couldn't get her off the stage at the end of the show. She wanted to keep performing and posing.
Christmas pageant and the kids sing songs, decorate Christmas trees (ice cream cones with frosting and candy), and eat some cookies. It's a good chance for the parents to dress the kids up, listen to them in all their cuteness, and then bring them home on a sugar high!
Merry Christmas Bumble Bees!
Here are the kids singing Jingle Bells:
And here is their fabulous rendition of Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer:
We will be sad when preschool is over and we can't attend functions like these every month. Thank goodness we have video cameras and You Tube to make memories...and black mail!
The kids made Christmas cards for each of their classmates. Instead of breaking child labor laws and making them color 25 pages each Mom just made copies. Lucky kids. Smart Mommy.
For the past few years we've been lucky enough to have Santa and his elves visit our neighborhood and stop for cookies and cocoa. It's a fun event that we get excited to attend. Santa roars into the neighborhood on his fire ending while his elves hand out candy canes and the kids try and hide from the Grinch. The kids enjoy seeing the Clause's and they also get to be excited about donating to Toys for Tots and bringing canned goods for the Food Bank.
Unfortunately this year Daddy had to be out of town, so it was just Mommy and the kids visiting with Santa.
The second time this year that Lucy posed with Santa. It might be a record!
Santa and his reindeer came in on a fire engine blaring Christmas carols
Tyler, Grandma Karla, and Lucy
Lucy and Mrs. Clause - it's really too bad she's not the one in charge because Lucy really adores her. She would much rather it be here visiting our house on Christmas Eve. Mommy might too if Mrs. Clause didn't leave crumbs like Santa does!
We will miss you and honor you every day Grandma Donna! We know Jesus greeted you at the gates of Heaven with pink flowers in his hand. Flowers that won't affect your breathing. You lived your life in such a way that inspired others and led them to be better people. The memories we've made will live on forever in our hearts. We love you Lead Foot!
