It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

so, consequently, I never had a chance to blog about it! 
Mercy. 
What can I say? 
Creating Christmas while maintaining regular life takes all remaining spare time and energy.  And we were sick for the first half of the month, so that didn't help.  But enough excuses!  Let's get back to Christmas...

Our tree went up and took center stage in our furniture-sparse living room.  It fills the room so nicely I don't think it's coming down until Easter!  The girls had so much fun decorating it, re-decorating it,  reading, playing and watching videos under it, and even sleeping beside it one night (Audrey lasted 12 minutes and Natalie made it until about 2am before realizing their real beds are way more comfortable than a sleeping bag on a cold floor!). It really is too bad the tree is only up for a month each year.  It makes such a lovely lamp!

 Audrey does have jammies that actually fit her. 

She just chooses to wear ones that are two sizes too small.

We also had a great time baking this year...only Spritz cookies and gingerbread girls, which was more than enough!  It seems like we've been eating cookies every day all month long. 

 

And our resident elf, George, returned this year and created all sorts of mischief each night.  He got into the chocolate in the pantry, the candy canes on the counter, rearranged Nativity sets, spelled out holiday greetings on the kitchen table in mini marshmallows and Cheerios, made "snow elfs" in spilled sugar and even toilet papered the tree.  Yes, I was not too sad to see George leave on Christmas Eve this year...but the girls were crushed.  Natalie actually cried on Christmas Day because she missed him so much.  Good grief.

That's George wrapped up in the empty toilet paper roll. 

Errrgh...

Overall, just a great season.  The girls are such fun ages for all the Christmas magic.  I'll post actual Christmas photos soon.  I promise.