Christmas Memories

Bella's Christmas Crafts

Henry's Crafts......

I think he was playing most of the time instead of making the crafts. He was really too young to attend, but since I was working he was allowed to join the fun.

Our church had a "Christmas Memories" workshop for the kids in 1st grade thru 6th. They made the cutest ornaments, frames, gingerbread houses etc....... My sister-n-law and I were responsible for for the popsicle stick reindeer. I'm not sure who had the most fun decorating, the kids or the adults.

Pictures with Santa

I've been working on a couple photo card's for Pictures With Santa on Thanksgiving night. I can't decide which one to use. Maybe I'll just print both. Another member of Juniors is working on a design also. She is super creative, so I can't wait to see her sample. Since I am Home Life Chair of Juniors, I am responsible for the Pictures With Santa fundraiser that will benefit the Love Light Foundation at our local hospital. Love Light is a fund that purchases items for our children's wing at the hospital. On Thanksgiving night, many families in our community will go downtown to watch our Christmas Lights being turned on for the first time of the season. I guess you could say it's like a mini-festival. Anyway, myself and many others will be working instead of enjoying the festivities. My children always have a good time. They feel extra special because Mommy knows Santa Claus and she gets to take pictures of him for 2 hours. :) I do enjoy listening to the children tell Santa what they would like for Christmas...........I may get a few pointers. SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS, LET ME TELL YOU THE SADDEST THING THAT MY DAUGHTER SAID TO ME TONIGHT. SHE SAID, MOMMY THIS BOY IN MY CLASS SAID THERE IS NO SANTA AND THAT THE PARENTS GIVE THE PRESENTS. "IS THAT TRUE?", SAID BELLA! "ABSOLUTELY NOT", I SAID. BELLA WENT ON TO SAY, "NONE OF THE POOR KIDS IN MY CLASS BELIEVE IN SANTA". OMG!!!!! THIS BROKE MY HEART. I'M SURE THE PARENTS HAD TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR CHILDREN WHY SANTA DOESN'T BRING THEM GIFTS. THIS WAS SO SAD. MY DAUGHTER HAS ASKED ME SEVERAL TIMES WHY SANTA DOESN'T GIVE PRESENTS TO ALL CHILDREN. AT TIMES LIKE THIS, I REALLY JUST WANT TO "FESS UP"! It is so sad. This year, some friends and i are hostessing a "Wine and Cheese" Christmas party to benefit children that are in Child Protective Services or Foster Care. Hopefully, we can brighten some child's Christmas. Last year, we could adopt a child at my daughters school. Our child was a little girl and she was a couple of years older than my daughter. I was so worried about Bella identifying the child by the clothes that we bought her for Christmas. If Bella knew who our child was, she never said. Thankfully. Anyway, I urge all of you to help a family this year that may be having a hard time financially or emotionally. A family in our town just lost their 18month old daughter. She drowned this weekend in the family pool. Of course, the family is devastated and are dealing with guilt and the loss of a child. I just cannot imagine.

New Printer, New Pictures

Pictures from our Halloween.

Starring..... Daddy as Mommy for a Night

I had a Juniors Board meeting tonight, so dear husband had the kids tonight. I came home and they were all watching television.........I start looking at homework folders and ask, Clay, did you review homework? Did you review questions for Bella's test on Wednesday? Did you let Henry read "Hop and Pop" and did you read him a book? Did you make lunch for tomorrow? Did you swap clothes over in washer..........WELL, he can't do everything!!!!! Really! Who would have thought. He proceeded to review Bella's math homework and they were both screaming and yelling and she was crying. Now he understands my frustration! HOMEWORK is so much fun. Bella brought home a report this weekend that her teacher made her re-write because she did not indent the paragraphs. OH! She was not happy that she had homework over the weekend. She completely rebelled and finally I told her that I did not care if she did the report or not. Informed her that I had already finished school and it wasn't my grade! There! Well, it did not work. Still whined and fussed! Lord, help me when both of my children need homework help. I will need to be medicated. Probably need to be right now.

Christmas Shopping

Cute Jackets that I purchased for daughter at Gap.


My new printer. I'm so excited.


Hot cocoa set. TJ MAXX.

OMG! Could not wait for Christmas to get here, so that we could purchase these Awesome Cookies! You absolutely cannot eat just one! You have got to try these. Can get them at Target.

Wrong Date. Bought these beautiful linen guest towels at store that was having "fire" sale. 50% off!

Wrong date again! Target.......2.50

TJ MAXX $24.00. I love it! I want a whimsical tree this year!

Cute ornaments at TJ Maxx. Great Teachers gifts for school and church.

7.99 for Rug at TJ MAXX. Lovin It

PICTURES FROM "WALKING WITH DINOSAURS"

Yesterday, the kids and I saw, "Walking with Dinosaurs". It was really interesting, especially since my daughter is studying Fossils and Paleontologist. I was worried that my son would be scared but he loved it. Lots of FSU fans were tailgating around the Civic Center. It was a crazy. Anyway, after the show we went shopping. My friend, Darbie and her son, Jackson were with us. Have you ever tried to shop with two 5 year old boys? NOT FUN. Of course, it did not stop us from spending money. Went to church this morning and when I stepped out of the car, my daughter opened her door from the back and hit me........Needless to say, my entire cup of coffee splashed up into my face and my hair. I dropped the bible and I had coffee all over my NEW boots! Was I happy? No! My husband said that I handled it exceptionally well......UMM, you can't exactly go freaking crazy in the church parking lot! Wow! What a way to start the morning. I bought a new printer yesterday and I installed it today. I'm so excited. The new printer was $99.00 and with my old printer, I would have bought two print cartridges for $65.00. I was tired of ordering cartridges from Dell every time I was out. I mean, I just want to go to Walmart or Target and get a cartridge! My new printer has slots for SD card download, which is great since my computer has completely rejected the idea of downloading pictures. Hope you all have a great day!

Book Fair at School

My children's school is having their Book Fair next week. I stayed in the library all day helping librarian (friend of mine) set-up. She asked me to decorate the Teachers Wish List Board. I warned her that I was not creative and that I was a little OCD when it comes to this type of thing. Two hours later I think she believed me. Anyway, it worked out. They had the cutest and funniest books. I need to limit myself and my children. This morning my daughter asked me if I was going to eat lunch with her and I said, "Of Course". She told me to dress nice! Hello, I have a little common sense. Anyway, I put on my Argyle cardigan with tee shirt underneath and my IT! Capri jeans and topped it off with my palladium slippers. Well, after I completely dressed she took one look at me and said, "You don't have to eat with me today. Just go ahead and eat with my brother"! I know I did not look THAT bad. Hen was proud to have me. I helped his class for one hour and quickly came to the realization that I cannot and would not be a teacher. Teachers are definitely underpaid.

After school the kids and I went to look for a pair of "Sperrys". Bella's are worn out and we have decided to trash them. Of course, she needs a new pair. Doesn't matter that she has 1200 pair of shoes in her closet. A month or so ago, one of our gift shops in town had a small fire in the front window of their building.......some idiots set the hay bales on fire that were in front of the store. Anyway, all items are 50% off. I shopped a little yesterday and today. She has beautiful linen tablecloths, runners and napkins. Tried not to go crazy since I am having dental work done and it is going to cost a small fortune. That's another story. We have a football game tonight; however, we do not have any water in the city. I wonder if this means the concession stand will be closed. My children will elect to stay home if they can't eat piles and piles of junk food at the game.

SPEECHLESS

I'm just not sure what to say this morning; except, where in the world did the First Lady Elect purchase that hideous dress that she wore last night? She really needs to stop choosing her own clothes. I was disappointed that McCain was not elected as our future President! The 1st question my daughter asked me this morning was, "Who is our new President?". When I told her she said, "WWHHHAAATTT!". Ewe, Daddy and Maggie are gonna be mad. Hopefully, the next four years will go smoothly. And that is all I've got to say about that. I've got meeting in 30 minutes and I've got to finish getting ready. Have a blessed day!