Christmas with Friends

First off, I want to thank you all for your prayers, warm thoughts, and patience as our family endured the hardship of losing Aaron's grandfather last week. We were all close to Papoo and it was such a sad week. This is the first of many losses in Ava's life, but man, to say to a child someone they loved is in heaven and they will see them again someday but not again here on earth...that is harder than I even imagined it would be. I didn't say those exact words, as she is only 2, but she did ask where Papoo was when we went to the farm friday afternoon. She said "Oh yeah. Is he sick?" and I just told her he was in heaven. So she now says "Papoo is in heaven" and I know that means nothing to her now, but one day it will and I pray we can keep his memory alive with Ava. I have blogged about him before. He was a man with the utmost integrity among his community, and he was known for the love he showed to his family and the loyalty he had for everyone among his many friends. He leaves behind a great legacy indeed.
This is the last picture I have of him, and it was taken 4 weeks before he left this earth. His hands are very discolored as he had a skin infection and had lots of swelling. He lived a good, long life and his poor body was just worn out. Can you tell how much Ava adores Meemaw and Papoo?

He will be missed.

Yesterday was a fun day and we were ready for some fun!! We went to our friends' house for some Christmas cheer!
Jenn had many fun things for the kids to do, set up in different stations. It was a PACKED house, so this organization was perfect! She is most definitely the hostess with the mostess.
We got to decorate cookies,



eat those cookies,

eat some more yummy treats such as pizza, hot chocolate, and red velvet cakeballs (delish!),


make Santa crafts,

do some vaccumming,

and best of all...see Santa!!

Doesn't he look like the real Santa?!?!
To say Ava was thrilled to see Santa would be the understatement of the year, y'all!
AVA. LURVES. SANTA.
Period.
We were in the second group to see him, and she was pretty much begging nonstop until it was our turn to go see him. I'm surprised she didn't wet herself when it was our turn!
I'm also glad she didn't wet herself for that matter.
Ok, back on subject.
Sitting on Santa's lap.

She told him she wanted a Princess Castle and rainboots and Toy Story 3 movie. I love this age because you can basically ask them if they want the things you may or may not have already bought, and they are all "yeaaaaaah that sounds FUN!" hehe.

After Santa and Ava bid farewells, she had to get one last hug. Or three. I think there were a few high fives involved too. She was smitten!

Santa wanted a picture with the moms as well. Eew yuck! I went to my happy place and pretended this Santa was only interested in toys and elves and reindeer and cookies.


We also filled stockings with toys and necessities for underprivileged children at Jenn's school where she teaches. I was so glad we did this as Christmas means so much to the kids, but it's also important that we remember those who are less fortunate and to teach Ava to give and find joy in giving rather than receiving...that's what it's really all about.

I trust you are having a wonderful Christmas month and hope we can stop in the midst of all the hustle and bustle and find joy in the small things of every day life, as well as blessing others in times of need.