2 Days!

As I type this, my boys have been up since 6:50 a.m. and are currently wrestling/squealing/whatever-they-do at 8:47 a.m. WOW! I laugh every day that God blessed me with BOYS!
Otherwise, I might cry.

The plan today is to meet Mr. Pink for lunch and then home for some sugar cookie baking and decorating. Because they need more sugar in their bodies. Then I think we'll watch Naria: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Or The Polar Express.

But first, I must clean up my bedroom as it is a holy mess of wrapping paper, boxes and ribbons. I think I am finally done with the wrapping and this mess needs to disappear!

Love this photo taken in the courtyard of Paris' Palais Royal. I once stayed in a nearby hotel and loved people watching while sitting in this courtyard.

Enjoy your day. Get it all done. Be safe. And smile. I keep reminding myself to do this more!

I love them. I love them.

My kids. Really I do. But being on day #19 with them is driving me a little crazy. Today I dragged them to the gym, to Wal-Mart, to an orthopedic surgeon appointment and to the mall for a "simple" Santa visit because it is, afterall, Dec. 21 and we had not done this yet. I'm tired. They're getting bored and we'll be lucky if Santa even shows up around here due to all of the silly bickering.

Anyway, we went to 5 parties (4 parties and a "Ball"), threw one dinner party, celebrated Mr. Pink's birthday and visited one great grandmother over the last 19 days. I think this is why we are tired. The next 3 days are nice and calm though. Thankfully, it's just our family of four. We'll drive to Charlotte Christmas afternoon to see my parents, my brother and his wife who is expecting their first child, a boy, in April (in Sweden though!).

As to the orthopedic surgeon, it was for mini#1. What we thought could have been a big deal, wasn't. And we're so thankful! Apparently he fractured his big toe back in Sept after an injurgy we thought was "nothing" and just has a little joint swelling. The doctor isn't even going to do anything. We'll just monitor it.

And enjoy my Paris Christmas photo above. Wish I was there right now. Seriously. Without the minis. I'd bring home some croissants for them. Maybe.....

There's ONE in every neighborhood

This picture doesn't even seem to do it justice because the displays, lights and projected images on the side of the house aren't visible. It really is a mess during the day, but every single kid in the neighborhood ADORES this house and looks forward to the visual overload every year. And Christmas IS for kids isn't it? (Plus it's far enough from my house...) Do you have ONE in your neighborhood?

Feeling it

STRESS!! Do you have a child changing or adding to his Christmas list daily? I do! Being out of school since Dec. 2 contributes to this. And my response to his latest "wants" has been, "That's too expensive if you already want (insert any item he has listed)." But his response continues to be, "Mom! Santa doesn't have to BUY it, he MAKES it!" OH MY! And, believe me, I'm really pushing the true meaning of Christmas, God's greatest gift to us, it's better to give than receive, so many others have less than you, etc. etc. But, to a 6 year old, it doesn't seem to be sinking in! And, thankfully, Mr. Pink reminds me that we have one salary and I better not give in to said 6 year old. Luckily my 10 year old is more in tune with the true meaning of Christmas.

I just thought of something. I think next year, instead of letting them help me buy clothing and toys for the child from the angel tree, that I will make them save money from allowance throughout next year specifically for this cause next Christmas. Maybe then it will mean more to them!

Wordless Wednesday- All he wants for Christmas is...

Tasty Tuesday- Eggnog Martini

I realize you either love or hate eggnog. I happen to love the stuff. Growing up my dad and I were the only ones in our family of four that drank it. More for us! Now that I'm all grown up (when did that happen?), I can throw dinner parties and decide what to serve as a refreshment. I found this recipe and am going to try it out next week when two friends and their familes come over for a Christmas dinner party. It sounds delicious. Maybe I'll give it a trial run this weekend.

EGGNOG MARTINI

2 1/2 oz Eggnog (I always buy light/reduced fat)

1 oz Vanilla Vodka

3/4 oz Amaretto

Nutmeg or ground cinnamon for dusting

1- Combine eggnog, vodka and amaretto in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously.

2- Strain into chilled martini glass and dust with grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

What do you think? Sound good?

Quick trip to Charlotte

Saturday we drove to Charlotte to meet a college friend, her mom and kids for lunch. We ate at Brick Tops near Southpark. My friend ordered the fish tacos and I ordered the steak tacos and we shared. Both were yummy! Afterwards we all headed downtown to see the play "Junie B. Jones, Jingle Bells Batman Smells!" at the Children's Little Theater. I used to go to their plays as a child so I knew the kids would enjoy this. We've read all of the Junie B. Jones books at least once. Our seats were third row. Perfect. The boys liked it a lot. Great way to kick off the Christmas season. We'll have to look into going to more shows. I hope my friend doesn't mind me posting a photo!

We got back home and bought a tree Sunday and decorated it and the rest of the house. Today the kids get to go with me to the gym, a trip to the library and a few other errands. Happy Monday!

He won.

He wore me down and I let him wear his pj's last week when I said I wouldn't. He's drinking "wassail" aka apple cider.

Look at the cute pine cone Christmas trees they made and decorated. I had to help them with the glitter. Glitter was everywhere, but I had a blast because it wasn't in my house. They really enjoyed this activity.

Friday they finished and are out of school until Jan. 2. WHEW! This is the long break. I'm actually glad to have already finished with teacher gifts, parties and music performances at school though.