Play Date

How often does a Mother get invited to play "Owl vs Dino" wars with her very charming son?

Sadly, the truth is not that often.  I keep very busy during the day and leave him to his own devices, but he insisted.

And I had a BALL!  Thanks Dude.

Christmas Miracle

I bundled up the children in their "best" for the Ward Christmas Party.  We even brought along a Bush Baby as Christmas isn't the same without one.  Lots of Gingerbread Houses for centerpieces and go figure the Dude wasn't happy with any.  We looked at all 12 tables to find one that was acceptable.  p.s.  this wasn't it, but I changed tables for dessert because I didn't like sitting in the back like I was banished for being "naughty".

Dessert is always the big hit and boy did we have some good stuff to eat.

And then there was caroling by our sweet little offspring.

Pay no mind to the Dude.  He really didn't want to be part of it, but it meant he got to be on the stage and you know what that is for kids.  His friend Brodyn really got into the song though.

And after 2 hours of whiney kids.  The Dude smashed his thumb in the car door when we arrived which made for a bad combination.  We left.  Home we went and into our jammies.  Well, the Dude and I got into ours lickety split.  And then...

It started.

The crying.

The whining.

Because.

The Dude didn't get to see Santa.  Not that I didn't ask, but because he was in a bad mood and we left.  His sister does not do photos with Santa, so it wasn't even an option for her.

And the crying continued with such fortitude I knew it was going to be a bad night.

SO...

I put on my biggest and longest raincoat to hide my pajamas.

And off we went back to the church to see...

Santa Claus!

And then the MIRACLE!
The first picture in history of Miss Boo sitting on Santa's lap.

It was worth those smiles and the memories.

School Christmas Program

As you can see by the view of the camera we arrived too late to be seated with the rest of the folks.  We ended up in the balcony with those filming the Event for the first performance at 4 p.m.
The Dude was happy with this, but proved to be the undoing of my nerves.

And of a few others as well. I am sure the woman next to us was cursing my son as she was reviewing her taping the evening evert time she heard The Dude complain about having to pee or that he was bored or he wanted to do the make the video.  I'm sure it added to her Christmas memories.

(Miss Boo is in the back row, far left in the Shepherds costume.)

She had a part this year which totally cracked me up.
She had to speak as if she had spent too much time with her flock.
Baaaaaaa!

That staff almost put out a few eyes.
Just ask her teacher that is smiling behind her.
Don't worry we shortened it for the second showing.

She is the cutest shepherd ever!
I don't say that because I am her Mother.
Well, maybe a little.

But when it came to the singing...

OH MY!

She has been practicing every night for 2 months in bed.
This is the first year that she has thrown herself into the program and wasn't a bit shy.

Even my little boy was all about the show!

I wish I had a picture of her fall that happened right after this.
She is so wiggly and fidgety that she kept toppling over.
Totally made my night.

At this point the Dude had lost interest.  Thank heavens for that railing to prop him up.

As a Mom I am horrified that we left the house in such a rush I didn't notice how dirty he had gotten since we left Church.
OH MY!  AGAIN!
I just wish I knew what he had.
I'm guessing chocolate!

This picture is in here because this kid looked like this through the entire program.
I laughed out loud!
Several times.

The program was so enjoyable.  And the kids did a fantastic job.  So proud of my kids.  Now if I could just get the movie to download for you all to watch.
I know you are waiting for it.
It is totally funny and worth every second.
Take my word for it.

Big shout out to Mrs. P!  You rock!

Projects Completed

 I love Advent Calendars and have always wanted something a little more formal than what I had.  This one was a Super Saturday project and I loved it.  I found this framed at Michaels for less than $10 and well... what more can I say!  Look at that detail. Wow!

I learned that I can do new things with or without instruction.  The lady that was supposed to teach this class had to leave because her daughter had the flu.  She wrote down some things on a piece of paper on how to do it, but I don't read "crochet".  I went home and sat down with my crochet hook and yarn and to my delight, out of my happy accidents came these adorable head bands.

Miss Boo loves them and has put in an order for lots and lots of them in as many colors as she can think of.  It takes me less than an hour to finish one, so she may be in luck.

 We have always put the stockings down in the family room, but I believe they belong on the mantle.  I never knew how to get them to hang right without nailing them until I found this interesting box of suction cups with clamp looking things on them.  Perfect for hanging stockings.

 The Dude was responsible for picking out our Christmas tree this year and no matter how much I tried to change his mind we ended up with a 6 foot one.  I prefer them much taller and fuller, but when you are less than 4 foot tall this one is HUGE.

We are as ready as ever for Christmas and interestingly enough I opted to not do as much this year.  I am tired of decorating so much and then having to take it all down.  By myself.

If only I could get the attitudes of grumpy little children to change, it would be a wonderful Holiday Season.  For some reason the four year old has hit the terrible two's.

And... I am not liking it.  Not one single bit!

Cat Eyes

I looked into those sweet eyes Thursday night and knew she was no longer my little baby.  She was so good for the doctor when her eyes got dilated.  It helped the doctor told her she would have cat eyes and since she has always wanted to be a cat.  Just ask her... since she was little and how could anything else in life be more perfect...

She was cracking me up... and then the meowing started.  Priceless!

After complaints of headaches and blurry words on pages, I made her an appointment to get those beautiful brown eyes checked out and Voila!  We now have big brown eyes clad in designer pink frames with puppy paw prints on the sides.  So adorable.

She was so excited about going to school and showing everyone her new glasses.  I remember being that excited when I got my first pair, but they were definitely not as cute.

Things I found out about my little girl.  1.  She whistles when she is anxious.  The Doctor thought it was me?!  Really?  She would blow out a soft whistle when she was worried about what was coming next in the exam.  The Doctor loved it so much she started telling her staff and wanted Miss Boo to show them.  Uh!  I don't think so!  Do you know my daughter?  She doesn't perform on command.  EVER!

I am so proud of her!  She is growing up so fast.  The Dude became our photographer because she wanted a picture of us together.  I am so glad she did because we don't really have any.  I am too busy being on the other side of the camera.  But, after looking at this picture, I need to start wearing some makeup.  Look at all that "Age" showing up on my face.  It was bound to happen, but I swear it takes me by surprise every time I see a picture of myself.  I can't believe I am 43 with a 6 & 4 year old.

Oh well, I have earned every line and wrinkle.