Christmas Countdown Day 2

December 2, 2011

Caleb is 18 months old today!! He posed for me in front of the tree this morning. So cute!

After school today, I had puzzles wrapped for the kids to work on during the month of December. We turned on our "virtual fireplace" and they worked on puzzles while listening to Christmas music. A very cozy afternoon!

Christmas Countdown Day 1

December 1, 2011

Today we decorated Christmas aprons and baked Christmas cookies and Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls! We listened to Christmas music while we baked and all 4 children ended up circling our kitchen table while we sang along to "Round and Round the Christmas Tree!"

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Some of my favorite things about this time of the year:

1. I met my husband 18 years ago four days before Christmas on December 21, 1993.
2. Christmas music
3. Snow!
4. The smell of Christmas cookies baking
5. Candles glowing
6. Snuggling with my husband or children while enjoying the lights from the Christmas tree
7. Baking with my children or friends
8. Christmas shopping!
9. Wrapping presents
10. Smell of pine from the Christmas tree
11. A cozy fire in the fireplace
12. Driving around to see Christmas lights
13. Drinking hot cocoa after being outside in the cold
14. Christmas goodies!
15. Decorating my home for Christmas
16. Smiles and laughter
17. Reading the Christmas story together
18. Singing Christmas carols


This year I decided to plan a little something each day in December to do with the kids that is Christmas-related. I made a simple count-down to Christmas poster using red foam and foam Christmas tree stickers. I wrote the date on each tree and have something written on paper hidden under each date for them to open and do.

I will try to post some of the things we do this month in separate posts!

Caleb and Cookies!

Caleb found the sugar cookies this morning while the kids were getting ready for school and quite enjoyed himself! He kissed everyone goodbye with frosting on his mouth, smiling, and waving "bah-bah!"

We all smiled and laughed. What a sweet beginning to our day!

Toddler Property Laws

I saw this today and it made me smile since I have an adorable, mischievous little 16-month old of my own!

Toddler Property Laws:
If I like it, it's mine.
It it's in my hand, it's mine.
If I can take it from you, it's mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
It it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
If I saw it first, it's mine.
If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
If it's broken, it's yours.

Trying Something New!

I am really not a writer. However, I love design, color, and finding creative things to do. So I thought it would be fun to try to start my own blog. I really don't know what this will end up looking like, but thought I would share some of my favorite things and people with you!

Homemade Fried Rice?

I am trying a new recipe tonight for fried rice to make with Springfield Cashew Chicken. I have never had good luck making homemade fried rice, so hopefully tonight's experiment will turn out well! (I will leave out the peas and carrots, however!)

Recipe for Fried Rice & Sweet & Sour Chicken

Well, the picture looked great, but my version didn't turn out quite so well. I think it was a little strong with the soy sauce. Another recipe to "tweak!"