Christmas Eve 2014

Santa's cookies have been made and decorated!

His magic key is hung on the door!

We've sprinkled our reindeer food.

We've read T'was the Night Before Christmas.

We've posed for about as many pictures as possible.

We're ready!

Christmas Eve 2012 {recap}

Merry Christmas 2012

 

 

Our Christmas Eve started off with a bang when we received a last minute package in the mail from the girls' great grandma and great aunt.

 

They were pretty excited and loved everything in the box.

 

We spent the rest of the day baking and enjoying the day together.

 

 

We didn't have any company this year, but that didn't stop us from enjoying a delicious Christmas Eve dinner.

We had our annual Christmas Eve cinnamon rolls before we sat down for How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

We gave the girls their baths early and wouldn't you know that Alyssa went straight from the bath tub to her new make-up. This is a picture of her AFTER we wiped most of it off.

After our bedtime snack/movie, we grabbed our reindeer food and headed outside.

We couldn't scatter our reindeer food without the girls' best friend, K.

It was a little wet after a day of rain, but that didn't stop us from leaving a snack for our favorite reindeer.

Our last stop before bed was Daddy reading T'was the Night Before Christmas like he does every year.

 

 

Our silly gals.

Madelynn quickly lost interest in the book.

And this is what she chose to do instead.

We haven't decided whether or not we want to keep her bangs short or let them grow back out so that is the reason for her crazy hair always in her eyes. She looks so adorable with bangs, but she just doesn't look like my little Maddie Madster. :(

I think Mommy is the only one having a hard time with this. 

xoxo

Christmas Block Party 2012

The chocolate chip cookies are cooling on the counter and our ham is in the oven. The girls are playing quietly while Johnathon picks up the living room for the 15th time...in the last 5 minutes. :)

 

Our elves surprised the girls with gifts this morning. They each received a new pair of jammies to wear tonight. I'm sure it will be hard for the girls to say good-bye to them tonight, but this momma is SO happy for them to stay in the North Pole until next year. I have a few pictures of where they hid and I hope to share them soon, but for now I have the details of our block party.

 

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

 

Back in early December, my neighbor and I hosted a Christmas block party.

 

We had the cutest little 'Reindeer Food Bar' where the kids were able to make their very own custom mixture of reindeer food.

Being on talking terms with the big guy {aka: Santa} we were able to pull a few KNOWN reindeer favorites

The kids had a blast and we will surely do it again next year.

We even had a 'Kid Craft & Cookie Decorating' area.

There were sugar cookies (candy cane, Christmas trees, gingerbread men, and stockings), icing and lots of yummy toppings for the kids to be creative with.

There were even yard games.



A fun time was had by all.

Here are some of the kids making their reindeer food.

Others spend the majority of the time playing games.

We drank hot chocolate and even served hot dogs from a crock pot. I found the idea on Pinterest and was happily surprised when they turned out perfect and delicious. 

A party just wouldn't be complete without our goofy little Madelynn. :)

I hope everyone is having a joyful and happy Christmas Eve with their friends and loved ones. I am sad to be so far from my family and friends, but incredibly thankful to have Johnathon home this year and to be blessed with such amazing neighbors.

 

Merry Christmas!

2012

T'was the Night Before Christmas

I found this cute twist on T'was the Night Before Christmas and just had to share it. It made me laugh because I have felt this way too many times to count! :)

It was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie, flipped through their heads.
The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug.
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that?
Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat."
The mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes,
Same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust," She'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, Watch One Life To Live."

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true!
"I'll shop. I'll read., I'll sleep a whole night through! "

From the room above, the youngest began to fret.
"Mommy?! I scared... and I am wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune,
as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon.
"You the best mommy ever. " I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal. "
That's my child's love, she's trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear, "
Only one loving mother, is needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed.
"Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
When they'll be too old, for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight. Merry Christmas, Mom, You'll be all right."