Grandparents Presents Shown - Spoiler Alert

The holiday season has officially begun at our house. We decorated our Christmas tree about a week and a half ago, but that is not what officially kicks off the season for us. Last night our family watched Frosty and Rudolph while eating warm chocolate chip cookies and drinking hot chocolate. All the while we were sweating from the heat, Jack finally went and got the box fan from his room and set it up in the living room. It might have been a warm night in Abilene but it was Frosty at our house. This warm spell in Abilene will be over after today, I think we are looking at winter starting in the morning. Almost 80 today and I think it will be 30 tomorrow. Give or take ten degree's. Ah, Texas.
Tonight is the Christmas Parade in downtown Abilene, another highlight! We love this parade. It is about 45 minutes long, and a great variety of entries. I do love this holiday season.
Late afternoon yesterday I took some pictures of the kids to give as holiday gifts to grandparents. They were so accomadating. Normally the picture taking scene is not pretty at our house. I become the parent that makes me crazy when I take pictures. The words, "You better smile or ....." came out of my mouth not too long ago when I was taking our Christmas card picture. Then came the "We will go to Sonic on the way home if you smile...."
When I am working and taking pictures of other peoples kids the scene is totally different, I am very flexible, the thought of frustration never even enters my head, go with the flow, distractions, change locations, whatever works, and their are great pictures to show for the sitting. When it is my kids, something happens to my creativity and patience. That is very strange to me. Why is that?
Anyway last night was a joy, I had suggested that the kids give pictures of themselves to their grandparents for Christmas. They were all about that, include them in the process, I need to remember that in the future. They were coming up with poses left and right and had a great time. I had to pull them away when there was no light left outside, I even heard Derek say, I can stand under the street light and maybe you can get another picture with that light. I just laughed that I was the one that was ready to go and they wanted more, which never happens. So this is a spoiler alert to grandparents you have seen your gifts from your grandkids if you have looked at this post. But they were so cute I just couldn't help posting them.
Wishing you a happy last couple of days in November.