'Twas the Week Before Christmas

The day after Bamblen Christmas we were supposed to go to my friend Annie's wedding (I can't tell you how much I hated to miss it!), but Jeremy's project from hell reared it's ugly head and he started working even more hours 'round the clock.  We barely spoke or saw each other until the 22nd.  How fun!

We worked until Thursday, and Thursday night we picked Sawyer up from my mom's house in Spring and headed out to Magnolia for a party at Pam's parents' house to meet our friend's new baby, Beatrix.  Sawyer had fun running around the house, playing with baby toys, and eating cheese and grapes (such a refined palate).  I loved catching up with some friends from high school and holding baby Bea!  It was a fun start to our time off from work and holiday celebrations.

Friday, the 23rd, we made use of our zoo membership and took Sawyer to see Santa at the zoo!  I was a slacker last year and never took Sawyer, so at 21 months old this was his first experience.  Honestly prior to this he really had no idea who Santa was.  He knew baby Jesus from his nativity toy and from school, but we hadn't really talked about Santa.  All Sawyer ever wants to do at the zoo in run around freely, so Pops and I stood in line while Lolly and Daddy let him run wild.

The line went very quickly, and then it was time to meet the man in red!

Santa was very nice, and I was shocked all we got from Sawyer was a giant pouty lip (as opposed to a scream and/or tears).  And don't worry, I paid the $35 to get a few prints of the professional picture, too!  Santa told Sawyer he'd like him more after Christmas morning anyway. :)  Now Sawyer talks about Santa a little - he likes reading his Night Before Christmas book, but we still read The First Christmas book more and that's fine with me.

We went by the new elephant enclosure on our way out and had the best time watching them.  The weather was gorgeous that day, and I have never seen elephants so playful.  Two babies were rolling around in the water and dirt like puppies might play.

We went home for lunch and naps, and then we got out in the afternoon to get hair cuts for the boys.  We tried a new barber shop in River Oaks and it was awesome.  Like an old, traditional barber shop with dark wood and vintage chairs.  They did a great job on Sawyer (and Jeremy) - Sawyer was perfect sitting in my lap, watching Sponge Bob on the TV while Moses cut his hair.  I do not recommend going to the River Oaks shopping center the day before Christmas Eve, however.  It was nuts there, and there was a honking, yelling parking lot standoff while we were at the barber.  'Tis the season, I guess?

Afterwards we had dinner at Lolly and Pops' with Uncle Josh and Aunt Jamie, who got in town that evening.  So much fun to come!!