Monday, December 16, 2013

Free Holiday Fun

Free activities are everywhere this time of year, and I love it!  Last week (not last weekend, with all of the snow, we opted to stay in), we went to the mall and in the center of it they had the Letter-to-Santa station that's up every year, the big mailbox, and the holiday stand-ups.




Little man stood in line and took his turn to write the letter.


When it was time to mail it, he had to peek and make sure it went all the way down (why does everyone do that? I do it too). :)


And pose for a few pics for mom.

It's a little free entertainment we like to take part of every year.  It makes shopping more fun.

On a side note, and sort of related, my teen daughter finally told me what she wants for Christmas...after I'd already finished shopping :/  I told her she's getting coal for waiting so long to let me know. ;)  I don't like one thing on a list though...I don't want the kids to know what they're getting. Very minor shopping left now (just the groceries right before the big kids get home). We're on the home stretch, and I'm getting so so so sooooo psyched to see all of the kids (I'll probably say that every day until they get here)!! Woot! I LOVE this time of year. :)
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72 comments:

  1. Your son is a sweetie! So cute writing his letter. I hope Santa gives him everything he asked for! Your daughter waited until this time to tell you what she wanted. She probably had a hard time deciding! I love this time of year too! I hope you are going to have a Wonderful Christmas!

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    1. Thanks Karen, wishing you a wonderful Christmas too!!

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  2. Awww- free stuff is the best. It's so nice that he was able to do that (oh, and I check to make sure it went all the way down, too)!

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    1. I do at the drive-up mailboxes too, even if I hear whatever I put in there fall, lol

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  3. Things like that are always fun to go to! BTW check out Frecklebox.com. They always have free color pages that you can custom put names on them. There's a variety - not just Christmas. I think your little man would love it.

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    1. He does love printables, thanks for the heads up on the site!

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  4. There are tons of free things to do this time of year. You just have to do a little research. How fun.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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    1. Agreed! And a lot of times they're every bit as fun as the paid things. Fabulous day to you too! :)

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  5. As much as I hate the cold and snow, I do so very much love this time of the year! That said, what a cute and fun free activity that your little man got to do. And I am with you on wanting to know ahead of time what I am shopping for, but still somehow always shop for that last minute gift in the final hours for some reason!

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    1. Agree and agreed. :) Happy last minute shopping. ;)

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  6. How sweet! I always intend to do that activity with my kids, but we never seem to find the time. Maybe I can still fit it in!

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    1. Time's FLYING now, I am amazed at how fast it's slipping right by!

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  7. I'm sure Santa will get those lego army guys

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    1. Santa's got a pretty nifty Christmas surprise for little man. Hubby's, I mean Santa's been collecting for weeks. ;)

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  8. I love this time of the year too. I don't see any extra family really but I just love making my kids happy. I can't wait to stuff their stockings!

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    1. Kids do make the season fun. :) We've already stuffed stocking, completely oblivious that it's Santa's job, not ours. ;)

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  9. The holidays are a great time of the year... ♡

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  10. I remember those days - ENJOY them - they go fast. sandie

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  11. Looks colorful and cute. Everyone in my family has way too much stuff so presents are held to a minimum. I shop for mentally challenged people in Minneapolis and my daughter there, distributes the things. I just mailed 2 big boxes to her this morning and I know that makes Christmas a little better for a few others.
    Yay for your kiddos coming. Family fun and family dinners.

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    1. That's nice that everyone in your family agrees to that!! And it's nice that you do it. :) I'm not surprised though, you just seem thoughtful/nice! I hope those fans have packed up and gone home now, and if not yet, soon!

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  12. I don't blame him for looking to make sure his letter went all the way down. He wouldn't want it getting stuck and Santa not getting it.

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  13. The Little Man is so cute! I hope Santa gets to your home with the gifts he requested!:) Continue to enjoy the season Rosey.

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    1. Thanks, Judy, you too! And Santa's got the army Lego men covered. ;)

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  14. nice...we usually do the letter to santa at jc penny....def pretty cool...on a side note did you see the jetblue video message to santa...def must watch....

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    1. I'm headed over to YouTube to give it a look.

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  17. Oh Yay Happy Family Time for You Rosey! Yay! Don't ya just love when they spring an item on ya? dang, Hope all works out. hahahaha

    HM's daughter is doing better and we can now relax and get Christmas the spirit and energy it deserves, let alone my blog. hahahahaha (hug)

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    1. I saw that great news about your family member just this morning. Hurrah!

      As for my darling daughter, she's going to get what she gets (my shopping's all done now), and I know she'll like it. :)

      I loved your boots today, Renae!!

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  18. Sometimes the free things can be the best.
    I think I better get some Christmas shopping done tomorrow. I don't normally leave things till this late.

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    1. You still got a little time. :) Not a mad rush like it will be this weekend. ;)

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  19. I really love all the free activities that are offered this time of year. I do wish we would have them in the summer too when it's more desirable to be out and about weather wise, but when it's free and fun, we can look past a little cold :)

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  20. So fun! My daughter (who is 2) tells everyone that Santa is bringing her a big bike, but I can't wait until she is old enough to write the letters, leave the cookies, etc. And I love your little guy's list of Legos and Army Guys. Too cute! :)

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    1. He even followed through with a picture, lol.

      2 is a fun age!! Thanks for your visit. :)

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  21. Free activities are always the best! :)

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  22. Cute! There's so much to do this time of year!

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    1. There really is, it'll be nice/sad when it's over. :)

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  23. That big mailbox is great, looks like a lot of fun for the kids! My teen daughter finally told me a few things she wants as well. And of course, I already bought most of her gifts because she kept saying "I don't know what I want" Oh well, she gets what she gets this year!

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    1. That's my decision too, she's getting what we already bought. I'm sure she'll like it though. I bet your daughter will too. :)

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  24. This is heartwarming!! I used to love writing letters to Santa :)

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    1. Santa Clause rocks. I've got a year or two left at most, and then my last one will be over the magic. sigh :)

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  25. He is so cute! I love the mailboxes that "go to Santa." It's amazing to see the joy that the kids get from it. Reagan is really into it this year and it's so much fun to watch!

    Lanaya | xoxo
    http://raising-reagan.com

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    1. Reagan is the perfect age for this stuff!! And it is fun to watch them. :)

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  26. We did the letter to santa station with my sons last year :) I love finding free things to do around town, with two boys it's a must!

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    1. I'm glad they have that little station, the kids like it and it's a good way to spend time while waiting to see Santa (which we didn't that day, but a lot of kids were). :)

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  27. That is cool that your mall has that letter to Santa mail box set up like that. I've never seen one! Neat idea. Love the pic. of your son as the snowman! And yes, I am finally done with the shopping and need to get to the wrapping. Sounds like you are going to have a full house and an awesome Christmas with your family!

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    1. He gets his picture taken in that snowman every year. This year he said, 'Whoa, my face doesn't fit anymore.' He def. likes the idea of 'growing up and getting bigger.' Sigh. ;)

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  28. Woot! I do, too!

    Our shopping is done, and all the presents are wrapped and hidden in a closed room... hidden, that is, from our CATS, who think it's great fun to chew on and otherwise mangle and destroy ribbons and bows. Now, we're just a-waiting, and looking forward to going to our son's house, so we can see some of the children and grandchildren for Christmas. (Life is good!)

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    1. We're all done now too, bring on the holiday! :) And you're right, life is good. :)

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  29. i hope the mommy got a peek of his letter to santa to make his wish happen♥
    your mall is awesome to host this kind of events, we might have this but been super busy lately! christmas program, christmas with santa, christmas parties!!

    huggies♥

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  30. the boys come this weekend... can't wait ..

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    1. A house full of kids is one of my favorite things. :)

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  31. What a cute and fun activity that your little man got to do!
    This is my fave time of the year too, Rosey!

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  32. How fun, I let my kids tell me what they want but then I decide, this year they're getting thing they asked for during the year but nothing on their current list I know they'll like it anyway. First year ever and I'm completely done :)

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    1. Congrats on being done. We're all done too. :)

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  33. Had to laugh at your comment about the letter in the mailbox. I do that with books I'm returning to the library.

    Side you "psychedtedness" gets me psyched. Keep the repeats comin'.

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    2. I do it with library books too (and I can hear those drop in the bin) hahahha

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  34. I love that they have such fun family things this time of year.

    And your little man is so cute :)
    Your daughter is smart. She knows she wants that and that is what she is hoping to get. No confusion :)
    Phineas & Pherb last night was pretty much a fun show about the same thing!

    I can feel your excitement.

    Enjoy it all.

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    1. My daughter's going to like her present, I suspect but it's not the one she asked for. You snooze you lose? :) She'll still be happy w/her gift, and that makes me happy. :)

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    2. You are such a wonderful mom Rosey!

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  35. I love this time of year too, I remember writing a letter to Santa when I was a child. I have a friend who got coal for Christmas one year, LOL!! Merry Christmas!!

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  36. I wish I had children so I could do this. This was truly cool.

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