Her new found "love" is Christmas lights. They make her SO HAPPY! There are 2 neighborhoods that REALLY participate in creating their houses into a Winter Wonderland nearby, so of course we had to go show McKenna. Dave and I have gone every year since we've been married, and obviously McK went with us last year, but this year took on a whole new look. We bundled up, rolled down the windows, turned on the Christmas music, turned off the car lights, and crept through the streets looking at each house. McKenna was so happy. She would say, "That one is my favorite!" and "This is so special!" Dave and I loved watching her point out her window and listen to her gasps of excitement! When we headed home she kept saying, "I want to see MORE lights please!" I have a feeling we'll head out to see them again before Christmas!
Yup! That's McK in shorts and a t-shirt decorating the Christmas tree! Ha! We decorated the day before Thanksgiving when the weather was down-right-HOT! It was very odd to hear the air conditioning kick on while listening to Christmas jingles and decorating the tree, but that's FL for ya! McKenna ooohhh'd and awwww'd as Dave and I put the tree up. She "helped" a little, but really enjoyed watching. She did put on the very first ornament and was oh-so-proud! She also helped me arrange our Nativity scene on the table. We talked about how Christmas is the time we celebrate baby Jesus's birthday, and she really seemed to follow along. At night we've been singing Happy Birthday Jesus before bedtime and she's all about spotting baby Jesus in the Nativities in people's yards!
One first for McKenna and me was baking cookies! I never bake, but one evening had a sweet treat craving. I rummaged in the pantry to find some cooking oats and there was a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies on the box! We had all the ingredients, so off we went!
McKenna LOVED helping...and she actually did quite well. I tried not to hover or take over everything and she only spilled 1 cup of oats on the floor ONCE :o) She was super proud of her cooking. After each ingredient she dumped into the mixing bowl, she'd say, "OK, what else?". Too cute. Since our cookie extravaganza we have made Badgett Family Wassail and she also helped me with a crock-pot dinner! She's a natural in the kitchen!
The best part, obviously, is licking the spatula! She sat and watched the cookies bake and kept asking, "Done yet Mom?" Finally she was able to sit and enjoy her masterpiece. Dave was a good helper too :) It did take both of us to get the kitchen put back together, but I just caught Dave sweeping up the spilled oats! Ha!
The weather definitely changed and it is now COLD here in Jacksonville. I'm not talking like 50s cold...I'm talking below freezing temps at night and 30s/40s during the day! BRRRR! So we have busted out the flannel and fleece pjs and cranked the heat up in the house. It's nice though, it makes it feel like December should feel!!! Before bedtime one evening I had a little photoshoot with McKenna. She was cracking me up with her silly poses and cheesy smiles. She's a hoot and is not shy in front of the camera :)
I've also enjoyed some "crafting" with McK this season. I got together with 3 other moms to make these fun Hand-print Tree shirts. My friend, Stephanie, is so good to share crafty ideas with me and this was one of them. I had made a Hand-print Turkey shirt for McK for Thanksgiving, so we had to have one for Christmas too. I just love doing projects with McKenna's hands and feet...just so sweet. We also made Angels to send to the grandparents out of McK's hands and they were a big hit too.Next year will be even more different and more fun than this one, and that's hard to believe. We'll have one more precious, little girl to include in our Burke family Christmas fun. Christmas is almost here! There are many more memories to be made!
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