Christmas and Kids

Here are some pictures from our photo day at Matthew's school and some stories from tree cutting day.

Kids are so much fun, especially during the holidays. Yesterday we drove out to Half Moon Bay to get our tree. As soon as we turned into the entrance the kids faces sparkled with joy. Trees shaped and painted like snowmen and a train with Santa inside. Matthew noted that we just saw Santa on top of the firetruck at the parade on our street, so this one MUST be pretend.

We headed up the hill and into the valley to find the perfect tree. They squealed with excitement as they jumped out of the car and ran to the trees. Madeleine loved standing on the stumps and jumping off. Matthew liked carrying the saw by himself for the first time this year and pointing out "the best tree EVER." There were lots of them. :)

Matthew observed that some of the trees were really small. Marc explained that they had to grow and that each year we come back they will be bigger and bigger, just like him. Matthew responded, "Dad you're a genius!...and then we'll cut me down?" Then he laughed like crazy. Not sure how that makes Marc a genius or why that was so funny, but we all laughed with him and Marc seemed to have a proud fatherly look on his face. That comment surely secured his train ride on the way back down.

The train ride was great, complete with Christmas songs and antidotes about the different types of trees. Did you know it takes a Nobel Fir the longest to grow (12 years) and that's why it's the most expensive. It was lots of fun and when we finished, we were greeted with snow coming off the roof of Santa's Workshop, teenagers caroling and hot apple cider.

The kids continued to have a blast later that night when we put up the tree and decorated it. They were very excited to see all the Christmas things that have been packed away for a year. The Christmas clock, the talking Santa Claus, their Santa hats, their stockings, the Manger scene, etc.

Before we went to bed, Matthew mapped out where he thought Santa should put his gift in the living room..."do you think he'll put it over here or over here, Mommy?" He added, "I don't like Santa, I LOVE Santa." It was a great day. Now we have to spend some time teaching him more about the reason for season to cap it all off.

Merry Christmas!