And so Santa doesn't forget...

...we've reminded him that we are a 100% Wolfpack family. As if he'd forget though. Merry Christmas!

The final countdown

Merry Christmas to all of you. After a busy day yesterday of cooking, baking, shopping, going to church, going to a cycle class, wrapping presents, working on a scrapbook gift and doing laundry...it has been a more relaxing Christmas Eve. Oh, and I must have been crazy to let the neighbor spend the night last night. Those boys woke up at 5:30 a.m. (but I only heard them at 6:30). This morning I made carmelitas, sausage balls and a potato casserole to take to my parents' house tomorrow after Santa time and presents. But this afternoon we've relaxed and watched The Nativity Story and had hot apple cider. I'm marinating steaks for an easy Christmas Eve dinner and still deciding if we are going to church tonight since the service yesterday kind of covered the same subject. You know?! I think we'll take a spin around the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights instead. So that's my day. I hope you all have a wonderful evening and Christmas day tomorrow full of smiles, laughs and love. Be merry! (Finally I can smile and relax a little myself). Oh, and the best part of my day tomorrow???? Finally meeting my nephew who just turned 8 months old. I anticipate a lot of happy tears once I finally have that little guy in my arms!

Friday Funny

Our small Christmas town

 Love the awnings and light-rimmed windows.

Love this dog waiter with his reindeer ears on at the local tea room.

Peeking in the window of a great cafe and gift shop. This tree is so pretty.

Look we even have a Floyd the barber (Mayberry fans) shop!

 A not-so-clear view of the lit wreaths running straight through town.

How did this photo get here? Our pre Ugly Sweater Christmas Party photo.

By the way, we live in a suburb of Raleigh (where we spend a lot of time), but last week while running mini#1 back and forth to Nutcracker practices I snapped these photos. We ate dinner at the Mexican restaurant "downtown." I actually took a moment to enjoy the holiday season and appreciate the great community we live in as I walked this street to/from my car. Hope you are taking small moments to enjoy the season while trying to stay sane and get it all done!

My little Fritz

Where have I been you ask? Taking care of two children who have been out of school for two weeks already. But this week, in particular, I have been at practices, dress rehearsals and finally two performances of The Nutcracker. My oldest was in a music theater class earlier this year (Footloose) and we weren't sure if we'd return in August, but the owner really wanted mini#1 to return so we did. He was chosen to be Fritz in The Nutcracker so he was in the first 15-20 mins of the program. He did a great job. I'm bragging, I know, but he has no fear on stage, will try anything and his facial expressions were fantastic. Not sure where he got all this because I was stiff as a board on the stage growing up! Ha! Anyway, all of the cast and dancers were amazing. And the costumes, too. Spending 7 hours in one theater today was well worth it. Proud of this kid. Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake watch out! Ha!

Trivial Thursday

 OR

Reader's poll. Which group of co-hosts do you prefer??  The ladies of The Talk or The View? Based on the cohesiveness of the group....not so much the show itself. I have to say I am more relaxed and thoroughly enjoy the ladies of The Talk over The View. No one seems to be competing for the "best" comment or the spotlight. Sure Julie Chen's husband is CEO of the network and I hear she can be a diva, but on camera I don't really detect that. So, just wondering...who do you prefer?

Par-tay!!!

I helped at mini#2's holiday party this afternoon. This is part of my "job" as a mom that I love.... I love being there, helping them, hearing their comments, seeing their smiles, cleaning up their messes! Because we are on a year round school calendar, (thus why a party on Nov. 28 because they are out for 4 weeks beginning Fri afternoon) he is on a track of 2 classes so I know all of these kids since I've been volunteering since kindergarten. I loved hearing them say, "This is the best day ever!" I remember being excited about my school parties, too. I, however, did not adore having to unwrap individually wrapped candy canes given to me from sticky icing hands. Ha!

These kids are getting so big. Second grade is a little bittersweet. They are teetering on the edge of childhood and all that Christmas is to them. I really plan to milk Santa for all it's worth this year. Mini#2 already said he is going to ask Santa if he will take him for a ride in his sleigh so I am safe, I believe, for a while longer. Heck, he's the only one in the house that will help me decorate for Christmas, too. I just want him to believe forever....

And I must say, it is a real toss up between which art project wins for messiest- this year's milk carton gingerbread icing house or last year's glitter/glue pine cone Christmas tree. Wow. Who thinks of these crafts that we love to hate???

Thankful!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Today I am thankful:

My house is clean in time for guests arriving at noon (no small feat).

The turkey is in the oven and I actually feel ahead of schedule.

I finally feel a little calm before the storm....after the last few hectic days.

That everyone that matters most to me will be here together in a few hours. (So many are without loved ones at holidays.)

And that I get to go shopping in a few hours. Ha! Yes, I at least will go to Target tonight.

Of course, I am thankful for so much more...but this is all I have time to write this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Five on Friday- Women my age, 42 and Fabulous!

Granted many of these Hollywood ladies have personal nannies, personal trainers and personal plastic surgeons (and I don't), but I still think they do a very good job of making 42 look good! Happy Friday! I'm off to personally train myself in a group fitness toning class.

My dinner last night

Nothing says fall better to me than roasted veggies! I took this photo right before I popped them into the oven. We had carrots, broccoli, red onion, mushrooms, asparagus, sweet potato and rosemary tossed in olive oil with sea salt and cracked black pepper. We ate it over whole grain pasta with parmesan cheese grated on top. Yummy! I usually include zucchini squash or butternut squash, but didn't have any on hand. The kids even ate it, but one doesn't eat broccoli and the other doesn't eat mushrooms... they're kids and they're boys. Do you roast veggies? What my family doesn't know is I'm planning to roast brussel sprouts and shallots for Thanksgiving because I'm cooking and I want them. But I may be the only one eating them. Ha!

Mini#2 still has a few good ones...

He has always said such funny things. I've tried to keep a record of his best zingers over the years. The last two days produced a couple of new laugh out loud moments so thought I'd share.

Yesterday, a school holiday, I kissed his neck while he was eating lunch and he exclaimed, "WOMAN. Give me some space!" (It's especially funny because this kid kisses and hugs me all the time.)

Today, I was rushing him into the car to go pick up mini#1 at middle school after a meeting. I said "Hurry up. He's going to be the only one standing there by the time we get there." He responded, "WOMAN. Pull yourself together!"

He's 7. I think I have a little time to teach him how not to address a WOMAN, but I sure hope he keeps his sense of humor!

Bed and Breakfast?

So the election is over and I feel like a bad hangover is finally lifting after all of the negativity and everyone's "opinions." We all have them. Me included. Around the Pink house we have just about finished all of our Halloween candy. Yes, "we" because I cannot help but helping myself to those bite-sized temptations. I've switched out Halloween decorations for Thanksgiving decorations and am gearing up to host my parents for Thanksgiving.

This post is mainly to dump a few photos I took on a recent trip home to my parents' home in Charlotte. They bought this house 10 years ago so it's not the house I grew up in, but it sure feels homey to me so I wanted to share. My mom should run a bed and breakfast...well dad, too because he is an awesome cook! They host parties, luncheons and showers quite a bit with their friends. She also has the gift of setting tables for these said events, but that's another post in itself. I think her creative gene passed me right on by. Thank goodness for Pinterest! So without further adieu, here is a glimpse of their home.

 The bedroom Mr. Pink and I stay in when we visit. LOVE this dove blue/robin's egg-ish color!

The same room; different angle.

Cute artwork on the wall. Mix of antique and Homegoods.

This is the room the minis stay in. Again she has great touches all around.

The sun room is our favorite place for all to gather and talk or read. Love her pink and green.

Mini#1 loves this spot!

The daybed we all lounge on. Notice the cute candelabra with pink candles in the corner.

I should have taken pictures of her bedroom and other rooms. Maybe I'll do a Christmas version after we visit over the holidays. Have a great rest of the day!

Happy Halloween!

From my throwback to the 70's nephew. Isn't this so funny? I wonder how long the hair stayed on after this photo? We have been busy, busy. Mini#2 finished up his soccer season so we have a little relief until January. Over the weekend we went to our neighborhood friends' annual party. Fun as always. We were Jemma and Clay from the FX (violent) biker show Sons of Anarchy. Tonight mini#2 will be an evil jester and mini#1 is going as Jack Sparrow and it's going to be chilly! And that's what we're having for dinner, chili, our annual Halloween tradition before trick-or-treating. I just made a pumpkin pie, my boy's favorite. That will be their after school treat for Halloween. I hope you all have a happy, safe Halloween!!

It's not easy "being blonde"

You know the last text I wanted to receive at 6:49 a.m. this morning was "Pink. Sorry to text so early, but I was wondering if you might be able to come in tomorrow instead of today...I'm trying to squeeze in a dr appt today." UGH!

Now, NORMALLY this wouldn't tick me off. But this woman is so frustrating. I'm already 2 weeks overdue for color because, as usual, I went through the excruciating pain of making said appointment. For this appointment I started off by leaving her a voice mail at the salon. Two days later I left her a 2nd voice mail. I followed that up with a facebook message. Finally, while on the elliptical machine at the gym, I sent her a text asking if she's gotten my messages when I realized she still had not responded. I know the routine so well that I always cut to the chase and give her the date and time I would like so we don't have to determine a date once she finally responds. It is insanity! And then she inevitably postpones a day for one reason or another. Thankfully, my time is flexible and what's one extra day when people have been looking at my roots for two weeks now.

So, why don't I change you're asking yourself?? Well, after paying crazy high prices in Atlanta for 10 years, this salon and their prices (for a non-working mother) are very appealing. She does a good job and she's nearby. I used to take the not-so-minis to her as well, but just about had to seek mental therapy after doing the above routine for appt setting for three of us! So I silently suffer every 6-8 weeks or, in this case, blog about it to get the frustration out. Maybe it's just time to go back to my God-given color.  

Wordless Wednesday- Trick or Treat?

Today's after school snack.

Twitter find...made me laugh.

My name is Pink and I support this hair switch... Isn't this hilarious?  And this is as political as I will get on this blog. Have a great Thursday!

Too pretty to eat...but I did!

This post is so late, but I have wanted to share this beautiful gift I received for my birthday last month from a good friend. They came from http://www.williamdeanchocolates.com/ where all are handmade in their Florida shoppe. And with new blogger why can't I "hide" the web address like I used to when I added a link and wrote "here"?? Anyway, they came to my doorstep on one of the hottest days in August, but were nice and cool in the insulated packaging and ice packs. I took pictures just so I could remember the sheer beauty of these pieces of art! But once I finally decided which one to try (not kidding I studied the brochure for a long time before I decided which one to part with!), I found the tastes were unbelievably incredible, too! The passion fruit caramel was a favorite, but so was the dulce de leche, the espresso, the lavender, the lemongrass, the key lime pie....you get the point. I finished the last one today: a dark chocolate mousse-like one. Your mouth literally has a party with each flavor! What a neat gift. I had to share. Would make a great Christmas gift to have sent to someone special in your life. I might have to order some more for me! Yum!!

Wordless Wednesday- Fun Refreshment

The man at my cute local wine store wisely advised me that a whole bottle (of KUNG FU GIRL) will kick my @$$. His humor. Not mine. Ha! And I know I didn't follow the "wordless" part of Wednesday...again. 

Ugh!

You've gotta love waking up on vacation to a swollen bottom lip. Mr. Pink is out looking for Benadryl. Years ago I had this problem and went through allergy testing when all it really turned out to be was stress from a new job. My lips (mainly bottom) burned though after a day in the sun Sunday. Then we went to a Japanese steakhouse (SODIUM) and then I ate leftovers last night. It's got to be a combo of the two. SO I look a little like Angelina Jolie this morning...lips only. Mr. Pink said "See. Now you see how botox would ruin your lips." He's an real encourager. Have a great day. Angelina signing off.

Headed out...

After mini#2's soccer game this morning we're headed to the coast for a week of, hopefully, sun and fun. Yes, while most of you of settling into the first few weeks of school, we are tracked out of year round school for 3 weeks since we started back in July. I LOVE September track out. The beaches aren't as crowded and the weather is supposed to be low 80's all week. Looking forward to some down time.

And, since this is my blog, I must brag on mini#1. He made 5 A's and 1 B on his very first letter grade report card. Yes, don't get me started on the NC number grade system for K-5. He finally got "real" grades in middle school and he worked very hard. I'm super proud of him. Don't worry I didn't post this on facebook. Ha! More people read those braggy comments than people read this blog so I only posted here.

Have a great week!

Mother of sons take a peek at these...

I love my boys. And I'm going to get one of these shirts to prove it. Ha! A mom friend that has FOUR sons was wearing one of these last spring at one of our soccer games. This site www.BoyMomDesigns.com has a lot of sport options, too if you are interested (baseball, football, wrestling to name a few). They even have a some Girl Mom selections. I like the long sleeve basic black one personally. I wish I had thought of this idea!

Wordless Wednesday- Today's After School Snack

In about 20 mins, when the minis charge inside, I will officially be "the best mom ever."

My little buddy

Mini#2 (7 yrs): Mom, can you believe how far I water skiied today?

Me: I know! You did so great!

Mini#2: I went a mile. More than a mile. I went a mile and about 80 cillameters!

Wordless Wednesday- Royal Christmas Card?