December Already!

December always comes so quickly for us. We have many celebrations this month so we are always so busy! We started the month with a holiday party for Sammie at the Craniofacial unit at CHOC. I forget that she had a cleft lip but when I see all the other families in various stages of the surgery process I vividly remember what it was like to go through it all. I am so grateful that Sammie's lip was so minor and that we are most likely done with surgery. I am glad to be able to talk to other families and give them support as they go through it themselves. It is always a great party. They serve food/refreshments and have entertainment. They have therapy dogs dressed up to visit the kids and then Santa comes and brings a nice present for each child.

We go to Knott's Berry Farm every year. Brad gets in free as part of Law Enforcement. When Sammie heard me say "We are going to Knott's Berry Farm" she immediately said "Farm?" Are there horseys there?? There is a horse drawn stagecoach but when we got to it, it was already closed for the day. She did see the horses running by a few times and was very excited. She had a great time on the rides at Camp Snoopy but loved the "big people" log ride the most. We picked a great day to go and it wasn't crowded at all. We were able to stay on some rides again and again without getting back in line. (the log ride was one of them) Some rides Sammie went on completely by herself. I can't think of a time at an amusement park when NO ONE ELSE was on a ride! That was cool!

Tonight was the 6th night of Hanukkah. Sammie enjoys lighting the candles with me and saying the prayers. Or as she calls them, "the pears". The prayers are in Hebrew (I have a phonetic cheat sheet) and she tries to repeat some of the words. It is cute! She especially likes opening presents. The first night she got a Snow White Dress. Some of her other gifts were, PJ's, a Dora (cowgirl) movie, and a My Little Pony playset.

My parents are coming in town this weekend. Their anniversary is Dec. 17th and my birthday is the 18th so we usually celebrate together when we can. I think we are going to go back to Knott's for the day and eat at the Chicken Dinner restaurant.

We will celebrate Christmas with Brad's family on Christmas Eve. I am taking Sammie to see the Disney Princess on Ice show on Dec. 25th. She will love it! She likes the Disney princesses right now. (Ariel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and especially "Belt". ( Belle)

I guess that's all the updates for now. Just trying to keep up with shopping, wrapping, cards, etc. Happy Holidays to you!