December Already?

I'm not sure how, but we are already a week into December. This time of year seems to fly by more quickly every year. I feel like there are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I need/want to do and I hate that I often feel overwhelmed with To-Do Lists. I really want to just slow down and enjoy what this season is all about.

The kids are really enjoying the Christmas season this year. It is so much fun to watch them experience the magic of Christmas. Parker and Eden went to the Christmas parade with Cory last weekend and loved it! (I stayed at home with Lily who is getting over an ear infection.) Cory said Eden stood and waved at every float that went by. (Notice in the parade picture the cotton candy and princess wand- that's what happens when Fun Daddy takes you to the parade and Not-So-Fun Mommy isn't there to say "No"!)
The house is now decorated and feels so festive. The kids helped us decorate the tree and, surprisingly, only two ornaments were broken in the process. Please don't be fooled...Lily was not helpful in the decorating of the tree. And I can not tell you the number of times I have said "No touch!" over the past few days!
Next year, we will have to have a lesson in How To Spread Out the Ornaments on the Tree, but for this year, they will remain perfectly clumped together in one spot!
We also put up Cory's Spider-Man tree this year. I think Parker and Eden love it as much as their daddy. Most of these ornaments have now been hung a little bit higher on the tree after being found all over the house, thanks to the curious little hands of a certain one year old!
A new tradition that we started this year is the Elf on the Shelf. Santa sent us our elf on December 1st and we decided to name him Charlie. So far, he has been found in Parker and Eden's stockings, in the Christmas tree, in the wreath, and between the shutters. Parker and Eden get SO excited every morning to search and see where Charlie is hiding.
We have a lot of other fun things planned over the next few weeks. Aunt MerMer is taking Parker and Addison shopping for a Salvation Army angel on Saturday and a little bird told me that Santa might make an appearance at our Christmas party on Saturday night. The kids are at such fun ages this year and it just never gets old to watch them rediscover the magical moments of Christmas each year!