christmas

Christmas wind down

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

Cheers to a fabulous Christmas!

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Happy Christmas

Just a quick post while my girls nap…

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And my corn casserole bakes…

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(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.

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Birthdays…and more Christmas

This weekend we celebrated Christmas some more.

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Our annual trip to the Festival of Lights did not dissapoint.

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Also included? A night out with friends.

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Livie had a Christmas program at church. The cute overflowed.

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And then? My baby turned 9.

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We woke up Sunday morning to a 9 year old who was wide awake and whispering “It’s my birthday!!” to us. She opted out of a big party in exchange for money to go shopping. It’s official. My baby is not a baby anymore.

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Did I mention she asked for Coach purses for her birthday or Christmas?

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It’s been a busy week with birthdays and Christmas and last minute EVERYTHING. It’s exactly the kind of busy I want to be. Hope your week is just as eventful.

One last thing? Someone has big girl panties on.

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Potty training has begun. Hold me.

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Almost there!

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

I can hardly stand it!

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Christmas cute

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.

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

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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?

…….

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

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

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Christmas obsessed

I will admit I’ve slacked on taking photos on my actual camera even though I keep promising myself I will. What I HAVE been taking pictures of? Coffee cups in front of Christmas trees.

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See? Not joking. I’ve combined my love for photography and coffee and Christmas and mashed them all together to build quite an obsession. It’s probably annoying to just about everyone except me and yet I can’t stop. I predict there will be more because I discovered this iPhone app called Big Lens that lets me have SO much control over my photos and bokeh and focus and OH EM GEE. Just stop me.

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Something I can’t do as well on my phone though? Bokeh Christmas tree lights.

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Pretty huh? Other things that are pretty?

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My girls.

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Totally off topic because I blog like my brain thinks- randomly. My buffet has some Christmas cards on it!! I get so excited to check the mail every day in hopes of new cards. I fill up the whole buffet by the time Christmas day comes.

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Speaking of Christmas cards…a sneak peak of ours this year. We had a friend take the pictures this year as to not make my head spin and I am ever so grateful that we made that choice.

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Lots of exciting things coming up for me and my family, including Hannah’s NINTH birthday in a week and a half. I choose to live in denial about that til about this time next week.

I’d say remind me to freak out then but I’m sure I’ll handle that just fine on my own.

Have a wonderful rest of your week.

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The Madness Began

The madness began this weekend…

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It’s a happy madness though. I couldn’t wait to put my Christmas decorations out. They’re out now and I sat in my living room last night with just the light of the tree illuminating the downstairs and I swear I smiled out loud…if there is even such a thing. My smile had sound. A sonic boom kinda smile.

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Guess who’s coming to town.

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It’s like Liv’s first Christmas all over again. She’s so fascinated by the tree and the lights. I’ve heard “MAMA! It’s so beautiful!” from her many times and also many complaints if I turn off the tree to give the lights a break for a bit. This kid, she’s gonna be like me…at least I hope she is. Hannah’s already lost interest with decorating and sat in her room while the tree went up. But not Livie. She was right there behind me wanting to help. I spaced my kids apart just perfectly. One is enterting the “I’m too cool for anything” phase while the other is just getting old enough to help and be excited about things. Being a parent means reliving your childhood and giving your kids better and more than you had…at least for me it means that. Mission accomplished 100 times over. When I see her face as she looks at that tree…puddle of mush on the floor. That’s me.

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Still found time for relaxing coffee breaks and welcomed nights with friends that I’ve missed for way too long.

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Looking forward to a hectic but good week as we get ready to head out of town. Hope yours is good too.

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