Santa?

We do not do Santa. We have several reasons, but that is not the point. We saw an old man who was in the mall who looked like Santa, and was handing out candy canes. He asked Harley if she had been good this year. She said, "Not always". He laughed and said "Honesty counts for something." He handed her a candy cane and said "I'll be watching you to see if you are good so I can bring you gifts on Christmas Eve. Harley puts her hands on her hips and said "I know you aren't Santa because he isn't real, but thank you for the candy cane." I couldn't believe she said all that, but at least she remembered her manners.

We are now in Alabama for Christmas break. We surprised Brenda at her family gathering, and surprised Anne by showing up to pick her up for the Zbindin gathering. We are staying on the North side of Birmingham until Christmas Eve when we will show up at my mother's Christmas Eve family thing. It has been hard, but we have managed to keep the phone away from the girls when my mom calls so that they won't spill the beans. It will be a busy visit filled with lots of friends and family. I'm sure Harley will give me plenty of stories before the visit is over.

Gramps' Birthday

Monday was Randle Sr.'s birthday (Randle's Dad). We called on the way home to tell him Happy Birthday. Natalie spoke to him first and told him all about school and what we have been doing. Harley then had her turn. She told him about preschool and that she had a new favorite movie - Holly Hobby. (For those who don't know they have redone some Holly Hobby videos) He had asked her to repeat herseld at least three times and the fourth time she said "You must be getting old where you can't hear me". Randle and I about died in the front of the van. I couldn't believe she said that, but if she would it would have to be on his birthday right! Randle quickly took the phone and explained that on the new Holly Hobby movie the plot is planning a surprise birthday party for Holly's aunt who is turning 45 and is old in the kid's eyes. Also on the movie there is an old man that is a neighbor and he is very hard of hearing. As much as I guard what my kids watch, I still end up with awkward moments. Happy Birthday Gramps!