Breakfast with Santa

Last Saturday morning, the kids and I headed out to the Smucker's Store & Cafe to have "Breakfast with Santa." We did this last year as well and really enjoyed it so despite the fact that Cody was in NYC on business, I decided to venture out myself. I was a little nervous to do something this big with the three of them myself but it went surprisingly smooth. Hazel slept the ENTIRE time. She fell asleep at home before we left and didn't wake up till we got home. Even with me getting her in and out of her car seat and the car. Such a great baby! Morgan and Pepper were also on their best behavior and we all had a very nice time together.
My little Hazel with her perfect baby face. Both of our other kids have had a lot of baby acne and clogged tear ducts. So far Hazel seems free from both ailments.

Pepper and Morgan were both super excited to see Santa. We had been talking about it all week and getting their lists ready. While waiting in line they both kept trying to see him and were perfect angels because they were both too excited to act up. Finally, we made it to the front of the line and the little one year old boy in front of us started screaming when they put his parents put him on Santa's lap. All of a sudden Pepper got this terrified look on her face and Morgan started hiding behind me. When it was our turn I couldn't get Morgan to stop hiding behind the stroller and Pepper wouldn't let go of me. I was worried. I asked Morgan to be brave for Pepper. I tried to lure him out by asking him to go show Santa his list. Well, that was all Pepper needed to hear because she grabbed the list and headed right over to Santa and Mrs. Claus and started telling them all about it. Well, Morgan didn't want to be left out of the discussion of his list so he marched right over as well. Smucker's Santa and Mrs. Claus (same ones from last year I believe) look so fantastic and are super, super nice. They made the kids feel totally at ease and they crawled right up into their laps. I was worried they wouldn't want to hold a new baby but they were both excited and held Hazel with no problem.

I was so happy with this picture! Such a great first Christmas picture for Hazel. This is totally what Cody and I are going to do with our retirement!

After the picture, I told Pepper and Morgan to tell Santa what they wanted. Pepper piped right up, "I want a big bed, a dollhouse and one doll." Mrs. Claus couldn't believe how well Pepper spoke and so clearly. Morgan's list had binoculars, a lightsaber that actually glows and a keyboard and guitar that, in Morgan's words, have buttons that work and has batteries. He was very big on everything having batteries. I guess he's caught on to my game of letting the batteries die on everything or never putting them in and saying the toy is broken.

After visiting with Santa, we headed over to the cafe for breakfast. You didn't have to buy their $3 breakfast specials to get the picture time with Santa and you take your own picture so that part was completely free. I love this place! Pepper of course didn't eat anything because she doesn't like breakfast food but Morgan and I enjoyed it while she ate goldfish.

Hazel sleeping through all the fun. The store is always decorated so nicely. It makes me want to buy all the different china and decorations.

An elf came to entertain the kids for awhile and dance with Pepper. Pepper wanted to know who the elf was and I said the lady in the costume. Morgan informed me that those were her real clothes and she can never take them off. It is really funny this year with Morgan. He is getting old enough to try and figure everything out but still young enough to believe and not question too much. We really have to be on our game.

A little sister diaper changing time.

I know a lot of people don't want two in diapers but it's really not proving to be a problem and at least right now I don't have to worry about anyone having accidents.

She's such a big girl now!

This one is getting bigger everyday as well.

Pepper is doing really well with Hazel and the whole transition thing but she has been a bit more emotional. Especially, when you try to reprimand her. If you get too harsh with her she completely falls apart and then you get no where. It is such a learning process to see that we can't discipline her the same way as Morgan. Definitely something I need to work on as a mother!

And finally, a grumpy fairy queen. She wanted her picture taken but wanted to look sad in the picture. Such a great look don't you think?

Oh, and yesterday I discovered this little gem. Hazel's first curl. Morgan thought it was awesome and kept playing with it. He just loves Hazel and can't stop talking in this high pitched baby voice to her. I told him he could talk to her with a regular voice but he just couldn't do it. It was pretty funny.

So we have managed to survive without Gramma, barely. Cody left two days after my mom and was gone for three days. I was a little panicky at first but it went pretty well. I was a little grumpier than I needed to be but on the whole not bad. Of course, Morgan did pray that "Mommy would stop yelling and hitting," but I don't think any of us were too scarred by the whole experience of being on our own together. And for the record, I don't hit but spank and only on a rare occassion. Yelling however I do WAY too much of. I have to work on that...just thought I'd clear that up:)