Santa Came!!

When I was a child, Christmas was the like the grand finale of the Disney World firework show.  We ended each year with SANTA and what could be better than that!?  I actually remember feeling sorry for my parents as I got older because Santa didn't bring the adults as much and I remember thinking how terrible that must be.  But now that I'm an adult, I must say - Christmas is even better than it was as a child.  Will is finally understanding Christmas and his excitement was worth every single second of searching, buying, wrapping, decorating, and planning.  Brooks of course was excited on Christmas morning too - but Will was through the roof!

Santa left each boy a letter explaining how good they had been this year and what things he would like to see improvement on next year.  Will exclaimed "Mom!  Santa said I had been a good boy!  I was worried that I wasn't!  AND" he said "TODAY IS JESUS' BIRTHDAY!!!"  It was so cute!  Santa also said in his letter that Brooks' gifts were in green paper and Will's were in red.  I know lots of Santas do not wrap.  But ours does for 2 reasons - first - this is the only way that I have figured out how to keep one child from claiming another child's gifts.  If they are concentrating on unwrapping their own gifts, they don't pay too much attention to what their brother is getting.  Secondly, this method of unwrapping slows them down long enough for me to almost see their reaction to each toy.  Eventually - when the children are a good bit older - I would like for them to take turns opening gifts just like I grew up doing, but I realize we have a while before I can expect that to happen.

Onto the gifts - boy did Santa deliver this year!

For Will, Santa brought a new 16" Schwinn bike, an Imaginext castle & dragon, Lego City legos + additional legos, a new Nerf gun, a new toy truck & horse trailer, a case for his Mobigo & a Jake & the Neverland Pirates game, a new board game, hexagon blocks, Madagascar 3 Blu Ray, Under Armour, a new playdoh crane, a matchbox sized helicopter (he loves helicopters), 2 new books, a Lego man flashlight key chain, and lots of other little items to fill his stocking.

For Brooks, Santa brought a red Plasmacar, a huge new Schleich wooden barn set, a mircrophone on a stand (the only thing he asked for), Lego Duplo Farm set + additional legos, a new Nerf gun, a new truck and horse trailer, a new board game, new Automoblox, a take apart crane, Mickey Mouse on the Farm DVD, Under Armour, a new playdoh crane, a matchbox sized space shuttle, 2 new books, a Lego man flashlight key chain, new toy animals for his farm, and plenty of other things to fill his stocking.

And Santa certainly did not forget Miss Tessa!  He brought her a huge new picture frame from this Etsy store that she's been dying for (ha!), a Fisher Price play table, a Cabbage Patch doll, a Jelly Cat stuffed bunny, 4 new books, lots of new frocks from Matilda Jane, a sippy cup with her name on it, and tons of teethers and clutching toys.

We had such a great morning.  The kids were so very happy with everything that they received.  Around 10:30, we packed up and headed to my mom's for our annual Christmas morning brunch.  My brother grilled steak & eggs, my dad made fried pork tenderloin, and my mom made french toast, biscuits and bacon.  And of course, our Christmas morning mimosas!  We ate and then enjoyed watching the kids tear through more gifts.  My boys love my niece and nephew and are "best fwends" so they had a big morning there too. 

After a few hours at my parent's house, we made the trip to Brandon's family farm for more gift exchanging and Christmas dinner with his family.  The kids had more fun and Nonna & Papa gifted them with iPod touches, toy trumpets, and a new ball pit (both of which we "accidentally" left at their house).  My mother-in-law made turkey & dressing, ham, and all the other traditional holiday favorites.  By this time, Will was completely beside himself to get back home and play with his toys.  If he asked once, he asked 1,000 times when we were going home.  Once we finally got home, I let them stay way up past their bedtime playing with all of their new toys and gadgets.

We had such a wonderful Christmas this year, but I definitely see a few changes in store for next year.  No more leaving the house on Christmas day.  Our kids have finally reached the age where they want to stay home and play with their new things and that is exactly what I plan on letting them do next year.  The rest can be rearranged.

Three days later, Will's favorite gifts have proven to be the Imaginext batcave (a gift from my mom), the Imaginext dragon castle, Brooks' barn, legos, the tiny toy helicopter and playdough.  It's really been too cold/windy/rainy to go out and ride his new bike but we're hoping to get to do that this weekend.  Brooks' favorites are Will's batcave, the barn, playdough and his microphone.  He has also enjoyed scooting around the house on his plasmacar, but we'll get it outside (or at least in the garage) this weekend.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  I gathered from Facebook that many of you were under the weather this Christmas, but I hope that the Christmas spirit found you anyway.  In light of the tragedies that have happened in the last few weeks, I know I was very grateful to have my little family of 5 together this holiday.  Now onto the next holiday - Happy New Year friends!

Holiday Recap 2011

Whew!  It's been a while!  I don't have many excuses friends, other than sheer exhaustion this holiday season.  I've been feeling a little off lately I guess you could say.  The holiday season has been packed with preschool recitals, shopping trips, family gatherings, decorating and all sorts of fun stuff.  The only down-side to all those festivities was that by 7:30 every night, I was exhausted.  I couldn't even hold my head up.  So I apologize for my break.  I will try to fill you in on everything you missed (a few posts at a time)....

Up first - Will's preschool recital.  Oh my goodness at the cuteness.  Will attends a rather small school here in our hometown and he loves it!  I really like it too.  He gets lots of one-on-one attention and he surprises me every day with all of the new things he's learning.  Here are a few of my favorites photos from his Christmas Recital -

(They were showing a slideshow of the children on the screen above the stage.  Will decided that was more interesting!)

Skip a few weeks to Christmas.  I'm terrible about not taking pictures at family events, so forgive me.  I usually take my camera, but I never get it out because I spend most of my time chasing children and feeding little hungry mouths.  So I only have a few pictures of Christmas morning, and a few of them were taken right after Santa arrived, before the kiddos were up.  

Santa wraps each boys presents in a different paper.  This is an easy way to keep each kiddo occupied with their OWN stuff and not deal with tags.  Will had the blue Mickey paper and Brooks had the red Thomas paper.

Santa had a hard time getting the teepee under the tree.

Brooks is checking out Will's presents here.

Santa left both boys an umbrella in their stocking, and fittingly enough, it was raining on Christmas morning so Will got to go out and try it out.  

We had a wonderful Christmas.  Unfortunately, I just couldn't find my Christmas spirit this year. Chalk it up to my feeling "off" and us rushing to get the basement completed before the holiday.  I just didn't want to shop.  I didn't want to wrap.  A week before Christmas, I had to pull it together and finish shopping, start wrapping and finish decorating.  The boys' excitement was cute enough to pull me through however.  Will's favorite gifts included his scooter, his Mobigo (a gift from my parents), a remote-control crane (a gift from Brandon's parents) and his umbrella (but he has truly played with every single thing he received and loves them all.  These are just the ones he wakes up talking about.)  Brooks' favorites include Will's scooter, Will's Mobigo and Will's crane.  Go figure.  

I leave you with a couple of cute Buzz Lightyears, doing what Buzz does best :)  

I promise not to keep you waiting on more posts.  Maybe I'll get another one in this weekend :)

Holiday Gift Guide

Gifts for Her

The next installment of the holiday gift guide is for us girls.  There are actually only a few men (that will admit to it) that read this blog, so I will also include gifts for mom, sister, daughter and mother-in-law.  Let's review here ladies - if your husband doesn't read this blog and needs a little assistance in the gift-giving department, be sure to remember: print, circle, leave in the bathroom.  I say bathroom because I know that my husband isn't the only one who spends too long in the bathroom.  Up first -

Snuggly Warm Ugg Mocs via Ugg ($100)

ahhhh - who wouldn't want a pair of these babies?? If the Uggs are a little out of your price range (or you have a dog that chews shoes) - LL Bean offers a more affordable alternative.  Rather than the shearling lined Uggs, the LL Bean version is lined with fleece.  

Le Creuset Classic Wide Dutch Oven via Williams-Sonoma ($130)

I know what you're thinking.  Who wants cookware for Christmas!? Well, Le Creuset changes the ballgame girls.  Their products are awesome.  They will outlive even the most adventurous cooks and extra bonus points because everyone else will be jealous ;)

Smashbox Snap You're Fab Lipgloss Set via Sephora ($30)

Excellent gift for your daughter, BFF or a little stocking stuffer for yourself.  Their lip products are great and this little baby boasts a $90 value.  Not bad!!

Sweater Robe via Victoria's Secret ($45)

Every mother needs a robe.  You just never know when you're going to need to get up and dash through the house.  Fresh out of the shower and hear a giant CRASH!!  or maybe a middle of the night "moooommmmmmyyyy".  This stylish robe will get you there and you won't be naked - and you won't be cold.  Awesome.

PB Classic Apothecary Jars via Pottery Barn ($39-69)

I don't know one single woman who couldn't find a use for these bad boys.  Soooo pretty.  And you can even have them monogrammed (Crystal!)

Frye "Cameron Flap" Satchel via Nordstrom ($448)

If you have been an extra good girl this year, or maybe you held your husband's hand as he underwent chemo (was that subtle enough?) this bag is for you.  Have I mentioned how I love the smell of leather???

Lucky Brand "Pave Clover" Ring via Piperlime ($35)

Sooooo cute.  This is an awesome stocking stuffer or gift for your BFF.  Because everyone has a girlfriend who likes a lot of bling ;)

Buddy The Elf

As a parent, I have really really looked forward to this holiday season.  Why?  Not because I'm so overjoyed to see my children's smiling faces as they rip into their gifts.  Not because I love to shop in overcrowded and GREATLY overheated malls until my feet hurt.  Not because I want to fight with that grossly obese rude woman over the last LeapPad at ToysRUs.  Not because I love to hear the same 50 Christmas songs take over the radio.  Nope.  I have looked forward to this holiday season for one reason and one reason alone - the good behavior bribe.  The you better behave 'cause Santa is watching you bribe.  Don't pretend you don't do this to your kids.  If you don't - quit reading this now.  You won't like where this is going.

So a couple of weeks ago, I jumped on my first opportunity to use this line with the Willster.  Although I don't remember the specific incident now, it is assured that he was misbehaving and/or sassing.  Nonetheless, I said "Will!  You better watch your behavior!  Santa is always watching you and he won't bring you the present you really want if you're not being a good boy."  Well, by now most of you know my child.  So can imagine where this went...  

Will:  where is Santa now?

Me:  in the North Pole

Will:  where is that?

Me: in the sky.  He can see everything you do.

Will:  No he can't Mom.  He's NOT Jesus!

Okay fine.  So I stood there with my mouth open looking like an idiot who was just schooled by a preschooler for a few minutes until I finally wandered off muttering something about Santa is really good friends with Jesus so na na na na boo boo.  

So on Thanksgiving Day, I told Will that his special elf friend, Buddy was coming to see him the next day.  I explained the whole elf story - Buddy watches their behavior and flies back to the North Pole at night to report to Santa.  Well, low and behold, I sit straight up in the bed at 6:00 AM on the day after Thanksgiving and remember that I didn't get Buddy the Elf out.  So I tiptoe into the living room, dig through the boxes of Christmas decorations and find the elf.  I tiptoe over to the dining room table and decide to put Buddy in a glass vase full of ornaments.  He's really a cool elf and he was nose-diving into the ornaments.  Then I got even MORE clever and decided to put a couple of the ornaments on the table, to make it look like Buddy made a mess.  Well - next thing you know ornaments are rolling all over the table and crashing onto the floor - shattering in the process.  Great.  So at 6 AM on the day after Thanksgiving, I am under the dining room table with a broom and a dust pan.  Dang Elf.

Will was really into Buddy for one whole day.  The next day, Will starts to misbehave again and I start with the threats - Buddy is watching! Oops!  You don't want Buddy to tell Santa about this!  On day three, I tell Will, Buddy will tell Santa all about this tantrum tonight at the North Pole! and this is how the rest of that story goes down:

Will:  no he won't

Me:  sure he will. He'll fly to Santa and tell him tonight.

Will:  no he won't because he can't fly.

Me:  why can't he fly?

Will:  because the book said if I touched him he would lose his magic and he wouldn't be able to fly.

Me:  well did you touch him???

Will:  Yep.  Sure did.  I had to show him my Christmas tree.

Me: (I'm stressin' here because Buddy is my last threat opportunity) Ummmmmm...... Well Buddy won't be back then.  Tonight Santa will be coming to pick Buddy up.

So Buddy got crammed in a drawer with chip clips and bottle openers while I decided what the HECK I was going to do now.  I mean - how is my 3 year-old out-smarting all my genius briberies??!!

The next day, as we were all mourning Buddy's sudden departure, I looked at Will very sadly and said Well now I'm the only one who gets to decide about your presents from Santa, since Buddy can't tell him. You better be on your BEST behavior.  

Will just shrugged and said " Well if Santa doesn't bring me any presents, I can just go get the money out of my Disney jar and buy my own presents Mom."  

Tired, defeated and desperate, this is what happened next -

I am officially HORRIBLE at bribing my kids :(

Holiday Gift Guide 2011

Gifts Under $100

We all need help picking that perfect gift from time to time.  This holiday season, I'm hoping to give you a few ideas for those who are hard-to-please hard to buy for ;)  My first installment in this little series is for those big ticket items - those really special gifts for your mother, father, or significant other.  I can assure you that each of these gifts would make that special person happy, or if you're like me and want a few of these for yourself - a printed version of this post with the specific item SUBTLY circled and left on the bathroom counter would be a great hint for those looking to buy for you.  First up (in no particular order):

The Chloe throw via West Elm ($79)

I love this throw!  This is such a glamorous throw for your wife, mother, grandmother or sister.  This is one of those you leave out even guests are on their way!

The Mason Jar Drink Dispenser via Pottery Barn ($69)

This would make a great gift for those newlyweds or your friends that are always looking for an excuse to throw a party.  I love the southern feel of this dispenser and I can't think of one single occasion for which you couldn't use this.

This Artisan Leather iPad2 Cover via Restoration Hardware ($99)

For your techie husband, brother or father.  I can just smell that expensive leather now...

The Half-Mass Messenger Bag via Patagonia ($89)

I have wanted one of these for soooo long.  Offered in several colors, this bag holds your laptop (up to 15"), books, journals, and pretty much everything in between.  This would be an awesome gift for that person in your life that is attached to their laptop, your teenager (or college kid), or even that new mom or dad.  You couldn't ask for a better diaper bag! It's big brother holds larger laptops for a little more $$.

The Family Tree via Red Envelope ($80)

This would make an excellent gift for the expanding family, or maybe even your parents who are empty-nesters now.  This can be personalized in many ways and even framed for an additional cost.

I hope this gives you (or my husband) a few ideas.  I've got several more categories of gift ideas to share with you.  Because we're getting so close to Christmas already (HELLLLLOOOO - this day took for stinkin' ever to come as a child and now I am begging Santa to slow down his sleigh!!) I will try to do a few of these each week.  Good night y'all!