I hate that Christmas is over.

I gladly admit that.

Yes, my decorations have been up for 6.5 weeks now. Yes, all the presents are opened and the kids are overwhelmed with new toys to play with. Yes, it was a good Christmas and I’m not quite ready to let it go.

There’s just 1 lonely gift left under the tree that I forgot to give to my friend even though I saw her yesterday. That’s how awesome I am.

The girls opened gifts for what seemed like days and days. It was only two but at 3 separate times and when it was all said and done, the smiles on their faces said it all.

Yes, that’s a go kart. Santa is very giving at Nana’s house. And Livie with this kitchen cracks me up. She tells me she’s going to make lunch and then brings me my coffee.

The best part besides watching my kids light up a million times over was just being with people that I love. Nothing in the world beats that. Again, blessed.

And what did I get you may ask? The Man surprised me with an iPad 2.

Best. Husband. Ever.

We wrapped up our long Christmas weekend with cleaning up toys, purging out old things for the new, and even purging long hair for short hair instead.

She’s happy to have her old style back complete with feathers.

Cheers to a fabulous Christmas!

Just a quick post while my girls nap…

And my corn casserole bakes…

(Not pictured: Sugar, butter, and eggs that are also used to make this delicious casserole)

To tell all of you to have a VERY Merry Christmas tomorrow. We are off to do family things tonight and tomorrow morning and I’m excited. I told The Man this morning that I’m sad that after tomorrow it’ll all be over. All the gifts will be unwrapped. The radio stations won’t be playing Christmas music. The stores will start putting up Valentine’s decorations. But as I sipped on my coffee I snapped out of it because hello, it’s Christmas Eve and there is celebrating to do this weekend.

Happy birthday to Jesus.

Happy time with family and friends.

Happy Christmas.

Christmas is 9 days away.

NINE.

Coincidentally Hannah will be 9 on Sunday so the number 9 is engraved in my brain at the moment. I again had plans to bake some cookies this afternoon with the girls and while I was in my closet I spotted the pile of presents. I’m easily distracted. I’m the person who went into the kitchen for garbage bags but noticed the dust bunny so before I know it I’m sweeping the entire house and the garbage is still full in the bathroom. It doesn’t surprise me that the cookies still aren’t baked BUT I wrapped almost all of our gifts.

I did get some baking done Wednesday though for Hannah’s little class party for her birthday today.

I baked easy things like cupcakes. My mother in made freakin fudge and it was all I could to while it cooled do to NOT just eat it while it was liquidy and hot.

Some fun Christmas extras?

Livie asked for coffee yesterday. We gave her chocolate milk in a coffee cup. She sat there with a smirk on her face…she was so happy to be just like Nana and Mama.

And like last year, I made Hannah a little Santa video from the Portable North Pole website. If you have kids that still believe in Santa, you HAVE to do this.

She sat there holding her elf, Greer, amazed that Santa once again sent her a video telling her he’s proud of her for being so nice. She believes in Santa and believes that her elf really does come alive at night, eats the crackers she sets out, and hides in new places. It’s magical…YES magical to watch your children believe in something so much and see their faces light up when they find their elf or see Santa on the computer.

It was a busy but good week. Next week is Christmas week.

I can hardly stand it!

I was going to bake today. I had plans of the dozens of cookies I was going to bake and ice and top with sprinkles.

But the kids fell asleep and then I dozed off with them.

And when I woke up to the sound of a crying baby I realized my baking would have to wait until tonight and instead I’d edit pictures and blog because for some reason the sound of the keyboard clicking amuses this baby boy.

And so here I am with a quick midweek post.

Hannah’s been begging for a magic elf for weeks. NOT the elf on the shelf. Don’t get it wrong. She wanted the magic elf the kids in school had that you could hold and sleep with and take with you BUT it still reports to Santa about your behavior.

Since I knew The Man’s cousin was giving her one early for her birthday, I went out and got Livie one too.

Hannah took hers to school today. Livie’s carrying hers around. Success!

And last but certainly not least on my quick Christmas cute blog…ya ready?

…….

I give you the cutest picture ever taken in all of the world.

I can’t handle any more cute. See y’all Friday.