Keeping Up with the Gerges': Merry and Bright!

It's the most wonderful time, of the year! There really is something magical about the weeks after Thanksgiving until the end of the year. There might be stresses about gifting or holiday cards, or the perfect party outfit and what not, but the excitement around all of the celebrations is energizing. For obvious reasons it's an exciting time for our little ones, but I feel like a kid too! I love the decorations, the lights, the tartan plaid, watching TV with only the tree lights on at night, and all the activities of the season. Add to that the increasing excitement in the kids, especially Madelyn and there's little not to love about this season! I wasted no time switching gears to red and green, after Thanksgiving and doing so has actually made the time between the two holidays seem a bit longer (to me) this year.

Two weekends ago we took a last minute trip to the mall, to get out of house and walk a bit. We were pleasantly surprised to find a new toy store there, and the girls had a blast going through and coming up with a list of gift ideas for Santa. It in turn was a productive trip for Mom and Dad, too :) For the first time, we then came home and wrote a nice note to Santa to send in the mail. I may have used the "I wont send the letter to Santa" threat a few times that week after, and holy cow did that work. Madelyn would stop in her tracks, and clean up her behavior in a snap when I mentioned that letter! (is that wrong?!) We haven't actually visited with Santa yet, because I wasn't sure the girls would be in to it. I didn't really want to put ourselves through that screaming torture if both were sure to cry (just for the photo). However, Madelyn told me last night she wants to go and sit on Santa's lap with her sister. So, we might try this weekend.

We went to our town Stroll last weekend, but the girls didn't last too long. It was a Friday evening at 6pm, and while they really are troopers, it was cold and they were hungry, so we missed seeing Santa and the carolers. Maybe next year ;) The following day, I went down the PA with my mom and sister for our annual shopping trip. We shopped til we dropped (almost literally), had a great dinner and stayed the night before heading back home on Sunday. Numerous times we laughed until we couldn't breathe - it was so awesome!

Since then, it's been in the 60's and I have been leaving my jackets at home - craziness! I think for a few days, the weather tricked me as it felt more like May then December and I fell behind on some Christmas stuff. We had our annual trip to NYC yesterday to see the tree, etc - and it was just beautiful. It wasn't any busier than its been in past years, and it was awesome to be out and about without all the bulky layers! Madelyn was so intrigued by St. Pats and "who built this place?" and all the big buildings and taxis. Later that night she said "thank you Mommy, for taking us there" Such a sweetie - it truly warmed my heart.

Some pictures from our adventures! Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season and your days have been merry and bright! XO

Beautiful Saturday in DECEMBER at the park!