Three.Ten Months

3.10 Years

• This was a magical month with you. I love this age during Christmas time. Santa is so real, the lights are breath taking, and every treat is the best in the world (that one is still true for me). We didn't end up writing letters to Santa this year, but focused more on serving others. We did the straw in the manger. Whoever you got, you always drew them a picture with lots of hearts on it. Another thing we did was go through our books and give some to the lending library. We went to the nursing home and decorated the windows (though it was cold for you so you stayed in the van after a while and listened to toddler music). 
• One of the best things we did was hunt down Santa on a first truck. Every night for the month of December, Santa drives through town on a lighted up fire truck playing Christmas music. Dad was on call, so we thought it would be a good night to drive around to see the lights and see Santa. We would drive a few blocks, stop, roll down the windows in the cold, and everyone had to be so silent to see if we could hear him. After about 15 minutes, you said you heard something. Sure enough, it was on the other side of town and we tracked him down. We pulled over and all ran out to the sidewalk. You were so excited to see the real Santa and that you were able to tell him "I hope you have a good night!"
• We hosted the preschool Christmas party where you dressed up and reenacted the nativity story. You played the shepherd and Gus was your sheep. It was funny watching you try to herd him around. We had a big lunch with all the moms which gave you kids lots of extra playing time. They left us a manger scene kit to make like a gingerbread house. 
• We tried to make Christmas Ever fancy and spiritual. We had calm chowder in bread bowls, We used the German candle spinner thing (which you loved) and busted out the nicer Christmas plates and cloth napkins. You love helping set the table all fancy with me. We read the scriptures, reenact the nativity with your siblings (you were the angel), and opened your pj pants. After you were in bed, we could hear Santa running across the backyard, so you girls quickly went to bed.
• Christmas morning was wonderful. Santa Brough you a doll. You named her Ally. She came with a bunch of accessories, which will last probably about two days before getting lost. You love her and have carried her around the whole house. It is special because Maggie has a doll so now it is something that you girls can share together. Dad and I gave you a new heart sweater and unicorn skirt, a few picture books, and a pick sleeping bag. Maggie gave you those bracelets that turn into a unicorn toy and Sam gave you. . .I can't remember. I will have to ask you. You ate so much candy in the morning. It was fun.
• We left right after lunch for a fast trip to Utah. We crammed a week worths of activities into four days. We stayed with Grandma and Papa Matthews. We were able to have special night with them while the big kids had a sleep over at cousins house. We visited Bonnie's house and went sledding with all your Matthews cousins. One of your favorite things was going down south to hang out with your Price cousin, where we went swimming. They had a fun splash area with slides. You weren't technically suppose to go in the hot tub, but we were able to soak our feet in it.