Post Christmas Coma

Whew! I'm currently in deep DEEP Christmas recovery! It was a wonder-FULL day, and has continued to be a great "week after Christmas", but I am wiped out! I have so much to report that I don't know where to begin, so for right now I'm just not going to try! I mean, seriously, I stopped a day short of my "24 days of Christmas" posts and pooped out on Christmas Eve... maybe next year! Sorry, I know a few of you were expecting a grand Christmas day recap, so I promise to slip it in here and there over the next few weeks. I'm also getting ready to host a little backyard New Year's Eve party tomorrow night - should be fun! I did just want to share a few Christmas day pictures of the girls... enjoy!

P.S. I have done a little post Christmas shopping, and scored some deals on a few of my wish list items!

Day After Christmas!

I hope all of you had a great holiday!!! I actually pre-wrote this post and scheduled it to post today. After 24 straight days of blogging, I am anticipating needing a break and posting our Christmas day pictures a little later. So... I thought I would take a quick moment to talk about what Christmas is NOT about... material possessions. Why? I am always blessed to receive a lot of Christmas money as gifts from family members, but I rarely know what to do with it. This year though, I already have a few ideas and just thought I might share for any of you who may need a little post holiday shopping inspiration...(From right to left and clockwise)
Heather Bailey designer felt pack (Oh the things I could make!)
Stella & Dot La Coco Brooch Necklace & Bracelet
Sandi Henderson crochet trim pack (again with the things I could make!)
Sevens "not so mom" jeans
Le Cruset dutch oven (because I cook - now)

Happy shopping - I'm hittin' the mall!

2 Days Until Christmas!

Tonight we had dinner at a favorite Mexican restaurant with Ben's side of the family. A night out with the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, was a great surprise for the kids (and me) as it wasn't arranged until this afternoon. A surprise I didn't have to plan - lovely! Once we got home and put Baby Annie to bed, Evie and I popped in Home Alone and finally finished up my ornament project from a few weeks back (Do the new ones look nothing like the original to you? That is because I have OCD). I made one for each of our first initials, and one with our last initial. I like the way they turned out - they have a sweet retro vibe. Before tonight, I was practically completely prepped for Christmas day, clean house and all, but after tonight's craft and a movie extravaganza, it looks like elves exploded in my living room! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve - I can't believe it's here already, or that I've actually survived blogging for nearly 24 days in a row! I hope all of you have great, productive, non-stressful days tomorrow!
P.S. I think my top pic is one of the best I've done with my new camera so far - I'm pretty proud of how it turned out!

3 Days Until Christmas!

Tonight after Evie's Christmas pageant practice, we went to Publix to do our holiday meal shopping and... to pick out a birthday cake for Jesus!

4 Days Until Christmas!

Christmas light night has been a favorite of mine since my childhood! In addition to a car and some fancily lit neighborhoods, you also need something tasty and warm to sip. My mom always used to make a Russian Tea (I'll see if I can get the recipe) but in the past few years, Ben and I have just hit the Starbuck's drive thru.
Then you simply drive around and look for the most gaudy displays of lights you can find, "OOOO" and "Awwwwe" - ing all the while!
Evie was pretty into our light adventure this year, especially with her "warm hot chocolate" treat. She also entertained us with her performance of the Christmas classic "Police Navidad" - one of my all time personal favorites ;)Annie was actually more interested in the lights than I expected, she pointed and clapped until she passed out. Enthusiasm can be so exhausting! Only 4 more days until Christmas ya'll!

5 Days Until Christmas!

At the beach on a COLD December SundayTaking only pictures...
Leaving only footprints...
OK, perhaps a carrot too!From Florida: May your days be merry and bright... And may ALL your Christmases be WHITE!!!

6 Days Until Christmas!

This morning Ben and I ran some last minute errands with the girls, and we decided to let them each pick a little gift for their sister (ok, Annie actually had a lot of help choosing that hula hoop). Evie chose a little ball for Annie and could not wait to go home and wrap it! Wrapping is one of my FAVORITE things to do too, almost obsessively (so much so, that I've insisted Ben let me wrap my own gifts before)! Once Annie went down for her nap, I drug everything out into the den and introduced Evie to the art of gift wrapping. I think she did great, and she even learned the art of finding a good hiding spot today, let's just hope Anabelle doesn't go exploring under the bed!

I thought this might be a good opportunity to share some of the great supplies I found this year, as well as a chance to talk about my "theme" (as if anyone really cares). I am a big fan of simple tags, I'm no good at cards, so this works for me! I ordered these from Max and Bella and I love them! I've also ordered tags to use for wedding gifts and birthday stickers before, her prices are so reasonable too! The colors on the these tags are lime and tangerine, I seriously lost a little sleep over the tangerine part because I wanted to go either pink or red, but in the end I did a little of both.For all of the adults in our family, I used green and some brown paper. This great green hounds tooth paper is from Hobby Lobby, I'm in love with it! Good thing because I now have a ton, so I plan to use it for birthdays and such too. At TJ Maxx (one of my very fave places) I found this great vintage-y pink poodle paper to use for Evie and Anabelle! Poodles with wreaths and garland - so kitschy - I love it! I found it after I decided to do the whole green thing, and again I lost sleep, but it seems to work.A big (BIG) step for me this year was switching to the curling ribbon. In the past I have been strictly gorgeous gross grain girl, but after 6 years of being the crazy chick who digs through the trash to rescue my discarded ribbon, I'm giving it up (just for now). Some worn out moms turn to flannel and sweat pants, I chose the curling ribbon (heavy sigh). It's working for me though, I could get into it - maybe. Evie did have to witness a major OCD moment this afternoon when I stripped a package of it's ribbon, not once, but 4 times for a re-do because I didn't like the way it curled - poor frightened kid. She finally said, "maybe Pappy's present doesn't need any ribbon" LOL!
Last, I got these great gift card holders at Hobby Lobby (seriously a new favorite place!) They don't exactly work with my colors, not the pink anyway, but they're cuteness is persuading me to deal ;) Just a few more days and it will time to rip into all of this hard work!!!

P.S. That glittery "E" tag is from Pottery Barn, I used those with the poodle paper instead of the tangerine and lime.

7 Days Until Christmas!

December 18th, and holiday breakdown number one! I promised myself I would make Christmas special and memorable, yet simple and laid back. Today my best laid plans and intentions lost a match to my husband's unforeseen overtime and an additional hospital shift, resulting in a bummer of a day, and an RSVP take-backsie to a kidless Christmas party invitation. Let down! Yes, today I had tears, frustration, and a "what about me?" fit. I even threw some plastic grapes (not as satisfying as I had hoped). Is anyone else there yet?

My mom rescued Evie from my pouty house this afternoon and took her home to play. Poor Anabelle was stuck with me, but she occupied herself by swiping Pop Tarts from the pantry. I asked my mom to send some of my old childhood Christmas books home with Evie, it sounded like a Christmas activity that my bad mood could accommodate. So Evie and I snuggled up on the couch this evening to read the books she chose. Reading and snuggling helped me to relax a bit, I'm still feeling edgy and a little irritable, but I plan to do some praying about it and work on myself a bit.

Christmas isn't about me, or about how awesome I make it for the kids, or about how pretty I wrap presents. It's about a true story from a true book, about a real baby coming to a real world. I KNOW that, I just need to remember it!

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:14

10, 9, 8 Days Until Christmas!

10 Days until Christmas and a trip to Magic Kingdom!

Have I ever mentioned here that we LOVE to go to Disney World? Well, we do! We took the girls down to Orlando for a mini Christmas time vacation. It was NOT cold the first day, but there was fake soap snow on Main Street! Evie is tall enough to ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder now, I can't believe my baby does better on roller coasters than I do - she raises her hands while I hold on for dear life! Don't get me wrong, I love thrill rides, I just don't do that whole arms up thing!

9 Days until Christmas and a trip to Hollywood Studios!

The second day the weather was a bit cooler, but Hollywood Studios has a lot of great shows (Princess and Mickey Mouse shows!) so we could spend time indoors. Evie rode Tower of Terror 3 times with Ben! During that time Annie and I shopped and watched the High School Musical show. We stayed ALL day until the park closed at 8:00, and ended the vacation with a last minute spin on Toy Story Midway!

8 Days Until Christmas and we finished up our shopping!

Yesterday, the girls and I slept off our Disney hangovers, then braved the chaotic world to finish our Christmas shopping. It took us 1 hour just to get to TJ Maxx (usually a 10 minute trip) but it was totally worth it (see here)! Except for needing to make a trip to WalMart's photo lab and a quick stop a Peterbrooke Chocolate, I am finished!!! Hallelujah!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!

11 Days Until Christmas!

Today my mom and I took Evie and Annie to Hobby Lobby to buy a little girly tree for their room. My friend Julie tried to convince me to buy a pink one there the other day, I realized over the weekend what a genius idea that was and went back for it today, but it was gone :( So we picked silver instead and covered it with pink! It's very much a glamorous version of Charlie Brown's tree, so cute! I thought it would be fitting to go ahead and give you a tour of our big tree today too...
This year, I really wanted our tree to be very whimsical and imaginative. I really love my funky topper arrangement, and we have sparkly twigs with berries sticking out all over. I also added to my handmade glass ornament collection this year, my favorite one is by far the pumpkin carriage - it makes me think of my own little princesses!
I also scored this box of vintage glass balls at an estate sale for 25 cents! I'd been looking for a tasteful way to incorporate more pink into my tree, these did the trick! I hope all of you are enjoying your holiday decorating too, Merry Christmas!!!

12 Days Until Christmas!

Time to play Candy Land with McKenna Look who's finally walking!
Tiffany's awesome Candy Land cake!

So I cheated again, but c'mon, my friend Tiffany throws one heck of a birthday party! I probably couldn't have topped this with a Christmas surprise if I tried, so I didn't. Thanks for sharing your birthday with us McKenna, happy 4th!!!

13 Days Until Christmas!

No photos today and just a little post, but great news... my husband is home!!! Ben has been out of town for work all week, I didn't mention it earlier just to be safe, but he's home now and the girls and I are so happy! The weather has been gross and the girls have bad colds, so we've spent the afternoon napping and snuggling together as a family. Ben just went to pick up some Mexican takeout for us, and then we're going to watch Polar Express and make some hot chocolate - yum and yay! Having Ben back is the best - it feels like home and Christmas time again! Pics and more fun tomorrow, I'm just enjoying having my honey home today!

14 Days Until Christmas!

I've been promising this surprise for months! The Princess and The Frog finally came out today!
So Evie and I went to see it with our girlfriends...
... and ate cupcakes for the second time this week!

It was great! Totally worth the hype!

15 Days Until Christmas!

I thought I could be good today, I really did. My friend Julie and I planned an ornament decorating day for the two of us and our girls... easy enough right?

Step 1: Go shopping at craft stores with the kids

Step 2: What was Step 2 again? Our day is already totally gone!

Apparently Julie and I both loose track of all time and space in the craft store, so we ended up splitting everything we bought and going separate ways :( No time for crafting together - boo! After they left, I sat down to work on our ornaments, being the OCD type that I am, I wouldn't even let Evie participate :( It was glitter, glue, and paint... I feel like a bad mom, but I was going to need a therapist by the time "mommy and me" craft time was over. In the end I hated my polka-dot painting skills, and I waisted three ornaments in the process, so I eventually turned to what I know best - ribbon. Pretty cute... and it looks good on my tree. I want to make some more, one for all of our first initials. Now that I'm no longer using paint and glitter, I'll try my best to be good and let Ev help - sorry Sweet Heart, Mommy was a bit of a Grinch today.

16 Days Until Christmas!

All the cousins together for a play date! Anyone want to go on a Christmas treat treasure hunt?
Just follow the clues until you find the... CUPCAKES!!!

Today we spent the afternoon with my two sister-in-laws (from my husband's side of our family) and all of the precious little cousins! My mother-in-law sent the Peanuts T's for the kids - so cute! My two girls went wearing dresses though, so Anabelle looked like a bubba with no pants! Still the cutest little bubba I ever did see! I made a little treasure hunt for the kids that ended in finding some cupcakes in the oven - already iced and decorated - a little Christmas miracle?!!! (Thanks Publix ;)!!!) We had such a great day! Merry Christmas!

17 Days Until Christmas!

This morning started at 6:30 am (for all of us :P) most you know that's about 4.5 hours earlier than our day normally starts! Since I knew we were going to be tired today, I planned to surprise Evie with Christmas letter writing (or coloring) time. Evie was so "in the zone" with this quiet project, that she almost forgot to greet her aunt and cousin when they came over this afternoon, but she was finally persuaded to break away from her "work". We then had a really fun time with Aunt Kelly and Owen today - it was a three kid shopping and Chick-Fil-A adventure! Needless to explain further, this day has been full and fun, but I am wiped out and headed off to bed right now! Merry Christmas!

P.S. This outfit is from WalMart - $9.00 for an adorable knit jacket AND pants! I also got a green and pink striped one for Annie.

18 Days Until Christmas!

7 days into our countdown and we finally found a Christmas surprise that Baby Annie really digs! PJs, pizza, and Rudolph night! Score! Anabelle happily cruised around the coffee table, collecting pizza handouts from the rest of the family, and giving out kisses here and there. She also couldn't have looked cuter in her new pajamas that bring out her blue eyes! It was a really sweet "baby speed" evening surprise!

19 Days Until Christmas!

Hard to say whether today's surprise was more for Evie or for me!
Three cheers for Nutcracker Ballet Day!

When I was a little girl, I went to see The Nutcracker every Christmas with my mom, aunt, and grandma. I was the only girl on my mom's side of the family, so this was a very special girly treat. Ever since the Christmas before Ev was born, I've been looking forward to the year she would be old enough to go. Last Christmas, my mom gave Evie The Nutcracker on DVD, we were thinking that if she learned the characters she would be ready to go this year. That plan backfired a bit, as we found out today that she was a little over prepared, in fact she begged us to let her go on stage! Evie was a ball of chatter throughout the performance, telling/asking/conversing about the story line and dances the ENTIRE time! At least the theater was loud and filled with other little girls! It was so much fun, I think my mom and I enjoyed ourselves as much (if not more) than Evie did! Now I just can't wait until Anabelle can come too!