Thanks to everyone for the kind words about our advent calendar!  I’m really enjoying seeing the look on Jude’s little face every morning. It’s Christmas magic, baby!  Today’s treat was a visit to the outlandishly amazing Disneyland of Christmas here in Oklahoma City: North Pole City! Seriously, this place is like Christmas on steroids. You can’t help but gasp with delight when you walk in because it is truly that amazing.

The Santa Claus at North Pole City is particularly convincing and he tells a lovely Christmas story that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas. The children all sat on a rug and stared up at him with huge eyes as he told them a story. Jude hovered in the back of the room with me and every now & then would turn to me and say, “He looked right at me!!!!”

They have an entire room devoted to those little Christmas villages.

Tiny Vespas! Yes!!

I’m partial to the little glitter houses myself.  I’ll have to show you the one I attempted (rather unsuccessfully) to make.

Did I mention they have a miniature train for the little ones? Right after Santa’s story we lined up for Jude’s ride.

Visiting North Pole City has been one of my favorite traditions for us since Jude was a baby.  But adding to the tradition, we pick out an ornament (or two or three or four) for our tree when we go.  This year Jude chose the lovely firetruck below.

I went with these stunning Christopher Radko Shiny & Brite balls. The Shiny & Brite collection is my absolute favorite because all the designs are based on Christmas decor from the 1940s and 1950s. Plus the price point (for Christopher Radko) is excellent.

I giggled to myself as I hung my ornaments on the white tree when I found a shoelace hanging languidly from the branches.

Special thanks to the Tea Collection who contacted me a few weeks back. They graciously provided us with a $100 gift card to spend on kids’ clothes for Jude.  He’s wearing the Purity tee in Oatmeal topped with the Diez Stripe Jacket. Tea has been one of my favorite kids’ lines ever since Jude was a baby. The fit is long & lean which is perfect for his frame.  Thank you for your generosity to us, Tea Collection!