Christmas Fun

In keeping with my new found excitement about the holidays, I decided to jump right into Christmas crafts.

This is the felt tree from last year.

Push....!

Some festive window decals

Our reindeer feet

Had so much fun doing this. 

Kind of had to work out a system but once we got it, we got it. 

The eyes are Rebe's thumb prints.

Think I promised her some chocolate if she would smile for a picture....

Then there was the decorating of the Christmas cookies

And the singing while the decorating

We made button snow flakes.

She would only be in the picture if I held them....

I talked Don into making a gingerbread house with Rebekah

Much serious concentration going on....

The finished product:

Don finishing the product:

We made snowmen

Not sure how I got Rebekah to pose for this one. Think she just like the sad snowman.

And to finish the season right, I had Rebekah pick out presents for her family. 

The blue hat for Don, "'Cause he likes blue."

The pink slippers for Kayla, "'Cause she likes pink."

The orange hat for Paul, "'Cause he lives in Wyoming."

And the refrigerator magnets and chocolate for grandma, "'Cause she likes to share."

Dentist Apt

We interrupt the holiday festivities briefly for a trip to the dentist. 

I want Rebekah to not fear the dentist so I've been starting early (of course the books suggest you take you child to the dentist as soon as they get one tooth - so according to them I'm late). I took her about a year ago and she was very brave and let the doctor count her teeth. 

This year she was a little more nervous. The chair and the big light scared her a little. But she overcame. I'm very proud of her. 

I had been debating on taking her to a pediatric dentist vs mine. I trust my dentist but this trip was a little more eye opening. Rebekah didn't fit in the adult chair and I think that made her more nervous. There were other things too. When our insurance changes I may make the change.

Either way, I have pictures from this trip:

Rebekah showing us all how to brush

They cleaned her teeth a little and the doctor counted her teeth again. Everything looks okay. However he gave me a timer and said to brush for 2 minutes. 2 minutes in a toddler's mouth? Really? I think I'll aim for 30 seconds and go from there.

They gave her a coupon for ice cream from Dairy Queen. She wanted sprinkles on it. 

She totally deserved it.

(So much like her daddy with the sprinkles thing.)

We had a few "ice cream kisses"

And some ice cream goatee...

Hopefully the dentist will be a fun experience as we continue to work on good dental habits.

Santa

To introduce Santa or not to introduce Santa. I know, it seems a no brainer but I still have a hard time with it. I feel like I'm deceiving my little girl. I think I would be okay with teaching her the idea of Santa but having her believe he is a real person is hard for me. Yeah, go ahead and call me Scrooge. It doesn't matter because it's too late. She is already a believer. 

Santa came to the Fortville library. We started story time by singing Jingle Bells and he walked in the room. 

When Rebekah finally saw him she smiled so big! My sweet little innocent yet very extraverted girl walked straight through the crowd and interrupted story time to present herself to Santa. "Santa," she said in a very loud voice. After she was sure his attention was on her she continued, "I've been GOOD." He then proceeded to get his list out to look for her and other children's names.

She finally came back to sit with me and listen to story time. Santa read to us. Then it was time to either eat a cookie and milk or talk to Santa. Rebekah lined right up to speak to the man again. However, her last name was not part of the first group so I had to lead her away. 

I was concerned she wouldn't understand. But the appeasement of a cookie was helpful.

However, Ms. Brenda gave cookies to everyone else on the table but not her. At first I thought she was just working her way around counter clockwise and told Rebekah to be patient which she was. After Ms. Brenda got to the person next to Rebe she went like she was going to the next table. Rebekah looked a little concerned. I flagged her down and pointed Rebekah's cookie-less nature.  

Ms. Brenda then came over and apologized with several cookies in hand to choose from.

Happy girl.

I noticed the groups were changing and no one from the second group was there yet. Pointing in Santa's direction was all I needed to do. She was off.

Love the "this is how it is" stance.

Rebekah was in the process of giving him a short history of everything when he brought her over to sit on Santa's lap so he could hear better. She hopped right on. No fear there.

"A bike, a helmet and boo-boo bands."

Santa asked about the boo-boo bands. Rebekah explained they were for her baby. She has a lot of boo-boos. 

After talking to Santa there were games to play.

Throw the hoop on the reindeer antlers

Pin the nose on Frosty

She did not like the blindfold but last minute was able to overcome her fears. My little girl is very brave when she wants to be.

There were gift bags

which she had to open immediately

Loves her little Rudolph finger puppet

She was so excited she had to thank Ms. Brenda.

I do love the Fortville library reading time. They do such a great job. Ms. Brenda is fabulous! 

DC - Tuesday

By Tuesday Rebekah was ready to head home. She helped Courtney by getting her bag.

We took a quick selfie before we went into the airport:

Then we were off. I got turned in the airport but finally we found our way. Rebekah then proceeded to tell everyone - and I do mean everyone - that she was going to see her dad. Even the intimidating security guard smiled at her and made conversation: Guard: "You're going to see your dad?" Rebekah: "Yeah. It's been four days. And that's a lot of days!" Guard: "Yes, that is a lot of days...." and so forth. 

When we got to the gate Rebe wanted to call her dad. They had a good chat.

Once we got on the plane and were up in the air it hit Rebekah that we were leaving Aunt Courtney. At 30,000 feet she looks out the window and says in a very loud and sad voice, "Bye Aunt Courtneeeeeeeeey!"

We landed and headed out the tunnel. We get a few steps and Rebekah says, in a very very loud voice (several times), "DADDY! WE'RE COMING!" Everyone around us laughed. Good thing she's extremely cute and adorable.

We finally found that dad. Their reuniting was very happy.

While we were gone Don and mom worked very hard to clean up a used playhouse for Rebekah. She loves it! It was good to be home.

And, again, thanks to a wonderful friend for a much needed visit. I love that Rebekah loves you and Dustin (she still talks about him and Nepal). Couldn't ask for better!

DC - Monday

Monday I suggested we take it easy on Rebekah. Perhaps a day of chilling at home? Courtney agreed and so we began. 

Rebe really loved snuggling with Taxi Bear in Courtney's bed and Dustin's pillow.

We played dice construction vehicles 

There was an obstacle course

Complete with Dustin's hat as part of the finale

We made Dustin a happy birthday card. Rebekah wanted to write his whole name.

Look at Rebe's "R." I was very impressed. 

Courtney baked. Rebekah helped. It was awesome to watch them bond.

Then Courtney gave Rebekah a bite of fudge. Her first.

Said fudge:

She was so happy!

Such a great day chilling with Aunt Courtney!