2013 Picture with Santa

Christmas wouldn't be complete without our annual trip to see Santa. This year's picture is especially precious to me, as Cruz was so completely inconsolable! He has been recovering from the flu earlier this week and was already not in a good mood. Having me leave him on this strange Santa's lap sent him over the top. He screamed from the moment I backed away until I came back and picked him up. Santa was very calm & good with him, reassuring me that he would hold him while they took the picture.

After the picture was snapped, Santa spent a few minutes with each big boy. He asked them their age, what they wanted for Christmas, and even asked them to work hard at getting along with each other.  It's as if he really knew them! They were delighted!!

New Year's Crafts - Glitter Ornaments

Today the boys & I decided to make glitter ornaments. They were originally going to be Christmas ornaments and, indeed, we will hang them on the tree next year. But for now, we decided to write 2012 on them and hang them on the mantel where our stockings once hung to help ring in the New Year next week.

They were super-easy & fun to make.  Using clear glass ornaments, we popped the tops off and poured some Pledge Floor Cleaner inside. Next, we sprinkled in a bunch of glitter and rolled it around until the inside was coated well.  After pouring out the excess glitter, we used glitter glue to write 2012 on the outside. We popped the tops back on and used red yarn to hang them.

A fun activity for a cold, melted-snow, muddy day!

Final Gift from Gumdrop - Reindeer Food

Today we received one final gift from Gumdrop - Sparkly Oats reindeer food! There were special instructions attached. The boys had great fun with this final Christmas activity! They took great care spreading it around the sidewalk & driveway and were very curious the next morning to see how much had been eaten. Good thing the storms rolled in a blew it away, making a very believable morsel scattered here & there.

One more bit of fun before Christmas Day,

Deep down, you boys are sweet & I’ve enjoyed my stay.

Tomorrow I’ll go back, to the North Pole,

More than not you’ve been good and have avoided coal.

Today’s activity involves Santa’s reindeer,

They get hungry too, as their trip draws near.

Sprinkle this magic food all around your driveway,

It will be such a treat instead of their normal hay. 

Zip-lining - 2 Days 'till Christmas

Today we found Gumdrop zip-lining through the living room, towards the stockings! He had a sign dangling from him that said, "2 More Days!" It wasn't a challenge to find him, but it sure was funny!  And, he's right in the middle of the living room where he can see everyone and hear everything. Here's hoping for a well behaved couple of days. After Christmas, Gumdrop will fly back to the North Pole for the year and we won't have him as incentive anymore!

Warning - 3 Days 'till Christmas!

I think this says it all about our afternoon yesterday...

Dear Luke & Noah,

I’ve seen you fighting, I’ve heard you whining,

At the North pole, we’re worried & pining,

You’ve been on the nice list, up ‘til today,

Where Santa puts you now, I cannot say.

It makes me so sad to see your mother ask,

To be nice, kind, and put yourself last,

For these are things you should know,

Naughty or Nice – where will your name go?

Please be kind with brotherly love,

Santa & The Lord are watching from above.

Love ,

Gumdrop

Christmas Cookies & Gingerbread Men

Today was an early release day from school, so the boys & I decorated some Christmas cookies & Gingerbread men while Cruzie napped. What a fun, messy & yummy project! We used red, green & white frosting and a big container with about a dozen different types of sprinkles! I think I spent as long cleaning up  as we did decorating, but it was worth it.  Hope the boys remember these fun times & memories when they are older!

Countdown with Gumdrop

Well, it's official - 10 days till Christmas and counting! Gumdrop had a very funny way of counting down with us.  He definitely likes toilet paper. This is the second time he's gotten in to it. Last time was when he "wrapped" our tree. This time it was rolling down the cabinets with, "10 Days till Christmas" on it! The boys had a good laugh about this one! Wonder what Gumdrop will do the next few days...literally, I wonder. ;)

Stockings for Undies?

Today I would say Gumdrop's behavior was classified as a little naughty & mischievous. The boys awoke to find their stocking missing! In their place were pairs of undies hanging above the chimney with Gumdrop nestled inside! I think this might have been one of the funniest pranks Gumdrop has pulled. All the boys giggled with delight!

Pick a Pet from Granny & Gramps

Today the boys came home to find 3 new pets from Granny  & Gramps! There was a doggie, a bear and a horse. Noah was home from school first and, of course, he chose the doggie! Luke came home next and he chose the bear. Cruzie got the horse.

Noah was so funny, hugging & kissing his new doggie. He wants a real dog so badly and loves dogs of all kinds! When Luke got home, they put their new pets on their shoulders & gave them "rides" around the house like Leo does with the boys.

So sweet to get an early Christmas present! Makes the holidays last a little longer.

Mickey Mouse Birthday

What a fun day! I woke at 3:30am and couldn't stop thinking about all the decorations, cupcakes & Mickey Mouse fun that was ahead.

I spent yesterday making red, black & yellow paper chains for decorations. We added red & black balloons and cut-outs of Mickey Mouse's head from construction paper.

The cupcakes were in red polka-dot liners with white frosting & Oreo's making the shape of Mickey's face.

I crocheted Cruz a Mickey Mouse hat & after lunch he changed in to his Mickey Mouse shirt.

He got 2 Mickey stuffed dolls, Little People race car track and a big yellow bulldozer!

By the time the party was over at 2pm, he was completely exhausted and so was I! Everyone left and I put him down for a nap. I cleaned up and now I sit looking through all the pictures.  Sweet chunky pumpkin! I love you more than you will ever know!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Cruz!

Up early thinking about my baby boy's 2nd birthday. It's so cliche, but I honestly can't believe the time has gone by so fast. He has been an unexpected blessing from the start - and he only continues to amaze me with the love & joy he brings to my life. I cannot imagine our family with out his infectious belly laugh or his sweet mommy snuggles. It brings tears to think of how deeply I love this him & how much God must love me to have blessed & trusted me to raise him. Every event & milestone is so bittersweet because I know he is my last. So, today is all about Christian Cruz, Mickey Mouse, and praising God for creating such a loving addition to our crazy cool circus! Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!

Gumdrop & Advent

This morning we found Gumdrop being a good little elf, reading our Advent book. Even though he can be mischievous, he also understands the true celebration of Christmas and how special every day in December is leading up to the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus.

Believe it or not, it's 75 degrees today, which explains Noah with no-shirt again. I'm sure I'll look back and wonder why he wasn't dressed in December. Not to worry, in 3 days the temperatures are to plunge some 40 degrees and we may just get our first 20 degree weather! I love the cold weather! Something so cozy & snuggly about a roaring fire & cold weather around the holidays!

Fresh Fir Wreath Surprise

Last night we were surprise to hear our door bell ring and a big brown box waiting on our door step. Having no idea what it was or who would have sent us something, we quickly brought it inside.  We smelled the fresh scent of pine as we opened the box.  Inside was the most beautifully festive real fir wreath from Granny & Gramps! How lovely & perfect for our kitchen door this Christmas season!

Gumdrop Snow Angels

After a day of too much fighting, arguing & tantrums, Gumdrop did not move from his spot yesterday or return to the North Pole.  (A.K.A. - Mommy slept late and forgot to move him.)

The boys improved their behavior and they found Gumdrop making snow angels this morning.  We decided he must have been missing all the snow at the North Pole and found the next best thing in our pantry - flour!

Delighted by Gumdrop's newest trick, Luke & Noah are both speculating about what he might do tomorrow if they are good.

Hershey Kiss Advent Calendar

We were a day late, but on December 2, the boys & I got our Hershey Kisses Advent Calendar done!

Each boy lined up 24 kisses on plastic wrap. We carefully folded the plastic wrap over the kisses and tied a ribbon between each one.

Every day the boys exchange a kiss to Mommy for a candy kiss off the calendar. When the kisses are gone, it will be Christmas day!

Such an easy & sweet way to count down to our Happy Birthday Jesus celebration!

Candy Cane Garden

Yesterday the boys woke up to find Gumdrop with a 2-day activity for them. He was sitting in a Christmas dish along with a bag of North Pole Dirt (oatmeal), candy cane seeds (peppermint disks),  and magic Christmas fertilizer (red, green, white sprinkles).

The boys instructions were to plant the seeds deep the dirt, fertilize, then be kind, generous & loving. If they did all these things, in the morning they would awake to a special surprise.

All day long we reminded the boys about the instructions & checked the "garden" to see if anything had sprouted.  Although we didn't see anything during the day, when we woke up this morning, three big M&M filled candy canes had grown!

The boys were in amazement and completely delighted!