Santa Lucia Tea Party IV

Santa Lucia Day! The wonderful thing about having this tradition pretty well established (four years is established, right?) is that it pretty much plans itself. At 38 weeks pregnant, that's almost a necessity. Things were simple and small this year as we had three families who ended up staying home at the last minute due to illness. The three mamas who were there (including me) are all rounding the end of their pregnancies, so while we missed the other families, we were grateful their germs stayed home!

We had the quintessential white dress with red sash and candle crown for our eldest, and a white(ish) dress and sweet headband for her little handmaid.

I stuck with my stand by braided cinnamon bread and reshaped orange rolls from the refrigerated section as our "lussekatters". "Tea" was some yummy juice, and we were set to go. I love how easy it is to please a group of little girls and honor a wonderful Saint.  

St. Lucy, pray for us!

St. Nicholas Day

I'm grateful for a long line of traditions to make St. Nicholas Day easy. I always know what I need: oranges, chocolate coins, and maaaybe a few other chocolates. We added a sweet Saint doll for each of them this year as well (Our Lady of Fatima for Colette and St. Anthony of Padua for our Antonia).

Anni was so sweet and patient when her sister slept in quite a bit longer than her. She actually waited for her to open her stocking! When Colette did get up, she was really excited, buuuut not entirely sure as to how to get what was in her stocking. Some quick upside dumping action help and she was set.

I love how excited they each got about each and every thing... including the clementines!

Our cloth Advent calendar is holding on strong (well, I think we might be missing one figure... but otherwise), especially with Anni being old enough to remember each day... and look ahead to see which days she wants to do.

Happy Advent!