Santa's Little Helpers

We had a good time delivering treats several nights leading up to Christmas.  The kids really LOVE caroling, and this year we kicked it up a notch by bringing BELLS.  Our rendition of "Jingle Bells" has never been so festive.  Between Ben's work schedule and the work being done on our house, we mostly ended up leaving the house at about the time we try to get the kids to bed, so we had some late nights, but it was worth it.  We enjoy getting to spend time with our neighbors, even if it's only a few minutes, and we had a great time together.  We found that there is wisdom in the Code of the Elves rule: 

The best way to spread Christmas cheer

Is singing loud for all to hear

We even received a request to come caroling to one family, after they heard us caroling at a neighbor's house.  Of course we were happy to oblige, and ended up visiting with them in their house for half an hour, drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies.

Then on Christmas Eve, Cat and Eliza were called upon to help a neighbor deliver treats to the whole neighborhood.  Pat wanted to share goodies with all of her neighbors but has a hard time getting in and out of her car, so she invited Cat and Eliza to be her delivery gals, roles they were happy to fill.  We got a kick out of spotting them from our kitchen window.

We were also the recipients of some fun Christmas visitors: a group of women from our ward and neighborhood who were the Christmas Tree Inspection Committee.  They had their clipboards and everything, and checked everything off on their checklists to determine whether our tree was up to standard.  I'm happy to report that they gave us a "Best In Show" award, even though there wasn't a single present under the tree, haha.  (We waited until Christmas Eve to put anything under the tree because we knew Luke would get into things, and possibly his older siblings as well....)

Yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year, with kids jingle-belling.