Cookies - check, stockings - check, santa hats - check, Christmas tree - check, lights that you can see from the street - check, nativity scene - check, , more cookies - check and lounging after all that work - check.
We had our first snowfall today...Xavi was so excited. He said it HAD to be Christmas today! He was disappointed to learn it wasn't...But putting on his snow gear and walking through it (and eating it) must have made up for today not being Christmas because he (finally) stopped asking for his presents. Everyday he asks where his presents are and we have to go through the schpiel about hiding presents so they are a surprise and santa bringing presents...plus what others might get him. He's requested that we put his wrapped presents somewhere where he can see and touch them everyday...don't think so, kid. We're also trying to teach him that it is better to give than to receive, but that's backfired a bit also. We have involved him in purchasing and wrapping of presents only to have him say he wants to keep something (present for kids) or telling the person what we got them. Don't ask him!!! He will tell you and ruin the surprise. At least now he doesn't offer up the info before saying hello, but it doesn't take much prodding. Oh, and he gets a lot of it wrong...because he can't remember that there's a BIG difference between a coat and shirt. We have a few advent calendars to help him get through the month - a couple with chocolates!
On another, unrelated, note, he's trying his hand at cursing - it's not going well but he makes the effort. He's easing into it with the not so offensive word - "shit". He can't quite get the hang of it and says "shot" when he stubs his toe or can't get legos to fit together. We've stopped saying it, so he won't have another example soon - Gris!
Carolina's reaction to snow? Scary! That's what she says about lots of things these days, but especially about being out in the dark night! We've been telling her it's not scary. So when she's scared all we hear from her is "no scary, no scary...mami? no scary. daddy? no scary."
The kids still rough house a lot and end up in tears. Recently Xavi got mad at his sister and grabbed and squeezed her very tightly. We told him to stop and he said, searchingly, "umm, umm, I was just hugging her...umm tightly." He seems like the stereotypical brother the way he harasses his sister, though I'm hoping we can work toward peace and love between these two for the majority of time (like 55/45?). He also talks (and cracks himself up!) about poop and booty and peeing, plus he likes to drop his pants unannounced. Daniel assures me it's all very normal.
Daley Plaza Christmas tree 
Macy's windows
Xavi wants to drop all his letters to Santa off here.
Lincoln Park Zoo Zoolights
Her cousin on the other hand LOVED the dress and tried to put it on several times that day.
Waiting on Ms. C to take a family picture 
Good Try.
Family picture
