Santa visit 2013

In her letter to Santa, Kendall listed about 10 things that she wants for Christmas.  What did she ask Santa in person to bring her?  A castle.  A real castle.  I suppose a girl can dream.  Hey Santa, I'd like a real castle too, ok?  

Gymnastics Parents Day 12/2013

"Naughty List Kendall"

Following a particularly unpleasant day that involved, among other things, having a metal thermos lobbed at my head, being hit, kicked, and purposely thrown up on during a fit over taking her antibiotics, I decided to use Mick Elf to his fullest potential.  Instead of leaving candy in her advent calendar, he left a note saying the following:  "Dear Kendall, I did not like your behavior yesterday and had to report it to Santa.  I am sorry to say that you are now on the Naughty List so no candy today.  I will be watching from afar and will return when I see that you can be nice to your mommy."  

I was actually feeling a bit guilty about it the next morning.  Until the regularly scheduled morning fit over her attire commenced and I was called "stupid."  Guilt.  Gone.  Her little face lit up when she saw the note from Mick Elf, then promptly fell when I read it to her.  I felt a little bad, but not stupid.  She spent the morning ride to school talking about things she could do to get back on the Nice List.  And she was an angel that afternoon and evening.  I contemplated milking this for a few more days but then decided that would be cruel.  Just before bed, she drew this picture for Mick Elf to take to Santa and signed it "Naughty List Kendall."  I'm still not sure if she signed this way because she was repenting or proud of her status.  And I didn't ask.  

He returned the next morning and left candy in the advent calendar along with a note saying he was proud of her good behavior and to keep it up.  I think I need a year round elf because this worked brilliantly!  

Gingerbread House

Decorated with Daddy this year!  

"T'was the Night Before Christmas" the musical

At Dallas Children's Theatre.  Was a tad long, but well done with impressive talent!

Thanksgiving 2013 - Grove Park Inn!

Kendall and I were very lucky to get to go to the Grove Park Inn with Nana, Saza, Uncle Dan and Aunt Corinna for Thanksgiving this year!  Tiny plane and all.

We were also lucky weather-wise.  Flew into Greenville airport with no delays, got into our (free upgraded) rental car in which the radio was already tuned in to my Christmas music station, and drove up to Asheville, and were about 2 miles away from the Grove Park Inn when it started snowing.  We got there literally right before the roads started to get bad.  

Here is the view from our room!

And for some reason I found this interesting.  Probably because Reggie Jackson is one of the only famous baseball players I've even heard of.  And he stayed in our room!

There were Christmas trees everywhere!

This year was the first, and apparently the last time, ever that Chanukah fell on Thanksgiving.  So we celebrated Thanksgivingakuh with Saza.  Pretty sure my suitcase gained at least 5 pounds on the return trip due to a certain someone being spoiled rotten with presents.

The most annoying of which was this flashlight friend that was shined in my face at least twice a night.

Nana and Kendall had a few hours to themselves so I could go to the spa for a bit.  During these hours they managed to tour the entire resort AND make pop bead jewelry which Kendall reportedly attempted to sell in the lobby.

 The annual gingerbread house competition was there again this year and these things were really incredible!  Kendall was less interested in them after finding out she could not eat them.

Ahhhhh, the spa!

I spent 3 wonderful hours there before getting the text to return to mommy duty to take Kendall swimming.  I have to admit that while the Grove Park is an amazing place for adults, I'd have probably been bored there as a 4 year old as well.

Their food choices were also a bit "adult," but Kendall and Nana managed to find a chef willing to make Kendall her very own, custom made peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  And extremely chocolate milk.  

Then it was time for Thanksgiving dinner!  Fabulous buffet.  Kendall ate bread, cheese, tomatoes, fruit and ice cream.  Maybe two bites of turkey.  Maybe.  

Then she watched a movie on an iPad to give the adults a few tantrum-free moments.  Kendall's behavior on this trip, especially during dinner, was not exactly exemplary.

The ice sculpture pilgrims were a hit with Kendall ...

... and Uncle Dan!

The next day we went to a really neat wildlife reserve in Asheville.

Then to what was probably Kendall's favorite part of the entire trip, a pizza restaurant that had a HUGE arcade type play room in the back.  Think Chuck E. Cheese for adults.  No wonder it's Dan's favorite restaurant in Asheville!  Kendall played a lot of things, but her favorite by far was the air hockey.  Not sure why it surprised me that she was so good at it ... and so competitive about it!

The next morning we drove back to Greenville, hopped onto another (tiny) plane, and flew back to Dallas.  It was a whirlwind trip but so nice to get away and be with family!  Then the realization that Christmas was in less than a month hit me .... oy!