It's official! Kenny has returned. So, with his return, I am reinstating the Friday Favorites posts for the month of December (or until he goes back to the North Pole). =) Warning: This will be a long post. It has to recap almost an entire week of that elf's shenanigans and the Advent activities that took place. Fair warning.
We decided that Kenny would show up Sunday morning instead of right after Thanksgiving or waiting until December 1st. He came back in style bringing with him treats and his book. Kenzie asked specifically about his book so we figured he should have it when he returned so we could read it again to refresh her memory about what he does. Kenzie was quite funny when she noticed him. It took her a minute to register who he was, but once she remembered, she was beyond excited. She talked to him through the day and kept asking him for more M&Ms. He wrote the kids a note reminding them that he shouldn't be touched and telling them that he would be back the next day with their first Advent activity. Will tried to touch him right out the gate and Kenzie informed him that he couldn't do that. That means we have at least another couple of years of putting him in locations where he cannot be reached by little hands. Namely, Will because we think this is the first time that Kenzie truly seems to understand. We are excited for this year since she actually gets it. Last year it was mainly just a game to find him and then she forgot about him. I'm going to love watching her with him this year.
On the true Day 1 of Kenny (since he didn't bring an activity the first day), he showed up to have a picnic with Cinderella. He also left miniature ornaments for Kenzie's Christmas tree that he brought last year and a note telling us to go pick out our Christmas tree. Kenzie initially seemed to forget about Kenny but once she sat down in the morning to watch her one TV show while she drank her milk, she remembered. We had to pause the TV so that she could go on a search for him. When she found him she said, "Momma! He is having a picnic with my doll!!" She was so excited and was even more excited about her new little ornaments. She continued to talk to him randomly through the day. I overheard her telling him that when we left to go to the store, we would be back. She also asked him if we could wait for Daddy to get home from work to go get the tree and then informed me that he was okay with that.
That evening we went to pick out our tree. We got a great person helping us and he went through numerous trees to find us a fat one. We requested the fattest one he could find and he didn't disappoint. I think it might be the best tree we have had to date. It is certainly the fattest. Then, when we went to pay, he let us pay the 6-7 foot tree price even though we got a 7-8 foot tree. He saved us about $15 so we tipped him well. We had to leave the tree outside overnight because we actually have to rearrange the house to get it in and we were just too tired for that. Plus, Steven had a shopping errand to run to get something in particular for Kenzie's Christmas.
On Day 3, Kenny decided to decorate a few of the bananas in our house like minions. Kenny didn't realize how difficult it actually is to draw on a banana and immediately wished there were only 2 left instead of 3. Oh well. Thank goodness the kids ate one each today. Our activity for the day was to pick out a new Christmas ornament (each) for the tree. We do this every year. Each kid chooses one (or rather, I choose Will's for now) and I usually try to choose one new ornament for Steven and myself. Kenzie remembered Kenny pretty quickly that morning and went searching for him. She found him with a bit of help and was ridiculously excited about the minion bananas.
We went after I picked Kenzie up at school to Hobby Lobby. I could tell you even before Kenzie got in the store what ornament she would pick. She has been eyeing the same two ornaments for at least 3 weeks now. No brainer for that kid. Well, technically she had to decide between the two, but she went with the princess. I decided to give Will a few choices and he kept choosing the same dinosaur ornament. He then held it through the rest of our shopping trip. He definitely liked that dinosaur. I chose a pretty cross for Steven and myself. It was a successful trip.
On Day 3, Kenny showed up in Kenzie and Will's bathroom and decorated their mirror and brought a note telling us to go pick out the kids' Christmas outfits. I will admit... this is one of my favorite days of the month. I just love picking out their new outfits to wear to church and dinner on Christmas Eve (and to see Santa.) Kenzie initially forgot about Kenny again. I think she is just too focused on milk and her one TV show each morning while she drinks said milk. I decided to not say anything and wait to see what she did. About 15 minutes after waking up she had to potty. She yelled excitedly from the bathroom when she found Kenny. Quite funny. Then, all day, anytime we went into the bathroom for something, she gave me a lecture about not touching Kenny because he would lose his magic. Haha!
We went to the mall bright and early and headed straight for Gymboree, my all time favorite kids' clothing store. It only took about 3.2 seconds before Kenzie found the dress she wanted. I made her try it on and I'm glad I did. Because of the style of it, I had to go down a size from what I normally buy so that it didn't make her look like she was wearing a tent. She is just too skinny. I like to buy dresses longer so they last longer, but this one is long enough in the smaller size so we are okay with it. Will already had a white button down, so we picked out a pair of pants and a tie to match Kenzie. Then, I was so excited with the awesome deal I got that I decided to try on a few dresses for myself. Unfortunately, it was harder than I thought it would be because the double stroller didn't fit in the dressing room. I had to use it to block the back of the dressing rooms and then just change with the door open. It worked... but I think some people thought I was crazy. I ended up finding a dress on a great sale and picked it up. Now, we all match. Steven already owns an outfit. He usually wears the same thing over and over again with a different Christmas tie. It's easier to be a guy apparently. Our shopping trip ended up taking so long, that Will took off his shoes, got comfy, and passed out. Whatever works. I even transferred him into the car still asleep. Mommy win!!
On Day 4, Kenny decided to hang out in our tree. We just brought it in the night before so it seemed like the perfect place to hide him. He also brought our activity which was to mail the Christmas cards. Kenzie sort of loves mailing cards. I don't know what her obsession is with the post office, but this is one that she loves to do and is one of the easiest... plus something we have to do anyway. Kenzie noticed Kenny immediately. Not like she couldn't. She was super enthused to see the tree inside so she ran right to it to look and there he was! I have to admit... I was a bit afraid he would fall out as the tree limbs lowered. The tree was wrapped until the night before, she the limbs are still settling. We made it through the day without any accidents though.
After I picked up Kenzie at school, we went to the post office where she helped me mail the cards. I would put the stamps on, then she would move them to a new pile. She also HAD to be the one to put everything in the mailbox. I was given numerous compliments on my two helpers (though Will just hung around while we got it all done) and although doing it with them slowed me down, I know Kenzie loved helping with this one.
On Day 5, Kenny decided to be a hero. Apparently Clarabelle got herself into a mess and was tied to some train tracks. Kenny had to race in on horseback to save her. He also left us a note to order pizza and decorate the Christmas tree. Kenzie thought it was HI-LARIOUS that Kenny was on her horse. I don't think she got the actual tied to the train tracks thing, but she seemed to think the entire thing was quite funny.
We spent the afternoon decorating outside before tackling our daily activity. We ordered pizza first and then got right to work. I actually did the lights on my own. I think we have learned 2 things in the years we have been doing the tree... 1. Buy big lights. You have to use less and it goes faster. 2. Leave Kristen alone when she is doing them. I can usually figure it out on my own and then Steven can come in and help me adjust some of the placement, but it is faster (and way more pleasant) to let me do it on my own initially. Kenzie LOVED helping with the tree. Downfall? I had to continually go behind her and move ornaments. Which we expected. We ended up letting her help us put the unique ones on and Steven and I handled the bulb ones on our own. We liked telling her stories about all the different ornaments we have. She was super enthused with our Disney one from our trip in 2010. We actually ended up not putting all of our ornaments on. We put our tree in a corner, so we don't put stuff on the back and between that and the limbs not being all the way down yet, we didn't have enough room yet to do them all. I'm figuring we will have them all on in a few days though. We still have to tinsel, add the skirt, and add the train, but we are almost there.
There you have it! All of Kenny's antics and our activities from Week 1. Next week has some super fun activities so I am looking forward to those. =)
We decided that Kenny would show up Sunday morning instead of right after Thanksgiving or waiting until December 1st. He came back in style bringing with him treats and his book. Kenzie asked specifically about his book so we figured he should have it when he returned so we could read it again to refresh her memory about what he does. Kenzie was quite funny when she noticed him. It took her a minute to register who he was, but once she remembered, she was beyond excited. She talked to him through the day and kept asking him for more M&Ms. He wrote the kids a note reminding them that he shouldn't be touched and telling them that he would be back the next day with their first Advent activity. Will tried to touch him right out the gate and Kenzie informed him that he couldn't do that. That means we have at least another couple of years of putting him in locations where he cannot be reached by little hands. Namely, Will because we think this is the first time that Kenzie truly seems to understand. We are excited for this year since she actually gets it. Last year it was mainly just a game to find him and then she forgot about him. I'm going to love watching her with him this year.
On the true Day 1 of Kenny (since he didn't bring an activity the first day), he showed up to have a picnic with Cinderella. He also left miniature ornaments for Kenzie's Christmas tree that he brought last year and a note telling us to go pick out our Christmas tree. Kenzie initially seemed to forget about Kenny but once she sat down in the morning to watch her one TV show while she drank her milk, she remembered. We had to pause the TV so that she could go on a search for him. When she found him she said, "Momma! He is having a picnic with my doll!!" She was so excited and was even more excited about her new little ornaments. She continued to talk to him randomly through the day. I overheard her telling him that when we left to go to the store, we would be back. She also asked him if we could wait for Daddy to get home from work to go get the tree and then informed me that he was okay with that.
That evening we went to pick out our tree. We got a great person helping us and he went through numerous trees to find us a fat one. We requested the fattest one he could find and he didn't disappoint. I think it might be the best tree we have had to date. It is certainly the fattest. Then, when we went to pay, he let us pay the 6-7 foot tree price even though we got a 7-8 foot tree. He saved us about $15 so we tipped him well. We had to leave the tree outside overnight because we actually have to rearrange the house to get it in and we were just too tired for that. Plus, Steven had a shopping errand to run to get something in particular for Kenzie's Christmas.
On Day 3, Kenny decided to decorate a few of the bananas in our house like minions. Kenny didn't realize how difficult it actually is to draw on a banana and immediately wished there were only 2 left instead of 3. Oh well. Thank goodness the kids ate one each today. Our activity for the day was to pick out a new Christmas ornament (each) for the tree. We do this every year. Each kid chooses one (or rather, I choose Will's for now) and I usually try to choose one new ornament for Steven and myself. Kenzie remembered Kenny pretty quickly that morning and went searching for him. She found him with a bit of help and was ridiculously excited about the minion bananas.
We went after I picked Kenzie up at school to Hobby Lobby. I could tell you even before Kenzie got in the store what ornament she would pick. She has been eyeing the same two ornaments for at least 3 weeks now. No brainer for that kid. Well, technically she had to decide between the two, but she went with the princess. I decided to give Will a few choices and he kept choosing the same dinosaur ornament. He then held it through the rest of our shopping trip. He definitely liked that dinosaur. I chose a pretty cross for Steven and myself. It was a successful trip.
On Day 3, Kenny showed up in Kenzie and Will's bathroom and decorated their mirror and brought a note telling us to go pick out the kids' Christmas outfits. I will admit... this is one of my favorite days of the month. I just love picking out their new outfits to wear to church and dinner on Christmas Eve (and to see Santa.) Kenzie initially forgot about Kenny again. I think she is just too focused on milk and her one TV show each morning while she drinks said milk. I decided to not say anything and wait to see what she did. About 15 minutes after waking up she had to potty. She yelled excitedly from the bathroom when she found Kenny. Quite funny. Then, all day, anytime we went into the bathroom for something, she gave me a lecture about not touching Kenny because he would lose his magic. Haha!
We went to the mall bright and early and headed straight for Gymboree, my all time favorite kids' clothing store. It only took about 3.2 seconds before Kenzie found the dress she wanted. I made her try it on and I'm glad I did. Because of the style of it, I had to go down a size from what I normally buy so that it didn't make her look like she was wearing a tent. She is just too skinny. I like to buy dresses longer so they last longer, but this one is long enough in the smaller size so we are okay with it. Will already had a white button down, so we picked out a pair of pants and a tie to match Kenzie. Then, I was so excited with the awesome deal I got that I decided to try on a few dresses for myself. Unfortunately, it was harder than I thought it would be because the double stroller didn't fit in the dressing room. I had to use it to block the back of the dressing rooms and then just change with the door open. It worked... but I think some people thought I was crazy. I ended up finding a dress on a great sale and picked it up. Now, we all match. Steven already owns an outfit. He usually wears the same thing over and over again with a different Christmas tie. It's easier to be a guy apparently. Our shopping trip ended up taking so long, that Will took off his shoes, got comfy, and passed out. Whatever works. I even transferred him into the car still asleep. Mommy win!!
On Day 4, Kenny decided to hang out in our tree. We just brought it in the night before so it seemed like the perfect place to hide him. He also brought our activity which was to mail the Christmas cards. Kenzie sort of loves mailing cards. I don't know what her obsession is with the post office, but this is one that she loves to do and is one of the easiest... plus something we have to do anyway. Kenzie noticed Kenny immediately. Not like she couldn't. She was super enthused to see the tree inside so she ran right to it to look and there he was! I have to admit... I was a bit afraid he would fall out as the tree limbs lowered. The tree was wrapped until the night before, she the limbs are still settling. We made it through the day without any accidents though.
After I picked up Kenzie at school, we went to the post office where she helped me mail the cards. I would put the stamps on, then she would move them to a new pile. She also HAD to be the one to put everything in the mailbox. I was given numerous compliments on my two helpers (though Will just hung around while we got it all done) and although doing it with them slowed me down, I know Kenzie loved helping with this one.
On Day 5, Kenny decided to be a hero. Apparently Clarabelle got herself into a mess and was tied to some train tracks. Kenny had to race in on horseback to save her. He also left us a note to order pizza and decorate the Christmas tree. Kenzie thought it was HI-LARIOUS that Kenny was on her horse. I don't think she got the actual tied to the train tracks thing, but she seemed to think the entire thing was quite funny.
We spent the afternoon decorating outside before tackling our daily activity. We ordered pizza first and then got right to work. I actually did the lights on my own. I think we have learned 2 things in the years we have been doing the tree... 1. Buy big lights. You have to use less and it goes faster. 2. Leave Kristen alone when she is doing them. I can usually figure it out on my own and then Steven can come in and help me adjust some of the placement, but it is faster (and way more pleasant) to let me do it on my own initially. Kenzie LOVED helping with the tree. Downfall? I had to continually go behind her and move ornaments. Which we expected. We ended up letting her help us put the unique ones on and Steven and I handled the bulb ones on our own. We liked telling her stories about all the different ornaments we have. She was super enthused with our Disney one from our trip in 2010. We actually ended up not putting all of our ornaments on. We put our tree in a corner, so we don't put stuff on the back and between that and the limbs not being all the way down yet, we didn't have enough room yet to do them all. I'm figuring we will have them all on in a few days though. We still have to tinsel, add the skirt, and add the train, but we are almost there.
There you have it! All of Kenny's antics and our activities from Week 1. Next week has some super fun activities so I am looking forward to those. =)
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