UPDATED Photos 12-23-17-Hello Cuties, Just checking in to say I've been busy with Christmas activities and monkeys-lol

Last week on Friday we went to Avery's Christmas play at her school.Besides Ashley and myself,Gus and Nora, Ashley's mother in law came too.
We had just sat down and I opened my program to read when I asked,"Avery is giving the invocation?"
As soon as I asked, Ashley and Carmen opened their program to see. Sure enough our girl did with her new 'talking' machine. She asked for a moment of silence to pray and then wished everyone a happy holiday season. I'm tearing up again writing this to you...Wow!
The program was 'The Voice' and chuldren that were able to participate did. Of course, the real song was playing and the students words may have been a short delay singing, but they did it and had a ball. The 'Judges' were Rudolph, an Elf, Santa and Mrs. Claus. The local television station aired parts of it on our local station.
Then Monday the school took Avery's class to the mall to see Santa. Avery, Nora and Gus had their photo made with Santa and it really came out good. (I'll show you when I get mine) We ate lunch with them at the mall before they returned to school.
Then we drove an hour back home, just long enough for Nora to practice her piece. We then drove about 30 minutes again to her piano recital. I wasn't expecting much but even her teacher (which is her other grand mother) said Nora really played better than she ever had! No stage fright for her!-lol- Carmen said she had never taught a student as young as Nora (4 years old) and she didn't know how she would do.
I did forget to say, the Sunday before Avery's play, Nora had a part in the Christmas play at her church. They played the bells and sang.
Then yesterday Santa came to Avery's school, in a helicopter! I videoed everything so no photos. They brought ALL the children outside by the ground where the helicopter landed. Most were so excited they squealed with delight and excitement. I only saw one little girl cry but she was being comforted by worker and us.
We all went inside and Santa had LARGE BAGS for each child. He had elves to help him hand each childs personally. They were going class by class.
When Santa got a little closer to Avery's group Gus couldn't wait any longer. He went straight to Santa and Ashley was going after him. The elf waved Ashley to stop and let Gus go to Santa. He picked Gus up high in the air and then hugged him. He held him and talked to Gus. The photographer took their picture, but we thought it was so nice, they took time for the families to be involved as well.
I had heard the Head of the school tell the Principle, he wanted Santa to take a photo with Avery and her family to which they did. I was still videoing so no photos to show you, but we were so touched at the love shown by all the workers for these children. I tried to speak to the Principle and express how I felt but I choked up and she just said, she knew, it was amazing.
At one point Ashley couldn't stop her tears and so being the mom I am, I held her and joined in letting the tears flow.
Anyway, we are thankful for this place, the people working there and all the freedom to be involved with them.
As all of you I'm sure, are busy with your families, so will I be for the next few days, with grocery shopping and cooking now. My husband just reminded me not to eat/drink as I have blood work in the morning. That just ruins my day. Oh well, was only gonna clean house-lol
I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday and can be with those you love. If not, come on over to my house Christmas day, noon for lunch or leftovers for supper/diner! Merry Christmas-Toogie
Ashley brought me a picture of the 3 with Santa. I said Avery looked so short or no neck or something. Ashley said its the way she sits in this new chair and her cushion. Her knees are higher so she can't try to put her legs straight, I can't explain but it makes her look odd here. The next is a photo at home with her older brother Mason, so you can see the difference and why I said she looks 'short' or something in the Santa photo. Gus likes Santa, which is another odd thing, as most little ones are scared of him and Nora has her arm linked in his, so that tells you how she feels.-lol