Reagan did a fabulous job of creating some beautiful masterpieces...
But she did an even better job of sharing the experience with her baby brother...
Happy Easter Everyone!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Easter
The following pictures prove that it was impossible to decide who had the most fun dying Easter eggs this year...
Reagan did a fabulous job of creating some beautiful masterpieces...
But she did an even better job of sharing the experience with her baby brother...
Happy Easter Everyone!
Reagan did a fabulous job of creating some beautiful masterpieces...
But she did an even better job of sharing the experience with her baby brother...
Happy Easter Everyone!
Monday, April 25, 2011
The 5 Year Old Party Girl
Wow! For three days straight, it has been non-stop partying for our Reagan. Being the diva princess that she is, she wouldn't have it any other way!
On Friday, her preschool class celebrated the April birthday's during the end-of-month party. Reagan got to share this special celebration with the only other April birthday, and it just happened to be her sweet little boyfriend Matthew! The kids performed all of the latest songs that they learned over the last month, they impressed us with their knowledge of coral reefs and sea life as well as all that they learned about the artist Claude Monet. Then it was time for the birthdays! Reagan was so proud to wear her party crown and to blow out the candles on the classroom cake.
On Saturday, Reagan hosted her birthday party at the gymnastics center where she trains. The kids all had a blast playing on the equipment and following the directions of the coaches. They played in the gym for an hour before heading upstairs for pizza and cake. Reagan got to blow out five candles once again, this time on the Barbie cake that she picked out. Then she was ready to open up her presents! All I can say is that we have some of the best friends and family in the world... our little girl was spoiled rotten by everyone!
Sunday was her actual birthday, and we had our own little birthday celebration for her after lunch. She waited patiently all morning, and then she got down to business of opening even more presents. She was thrilled to receive her first ever REAL tea set from Pops and Momsey. She was quick to thank them for shopping at her and mommy's favorite store... Pottery Barn Kids!
She had to do a little work for her final present from us. We sent her on a scavenger hunt through the house to locate clues for the big surprise. We all had lots of fun watching her search from room to room. The first clue sent her upstairs to Pops and Momsey's room, and from there she found a clue in the bathtub. She then had to pull a clue out of the freezer and then the washing machine. She wasn't too impressed about getting her hair all wet when she had to go searching outside, but she quickly got over it when the final clue took her to the back of Mommy's Denali where she discovered a TRAMPOLINE!
Ryan and my Dad spent the rest of the afternoon outside in the rain assembling the monstrosity, but I'm pretty sure that they didn't mind once they saw the huge smile on Reagan's face as she was jumping for the first time.
We've all had a blast taking turns jumping with Reagan, but I think Ryan may be having the most fun of all. I was shocked to learn that he had never jumped on a trampoline before... but he is making up for lost time now!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REAGAN!
On Friday, her preschool class celebrated the April birthday's during the end-of-month party. Reagan got to share this special celebration with the only other April birthday, and it just happened to be her sweet little boyfriend Matthew! The kids performed all of the latest songs that they learned over the last month, they impressed us with their knowledge of coral reefs and sea life as well as all that they learned about the artist Claude Monet. Then it was time for the birthdays! Reagan was so proud to wear her party crown and to blow out the candles on the classroom cake.
On Saturday, Reagan hosted her birthday party at the gymnastics center where she trains. The kids all had a blast playing on the equipment and following the directions of the coaches. They played in the gym for an hour before heading upstairs for pizza and cake. Reagan got to blow out five candles once again, this time on the Barbie cake that she picked out. Then she was ready to open up her presents! All I can say is that we have some of the best friends and family in the world... our little girl was spoiled rotten by everyone!
Sunday was her actual birthday, and we had our own little birthday celebration for her after lunch. She waited patiently all morning, and then she got down to business of opening even more presents. She was thrilled to receive her first ever REAL tea set from Pops and Momsey. She was quick to thank them for shopping at her and mommy's favorite store... Pottery Barn Kids!
She had to do a little work for her final present from us. We sent her on a scavenger hunt through the house to locate clues for the big surprise. We all had lots of fun watching her search from room to room. The first clue sent her upstairs to Pops and Momsey's room, and from there she found a clue in the bathtub. She then had to pull a clue out of the freezer and then the washing machine. She wasn't too impressed about getting her hair all wet when she had to go searching outside, but she quickly got over it when the final clue took her to the back of Mommy's Denali where she discovered a TRAMPOLINE!
Ryan and my Dad spent the rest of the afternoon outside in the rain assembling the monstrosity, but I'm pretty sure that they didn't mind once they saw the huge smile on Reagan's face as she was jumping for the first time.
We've all had a blast taking turns jumping with Reagan, but I think Ryan may be having the most fun of all. I was shocked to learn that he had never jumped on a trampoline before... but he is making up for lost time now!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY REAGAN!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Five Years Old
She still is and always will be my baby, but there are many days that she seems so much older than just five years old. She is an AMAZING big sister, and because of this I know that one day she will be an amazing mother. I often tease Myers that he is lucky to have two mothers... me and Reagan! She has such a natural instinct with him.
She astonishes me with how smart she is. Oh my goodness, the things that come out of her mouth! Ryan and I have discussed the fact that we think that she is already smarter at five years old than we were at ten years old. She even answered a final Jeopardy question about Vincent Van Gogh all on her own the other day!
She is a natural athlete with non-stop energy. She has already proven herself to be a superstar gymnast, and I have no doubt that she is going to excel in any sport that she chooses. She can swim like fish, she's almost mastered ice skating, she can run for miles, she's a poised dancer, and her daddy is most proud of her slap shot!
She's sweet and loving, well-mannered (most of the time!) and full of life. She's sensitive and caring, curious and determined. She's our beautiful five year old little girl.
When she was only a few days old, I wrote a song for her that I still sing to her to this day. It sums her up perfectly...
Reagan Marie, my precious baby,You fill my heart with love.
Reagan Marie, my precious baby,You are a gift from above.
You are my world, my sun, moon and stars.You are an angel, that's what you are.
All of my life, you'll be my little girl.The sweetest baby in this whole wide world.
Reagan Marie, my precious baby,You fill my heart with love.
Reagan Maire, my precious baby,You are a gift from above.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Hockey Night In Canada
We are a hockey family. Always have been, always will be. Good grief, it was hockey that brought my husband and I together all the way from Vancouver, BC to South Carolina. So it is only natural that our kids are hockey fans as well!
Ryan took Reagan to her first NHL game last month, and she was as proud as could be to go watch her Canucks in person. Thanks to Ryan's boss, they had fantastic seats only a few rows off the ice. I helped Reagan to make an awesome sign to take with her to the game to help her catch the cameraman's eye to assure her a chance to make her television debut.
Ryan took Reagan to her first NHL game last month, and she was as proud as could be to go watch her Canucks in person. Thanks to Ryan's boss, they had fantastic seats only a few rows off the ice. I helped Reagan to make an awesome sign to take with her to the game to help her catch the cameraman's eye to assure her a chance to make her television debut.
I didn't get to see an up close shot of her while I was watching the game at home with Myers, but since I knew where she and Ryan were sitting I was easily able to spot her in the crowd, cheering her little head off! She did make it onto the jumbo-tron at the arena, and Ryan told me that you would have thought she had just walked the red carpet as the starring role for a movie premiere after she saw herself on the big screen!
They made it home around 10:30 that night... 3 hours past Reagan's normal bedtime. She was still WIDE awake and wired up to tell me all about the game. Fin, the Canuck's mascot, spent the majority of the second period hanging out with Reagan. She couldn't stop talking about how he tried to steal her seat, how he did steal her popcorn, and how he let her bang on his drum. He even gave her a big stuffed replica of himself to bring home as the perfect memory from her first ever game. It really was a magical night!
And now, the Canucks need a little of that magic. Vancouver has never won the Stanley Cup, and we believe that this could be our year. But first, we have to get past the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Right now, the Canucks are leading the series, 3 games to 2. Just one more win for the Canucks, and we'll advance to the next round! If Myers could talk, he would be joining Reagan in chanting: "GO CANUCKS GO!"
They made it home around 10:30 that night... 3 hours past Reagan's normal bedtime. She was still WIDE awake and wired up to tell me all about the game. Fin, the Canuck's mascot, spent the majority of the second period hanging out with Reagan. She couldn't stop talking about how he tried to steal her seat, how he did steal her popcorn, and how he let her bang on his drum. He even gave her a big stuffed replica of himself to bring home as the perfect memory from her first ever game. It really was a magical night!
And now, the Canucks need a little of that magic. Vancouver has never won the Stanley Cup, and we believe that this could be our year. But first, we have to get past the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Right now, the Canucks are leading the series, 3 games to 2. Just one more win for the Canucks, and we'll advance to the next round! If Myers could talk, he would be joining Reagan in chanting: "GO CANUCKS GO!"
Thursday, March 17, 2011
She Married Her Daddy
Reagan is OBSESSED with weddings.
She has already decided that when she grows up, she is going to be a wedding planner and bridal fair coordinator just like mommy. She doesn't realize it, but she is already just like mommy in that she wants to marry her daddy... I used to say the exact same thing about my Dad when I was a little girl.
But here's the difference... I never dressed up as a Bride and had my Daddy dress up in a suit to go through a mock ceremony! But this is a regular occurrence in our household. Once every few months, Reagan will call her Daddy at work and tell him to check the mailbox for his special wedding invitation when he gets home. He then showers and shaves once he arrives at home, and puts on his suit and tie. I serve as the Bride's Assistant, naturally, and make sure that the Bride is stunning on her special day. I also have to serve as the officiant for the ceremony, where I marry off my husband to my daughter! It's the sweetest thing in the world to see!
Here's a few pics from the latest ceremony... And yes, that is my wedding veil that she is wearing!
Just after the Groom has seen his Bride for the first time after she comes down the aisle...
Exchanging of rings...
The kiss...
The happy couple...
She has already decided that when she grows up, she is going to be a wedding planner and bridal fair coordinator just like mommy. She doesn't realize it, but she is already just like mommy in that she wants to marry her daddy... I used to say the exact same thing about my Dad when I was a little girl.
But here's the difference... I never dressed up as a Bride and had my Daddy dress up in a suit to go through a mock ceremony! But this is a regular occurrence in our household. Once every few months, Reagan will call her Daddy at work and tell him to check the mailbox for his special wedding invitation when he gets home. He then showers and shaves once he arrives at home, and puts on his suit and tie. I serve as the Bride's Assistant, naturally, and make sure that the Bride is stunning on her special day. I also have to serve as the officiant for the ceremony, where I marry off my husband to my daughter! It's the sweetest thing in the world to see!
Here's a few pics from the latest ceremony... And yes, that is my wedding veil that she is wearing!
Just after the Groom has seen his Bride for the first time after she comes down the aisle...
Exchanging of rings...
The kiss...
The happy couple...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Myers Chatting Away
He may be young, but this little man is already chatting up a storm! This 33 second video of pure sweetness was created on February 17th, just 2 days before he turned 2 months old. As you can imagine, he has become even more "verbal" now!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Reagan celebrated Valentine's Day this year All. Day. Long! She woke up that morning, and asked me to help fix her hair for her big day. It took just over an hour to accomplish, but her head full of topsy-turvy tails was a masterpiece if I do say so myself. Once she was dressed and ready, it was time to go to preschool for an extra special day of celebrating. You may remember that Reagan participated in a Dance-A-Thon last year at preschool, and the same big event fell on February 14th this year. Her preschool strongly enforces the phrase, "Give to a child and you change their life. Teach a child to give, and they will change the world." The boys and girls put that phrase into action (literally) as they raised money by jumping, jiving, grooving, and moving throughout the entire class!
Be sure to notice Reagan's super cool hair-do in the pictures above! And you can't help but to notice that adorable face as she poses with one of her teachers and a couple of her best-buddies below...
Later that evening, her Daddy spoiled me with a big box of chocolates and then we spoiled the kids with personalized puppy sleeping bags from Pottery Barn Kids. Trust me when I tell you that Pottery Barn Kids has become my new favorite store and that Ryan is afraid that he is NEVER going to be able to retire because of it!
It truly was a very Happy Valentine's Day!
Be sure to notice Reagan's super cool hair-do in the pictures above! And you can't help but to notice that adorable face as she poses with one of her teachers and a couple of her best-buddies below...
Later that evening, her Daddy spoiled me with a big box of chocolates and then we spoiled the kids with personalized puppy sleeping bags from Pottery Barn Kids. Trust me when I tell you that Pottery Barn Kids has become my new favorite store and that Ryan is afraid that he is NEVER going to be able to retire because of it!
It truly was a very Happy Valentine's Day!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Her First Gymnastics Competition
Reagan's first gymnastics competition was the last weekend of January, and she absolutely ROCKED IT! She was so excited for the event to finally arrive, and I must say that I was a basket full of nerves for her. It didn't hit me really until we walked into the gym, but all of the memories from back in the day came flooding back for me!
Way back when I was competing in the mid to late 80's and early 90's, this level of gymnastics was called "The Profile System" and it was created by Gary Goodson. I actually had the opportunity to train under the direction of Coach Gary Goodson on several occasions myself!!! USA Gymnastics now calls this training level TOPs... Talent Opportunity Program. In British Columbia, Canada, it is called GYMSTART. Regardless of what you call it, the basic principles are all the same!
Reagan's meet was a 2-day competition... Friday evening and Saturday morning. She competed in Physical Abilities first, which was a testing of rope climbs, leg lifts, chin ups, bar hangs, bar swings, bar casts, long jump, sprinting, splits, etc. She was as pleased as punch to come home that evening with a BRONZE MEDAL! Her Daddy and I were pretty proud as well. Day 2 was designed to resemble a more traditional gymnastics competition in that she performed combined Skills on each of the 4 apparatuses of women's gymnastics...
Vault...
Bars...
Beam...
and Floor...
We were more than impressed that afternoon with the final results... Bronze on Bars, and SILVER on Vault, Beam AND Floor!
The entire weekend was an amazing experience for Reagan and all of the girls on her team. The best part of the event was seeing all of the girls having so much fun and enjoying each other as they performed in a sport that they all truly love!
Her next competition is coming up in a few weeks, and she's ready! She can't wait to strut her stuff once again!
Way back when I was competing in the mid to late 80's and early 90's, this level of gymnastics was called "The Profile System" and it was created by Gary Goodson. I actually had the opportunity to train under the direction of Coach Gary Goodson on several occasions myself!!! USA Gymnastics now calls this training level TOPs... Talent Opportunity Program. In British Columbia, Canada, it is called GYMSTART. Regardless of what you call it, the basic principles are all the same!
"The program is designed to put the young gymnast on a solid path toward competitive gymnastics by focusing on drills and basic skills with greater emphasis on physical preparation than the traditional competition. The gymnasts are tested on very basic skills or stages of skills and are challenged to work hard toward good physical preparation that will ultimately determine their long-term success. The program provides a method of testing and measuring improvements in two main components: Skills and Physical Abilities. It also provides clear goals for coaches and athletes to work toward with measurable and achievable targets. The philosophy includes an award system that encourages hard work, recognizes quality and rewards all efforts."
Reagan's meet was a 2-day competition... Friday evening and Saturday morning. She competed in Physical Abilities first, which was a testing of rope climbs, leg lifts, chin ups, bar hangs, bar swings, bar casts, long jump, sprinting, splits, etc. She was as pleased as punch to come home that evening with a BRONZE MEDAL! Her Daddy and I were pretty proud as well. Day 2 was designed to resemble a more traditional gymnastics competition in that she performed combined Skills on each of the 4 apparatuses of women's gymnastics...
Vault...
Bars...
Beam...
and Floor...
We were more than impressed that afternoon with the final results... Bronze on Bars, and SILVER on Vault, Beam AND Floor!
The entire weekend was an amazing experience for Reagan and all of the girls on her team. The best part of the event was seeing all of the girls having so much fun and enjoying each other as they performed in a sport that they all truly love!
Her next competition is coming up in a few weeks, and she's ready! She can't wait to strut her stuff once again!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Front Row at Disney on Ice
The first weekend in December, Ryan and I had a big surprise planned for everyone else in our house. We woke up that Sunday morning and told Reagan, Momsey and Pops that they needed to get dressed WARMLY to go see Disney on Ice. Why dress warmly? Because we had front row seats that were literally on the ice!
We arrived plenty early so that Reagan could take her time wandering around the concourse, batting her eyelashes at her Pops for him to buy her multiple souvenirs. Trust me when I tell you that it works on him every single time! We made our way down to the ice and found our seats. The performance was amazing, and I can honestly say that I don't know who had the most fun in our group. We all enjoyed the show, plus we all enjoyed watching Reagan enjoy the show!
Reagan is obsessed with all things Princess, so she loved that the main attraction of this show was all of the different Disney Princesses.
And who doesn't love Mickey and Minnie?
Or even better, Minnie as a princess with her own Fairy Godmother?
Just before the intermission, all of the princesses and their princes were on the ice for the pre-intermission finale. Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog skated right up to Reagan and presented her with a beautiful rose. Reagan was speechless! It was a priceless moment, and definitely made the cost of those front row seats worthwhile!!!
After the show was over, we went back upstairs to the main concourse to collect the stroller that we had used for Myers. (Myers was an angel throughout the entire performance, and stayed snuggled up nice and tight to his Daddy for most of the show.) The stroller check area was located upstairs directly above what would be considered behind the main stage of the show, and one of the characters just happened to be upstairs getting a Gatorade to refuel before the evening performance... PRINCE ERIC from The Little Mermaid! Eric just happens to be my favorite prince of them all, so I was pretty excited to get to meet him with Reagan.
It was a perfect day, and I was so happy to have been able to share it with my parents!
We arrived plenty early so that Reagan could take her time wandering around the concourse, batting her eyelashes at her Pops for him to buy her multiple souvenirs. Trust me when I tell you that it works on him every single time! We made our way down to the ice and found our seats. The performance was amazing, and I can honestly say that I don't know who had the most fun in our group. We all enjoyed the show, plus we all enjoyed watching Reagan enjoy the show!
Reagan is obsessed with all things Princess, so she loved that the main attraction of this show was all of the different Disney Princesses.
And who doesn't love Mickey and Minnie?
Or even better, Minnie as a princess with her own Fairy Godmother?
Just before the intermission, all of the princesses and their princes were on the ice for the pre-intermission finale. Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog skated right up to Reagan and presented her with a beautiful rose. Reagan was speechless! It was a priceless moment, and definitely made the cost of those front row seats worthwhile!!!
After the show was over, we went back upstairs to the main concourse to collect the stroller that we had used for Myers. (Myers was an angel throughout the entire performance, and stayed snuggled up nice and tight to his Daddy for most of the show.) The stroller check area was located upstairs directly above what would be considered behind the main stage of the show, and one of the characters just happened to be upstairs getting a Gatorade to refuel before the evening performance... PRINCE ERIC from The Little Mermaid! Eric just happens to be my favorite prince of them all, so I was pretty excited to get to meet him with Reagan.
It was a perfect day, and I was so happy to have been able to share it with my parents!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Pinkalicious
My sweet Reagan loves all things pink. So it came as no surprise to me when she decided that she wanted to have pink hair!
I let her "stain" her hair pink for the first time in March of 2010. I took her to the same FABULOUS salon that I use, Mystique Hair Design, and Stephanie (or Miss Stephy according to Reagan) gave her a few pinks highlights on the underneath layers of hair behind her ears. It was cute as could be, and it washed out in less than 2 weeks.
Momsey, Reagan, and I had a girls night out at the salon a few days before my parents left to go back home to South Carolina in December. (Myers tagged along too since we knew that it would take a while for his "milk supply" to get her roots done!) As soon as Reagan was in the chair, she asked Stephy for pink highlights again. It had been almost 10 months since she'd had it done before, so I decided to let her do it again. And this time, we decided to put LOTS of pink highlights all over. Reagan was over the moon excited with the results!
The highlights lasted a bit longer this time, and you can even still see a faint trace of them if you look closely at Reagan's hair today. So if you are wondering to yourself, "Does that child have pink hair?" as you browse through any of the Christmas pics that I have posted or any of the upcoming pictures that you may see... the answer is yes! She's our very own PINKALICIOUS!
I let her "stain" her hair pink for the first time in March of 2010. I took her to the same FABULOUS salon that I use, Mystique Hair Design, and Stephanie (or Miss Stephy according to Reagan) gave her a few pinks highlights on the underneath layers of hair behind her ears. It was cute as could be, and it washed out in less than 2 weeks.
Momsey, Reagan, and I had a girls night out at the salon a few days before my parents left to go back home to South Carolina in December. (Myers tagged along too since we knew that it would take a while for his "milk supply" to get her roots done!) As soon as Reagan was in the chair, she asked Stephy for pink highlights again. It had been almost 10 months since she'd had it done before, so I decided to let her do it again. And this time, we decided to put LOTS of pink highlights all over. Reagan was over the moon excited with the results!
The highlights lasted a bit longer this time, and you can even still see a faint trace of them if you look closely at Reagan's hair today. So if you are wondering to yourself, "Does that child have pink hair?" as you browse through any of the Christmas pics that I have posted or any of the upcoming pictures that you may see... the answer is yes! She's our very own PINKALICIOUS!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Christmas in February???
Yes, it is February, and I am just now finally getting around to posting about our Christmas holidays. Oh well, better late than never right? So, Merry Christmas from the Knopps!
I am a Christmas nut. I love EVERYTHING about it, and I decorate like a madwoman. Except for this year! This year, I went as minimalistic as possible seeing as how Myers was only 1 week old when I decided to decorate. Thankfully, my parents were still here with us so my Dad did all of the outside decorating for me. Reagan and I put up the two Christmas trees in the house, hung a wreath on the front door, and called it done! Ryan put the final touch on both of the trees by helping Reagan to place the stars. Honestly, I may consider a more simple Christmas every year from now on!
Reagan brought home two new Christmas decorations from preschool this year, one of which we will be able to enjoy year after year from now. We placed the new wreath picture frame ornament directly below the pine cone ornament that she brought home last year. I have a feeling that her tree will one day be filled with items that she has made. However, the gingerbread house that she made out of a milk carton will not be around next Christmas... it slowly lost it's edible decorations until there wasn't much left to the house!
Before my parents left back in early December, we all bundled up to go have our annual visit with Santa. My favorite Santa can be found at the home of a local family who decorates their entire front acre of land with millions of Christmas lights. In the center of the grand display is a giant blue fairy-tale type castle where the most magnificent Santa sits on his giant throne to welcome the kids. Trust me when I tell you that he is fabulous! This year's visit to Santa was even more special and exciting as Santa got to meet our new little man Myers!
Not long after Thanksgiving, Nokee made his first appearance of the season. "Who is Nokee?" you ask... he's our Elf on the Shelf! My parents gave us the book called "The Elf on the Shelf" for Christmas two years ago, and we were very excited to use it again this year. The book explains how Santa can't manage all of the Christmas magic by himself, so he has elves who help him. Santa sends a magical elf to all of his most special boys and girls to watch over them and to report back to Santa each night. The book even came with an elf! Reagan named her elf Nokee (short for Pinocchio) the first morning that she discovered him last year. She was a seasoned pro about Nokee this year, as she knew that she could not touch him or else he would lose his magical elf powers. She also knew that he would watch over her throughout the day and report back to Santa each night when he flew home to the North Pole. Nokee returned to our house every morning again this year, and every morning he landed in a new spot. Reagan would race down the stairs to find him each day! We were sad to see our little elf fly home on Christmas Eve, but we know that he will be back next year to spread more Christmas cheer in our house. (Plus that gives me and Ryan another whole year to come up with some new and fun elf hiding/landing spots!!!)
Reagan Marie was one busy little girl on Christmas Eve. She started the evening by putting out the bag of reindeer food that we had made earlier in the week for Santa's reindeer. Everyone leaves out goodies for Santa, but the reindeer are the ones who do all the hard work of pulling that sleigh across the sky. This year we spread reindeer food across our front lawn so that the reindeer could snack while Santa went down our chimney. Within only a few minutes, our yard was COVERED with oats, glitter, sprinkles, and sequins. The oats were for the reindeer to eat... the rest was to make the yard bright and shiny to make sure the reindeer could find our house! Reagan loved running through the yard spreading a little extra Christmas magic that night...
Not to worry, we still put out goodies for Santa as well. Reagan and Ryan had made a delicious plate of gingerbread men earlier in the week, and we chose an extra special one for Santa. The rest of the snacks, the big man chose himself. When we were visiting with Santa with my parents, Santa specifically told Reagan to leave him several pieces of small oranges along with a cup of water. He said his tummy often felt sick from eating so much milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, and he would really appreciate a healthy snack from Reagan. She made sure to follow his request precisely!
The first thing Reagan does on Christmas morning is to look and see if Santa came the night before. She makes sure that she has a pile of presents, and then she runs into the kitchen to see if he drank and ate the goodies that she left for him. This year was no different, except for one thing... it was VERY cold downstairs. Santa enjoyed his goodies, and he left a big pile of presents for Reagan and Myers, but he must have left our house through our chimney in a hurry because he left the door to our wood burning stove standing wide open. We all had a good laugh at how silly Santa can be!
The Santa Bag is a tradition that we started two years ago, and it is one that we will continue for years to come. All of Reagan's toys from Santa (that will fit) are placed in the Santa sack and left in the middle of the living room for her to unpack. She was a little nervous this Christmas morning as there was only one item that she had asked Santa for... THE WALKING PUPPY. She was very worried that Santa wouldn't be able to find it or that he wouldn't remember what she had asked for. As she opened up her presents (and presents for Myers) out of the bag, I could tell that she was becoming more and more anxious. Of course, the last present at the bottom of the bag would be THE present for her! And of course she did the same thing this year as she did last year when she got to the bottom of the pile... she went into the bag just to make sure there wasn't anymore gifts! Myers on the other hand slept through most of Christmas morning and was content to let Reagan handle all of the action for him. He did finally wake up enough for me to get a cute pic of the two of them in their matching pajamas!
I got an extra special surprise from Santa Christmas morning... a new camera! The picture of the two kids in their matching pj's above is one of the first pictures that I took using it. Rest assured that there will be a post on this blog in the very near future completely devoted to nothing but my new rig!
We spent the rest of Christmas day playing with all of our new toys and enjoying being at home. The next day, Boxing Day, we did a little shopping with all of the other crazies out there, and then we joined all of Ryan's family for a huge feast. Christmas dinner with the Knopps was as entertaining as always, and Reagan loved spending some time with all of her cousins. Myers even got in on the action with the rest of the kids!
By noon the day after boxing day, the 27th, I had completely UN-decorated our house and had stored all of the decorations away for next year. Yep, Christmas had come to an end!
Be prepared to see a few more back-dated posts over the next few days. I think I have about 10 or so posts that I need to do to get caught up to the present. Stick with me... I will get there! Myers has now settled into a daily routine with a 3 hour nap right smack dab in the middle of the day, so I hope to get back to blogging on a more regular schedule as well!
I am a Christmas nut. I love EVERYTHING about it, and I decorate like a madwoman. Except for this year! This year, I went as minimalistic as possible seeing as how Myers was only 1 week old when I decided to decorate. Thankfully, my parents were still here with us so my Dad did all of the outside decorating for me. Reagan and I put up the two Christmas trees in the house, hung a wreath on the front door, and called it done! Ryan put the final touch on both of the trees by helping Reagan to place the stars. Honestly, I may consider a more simple Christmas every year from now on!
Reagan brought home two new Christmas decorations from preschool this year, one of which we will be able to enjoy year after year from now. We placed the new wreath picture frame ornament directly below the pine cone ornament that she brought home last year. I have a feeling that her tree will one day be filled with items that she has made. However, the gingerbread house that she made out of a milk carton will not be around next Christmas... it slowly lost it's edible decorations until there wasn't much left to the house!
Before my parents left back in early December, we all bundled up to go have our annual visit with Santa. My favorite Santa can be found at the home of a local family who decorates their entire front acre of land with millions of Christmas lights. In the center of the grand display is a giant blue fairy-tale type castle where the most magnificent Santa sits on his giant throne to welcome the kids. Trust me when I tell you that he is fabulous! This year's visit to Santa was even more special and exciting as Santa got to meet our new little man Myers!
Not long after Thanksgiving, Nokee made his first appearance of the season. "Who is Nokee?" you ask... he's our Elf on the Shelf! My parents gave us the book called "The Elf on the Shelf" for Christmas two years ago, and we were very excited to use it again this year. The book explains how Santa can't manage all of the Christmas magic by himself, so he has elves who help him. Santa sends a magical elf to all of his most special boys and girls to watch over them and to report back to Santa each night. The book even came with an elf! Reagan named her elf Nokee (short for Pinocchio) the first morning that she discovered him last year. She was a seasoned pro about Nokee this year, as she knew that she could not touch him or else he would lose his magical elf powers. She also knew that he would watch over her throughout the day and report back to Santa each night when he flew home to the North Pole. Nokee returned to our house every morning again this year, and every morning he landed in a new spot. Reagan would race down the stairs to find him each day! We were sad to see our little elf fly home on Christmas Eve, but we know that he will be back next year to spread more Christmas cheer in our house. (Plus that gives me and Ryan another whole year to come up with some new and fun elf hiding/landing spots!!!)
Reagan Marie was one busy little girl on Christmas Eve. She started the evening by putting out the bag of reindeer food that we had made earlier in the week for Santa's reindeer. Everyone leaves out goodies for Santa, but the reindeer are the ones who do all the hard work of pulling that sleigh across the sky. This year we spread reindeer food across our front lawn so that the reindeer could snack while Santa went down our chimney. Within only a few minutes, our yard was COVERED with oats, glitter, sprinkles, and sequins. The oats were for the reindeer to eat... the rest was to make the yard bright and shiny to make sure the reindeer could find our house! Reagan loved running through the yard spreading a little extra Christmas magic that night...
Not to worry, we still put out goodies for Santa as well. Reagan and Ryan had made a delicious plate of gingerbread men earlier in the week, and we chose an extra special one for Santa. The rest of the snacks, the big man chose himself. When we were visiting with Santa with my parents, Santa specifically told Reagan to leave him several pieces of small oranges along with a cup of water. He said his tummy often felt sick from eating so much milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, and he would really appreciate a healthy snack from Reagan. She made sure to follow his request precisely!
The first thing Reagan does on Christmas morning is to look and see if Santa came the night before. She makes sure that she has a pile of presents, and then she runs into the kitchen to see if he drank and ate the goodies that she left for him. This year was no different, except for one thing... it was VERY cold downstairs. Santa enjoyed his goodies, and he left a big pile of presents for Reagan and Myers, but he must have left our house through our chimney in a hurry because he left the door to our wood burning stove standing wide open. We all had a good laugh at how silly Santa can be!
The Santa Bag is a tradition that we started two years ago, and it is one that we will continue for years to come. All of Reagan's toys from Santa (that will fit) are placed in the Santa sack and left in the middle of the living room for her to unpack. She was a little nervous this Christmas morning as there was only one item that she had asked Santa for... THE WALKING PUPPY. She was very worried that Santa wouldn't be able to find it or that he wouldn't remember what she had asked for. As she opened up her presents (and presents for Myers) out of the bag, I could tell that she was becoming more and more anxious. Of course, the last present at the bottom of the bag would be THE present for her! And of course she did the same thing this year as she did last year when she got to the bottom of the pile... she went into the bag just to make sure there wasn't anymore gifts! Myers on the other hand slept through most of Christmas morning and was content to let Reagan handle all of the action for him. He did finally wake up enough for me to get a cute pic of the two of them in their matching pajamas!
I got an extra special surprise from Santa Christmas morning... a new camera! The picture of the two kids in their matching pj's above is one of the first pictures that I took using it. Rest assured that there will be a post on this blog in the very near future completely devoted to nothing but my new rig!
We spent the rest of Christmas day playing with all of our new toys and enjoying being at home. The next day, Boxing Day, we did a little shopping with all of the other crazies out there, and then we joined all of Ryan's family for a huge feast. Christmas dinner with the Knopps was as entertaining as always, and Reagan loved spending some time with all of her cousins. Myers even got in on the action with the rest of the kids!
By noon the day after boxing day, the 27th, I had completely UN-decorated our house and had stored all of the decorations away for next year. Yep, Christmas had come to an end!
Be prepared to see a few more back-dated posts over the next few days. I think I have about 10 or so posts that I need to do to get caught up to the present. Stick with me... I will get there! Myers has now settled into a daily routine with a 3 hour nap right smack dab in the middle of the day, so I hope to get back to blogging on a more regular schedule as well!
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