Holiday Traditions in St. Charles

Logan and I had so much fun with Valerie, Reagan and Cooper last year at the Christmas Traditions parade in St. Charles that this year we decided to go back with Daddy, Claire and all the Trohas!  We had a great day for it with just a bit of a chill in the air.  It was exciting to see the characters mingling with the crowd on their way to the parade starting point.

Here's MacNicholas, the Scottish Santa.

Mikko, one of Santa's elves...

Frankly, I have no idea who these costumey people are.

Dady and Claire wait for the parade!

 Yikes!  The Ice Queen.

Snegurochka, the Russian snow child.

Serenity, the Christmas angel, followed by Clara and her Nutcracker Prince.

I love this picture of Frontier Santa!

This of course is Father Christmas.

Victorian Carolers making their way down Main Street.

Santa and Mrs. Claus in their carriage!

Reagan and Logan "do lunch" afterward at one of the many cafes downtown.

I do love how the kids got into character for this shot!  Well, except for Claire.  She takes her head-through-the-hole posing very seriously apparently!

I happen to love this family picture!

The kids chatting up Mrs. Claus.

That Frontier Santa.  What a guy.

Mother Goose absolutely crushed on Logan.

The Master of Revels was shouty and rude.  Claire could not wait to get away from him!

She was also not a huge fan of Snegurochka.

Not at all, actually.

Now there's a handful of adorable kids.

Love you guys, and all our traditions together.

Mama

A Bouncy Playdate

Dear Claire,

It's so special that you have a friend you have known for literally your entire life.  

I have had so much fun watching you and Maya grow up together, and seeing your friendship develop.

Maya is practically family!

I hope you girls stay in touch and remain friends forever.

Love those sweet girls!

Mama

Logan's Big Stage Debut

When I was a kid, one of the things I loved the most was getting on stage, whether it was for dancing or acting in a play.  Logan has definitely inherited that trait from me.  This year he was in his first play with lines and everything - and he got the lead!

OK, so it was a very small, Off-off-off-off-off-off Broadway production, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?  

Logan plays a kid whose parents are moving and he doesn't want to go.

That night, he has a dream about the Pilgrims on the Mayflower....

He decides that the Pilgrims were brave to go on their search for a new life in a new place.

When he wakes up the next morning, he tells his parents he is ready for the move!

***AMAZING play writing.***

 In the second class play, Logan got a bit part as a very authentic-looking Indian.

"Happy Thanksgiving!!"

Some super cute classmates!

 One very proud mama.

And Daddy too!

We love you!
Mama

The End of Soccer Season

So here we are at the end of soccer season in late October and Claire still can't bear to watch the game....

Just kidding!  She will cheer and clap....sometimes.

Meanwhile, Logan is making some good progress with his skills!  Check this shot out!  Way to work it, Logan!

Looking like a pro.

It's about time for Claire to get cozy with blankie and Mom's lap.

Ahhhhh.

Now that is one adorable soccer kid.

Logan's team had a near perfect season with only 1 loss and 1 tie.  If you look closely, there is our neighbor Isabelle playing for the gold team.  

Cheers to the team!

Champions!

We are so proud of Logan for learning something new!

Way to go!!

Love, 

Mama