Ellie got crafty making gifts at our school's Gift Fair last weekend. She even got to work one on one with our Head of School (bottom photo) making a cool sphere ornament. She was very proud of the gifts she made and can't wait to give them out on Christmas morning.
When my parents and Bridget were here, we decided to take the kids to see Santa. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season and the visit was pretty uneventful. I think both Ellie and James felt better knowing each other was on Santa's other knee. James was a little hesitant about going up to Santa and Ellie wanted James right with her for the experience. Ellie has asked for three things this Christmas, a bouncy house, a trampoline and popcorn. I'm not sure about the first two, but I bet Santa will come through for her with the third item. 
Ellie had a fantastic fourth birthday! Mimi, Papa and Bridget were in town for the weekend which made it extra fun. She started her special day by unwrapping her birthday book. We had brunch at Red Stripe and then Bridget and I took her to see Tangled in 3D. We came home, opened presents and then went for a very high end dinner at Johnny Rockets. The day ended with a Mary Poppins birthday cake. I don't think she could have had a better day. Happy 4th Birthday to our sweet Ellie!
We had a good Thanksgiving holiday. Ellie helped me make the apple cranberry pie on Thanksgiving morning and then we went to John's sister's house for dinner. Ellie and James enjoyed seeing their cousins and we got to do it all over again the next day in New Hampshire. E&J played on a playground next to the football field where John took part in the annual family football game.
Ellie's friend Polly spent the day before Thanksgiving with us. The photo above is of the girls and Madeline snuggled together in Ellie's bed watching the movie Madeline.
I traveled to Chicago - alone- the weekend before Thanksgiving. I went for Alexis's baby shower, to meet Owen Kelly and to meet Julie and Todd's new baby, Charlie. It was such a fun weekend!! The shower was great and it was wonderful to see so many friends. I was lucky to get to hang with new babies all weekend long and if I didn't have my own two big babies to return to, it would've been very hard to leave. I figure it's about time I posted about Chicago since Alexis and Mark welcomed their sweet babies on December 3rd. Sullivan Ford and Sienna Elizabeth made their debut a little early and we couldn't be happier for their wonderful family of four!
Way back in November before the freezing temperatures hit us, we were spending lots of time outside. We spent lots of time at the playground this fall and James had fun assisting John with raking leaves.