My mini photo shoot

In an attempt to get a good picture for this years Christmas card I took Kaylie out to Grandma Chris' beautiful back yard to run around in and play. I have to say I learned a lot from this. I got some great pictures but was not able to put them together due to lighting issues. Some were darker than others and some had issues with shade. The tree pictures were great with the exception of the dotted shadows on her face. I feel like she was a good teaching tool for me. Since she was moving so fast I didn't get to look at my pictures until that night. It ended up working out fine but at first I was bummed. I also took the chance to work with photoshop with these. It allowed me to get rid of the red ring around her lips. I was pretty proud of some of the pictures I touched up. I definitely realized I will benefit from a lighting class. On a completely unrelated side note...this was the first time for her to wear a head band. Until now she would not let me. I loved it!!!

You can't seeeeeee me!

She was "supposed" to be sleeping. I am pretty sure if we left her here she would have fallen asleep. Unfortunately, I decided a picture was more important. These are the tiny crate boxes you can get from Target. I think they are 12X12. She was proud of herself.

No ho ho ho!!!

Kaylie's therapy decorates one of their rooms each year for the kids to come in and see Santa to take away all the extra stimulation that the malls may have. You sign up for a time, enjoy the games and snacks and then go in to see Santa. Each child is given five minutes to spend with him. Unfortunately, five minutes did not work for her. The minute she heard someone say Santa she shut down even before she was in the room with him. Even after Santa moved away for us to get a family picture she refused to lift her head. Poor thing was freaked out so bad she had a nightmare that night. Maybe next year.

My little decorator

After we finished decorating the tree we bought a few things for the house one of which were window gummies for Kaylie to put up. She took total ownership over this. She didn't want any help. She did not like when I wouldn't let her stand on the window ledge to put a few things up high. I was really glad she liked this as much as she did. I wasn't quit sure how she would handle the stickies.

The last thing we did was put the train that went under the tree together. She is infatuated with trains and couldn't get enough of this. Needless to say the train has not stayed on the track for very long.

Holiday company

Right after Thanksgiving we had a visitor arrive from the North Pole. Since this is his first visit to our home we introduced him to Kaylie, let Kaylie give him a name, and explained he is an Elf that was sent here by Santa. Each night he flies back to the North Pole to report on Kaylie's behavior. She can not touch him and he will not talk to her but she can tell him anything she wants including what she wants for Christmas and if he wants he can tell her mommy and daddy. Each morning he flies back to our house and very rarely flies back to the same spot. Every so often he may be too tired to go back or Kaylie was so well behaved he ends up staying where he was when she comes down to find him.

So...we proudly introduce to you Mr. Elf. Yes...Kaylie named him that. If you remember all of her animals have names that are creative (Brown dog, Ruff Ruff...you get the picture). Mr. Elf has been very pleased with Kaylie. He is a huge motivator when it comes to her behavior. At first she was a little shy but after a quick hug and a few kisses blown to him she is sold on it. I am pretty sure her favorite part is finding him each morning. When we leave the house she makes sure to tell him good bye and blow him a kiss. This was completely unsolicited!!! If she isn't making good choices all I have to do is tell her Mr. Elf is going to go tell Santa she isn't behaving and she is quick to do what I am asking. I love this!!! I wondered if she would be scared and thankfully it was the exact opposite. Mr. Elf will be coming back in the years to come. If only I had something that worked this well the rest of the year!!! Hmmm...

Daddy telling Kaylie about Mr. Elf.

If you look in the princess chair you can see her Snow White ornament. She put it there for Mr. Elf. Too sweet!

2010 ornaments

When Jason and I were on our honeymoon we decided to start a tradition with ornaments. Anytime we go on vacation we find an ornament for our tree making sure to put the year on each of them. This tradition started in 2002 and our collection is slowly starting to expand. We have really enjoyed seeing each ornament from year to year. It brings back some great memories.

After Kaylie was born we started a tradition with her as well. Each year she gets an ornament that has to do with her likes for that year. Last year she got a Dora ornament. This year we got her a ballerina and a Snow White. If you have ever had to find a Snow White ornament you understand me when I tell you it was hard to find one. Every one I looked at had a very scary face. After looking at this one a few different times I decided she would do.

The third ornament is our family ornament from our trip to Disney. This was a special trip for our family and definitely worth bringing home this special ornament.

Is it really that time again?!?

This year has gone so fast. I can not believe it is already time for Christmas. I know they say time goes faster and faster the older you get but come on!!! It feels like we just celebrate. Anywho...This was the first year little miss could truly "help." In past years we just humored her and then her attention span would end and we would finish up while she napped. This year she was involved with pretty much every part of the process. She loved it. Her favorite part was putting on the ornaments. At first she tried to put them all together but after a little bit of help she figured out she needed to spread them out. To my surprise...I didn't let my OCD get in the way and let her put the majority of the ornaments where she wanted. I would just go behind her and make sure they were secure on the tree. She was definitely a huge help!!!