Buddy the Elf is Back!

      Laura, in particular, has been highly anticipating the return of Buddy, our Christmas Spirit Elf, for advent. This morning he showed up riding a new, electric train around the Christmas tree!

Tuesday, Dec. 1

Well hello Laura and Rachel!

I am well rested now and ready 

to spread some more Christmas Cheer 

with you this advent! 

Let's start by visiting the 

special Holiday Train today! 

Love, Buddy

This ended up actually being kind of a bust because the kids couldn't see the performance past the adults standing in front of us and subsequently became crabby. We ended up leaving after a few songs, and as we were walking away, realized the view from further back was actually better. But the girls had committed to leaving already and didn't care to stay. I was disappointed and upset because I had put a lot of effort into planning and executing this activity to avoid meltdowns, and apparently still failed. Ah well, such is life sometimes, I guess.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Good morning Laura and Rachel!

I thought it would help us 

get in the Christmas spirit 

if we made some snow globes today!

Yippee!
Love, Buddy

We made these with kits and they were a fair amount of work (for me!)
but they were fun and turned out cute. :)
Rachel made a pink Clarice (girl reindeer from Rudolph) and Laura made an elf girlfriend, Noa, for Buddy.

Thursday, Dec. 3

Hey Laura and Rachel.

Why don't you write to Santa today

and tell him what you'd like for 

Christmas this year? 

Love, Buddy

Laura ended up asking for something else than what she had said she wanted a few weeks ago when Santa had already ordered her gift, so I had to remind her to include that in her letter, too! ;) And then went out scrambling for some other stocking stuffers!

Friday, Dec. 4

Laura and Rachel,

Christmas is about spending 

time with your family.

Tonight lets stay in, have pizza, 

cuddle up, and watch a

Christmas movie together.

Love, Buddy

     Josh wanted to watch Home Alone together and eat pizza, so that was what we did tonight. We put on our jammies and made our own pizzas so we could each put on it what we wanted. It was really fun, and everyone was excited about it and enjoyed it, so that made it even better.  

Saturday, Dec. 5

Dear Laura and Rachel,

Christmas is a celebration

of the story of  of the birth

of Jesus Christ. 

Today we're going to go

for a special walk

to learn about that story.

Love, Buddy

    I had been to the Bala Trek to Bethlehem once as a kid, but I didn't remember much of it, so it was a fairly new experience for all of us. I didn't really know what it was going to be like, and frankly, had fairly low expectations after the Holiday Train experience with the kids. We brought Grandma and Grandpa along though, so the girls were more entertained and better behaved, and the actual tour was really well done. Josh is fairly anti-religion and was skeptical, but even he enjoyed it. Well done, Bala!

We weren't allowed to take photos, I stole these from the internet.
These were the tax collectors. They hassled Laura for rolling up her
paper she needed stamped and asked her for more money! haha
They were so great.

Again, not my photo, but here are Mary and Jesus and Joseph
that we met at the end of the trek. 

Sunday, Dec. 6

Hi Laura and Rachel,
Wasn't it fun learning about 

the Christmas Story yesterday?

Today I thought we could learn 

about another holiday that happens

at this time of year - Hanukkah!
Love, Buddy

    Trying to be careful to educate and not appropriate, we read several books from the library about the origins of Hanukkah and how people celebrate today. We listened to Hanukkah songs and made Star of David ornaments, made food that people typically eat during Hanukkah (latkes and applesauce, brisket, and sufganiyots), and lit the menorah. On the last night of Hanukkah, we gave the girls a gift (chocolate coins) and played the dreidel game while the eight candles burned. We all really enjoyed learning about this holiday. 

Monday, Dec. 7

Oh hi Laura and Rachel,
I was just doing some shopping here 
and thought you guys might like
to go shopping too to get some things
to take to the food bank today.
Love, Buddy

Tuesday, Dec. 8

Help!
Laura and Rachel, I've been captured
by Woody, Jessie, and Buzz!
They didn't like that I suggested
you guys donate some of your toys to 
kids who will use them more.
Love, Buddy

Wednesday, Dec. 9 

Laura and Rachel,
Good morning!
I was just borrowing your mommy's
new computer to look up some ideas
for a gingerbread house.
What do you two think we should make this year?
Love, Buddy

Laura suggested a gingerbread train like the Polar Express, but Rachel suggested we make Pinkie Pie's house (from My Little Pony). I googled it and it looks like a challenge!
It took us several days, but this was what we came up with:

Thursday, Dec. 10

Dear Laura and Rachel,
Christmas is a time for giving
and today I have brought you some gifts!
In turn, perhaps you could take
a gift to the neighbours.
Love, Buddy

     I heard Rachel let out a squeal this morning to find presents under the tree; she thought Santa had come already. haha. Laura quickly corrected her and told her the presents were from Buddy, and then she attempted to read his note. Their gifts were ornaments for the tree and they were both really happy with them, and also excited to take gifts to the neighbours. 

Friday, Dec. 11

Hi Laura and Rachel!
Let's visit my buddy Santa today,
and take some pictures.
Don't forget to smile!
Love, Buddy

Saturday, Dec. 12

Good morning, Girls!
Dashing through the snow
in a one horse open sleigh - 
that's what we are going to do today!
Oh, what fun!
Love, Buddy

     Other than the fact that we still have no snow, this ended up being about as magical as it could have been! We arrived and there was no line - always a bonus when you have little kids with you. There was a quartet of carolers singing nearby while we waited for the wagon to return, and they made me happy - they were quite good.  Everyone was in a good mood and once we got on the wagon, Laura started singing Christmas carols because that is the kind of kid she is. The people who ended up on the wagon with us were such good sports and started singing along with her, even the men. It totally made my heart swell.

Sunday, Dec. 13

Dear Laura and Rachel,

Today you're going to hear

lots of Christmas songs

at mommy's cantata at church!

Monday, Dec. 14

Hello Laura and Rachel,
I just have some craft stuff out here
and thought it would be a good
day to make some Christmas gifts.
Love, Buddy

Tuesday, Dec. 15

Hey Laura and Rachel,

Wanna go for a drive

after dark to see all the 

pretty Christmas lights?

Love, Buddy

Wednesday, Dec. 16

Laura and Rachel,
I was trying to be helpful 
and do some wrapping for you guys,
but it looks like I need some help!
Can we do it together?
Love, Buddy

Thursday, Dec. 17

Good morning  Laura and Rachel,
The best way to spread Christmas cheer
is singing loud for all to hear!
Today is Rachel's Christmas concert. 
I'm so excited to hear her sing 
and spread all that Christmas cheer.
Love, Buddy

     Buddy accompanied us to Rachel's Christmas concert today because he was so excited to hear her sing, and she did a great job! 

Friday, Dec. 18

Oh, good morning Laura and Rachel,

I was just sewing you guys some aprons

so you could make Christmas cookies today!
Mmm!

Love, Buddy

Saturday, Dec. 19

Dear Laura and Rachel,
I overheard you reading 
about the Nutcracker this week
and thought it would be fun
to go to the ballet today!
Love, Buddy

Sunday, Dec. 20

Hey Laura and Rachel, 

Did you know that candy,

candy canes, candy corns, 

and syrup are the elves' 

four main food groups?

Today let's take a well-balanced

meal to our friends 

with a new baby.

Love, Buddy

Monday, Dec. 21

Hi Laura and Rachel,
Let's show some Christmas Spirit 
and catch the men who collect the garbage
and recycling every week to give them a
Christmas gift. I'm sure they would like 
some appreciation for what they do!
Love, Buddy

Tuesday, Dec. 22

Hello Laura and Rachel,
As of today the days will be getting longer
and we will be able to enjoy more sunshine!
Let's celebrate the solstice today!
Love, Buddy

Wednesday, Dec. 23

Dear Laura and Rachel, 
We've just caught Buddy the Elf
in this bucket of candy canes here
because we wanted to make a suggestion today!
Why don't y'all be candy cane fairies 
and spread some Christmas Cheer?
Love, Tink, Periwinkle, and Rosetta

Thursday, Dec. 24

Dear Laura and Rachel,
Tomorrow is Christmas!
It's practically here!
And now that advent is over,
I, in my cap, will be settling down
for a long winter's nap.
Here is one last gift for you
to remember me by.
You two did a great job
of spreading Christmas Cheer this year.
Love, Buddy

Laura actually cried this morning when we read his note. She is sad to see him go. I, on the other hand, am exhausted and am looking forward to my own long winter's nap! Merry Christmas, All!