Spreading Holiday Cheer

For a few hours over the past two days, my kids have spent time in the car while I've been making some special Christmas deliveries. I never knew that spreading holiday cheer could be so painful.

Yesterday, for example, I got lost and almost lost my patience too. Amid the conflict, Sadie was whining constantly about wanting to go home. I finally said "Sadie, I'm sorry, I'm lost and I'm unhappy too". Smarty pants replies, "but Mom, you got yourself lost" (implication: you should be able to "find" yourself). She's not entirely the sympathetic type.

Today, I got smarter about the whole gig. I discovered that pain-free Christmas cheer costs $9 and change, the cost of 2 Happy Meals and a LARGE Diet Coke.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all GOOD LUCK in these final hours before the big day!

Surprise!

This afternoon was one of THOSE afternoons. By 4pm, after returning from the school (after volunteering in Brooklyn's class) with a very angry, overtired baby; I decided to take action. I divided up cookies that I accidentally burnt last night, divided them into bags, and divided them up between my three big kids to go outside in the yard and "hide for the squirrels". Perfect. They were already dressed to be outside and it would give me time to feed Jackson put him down for a nap before dealing with the post-school, I have to tell you every detail of my day, I have a pile of papers for you to read, we should write a note to my teacher, I want to read my book with you, general MADNESS. So, having divided the cookies, I smugly went upstairs to feed Jack and complete my awesome plan. I was halfway done when the kids burst into the house: "Mom! Mom! You have to come see something we found!". Panic.

First thought: dead animal. Second thought: Half dead animal.
I calmly asked: "Is it alive?"
Answer: "Maybe"
Question: "BROOKLYN, did it used to be alive?"
Answer: "Mommy, you just have to see"
Question: "Can you please wait while I finish feeding Jackson?"
Answer: "No Mommy, really, you need to come see this, or it might disappear soon"

AHHHH!!! It must fall into that barely alive category! My kids have found some half dead possum or chipmunk or rat or maybe a squirrel. Apparently, it's still mobile...how I am going to clean up?...AHHHH!!! I am a huge germaphobe. Thoughts of rabies and haunta virus and other crazy animal illnesses are going through my mind.

So, I quickly put down Jackson, who was not impressed as he wasn't done eating and tried to calmly race down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, I rounded the corner, glanced into the kitchen at my overly eager children and saw...

A sled. Full of ice. Sitting on my kitchen floor. Almost ready to "disappear" and not alive and not used to be alive. Just ice. Apparently, the kids were excited to find that their sled had filled with snow, melted and subsequently was filled with a large slab of ice. They had all worked to drag it into the kitchen to show me their find and ice skate in the kitchen.

Thank goodness.

Not Just a Mom

Sometimes, on rare occasions, I try to do something other than the dishes and laundry. 

I made “Colorburst Cupcakes” for Brooklyn to take to class for her birthday.  Not only did they have fancy frosting, but you can almost see on the side that there were three bright colors of batter.

 

These Peanut Butter Brownies were super-rich, but very delicious.

 

 

And these “Halloween Lanterns” were fun, easy, cute, and cheap to make.  Gotta love Mod Podge.  Too bad I’m posting so late, you’ll have to make yours next year.

What Have I Done Wrong?

I wish I was a morning person. I wish I could wake up perky and happy and ready to take on the day.

I don't.

I wake up tired, grumpy, and crabby. I say things that I don't remember but I would regret if I did. Of course, I still force myself sometimes to get up early, but I usually head to the gym or out to run and clear my head before I have to be a mom.

For the sake of those who do not know my kids. Let me define "early". For me, sleeping in is 7am. "Early" is 5am. Tyler (and most of my other kids) consistently wake up "early". There are multiple rewards, incentives, bribes, and threats in place to encourage them to stay in bed until 6am. Most mornings, at least Ty gets up earlier and goes downstairs and occupries himself. We made an overly big deal about his sisters "sleeping in". We can hope.

So, the funny part...

This morning, Ty comes into our bedroom. "Dad! You're going to be so proud of me! I slept in! The girls got up when there was a 5-4-5 on the clock, but I slept in until there was a 5-4-9! Which is bigger Dad? Who slept in?!"

Ughhhh....

Fab Fave–Mint M & M’s

Yeah baby.  I love these guys.  It’s the best money ever spent (almost) at Christmastime.  I keep wishing M & M’s would branch out like Peeps, perhaps having Mint M & M’s for Halloween, or Easter (or the Fourth of July or Labor Day or Valentines Day or the 16th of March).  Anyways, I see ‘em, I buy ‘em.  I used to worry, “if I buy them now, I will eat them; then I will end up buying/eating another bag and overindulge”.  Then one year, I missed them entirely.  Never again.   Today marks bag #1.  These, I do not share with my kids, I sometimes don’t share them with Jake. 

A Holiday Tradition

I recently read an article in Real Simple. It was a letter to a “Miss Manners” type of writer at Real Simple.  The question was about holiday cards, whether one should still mail cards or if digital greetings are appropriate.  Last year, I ranted on how I feel about digital greetings; this article opposed my view.  The article points out that when it comes to newspapers, books, email etc.; we have no problem going digital.  Why not Christmas cards?  I love Christmas cards.  I love to get them.  I display them in my home and feel warm fuzzies everytime I look at them.

At any rate, I’m working towards something here.  A freebie.  I am writing about how much I like Shutterfly (which  I do); in return, I get some holiday cards.  Nice deal.  If you’re interesting in getting the same deal (50 FREE cards); click this link.http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

They have beautiful holiday cards.  I like how this one looks contemporary, but still a bit traditional: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

As you have noticed, I love their baby announcements.  This card was so fitting for my pictures.  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements

These are pretty cute.  Fun change from the traditional calendars.  Maybe I’ll have to make one for Jake for Christmas. http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/desk-calendars

Jackson Birth Announcement

Delivered Delight Blue Birth Announcement

Find hundreds of elegant baby birth announcements at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.