A visit to the Macy's Santa; Yes Skylar there is a Santa Claus!

Every year, well for the past 4 years, we have taken a trip up to Portland to visit the Macy's Santa Claus.  It has become such a great tradition for us and even though Skylar is nine years old, he still believes.  I don't know if next will bring the same love for Santa, but for right now, it warms my heart to know that my son still holds onto the Magic of Christmas.

I loved this musical duo that was playing Christmas carols in front of Macy's.  I loved standing and listening to them, but unfortunately as I was videoing them playing, a guy set up his 5-gallon bucket drums across the street, everyone in Portland decided to congregate around us and the rain began to come down heavier.  I wish I could have gotten more of their wonderful music though, it was perfect for the season.

A replica of the actual train that would circle the top of Macy's.  2005 was the final year.  Read more about it HERE.

  

This picture is my favorite!

Instead of candy, Macy's gives small coloring books and crayons.

Skylar in the snowman and the actual car from the monorail that used to run in the old Meier and Frank.

The train display is always a big hit with us.  

Bachmann Ho Scale Thoroughbred Train Set (Google Affiliate Ad)

Rudolph.

  

And the rest of the reindeer.

There's, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder (Donner), and Blitzen (Blitzem). 

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Pre-Lit Rudolph Outdoor Decor (Google Affiliate Ad)

Skylar leaving his magic letter to Santa.  The best part about this letter to Santa is, for every stamped and addressed letter to Santa Macy's receives they make a donation to the Make-a-Wish foundation.

St. Nicholas Square Pinecone Believe 2-Pk. Hand Towels (Google Affiliate Ad)

  

Yes Virgina there is a Santa Claus!  And Skylar believes!

The Christmas tree in Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland's Living Room) look lovely this year.  I just wish it was a living tree that was a permanent fixture instead of a cut one every year.  :-(

KGW (Studio on the Square) with all three of us standing in front.

After leaving Portland's Living Room we headed over to Potbelly Sandwich Shop in the Square.  About 10 minutes before we hit the sandwich shop Skylar started feeling really crummy.  We still aren't sure exactly what he had, but it has lingered for at least a week now.  He is slowly feeling better, but man it hit him pretty hard.  We still had a great time in Portland that day, and soon after we ate, we headed back to the park garage and headed home.

Our Potbelly Sandwiches.

Cuisinart Griddler Panini & Sandwich Press (Google Affiliate Ad)

A super fun day for sure!  We love going up to Portland during the Christmas holiday.  There is so much to take in and so much to do!  I am anxiously waiting, with fingers crossed, that Macy's will come to Little Rock, Arkansas or even Fayetteville.  I would settle for just about any town in the state of Arkansas actually.  Such a fantastic store and it's always been my favorite place to get all of my Christmas shopping done.  Of course, to me, Christmas is year-around if I get to do my shopping at Macy's.  :-)  *wink-wink*

Eco-Tip:  Add "go eco-conscious" to your New Year's Resolutions this year and no better way to start than right now with your showers.  Try taking shorter showers by using a shower timer and a low-flow shower head   Try to think of other ways throughout your home to conserve water too.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Reindeer dust for Skylar's 3rd grade class

This year we wanted to spice up Skylar's class Christmas party and put a different twist on the norm of sweets and candy, so we decided to give the Reindeer Dust a try.  They were super fun to make and even more fun to pass out.  The kids LOVED them too!  We even had enough left over to give away to family.  This is definitely a treat we will be repeating in the following years!

Here's what you'll need:

Gooseberry Patch Classic Christmas Recipes Book
Copy Machine (color)
Red, Green, Silver, Gold or any color of your liking) Glitter
Raw Rolled Oats
Little Silver, Gold, Red, etc. Stars
12 4oz. Ball Jars with lids
2 Yards Christmas Material and Ribbon
Tape
Pen

What you'll need to do:

Combine glitter and oats into a large bowl.

Add the confetti stars and mix together to spread the glitter evenly throughout the mixture.

Remove the lids from the jars and fill with the mixture.

With the included labels, be sure and write that the mixture is not edible.  I did this for Skylar's class just to make sure there wasn't any brave souls that would down glitter.  But for your own kids, you could leave this step off.  

On the back pages of the Gooseberry book is a great Reindeer Dust label with instructions to use.  It is copyright free thanks to Gooseberry Patch and can be used for PERSONAL use only.  I made 36 copies,  24 for his class, and the rest for personal use and to give away to family.

Next, with your 2 yards of Christmas material, measure the area around the lid and cut a square to fit nicely over the lid covering.  Similar to a jelly jar.

Cover the lid.

Then add to the jar. See the glitter in the mixture already?  So fun!

Next, I cut the labels with the reindeer from the pages and folded them accordion-style and wrapped them around the jars with the title facing out.

I shook the jars a little to bring out the glitter throughout the jar.

And secured the label with a piece of tape.

And there you have it!

They were so fun to make and Skylar had a blast talking to his class about them.

Super easy class project to make and the kids love it!  

IWDSC 0182-95947 Gooseberry Patch Apple Nightlight (Google Affiliate Ad)

Skylar's Christmas party was a hoot too. We brought our Reindeer Dust jars from above and a box of fresh oranges for the kids.

The kids, earlier in the day, went to see Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory at the Kuhn Theater in Lebanon, Oregon.  The class had spent a few weeks reading the book and all the classes that did the reading were able to take the field trip.

I Will Own A Chocolate Factory sweatshirt (Google Affiliate Ad)

Skylar's little pals in his class are so fun.  From left to right is:  Tiana, Skylar, Chloe in the "Namaste" pose,which I found amazing!, Conner and Lucas E.  All of these kids are such a joy to be around too!

From left to right is:  Skylar, Tiana, Chloe, Corvien, Conner,  and Hayden.

Skylar and his classroom stocking.  

Skylar's teacher Mrs. K and Tiana given him the bunny ears!  Ha!

And before we took off from the school we had to get a picture with Mr. Nelson, the principal.  He is such a great addition to the school this year and we are so glad to have him.  Pioneer School would not be the same without him.  (Check out his festive tie!  Ha!)

Eco-Tip:  During the summer months be sure and utilize a clothes line outside.  I will say, nothing beats line-dried bed sheets on a freshly made bed during the summer time.  But if you still want to hold onto that line-drying ways during the winter months, opt for a clothes line inside your home.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Skylar and his Christmas Concert

Every year Skylar's school (Pioneer) gives a winter concert at the local River Center.  

This year the 3rd graders sang, "I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas,"  "I'm Grateful," and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas."  

The music teacher, Mrs. Parker opened the program with a few of the lower class children, and then started to 3rd grade program off without a hitch.  The classes weren't able to practice their entrance or exists this year because of the snow, so the program was full of little funny bloopers that made it that much better to watch.  (Especially the Kindergartners)   

As the 3rd graders entered the stage, the lights on the stage dimmed and put a damper on my picture-taking. Good thing I put Skylar in a Santa hat so I could find him the crowd of children.  :-)

Skylar is always put on the back row because he is so tall.

Then the stage lights lit up and the kids began to sing.

They did a great job!

The kids came back out, all the grades included, and sang a closing song all together.  It was a great way to end the night.  

Eco-Tip:  Be sure and keep your water heater set at 120 degrees at all times.  For one, it saves on energy waste, and for two it can help prevent unnecessary burns.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.