Elf Time Crunch

We have been so busy having fun this Christmas season, not only have I neglected the blog, I have neglected getting things ready to leave in 3 days! I kept telling myself I had plenty of time. And now we are just over a week away (of course, being a Neely, festivities start much sooner). I did officially finish wrapping all my presents today. I could still use some more stocking stuffers but if I don't get any no big deal...the girls are getting plenty of stuff as it is, the stockings just won't be quite full. We still have a few more fun things on our agenda before taking off Friday, but I thought I would share some pictures from what we have done so far.

My little elves saw me cleaning the bathrooms and wanted to help so I let them clean the toilet. They actually fought over it! I wonder how long that will last. But I love getting them involved in the house work whenever I can so even if it isn't done perfectly or results in water all over the floor, at least they are learning to help out.This is just one of the ways Daddy gets greeted on his way home from work. We happened to be out in the front yard this day when he pulled up. So the girls jumped in and "drove" him into the driveway. He says the greatest feeling he has is coming home and the girls running in his arms screaming "Daddy."Last weekend was the annual Bluffton Christmas parade. Nan brought Sarah, Matthew and William (cousins) down to go with us. Keely and Matthew are best buds and were excited to see each other. He literally picked her up hugging her!Here we are watching the parade. Once again, it was very impressive. Nan has already marked it on her calendar for next year. Sherri and Jana you should too!! That house in the background is the house on the corner of our street. Our house is two doors down which made it nice for potty breaks, snack runs, or to run out and save a spot when I saw the crowd growing.

Keely is really hoping for a jumper for her birthday. (Something big you can bounce on in the back yard.) Several of her friends have them and she has played on them at their houses. Doug and I have resisted, but a friend was getting rid of a small trampoline and offered it to us. We weren't sure if it would do the trick, so we put it up after the parade to see what she thought. It was a hit and provided an afternoon of fun! Good news is we now have her birthday gift (she thinks we were just borrowing it).

I love it when the cousins get together because they just have so much fun!