the Calagna 4

Let's see...since Thanksgiving we have had two sick children, doctors appointments, Vincent with an ear infection, a first birthday party, preparing and cleaning for the party, cleaning up the party, slowly decorating for Christmas, a screw in my tire, late registration (my fault because I couldn't find the paperwork...Chris took care of it), Christmas pictures at Kiddie Kandids, Christmas cards...I think that is it! What do we have coming up: Vincent's first birthday tomorrow, Princess and the Frog in LA on Thursday, a Christmas party on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Yikes! So, I am guessing my house will pretty much stay a wreck until next week.

Here are two pictures of Isabella decorating her tree. We put it up on a table so Vince will be able to reach less.

While we were doing that I found him in the pantry taking out all the candy from the party.

And my Bff Teren had an Elf show up at her house...I think she told Santa that Isabella needed one...so today while Isabella was at preschool, the Elf showed up in our car! She named him Toodles and is super inquisitive about the Elf and why exactly he isn't moving if he is real. But she has been behaving and looks forward to finding him tomorrow. She told everyone at Kiddie Kandids and our neighbors that she has a real elf!

And a second tradition I copied from my dear friend Meagan. Every year she wraps up books for the 25 days of Christmas and each night before bed the girls get to open a book. So we started tonight. I was a little short on books, so few Christmas movies got wrapped too.

Also, my Mom got Isabella an Advent Nativity Calendar that you stick on the fridge. Today was the first day, so it started with the manger.

On a side note, the other day we went shopping at the grocery store and Isabella told me she really wanted to give money to the poor. Of course I didn't have any money, only debit cards here. She even mentioned it to Chris when they went together a few days later. So when we made another stop at the store this week, I made sure that I had some extra change. She was so excited to help the poor and give them the money. Yea for raising a really sensitive and good girl.