Rachelle & Margo

Stephanie

Stephanie, Amanda, Jess

Mom, Amanda

After the cookie party Tessa and Jess went through all of our Christmas ornaments and decorated the Christmas tree. I’d meant for this to happen during the party, but I heard the girls weren’t sure if they had permission and I just completely lost track. Next year I’ll try to remember! They had fun decorating the tree regardless. Jess, especially. My dad was helping us with some chores downstairs during the party and then went and read a few papers at the Logan Square Starbucks while sipping some fancy lattes. After the party he came back and helped Jess and Tessa get the star on the tree.

Jessica decorating the tree

Dad helping with the star

Since we won’t see Tessa, Charlotte or Margo before Christmas, we exchanged gifts. I got Tessa a book about tea parties and a tea party set of dishes. Margo got a onesie that said “I Can’t Read.” I thought this was a great gift for the daughter of an English teacher! Charlotte wasn’t at the party so they took her gift home with them. I won’t say what it was in case she hasn’t opened it yet. From the girls I got some really nice gifts: a new scarf and sweater, a candle, a subscription to Food & Wine magazine. Fun fun!

Kelly, Margo, Tessa, Jess

Rachelle with Margo’s Onesie

My parents were staying overnight and when Kelly and Amanda decided it was time to leave, Stephanie and Jessica decided to stay overnight too. We ordered in from Friendship Chinese (looove this place) and watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Jess said it’s her favorite Christmas movie. Funny, it was made 40 years before she was born!

Rachelle, Dad

One thing I noticed later on: no one was really helping Jess and Tessa decorate the Christmas tree, aside from the star on the top, and so all of the ornaments only go up so far and the rest of the tree is undecorated. Hilarious. I’m inclined to leave it this way!

Finished Tree