Christmas Vacation

We took down our Christmas tree today so it's only appropriate that I post a wrap up of our Christmas vacation together.  This year, we decided to do another staycation with a lot of fun activities for the kids since they were off almost two weeks.  It was much more enjoyable this year too since we weren't potty training or changing beds!

Some of our stops took advantage of our last year living in the city.  We went to Macy's and saw the windows (actually they were pretty bad. Marshall Field's used to have good stories and this year I'm surprised any kids were interested in a bunch of historical facts). But the kids got to see the big Christmas tree at Macy's too which was actually better than the windows.

We then ventured to Zoolights with Papa at the Lincoln Park Zoo.  We had a great Xmas Eve and Christmas Day with both sides of our families with the kids getting spoiled by all of the presents they received. Santa even made a special visit to see Austen and Peyton on Christmas Day.  Austen didn't want to get off the couch to greet him but it was to our surprise that Peyton did without so much hesitation.  Favorite gifts were anything Cinderella for Peyton and her new American girl and horse. Austen liked anything Lego.  Santa brought him a bunch of pants too.  Austen likes to slide on his knees and rip his pants at school so every time he came home with ripped pants, we told him that was one less toy he was going to get at Christmas from Santa and one more pant!

Speaking of Cinderella, we had tickets to see the play, Cinderella, and Peyton got to take her American girl doll to lunch at the American Girl Cafe (more on that in another post). Here's our little Cinderella...

At the play...

All in all, we were very busy.  I wasn't ready to go back to work but I think the kids were ready to go back to school and be back in their regular routines.  But, they were sad today when we took down the tree and all of the decorations.  Austen got pouty and said, I want it to be Christmas again.  I'm with you Austen, it's one of my most favorite times of the year.  But I know you would miss the beach too!