Decorating for Christmas

I am busy decorating for Christmas getting ready for the 

This is probably my favorite time of year.

I have been planning Christmas out this year for a couple of months. As most of you know, I have a struggle with Christmas.Growing up it was a happy time in our house. Although I was never deprived, Christmas morning was always special. "Santa" always let the reindeer come in the house. They left their tracks all over the place. His bells would jingle, the presents were always more than I could wish for, it was just a magical experience. I have so much planned for this year!

I have made a Christmas Countdown that starts on the 13th and goes to the 24th. I have planned a "Happy Birthday Jesus Party, Christmas Movie night, cookie making, our annual Sanitation worker treat creation night, Christmas light looking, We have been busy going through toys donating them different places, cleaning out closets, donating too small clothes to places
(tip: do not go through and try on clothes the weekend after Thanksgiving. By the following weekend, they will fit again.)

We have 4 trees (2 big, 1 medium, 1 small) each room has a theme...its all coming together nicely!

I went a diferent route in purchasing presents this year.
One of my favorite is


 They arrived today! and are Beautiful

My plan is to be DONE by this weekend so I can enjoy the rest of the month!

I am excited to share I will be having a BIG giveaway next week (right in time for Christmas!!) when I say big i mean like BIG. So go ahead and start preparing, don't miss a blog post over the next 7 days! I am going to post it once, and pick a winner the next day!

Thanksgiving Hoopla

Thanksgiving is over and the turkey, pumpkins, and acorns are put away.

This year, it all went by way to fast! Lets look at some things we did.

Madyson had "The first Thanksgiving" at school She was a pilgrim!

I started decorating for Christmas (more on that tomorrow)

We had Thanksgiving dinner with our LifeGroup! So yummy!!

Wednesday, I was sending a tweet when my trackball, cover, and side buttons literally fell apart in my hands. I had NO phone for 5 days. Serious eye opener. Didn't really miss anything except being able to tweet, facebook, and email without having to stop what I am doing to go sit at computer.

We celebrated Thanksgiving morning my favorite way! Watching the parade.We all decided that we will take a NY trip in a few years to see it first hand. My favorite moment was when Aubrie yelled out (i was in the kitchen getting coffee) "Momma, Sista, come look....its abbydabby!!" (the SS float)

After the parade we headed to Todd's parents house for Thanksgiving dinner with his aunts, uncles, and cousins. I look forward to this ever year because I love this family to death and we all live in other states so its the one time we all come together! (PLUS, they are all FABULOUS cooks!!)

After lunch and some rest time, we (Todd, myself, and cousin Justin) took 8 kids to the movies to see Tangled! It was really cute! I think all the time with the boy cousins really made Todd excited about the possibility of having a son. 

The girls spent the night with Todd's mom and me, my sister-in-law and Todd all went Black Friday Shopping. Us girls started at Walmart @ 11 and didn't get home til Friday at noon~12 hours! I got alot of great deals though!

I spent the rest of the afternoon/night sleeping. Todd and the girls got home around 11 that evening and we all slept until 9am! Saturday we stayed at the house in our PJ's all day! We watched movies, I cleaned the kitchen cabinets all out and organized them, hung some more decorations...just chilled. That evening we decided to go to Bass Pro to see "Santa". The girls were great. Aubrie asked for a baby doll. Madyson asked for Mittens, an Easy Bake Oven, and a Kitchen aid Mixer for momma. (I LOVE THAT CHILD, not only that she thought to ask for a present for someone else, that she really listens every time we trek through Belk and I stop to talk to Mary my Green mixer.)

Sunday, we were suppose to be out of town, but plans changed so we hung our outside Christmas Lights, I stopped by Family Christian book store to pick up 2 books for myself

Bringing Up Girls: By James Dobson 

 

7 ways to be a S.M.A.R.T.E.R Mom

 

Then we ate some homemade potato soup for dinner!

Publish Post

and now, a Madyson Moment from the week......... I walked in on Madyson on the computer. I said, "whatcha doing?" She said, "Googlin"...Me: "really,(knowing she can't spell) watcha googlin? She said, "dunno just typin in letters to see what comes up"

How was your Thanksgiving?

a new obsession

So, I have alot to tell you about Thanksgiving activites, decorting for Christmas, adoption updates and such...but that will come later this week!

Right now, I want to share with you my new obsession. (I am sure most of you already know about this...shame on you for not forcing me there MONTHS ago!)

Zulily is my absolute favorite new site!

I have purchased Christmas dresses, toys, ballet bags, socks, and so much more!

Right now they have my FAVORITE toy company, Green Toys (toys made of recycled materials, their tea set even meets FDA standards!!!)

so if you are off doing some cyber shopping, go to Zulily! Today is the last day for FREE shipping on your purchase of $50 or more!

Our Christmas Card!

shutt

Merry Mistletoe Christmas 5x7 folded card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

SO we took a family vote and we decided to go with this card! We opted to just use this snapshot of our girls, taken one morning before school because it captures there personalities perfectly! I can't wait to receive these and see how great the look in person!

If you haven't done your Christmas Cards yet, head over to Shutterfly NOW!!! I can't wait to finish the other projects I am doing on there for Christmas Gifts!

Breakfast of Champions!

For the past month, this has been my breakfast during the week!

DanActive, Babybel Cheese, Quaker Granola Bar.

After getting Madyson & Aubrie up dressed, fed, out the door. Rarely do I have time to eat!

Do you have any weird breakfast foods you eat?

Ideas for the little one?

I have finished Christmas shopping for Madyson. I am very pleased at my choices. She is into 2 things right now. 1) American Girls 2) Strawberry Shortcake. Easy peasy

but the little one.....little doodle, Aubrie Kate...not so much she plays with
1) Her home living stuff, baby dolls, princesses, maple town (yes my 1980's maple town), Little ponies, Potato Head....she loves toys and has TONS!

So I am stuck. I have no idea what to get her for christmas. Right now..she has 2 things. A Bitty Baby-bc Madyson wont share hers. and an Ironing board & Iron. Because I find her time to time playing with my real one and well...thats just dangerous.

So if you have any ideas on presents for an almost 3 year old, I would LOVE to hear them!

A Classic Madyson Moment

So yesterday we were shopping at our "Holiday Market" in town. Madyson was pushing her American girl down the street in the baby stroller when a man came up to her.

Man:"What's your baby's name?"
Madyson: "Molly"
Man: " I have a dog name Molly. Does your baby talk to you alot?"
Madyson: "No sir, She's not real. Does your dog talk to you?"

Man to Me: Kids these days have no imagination.