Red Noses

Rudolph has become quite the favorite around these parts. Chloe was all set to be the star of her class singing presentation since she was the only one in the group who knew all the words, but alas. My girl choked.

She said to me afterward, "Mommy. I not nervous downstairs... but then I got nervous in here."

It was true - she saw all the parents and cameras and she froze like the proverbial (rein)deer in headlights. But, she made a pretty cute little reindeer anyway.

Then, Grams showed up with these little winners:

Which Chloe and Amber agree are pretty hysterical. They are all ready for Santa -- how about you?

Amber Post: My Party!

Amber: I totally forgot about my party! With Grams arriving and Christmas coming, I totally forgot! But, then Mommy started baking and Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop showed up with balloons and stuff and then people started getting here...

Amber: Plus, we had these awesome hats and Mommy hung up some lanterns with Elmo and the guys and we had really yummy snacks.


Amber: Here I am with Mommy BEFORE I got cake in my hair.

Amber: Everybody sang me a nice song and then...

Amber: ...there was cake. Cake is freakin' awesome.

Amber: Plus, there were presents!! I got new outfits, a back pack, a Pooh bear, two balloons and this awesome Kewpie doll! We have a big sister Kewpie, but this one is mine, all mine. Mom-Mom found it for me because Mommy thinks I'm just as cute as she is!

Amber: I love my birthday - and I get another one next year!!!

Amber: Until then, I'm out!

Amber's Birthday-Day...

Chloe: Happy Birthday, Amber!

Amber: Yay, it's my birthday! I'm having a party on Sunday with an Elmo cake and Mommy made cupcakes for school today and yesterday, Aunt Diane threw a birthday party for me, too!

Chloe: Well, yesterday was Aunt Diane and Uncle John's Christmas party - that wasn't a birthday party.

Amber: What do you mean?

Chloe: You have to share your birthday month with the baby Jesus.

Amber: Do I have to share my cake?

Chloe: No, he's not into that.

Amber: What does he like?

Chloe: He has frankinscence and stuff.

Amber: Can you eat that?

Chloe: No.

Amber: Then, we'll have no disagreements between us.

"Amber My Baby"

Last night on the way home from school, Chloe announced that she was going to be a mommy. Ed and I said, "Yes, someday..." and she said, "No, I a mommy now." We tried to explain that she needed to be older and we got the stock response that we always get when we say that: "I older now."

Then, Ed said, "Well, Chloe, you can't be a mommy until you have a baby, so you have to wait until you get a baby."

"Amber my baby."

"Well, no, Chlo - Amber is Mommy's baby."

As Chloe's face fell, I was quick to point out, "She's your baby SISTER, though."

Chloe thought about this for about thirty seconds and said, "But, I cook. I a good cooker."

Daddy was perplexed for that one until I said, "Yes, you help me cook -- you're practicing to be a good mommy."

Daddy finally caught on and said, "Yup, Chlo, but you have to practice a lot to be a good mommy... when you get older, you could be a mommy... maybe not as old as Mommy, though."

If I hadn't been driving, I may have kicked him.

Reporting in from the Lights at Rose Tree Park

Chloe: Mommy said she had a surprise for good girls on Saturday if we behaved and listened all day... it was hard, but I'm glad I did my best. We had so much fun at the Rose Tree Park Festival of Lights!*

The festival had lights all over the trees, fun displays we could walk right up to and touch, little houses that had open windows I could peek through and a visit from Santa! I had seen him already, but it's always good to take a moment and remind Santa that you are a good girl who likes Pinkie Pie.

Chloe: When I told him that Pinkie Pie is my favorite pony, Santa smiled as if he already knew! Maybe Mommy really HAS been talking to him like she said!**

Chloe: I also made Mommy climb a big, muddy hill so I could walk right up to the reindeer! Rudolph my favorite reindeer - I love to sing the song about him whenever I'm not trying to be a Rockette or watching White Christmas.***

Chloe: Here I am, dancing with Christmas-delight!

Amber: Where was I?

Amber: Oh, right.

---

Notes from Mommy:

*This was really pretty cool. The display is not huge (you're done in about 15-20 minutes), but considering the price of Longwood Gardens, I'm all about Rose Tree Park. It was free to go in, free to park my car, free to meet Santa and take my own picture, free to drink hot cocoa. Big thumbs up here.

**I have been talking to Santa and he knows about Pinkie Pie. And Fluttershy and Apple Jack and Princess Celestia and Rainbow Dash. Rarity and Twilight Sparkle will have to wait.

*** FOUR TIMES this weekend. I mean, I love me some White Christmas, too, but FOUR TIMES. This morning, I heard Chloe announce to an imaginary crowd, "And now... The HAYNES SISTERS!"