With that said, we had a great second week of advent activities! Throughout this process, I've learned that two year old's don't care how well thought out or organized you are, they are going to do what they want to do - and you just have to roll with it. So while I had a fun list of completely different activities planned, most of what we actually did was thrown together last minute depending on the tot's mood. Keeping her content is much easier than forcing her to do something she could care less about. Besides, she's engaged in holiday crafts and other activities all day at daycare so I don't feel bad repeating the same activities if I know they'll be successful. As long as she's happy, I'm happy.
Day 6's activity was lunch with Daddy and a quick shopping trip to pick up a few last minute items and a new ornament for Taylor's tree. The tot grabbed the first ornament she saw, a stuffed Snoopy, and was completely uninterested in anything else. I've mentioned her Snoopy obsession before, so it was no surprise to find her sitting in front of her tree singing "Jingle Bells," petting his nose, and occasionally taking him off the tree for a hug and smooch. Snoopy seems to be quite fitting considering how puny her little Charlie Brown Christmas tree actually is, with its 4 measly ornaments and crooked topper, but she loves it regardless.
Day 7 was one of those days that just completely got away from me and before I knew it, it was 7:00 and we had yet to eat dinner or do much more than walk in the house and take our shoes off. So, leftovers it was followed by a little Santa beard action in the bathtub. She must have been channeling her inner Macaulay Culkin, because these faces are straight out of the after shave scene in "Home Alone." I could not get over her ridiculousness that night, girlfriend was hamming it up big time. Clearly, when Daddy's away the girls will play!
Day 8's activity included a festive brinner for the tot and I. We are huge fans of breakfast for dinner in our house (or any time of the day for that matter), and Taylor is game for anything as long as sausage is involved, so we whipped out the frying pan and got to work making Christmas tree pancakes and ornament shaped sausage patties. Tay has become quite the little helper in the kitchen, so I knew this would be an activity she would love. Plus, I was able to kill two birds with one stone, providing a quick and easy dinner and a fun advent activity in one fell swoop, and the tot got to eat whipped cream and syrup. Everybody wins!
Day 9's activity brought another new Christmas book, which she and Penny instantly curled up on the couch to read. Every night after bath time Taylor begs to watch TV, but we make sure there is a balance between screen time and reading. Besides, cozying up in her bed reading books is a great way for us to spend quality time together and unwind after a long day. Plus, snuggles.
Day 10's activity was to surprise Daddy at work with dinner, and by dinner I mean a quick trip through a drive through so that Jake could get back to work and we could get home in time to get the bath time routine done before bedtime. Apparently, french fries and chocolate milk combined with lots of Daddy hugs were just the ticket because the tot ran around the conference room like a chicken with her head cut off. After we ate, we did a little socializing and stopped for a quick view of the craziness going on in the lab below before heading home. We were sad to say goodbye and send Daddy back to work, but this is our life come December and we're all doing our best to embrace it.
Day 14 fell on a Friday which called for snacks and our weekly Christmas flick. After last year's success watching Elf, I couldn't wait to see the tot's reaction this year. Unfortunately, she was less than impressed, asking "What this?" every five seconds and making it clear that she would much rather watch Frosty the Snowman. About 20 minutes in and an entire bag of fruit gummies later, she finally got her wish and I turned on Frosty for the 900th time. In all fairness, it is absolutely adorable to see her face light up every time he comes to life, so I can't be too disappointed. Girl just knows what she likes!
Day 15 brought a visit from Granny April, Aunt Amber, Natalie, and Granny Phyllis which could only mean one thing: Girl's Day! We spent the afternoon shopping and stuffing our bellies full of pasta in celebration of my mom and niece's birthdays. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken as we were too busy relishing in the fun to stop for a photo. But days like that are my favorite. No need to capture an image because the memory will forever be burned into my mind of time well spent with family, laughing and celebrating those we love the most.
That's all for now. Stay tuned for our third advent update next week!
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