santa claus is coming to town...

You better watch out...

You better not cry (or pick your nose)...

Better not pout, I'm telling you why...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

Merry Christmas from the McConnells!!

ainsley's dance debut

Video quality isn't the best, but you can tell she loves dance class. She's the third from the left.

pancakes

Ains is in heaven!

perfect outfit

This has to be the perfect outfit for Ainsley. It's got pink, it's got a skirt, and it's got sparkles! I found these pants on clearance at Gap and had been on the hunt for the perfect shirt. With a little help from someone at Gymboree, I scored big time. I LOVE this shirt - it's so cute! Combined with the sparkles and rhinestones, I think she's in love as well...

visit with the big guy

We popped over to the mall after dinner tonight to have a visit with the most talked about person this time of year - SANTA! We timed it perfectly as there was no line and we were able to take our time.

At the start of the Christmas season she was terrified of Santa, and even flipped out at the Southern Christmas Show when she saw him on the other side of the building. Tonight was a different story. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she's been talking big game about sitting in his lap and I just *knew* that she would change her mind when the time came. Well, I was wrong. She marched right up to him and had a nice chat.

After she was done showing Santa her new shoes and after receiving lots of compliments on her dress and bow, she settled in to the main purpose of her visit... the toys! She asked for a Jeep, like Daddy's (a power wheel) and she also told him that Caleb liked cars and trucks and trains. She was so proud of herself and really just reveling in the moment of enlightenment (Santa doesn't pinch after all).

Next it was time for the standard picture with Santa. As with years past, we could have gone with a crying picture, such as...

But instead we chose this one...

Can you believe it? I was thrilled... until I remembered a talk that I had with Ains on the way to the park one day. She started this particular conversation by saying that she wanted to go to Disney. With the knowledge of her fear of mascots and characters, I told her that she would have to sit in Santa's lap and hug Norm (the mascot at our basketball games) before we went. I made the mistake of telling her that once she did those things, we would start planning our trip. Now I'm afraid to take her to the next basketball game - she doesn't forget a promise. I think I better start saving for our trip. I underestimated my girl, big time!

christmas cards - check!

impersonation

Ains-Ley, Phone Home...

Drew Barrymore has nothing on this cutie...

christmas time!!

It is officially Christmas time in our house and Ains could not be more excited! She says that she's going to sit in Santa's lap - we'll see about that.

We also officially have a new visitor. 'Scout' came at lunchtime on Saturday and has been landing in different spots every night (with a very close call one morning). So far Ains seems to have bought in...

We've also put up the tree in her room. She LOVES it! And of course BC gave it a little love too - notice that there are no longer any ornaments on the lower limbs. (Scout landed on that lamp the night before last so that he could tell Santa if she was a good sleeper)

Tonight will mark the first chocolate from her Advent calendar. I think she may be most excited about that! Thank you to Trader Joe's and your $1 calendar for our new dinnertime bargaining power!

christmas cards!

So Christmas is 4 weeks away and it's time to order our cards. We went out last weekend with the Wagenhausers and played in Freedom Park for a bit to get some full family shots (thanks Megan for letting me see the front of the camera some).

I've been ordering my cards, and even Caleb's birth announcement, from Shutterfly and I think we'll do it again this year. But I'm so torn between a few cards! There are so many cute ones!

There's this one and we have several great black and white photos (and the ability to convert others)...

And I also really like this one (I have a thing for vertical cards)...

We're going to use one family shot and then a picture of each of the kids.

But then something like this one looks like fun and then I can include more shots!

I'm sure whatever we choose they'll turn out great but man, this is a tough decision!

I welcome all feedback! Check out Shutterfly's cards and tell me what you think... Shutterfly Holiday Cards.

(Nana, Mimmy - Don't read this next paragraph ;) )

And while you're there, check out the photo books! I made a couple last Christmas for Ainsley's Preschool teachers and I'm definitely doing several this year. They make great presents and what grandparent wouldn't love a book about their grandkids?

pinecone birdfeeder fun

A few weeks ago I was hit with a memory from childhood of making pinecone birdfeeders. I asked my mom to go out on an expedition to locate some pinecones for me. We don't have any pine trees near my house that produce suitable birdfeeder sized pinecones so I had to rely on her trees. She dropped off a bag full last weekend and unfortunately we were out of birdseed.

A trip to Costco and 40 lbs of birdseed later...

We tried hanging it in a small tree by the back patio but a squirrel chewed through our string. I moved it to the Shepard's hook to deter them from destroying it before the birds could enjoy it.

And within an hour of the move, we had our first diner. Ains was very excited when she noticed him (or her) so of course Mommy had to capture the moment. Enjoy little fella! Lots more birdseed where that came from - another 39.9 lbs to be exact.