Hiring Elves?

 Letter of application to Santa, per a fun school project:

"Dear Santa,

My name is Ramsey.

I tried to fit in with the tree elves, but they kicked me out (literally).  So, I want to work for you. I have many talents.  I coud be a toy tester! (Preferably laser tag and paintball, but anything works - you're the boss!)

I could also bake Christmas cookies! Chocolate chip?  Check!  Sugar?  Check!  Alright, I have to go.  Cookies don't bake themselves!  (Mmm, cookies)

The Christmas [Toy] Wish List

 We explained to Ramsey that he probably was NOT going to get all of the very specific toy guns on his original Christmas list, so we asked him for more ideas.  He had a few more.

Visiting Santa

 Ramsey does NOT feel too old to go see Santa.  For that, I am grateful.  :-)   After church, we went to visit Nana Karen, take a few pictures, then... time to visit The Big Guy.  No, not THAT big guy.  😂  (Perhaps politics shouldn't be integrated into this blog?!?  😂)

Pics at Nana's place:

Pics with The Big Guy.  Ramsey explained to me that he is fully aware that this guy is one of Santa's employees... nay, volunteers, who works with Santa to deliver news and relay information.

The Pavillion here on the lake hosted a little Chistmas gathering, with cookies and drinks for the kids.

I'm going to share Ramsey's initial Letter to Santa.  There's a definite theme here.  

For anyone who does NOT know this child well... he wants to attend West Point, be career military, and be Delta Force.  And, he's a complete crazy man when it comes to knowledge about firearms of the world and their history; he rattles off all sorts of insane facts about hundreds of different types of guns. 

Pizelles and Handpainted Gifts

 We really like to do "a lot" during the holidays, to make things special and make memories.

Ramsey likes to paint things for grandparents for Christmas presents.  This year, he picked out snowmen and little picture stands.

We were a little LATE getting started, but we made up for it, finishing up in just a few days.  

Progress!

Aaaaand, for WEEKS Ramsey had been begging to make Pizelles.  He'd never had one before, but I'd purchased a Pizelle press at Hobby Lobby.  He was dying to try it out.

We mixed up a good size batch so we'd have ample to eat... and maybe a few to share.

One can never make any sort of baked goods with a good beater-licker.  

They turned out beautiful.  They were dusted with powdered sugar for an extra bit of flabor.

We placed them carefully in pretty Christmas boxes.  

We snagged our fair share of the delicious crispy cookies, but we took a big box to the assisted living center where Nana lives, for the staff.  We gave Nana a few, but she didn't need diabetic sugar overload, so her ration wasn't as hefty.  I got a dirty look for that, as she would have rather had the big box! 

In addition to Pizelle-making, I found a new recipe on Pinterest that peaked my interest; orange cranberry bread with citrus glaze.  

As much as I love to bake, these were going straight to the neighbors as part of the Christmas loot.  

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

 For 20 years, Ramsey's teacher's mother has come into the 4th Grade classroom to make homemade quilted ornaments.

https://www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us/article/1371076?fbclid=IwAR0Qzgw3jSjPFYA1B7Y2yE1ec_HIleIvM1GapPZpH9l8ThGNe6fkXXu4X5o

Each child was able to pick out fabric and ribbons and watch the ladies sew away.

What a wonderful and thoughtful gift for the students and the parents; a forever keepsake. :-)

School Holiday Concert

Today was the big day that the elementary school kids had been practicing for, for months - the holiday concert.

Ramsey isn't so enthused about wearing bowties anymore (not since some kid told him he looked like an old man in them - argh!).  But, for me... he wore won.  Also, for $5.  🤣

The 4th Graders performed three songs; "look What Old Man Winter Has Done!", "Decorate the Christmas Tree", and "Oy Chanuke" (a Jewish folk song).

Church Holiday Activity Day + Living Nativity

After Sunday services, Ramsey and I took lunch to Nana Karen, our usual after-church ritual.

We weren't aware, but "Magic Mike" (the magician - no other weird ideas please) was going to have a show later that day.  He was setting up in the main gathering areas, just outside of Mom's apartment.

He brought his fluffy rabbit to the table for us to pet and cuddle with.

We couldn't stay, unfortunately, as we were due to return to the church for the yearly Christmas family activity day and living nativity.

We LOVE the time before going into the church; we can see the animals that local farmers bring in sweet animals for kids to pet and feed little treats to.

We can never get too much of BABY GOATS!!  GAH!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

There were some miniature donkeys there too that were just so stinkin' sweet!

And.. there was one large male goat that was so sweet and friendly too.  He was all about giving big sloppy kisses!

When we went inside, there were goodies to eat and Christmas ornaments to make.  

Then, time for the Living Nativity.  A lot of the older kids get involved and put on this lovely depiction.

Nice little photo opp here too!   And, finally... after a lot of running around and busyness, this momma was NOT in the mood for cooking.  We drove over to Domino's and placed an order for take-out.   hehe