CHRISTMAS CAROLING 2011

After weeks of practicing, it was finally time to go out and hit the neighborhood to cheer everyone up with singing Christmas Carols.

We first spent some time enjoying cookies and getting in one last practice.

The girls donned their Santa hats and scarfs and were ready to go.

We decided that each girl would take turns picking the song to sing at each house.

The first house we sang at was Nikki's.  The girls went outside, knocked on the door and sang for Susie (Diana's mom) and Chase (Nikki's brother). 

The girls figured out how to stand so they could all be seen by those who answered the doors.

The girls were excited and ready to go sing to the neighbors.  They wanted to bring good tidings and great cheer to everyone.

They did great!  They sang loud and wished everyone a Merry Christmas before heading on to the next house.

Everyone who answered the door was thrilled to see the girls.  They loved hearing them sing and everyone wished the girls Merry Christmas and thanked them over and over for "making their night".

They were greeted by dogs, cats, kids and even had their picture taken.

Every girl said she had a lot of fun.  When our time was up we headed back and we all sang more songs walking down the street. 

I remember years ago having carolers come to my house.  It was fun and reminded me of what I had seen in the movies. 

Not to many people go caroling any more these days.  I really hope that everyone who got entertained by these great girls enjoyed it as much I did.  I hope they remember it always, as I have all these years later.

Merry Christmas everyone!

CHRISTMAS PENGUIN PARTY

The girls walked in to the room and the table was all set for their Christmas party.  This years theme was Christmas penguins.

The girls found their name cards and sat down.  We had a yummy dinner of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and drinks. 

After we ate, everyone moved over to the craft table that was set up with all the supplies for each girl to make ornaments. 

They cut, glued and watched their ornaments come to life.

There were several laughs and giggles over some of the ornaments they came up with.  The first one they made was a snowman face. 

The noses were what brought about the laughs.  I told the girls they could cut the noses down but no one wanted to.  They liked the funny noses.

A few did decide to leave the nose off all together.

Skylar made her nose go sideways.  It looked cute that way.

The other ornament we made was a cute Christmas Penguin.  Of course, to go with our theme.

These girls really have some talent. 

They are very creative.

Each girl made darling ornaments.

They all looked different, but all were cute.

I think the girls all were very pleased with what they made. 

Some how Jesse got away without me getting a picture with both of her ornaments.  Hey, doesn't her snowman look like a penguin?  How fun.

After crafting, it was time to do the gift exchange.

Rather then draw names, like last year, the girls all sat around the table with their own gift.  Then we played a game.

I told them a Christmas story.

Whenever I said "right" or "left" in the story, the girls would pass the gift they had to either the right or left.

The girls had fun doing this and laughed every time they heard the words would come up.

Some of the times they even had their own gift back.  They were worried the story was going to end and they would have their gift.  So, they wanted to quickly pass it either right or left as fast as they could.

Some times the same direction would be said again and again.  This of course caused more laughter.

Then finally the story ended and the girls got to open the gift that they were left holding.  Everyone liked what they got.

When everyone was finished opening their gifts, I gave them their gifts from me.

These girls know me so well.  They knew inside the gifts would all have a Christmas penguin theme. 

It was fun listening to them as they pulled out each little item and got excited over them. 

They were all so thankful for everything.  They made me feel like I bought them each a thousand dollar toy.

It was then time for dessert.  We had cupcakes, peppermint ice cream and a star shaped sugar cookie.

As the girls ate they sugar goodies, they went over what gifts they got from each other.

They talked about what they wanted for Christmas.

Then the sugar high started to hit and they got silly. 

Trinity started singing Christmas songs but made up the words.

She had the whole group cracking up.  I don't think I've ever seen these girls laughing so hard and they have done some pretty hardy laughs before.

All to soon, our time was up and we had to clean up and pack up to go home. 

Look at these girls.  Aren't they the best group of girls you have ever seen?  No wonder I love spending time with them.  How could you not be happy with them around?

CHRISTMAS PARADE 2011

It was finally time for the yearly Huntington Beach Christmas Parade!

This was the 2nd year our troop has decided to be in the parade. 

Last year, our troop was much smaller.  This year was going to be more fun since there were more of us together.

All of the girls wore solid red t-shirts, green scarfs and Santa hats.  They looked so cute!

They made us get there early, so we had a lot of time to stand around and goof off.  The girls even did a dance number together.

The girls were very excited and some even said they were nervous about getting to be in the parade.

When I asked what they would be nervous about, they said, everyone will be looking at us.  I told them, no, we will be looking at them.  That made them laugh and they were no longer worried about a thing.

It seemed at times that it was taking forever for us to get started.  Yet, once the time was there, it seemed to go so fast.

Our troop was handing out mini candy canes and Christmas suckers.  There were four stockings filled with the candy and the girls took turns handing out the candy and then switching to holding the banner.  That way, they all got to do both jobs.

Of course, being the picture taker that I am, I had the girls take a few minutes to pose for some pictures.

We had to line up in the order they wanted us to walk in the parade.  This took awhile to get all the different troops in the proper order.

The excitement built up as we saw the bands and cars lining up.  There were skaters, dogs dressed up as Santa Paws, cheerleaders and so many others waiting in lines like we were.

Then it was finally time and the line was moving pretty fast.  Soon we were up and ready to go.  We were in the parade, handing out candy, waving hello to everyone and searching the crowds for family faces.

While we didn't see everyone, we did see Trinity's dad, Elizabeth's mom and dad and Skylar's dad.

We also saw many friends and neighbors smiling faces.

Before, we knew it, the parade was over.  We met up with the parents and was able to snap a few quick photos.

It took longer for us to stand around and get ready then we spent actually walking in the parade.

It didn't matter though because the girls felt like they were celebrities.   With everyone waving and yelling out to them, it was almost like walking the red carpet.

It was really nice to see how many people came out to support the girls. 

It was cold and really put everyone in the Christmas spirit. 

We all said good night to each other and everyone went about on their own.  I don't think any one hung around.  Mostly everyone just went home.  We were tired and hungry. 

It was fun and something we were happy to get to do.

Once again, GIRL SCOUTS RULE!!!