Pictures with Santa

I'm in love with these pictures. They could not be cuter. I love how they caught Zoe's personality in every picture.

Christmas Countdown Paper Chain

One of our Christmas Advent Calendar activities is making a Christmas countdown paper chain.

I supplied Zoe with the strips of paper and stapler and she took over from there.

This has been a helpful tool since present are showing up under the tree and in the mail. 

Christmas Advent Calendar

Last year my sister made this adorable advent calendar for me. Isn't she sweet?  

To bring in more of the true meaning of Christmas, I placed a scripture in each bag that tells the story of our Savior's birth. Thank you to other creative people I was able to find the scriptures here.

Along with the scriptures I place Christmas and winter activities in each bag. Some activities were taken from the the Christmas Bucket List that I found here. Here are some other activities I used: visit Temple Square, play with our the nativity set, go sledding, attend our ward Christmas dinner, cut snowflakes, make reindeer food, make neighbor gifts, make a countdown paper chain, build a snowman, etc. 

Here is a close up on some of the bags. I love how they are different shapes and sizes. 

North Pole Breakfast 2013

Our 2nd annual North Pole Breakfast has arrived. 

Traditionally the North Pole Breakfast is held on December 1st. We had to wake up early so we would have plenty of time to finish breakfast and then get to church. Unfortunately we were still a little late.  

*Our North Pole Breakfast idea originally came from here. This lady sure outshines anyone when it comes to party planning. Can you say talented?

The night before the North Pole Breakfast Zoe received new Christmas pajamas from mommy and daddy. 
Once everything arrived and was set up, I woke the little one up. Zoe came willingly once I explained Santa had left a surprise for her.  

No peeking. 

I believe someone is still trying to wake up.

Thankfully Santa and his elf set up a well decorated North Pole Breakfast. 

Zoe's elf, Oliver Jingles, wrote her a personalized letter.

Welcome back Oliver.

*This is our version of Elf on a Shelf. I found him in the Christmas decor isle for $1. 

Oliver brought a Christmas Bucket List to complete this December.

*You can find one "exactly" like it here.

So here is what's on the menu. 

*Side note: North Pole elves are not the healthiest. We all know Buddy from the movie elf taught us that the elves stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.

Candy cane milk. Did you know milk changes color when you place a candy cane in it?

Snowballs from elf snowball fights of course.

Christmas Oreos

Peppermint marshmallow twists

Kisses from Santa and all his reindeer (including Rudolph)

Snow covered donuts. Zoe saw me pick some up from the store and asked for them all night. The next morning while eating her North Pole Breakfast she excitedly said, "Mom look Santa brought donuts just like we have".

Mistletoe muffins

Self serve hot chocolate with ice burgs (see picture below)

I think Santa's North Pole Breakfast was a success.