Christmas Morning Videos

Here are a few cute videos of Taylor on Christmas morning.

Christmas

I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas. Christmas at the James household was so much fun this year. It was great watching it unfold through a 3 1/2 year old. We had Grandma and Ye-Ye Ron here to celebrate it with us. Taylor had a great time. She loved getting her stocking filled with gifts from Santa and had fun going through it all. Her Santa presents were an easel and a small keyboard in the shape of a cats head with the keys being the teeth. Grandma and Auntie Linda got her, her very own kitchen full of food, pots and pans and dishes. She also got a princess dress which she could wait to put on. Has worn it every day since. Taylor loved the idea of getting presentes wrapped in pretty Chrismas paper. She didn't linger over her presents once each was opened. She Ooo'ed and Ahhh'ed and then wanted her next present. She would have been happy to sit and unwrap packages all day long. No big box this year for her to play with!!!

Taylor loved her stocking and all the goodies Santa left for her in it. My favorite moment....she got her own chapstick. Before going onto the next item, she gets down from her chair and goes into the kitchen to put it in the little box on the counter where I keep the chapstick among other things. Then she cam back, sat down and continued with her stocking.

All wrapped up in her new Dora blanket that snaps together and will keep her warm.

Her new baby doll from Grandma. She came with 9 new outfits. Taylor loves her dolls!!!!

In progress......

Wow.... a toaster from Uncle Rick. Comes with toast!!!!

The little princess.

Look, my very own kitchen.....a sink, oven/stove and a refrigerator.

Playing her new keyboard with Ye-Ye Ron.

Resting after a busy morning. My brother and his family gave us a canvas print of Taylor and I from our Gottcha Day last January. In the course of the morning, Taylor used it as a blanket to lay on and to lie under as seen here. Finally had to put it up before she ruined it. The imaginations of kids.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went out to a nice dinner and when we got home we put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. Then it was off to bed so that Santa could come and leave presents. Taylor went to sleep easily and quickly for once!!! Then 3 santas got to work putting out presents and getting everything ready for Christmas morning. Since Taylor loves opening presents I didn't put any under the tree before Christmas Eve for fear that she would open them. Santa had only 1 assembly required item...an easel which went together pretty easily and didn't take all night. The Santas even had time for 2 games of cards before heading off to bed.

Taylor taking a picture of the cookies we left out for Santa with her own camera.

The Before

The After...already for Christmas morning.

School Christmas Performance

On Thursday December 23rd Taylor and her classmates performed for all the parents. They sang 3 songs and did a fantastic job. Taylor sang her heart out. I was so proud of her.

Afterwards they had milk and cookies. I discovered Taylor likes the cream in the oreos and not the cookie. 6 creams eaten and 12 cookies left on the plate.

Decorating Cookies with Friends

One thing I like to do at the holidays is decorate Christmas cut-out cookies. In past years I have made them and taken them up to my brother's and decorated them with my niece and nephew. They always had a lot of fun doing it and we always ended up with some pretty interesting looking cookies. This year I couldn't wait to do it with Taylor. We invited Ryan and Charlotte over to help out. All 3 kids were really into the decorating and had tons of fun doing it. Will have to make this an annual event.

Ryan is very focused on decorating his Christmas tree cookie.

Charlotte getting ready to do her own cookies.

Mommy Cindy giving Charlotte a helping hand.

All 3 kids showing off their masterpieces.

The results.

Afterwards the kids played while us Mom's relaxed and chatted. Charlotte more interested in her juice is looking on.

The Christmas Tree

On Sunday December 12th Auntie Linda came down for a visit. We celebrated her birthday with presents and a nice lunch at Macaroni Grill. Afterwards we went to get our Christmas Tree. Linda helped us set it up before heading back home.

Over the course of the next few evenings I put lights on the tree and Taylor and I put on all our ornaments and topped it off with our angel. Once the tree was done all our holiday decorations were up. Taylor definately likes the tree but isn't too interested in the other decorations. She also likes the lights I have up outside and inside. Can't wait to see her reaction on Christmas morning when she sees all the presents under the tree.

Holding the tree straight while Linda tlightened it in the stand....and also took a picture of Taylor and I holding it.
Here Taylor is putting the non-breakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree. Some day she will be able to decorate the whole tree and I can sit back, relax and watch.

Sitting in front of our beautiful tree enjoying her handiwork.

Hugging our angel before we put it on top of the tree.

Let the Holiday Festivities Begin

On Saturday December 11th we had 2 parties to go to. The first was our Families From China (FCC) annual Christmas party. There were arts and crafts projects for the kids and a wonderful spread of Chinese food and desserts. Santa made an appearance also and Taylor was very happy to sit on his lap. She was more excited when he handed her a gift. We all had a great time.

Afterwards we went to the Zapcic's for the Army / Navy football game. We had a good time at their party despite Army not drowning Navy. There is always next year.

Taylor in her new red coat all dressed up for the afternoons festivities.

Making her bell necklace at the Christmas party.

Taylor and her good friend Ryan coloring.

A very happy girl sitting on Santa's lap and getting a present. Doesn't get any better than this!!!!

Taylor with Aunt Kathy and her balloons getting ready to head on home after a very busy, fun filled day.

Visiting Santa

Since we didn't have much planned for today, I decided we would go visit Santa Claus. Taylor loved Santa and wasn't the least bit afraid of him. Several kids in front of us just cried and didn't want anything to do with him. Not Taylor. When it was our turn she ran up to him and made herself comfortable on his lap and proceeded to smile for the camera. She was soooo cute.

Waiting patiently on line.

This is the official photograph but I think mine are just a good!!!

Thanksgiving - Taylor's First

For Taylor's first Thanksgiving we started the day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Most of it kept her attention through out but the real attention getter was the Radio City Hall Rockettes. When they were dancing she stood up and danced with them. When they moved their arms, she moved her arms. When they kicked their legs up high, so did Taylor. She was with them move for move...in her own way. It was very cute to watch.

After a light lunch we headed down to Bordentown, NJ to share our Thanksgiving with our good friends Diane and Rich Maurin and their 3 girls - Allyson, Jessica and Marissa. Taylor had soooo much fun playing with the girls. She was in her glory. We then had a delicious dinner with all the traditional trimmings. It was nice to spend the day with wonderful friends.