Addie Kate's Preschool Christmas Program

Addie's sweet little preschool Christmas program was a little different than most. Her teachers have learned over time to record them singing and dancing and doing their thing ahead of time, and then show it  on video at the program. It was as sweet as can be to see it that way, although I would have liked to see her perform in real life as well!

As soon as we got there, we looked at their display. Just like any other preschool, Addie brings home TONS of crafts, artwork, papers, etc. each day, but these they had saved, and they were precious. I plan to frame (planned to do it this Christmas) her "Happy Ho Ho Holiday" picture to display each Christmas. Addie loved showing her work off.

 We had a lot of socializing time, because for some reason, we were early! Not at all like us - ha!

 (pardon the picture -below- of me, but I loved the picture of my dissheveled looking girl!)

 The two somewhat decent looking pictures that we were able to snap of the screen showing their little performance. They sang a few Christmas songs and "He's Got the Whole World in his Hands" complete with movements and all - love it! (They have music - and other related arts - every week.)

 My silly girl (and all the other kids too) playing on the stage. I hated every minute of it, but how can I make my child stop when every other kid there is doing it? Ugh!

 AK and Maw Maw:

 AK and Googa:

 AK and one of her teachers (that Addie thinks hung the moon!), Marybeth:

 AK and Mimi:

 And because there is never a picture taken of her and Mimi without Addie being silly too:

What a fun night! Our first of many preschool Christmas programs! I enjoyed every minute of it! (Hate I didn't get a family picture though - yuck!)

The Nutcracker 2011

My mom treated Addie, my sister-in-law, and me to The Nutcracker this year. I had taken Addie there before, but she was one, and only sat through part of it. It wasn't a disaster, but I definitely had a lot higher expectation for this time around. This was a different ballet company than I ususally see, but they did not disappoint! Addie loved it. She was such a good girl, and sat and watched most of it. She got a little antsy at times, but she's only three and I was quite proud!

I tried to get a few pictures of her before the show, and they are funny to look back at:

 And in our seats, I tried to get a picture of her with each of us. (I really wanted one of all four of us, but didn't ask anyone.)

Addie and Aunt Sue:

 Addie and Mommy - 1st a decent one of me:

 2nd: a decent one of her: (I need photoshop and could have fixed that right up!)

 And one of my mom and her, not so hot of either of them. This was intermission and AK had gotten silly!

 After the show, at least at the matinees, they let you backstage to see the set and meet the dancers. Addie loved this part. Possibly more than the show. She waited patiently in the long line:

 Got to hold the nutcracker and loved that, but told me it was heavy!

 She was freaked out by the Sugar Plum Fairy, especially when we found out that "she" was a "he!" He was funny though, she just didn't like it!

 Some of the little dancers were passing out candy canes:

And these pretty girls were so sweet to her:

 Addie would NOT look at the camera - she was just enthralled with the girls and their attire:

 The only way I got her to take this picture was to get in with her:

 And then she showed Addie her shoes and talked to her about the difference between Addie's and hers. Addie did not undersand how her ballet shoes were so different than this ballerinas!

I wanted to get a picture of her in front of the beautiful, huge Christmas tree. And this is what I got:

Another sweet ballerina - this one was having a conversation (in French, no less) with someone, and Addie just walked right up to her and stared! So she stopped her conversation and paid attention to my girl.

 And this was her after we got home! The rest of us had coffee, she passed out!

It was such a fun day, and a tradition I hope to continue for years to come! Thanks Mimi!

Helping Mimi Decorate

My mom drug out her Christmas trees while we were in Lexington for Thanksgiving. I say "drug out" because unfortunately, decorating at her house, is a process. A long, slow one. Starting with the tree, and ending, a week or two later, with every single other room in the house. Luckily, we had Addie there for entertainment this year!

She was very careful about putting the ornaments on the tree...

 Then she went and found this antique chair that is just her size, and would drag it around with her to use to decorate. Although she didn't stand in it, which I found both surprising and amusing!

The next day she helped my dad set up one of the nativities. She does love a nativity and she loved my mom's. I was a nervous wreck. I think the one she did used to be my grandmother's which means it's probably older than Moses.

I didn't get any pictures of her decorating our house for Christmas. It was a process too, mostly becuase I was so exhausted the whole time. Then, her tree wouldn't work to save our lives, so that took days as well. Finally, the house was decorated and beautiful and Addie absolutely loved it.

Sanders Family Thanksgiving 2010

It was such beautiful weather for Thanksgiving this year. After lunch, the men all went outside to play football, then kickball, and heaven knows what else. The women sent the kids outside with them. My cousin Margaret had just gotten a new puppy and Addie was in love. I don't blame her. I love a lab and especially a lab puppy. If only I could come up with a way to keep them a puppy - kind of like keeping a baby a baby - it's not going to happen!

Addie and that dog chased each other for hours. I don't know who was more tired, but neither gave up until we forced it!

 Mom took Addie across the street to visit a neighbor, to try to give the puppy a break. Addie didn't get a break though because Mrs. Paulette had a dog that Addie played with over there!

 The doll Addie toted around that whole day was an old Pocahontas Barbie of Margaret's that Addie found and confiscated. It's so much fun to have older cousins!

 During another much-needed separation from the puppy, Addie planted herself on a football that the men were using as a base for kickball. And I think every man in that family knows it's best for all of us to just let her do it!

 She was just as content as can be, watching this crew embarass themselves...

 But then, the puppy returned! Seriously, this is over a several hour period!

 Uncle Paul came to the rescue for this one! Another time the puppy got hold of the bottom of Addie's top and Addie hated it! She cried and cried, and Aunt Sue or someone saved her! I think that was the end of their playtime, and at about 2 hours pas naptime for AK!

 Yep, I'm pretty much the most thankful woman on this Earth, I think! My two loves, and the one in my tummy - I couldn't be happier!

When we finally drug Addie inside, she enjoyed played with all of Aunt Lisa's collectible dolls. She has tons of them. Luckily, Aunt Lisa is pretty open to letting her play with all of them. Addie and Jordan (above) had them all lined up on the stairs and were having a blast!