A Very Merry Christmas Party

Today was the Firm's Children's Christmas party.  It was the same format as last year and still just as much fun! 

The extra large buffet table was filled with a breakfast especially designed for children....doughnuts, sweet rolls, decorated cookies, fruit, Chick-fil-A chick-n-minis, candy, hot chocolate, orange juice, apple juice, and coffee(!). Sprinkled around the table were candy canes and those gold chocolate coins; Will is into collecting coins now, so he filled his little pockets with lots of gold coins! 

The very patient man and his guitar were back this year and Jack and Will couldn't wait to have a turn at the mic.  This year Will chose "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" as his musical selection.  I wouldn't be one bit surprised if the guitar man remembered Will from last year and steered him away from "Jingle Bells". 

Will did a great job of singing and was even able to chose which animals were on Old MacDonald's farm.  The hands in the pockets cracks me up! 

Here is a picture of Will and his backup dancers.  These little boys were having the best time dancing!

Jack sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" again this year, a nod to his honor last year of singing Santa into the party.

After singing, we stood in line for a balloon creation.  This balloon man is absolutely fantastic;  his creations aren't your basic animal figures.  It was fascinating to watch him work.   

The balloon man with his Cat in the Hat hat.

Jack with his reindeer

Will's airplane taking flight

We hit the cupcake decorating station on our way to visit with Santa. 

Not the best picture of Jack and Will, but Santa looks great again this year!  Jack asked for a surprise from Santa and Will asked for a dinosaur, a space ship, and an alien.

After the Christmas party, we went to get our Christmas tree.  Jack kept asking why we weren't going into the woods to cut our own tree.  Well, because I am not Ma Ingalls and conveniently, pre-cut trees are being sold down the street.  (Lest you think I am cold-hearted, I only thought this and refrained from saying it out loud to my sweet boy.)  Brent and the boys picked out a tree, which now that it is set up, Brent declares is the skinniest tree we have ever had.  I keep reminding him of the amount of time we will save in stringing the lights.  Because 7 years ago, we got a tree so big and fat that it took us 3 days just to string the lights!  And then we still had to hang the ornaments.  A skinny tree is looking mighty niiiiice!

We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening watching football.  This fall, our tradition has been that game day dinner is a selection of bar food and dips.  Today, we had queso and salsa with chips, wings, loaded potato skins, and a wonderful Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip.  It was so good.

Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip

• 1 8 oz block of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 c mayonnaise
• 1 c grated swiss cheese
• 2 Tbsp green onions, chopped
• 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 c Ritz crackers, crushed

In mixing bowl, mix cream cheese, mayo, swiss cheese, and onions together well.  Transfer to baking dish.  Top with bacon and crackers.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 mins or until bubbly.  Serve with crackers.  Yum!