Merry Christmas!

I started this post last night and got too tired.  So, just pretend it is last night :)


Christmas is almost over.  The kids are playing with their new toys, my house is a mess...  just how Christmas day is supposed to be!

Here are some pictures to remember the fun we have had these past few days.  I have more pictures on my phone that I may add.



I helped Mom and Dad make krumkakes one night.  These are also our gifts to our neighbors.  We made 3 triple batches or 36 dozen I believe.  I lost count when my fingertips went numb from the burn of rolling them.

 

We also made Spritz at our house.  Chad helped and the kids decorated the cookies.

 



 

 

Some kids were very careful with their sprinkles...

 



 

Others were more generous :)

 

The kids also had Christmas Winter parties at school.  Due to recent events, all class parties are now held at the same time and IDs are checked at the door.  Since I am Olivia's homeroom mom, I was not able to attend Caleb or Ella's party:(  Dad helped at Caleb's party and Mom helped at Ella's and was able to snap a couple pictures.  Thanks, Mom!

One night we took a drive through a light display near the Dell Diamond.

We watched as many Christmas movies as we could.  We even made Grinch Punch (lime sherbet with Sprite) while watching Papa's favorite movie!

 

Christmas Eve, we headed to Gramma and Papa's house.  The kids decorated gingerbread trees, sleighs and gingerbread men. 

 

 

Olivia's sleigh.

 

 

Caleb's tree.

 

 

The kids opened a small gift (Squinkies and coloring books with crayons).

 

 

We constantly tracked Santa to see when he would arrive at our house.  The kids were very worried that we would not be home in time to be in bed and sound asleep!  This blurry picture shows Ella's concern.

Molly came with and was a perfect puppy.  Not sure Jack feels the same way... she now has to share the attention.  And treats.

 

We also watched Arthur Christmas and snacked on bacon wrapped little smokies, cheese and sausage, crackers and veggies.  Then we had Mom's famous beef, cheesy hashbrowns and fruit salad for dinner.  Yummy!!!

 

 

Then, it was Christmas morning!

 

 

Santa wrapped the presents in 3 different wrapping papers with no gift tags with names.  He then placed a small piece of "their" wrapping paper in their stockings so they knew which gifts were theirs.  Caleb figured out that Santa left them clues in their stockings and they dove under the tree to gather their gifts!

 



Ella was happy to receive Create-a-Monster Barbies, a bear that you can color on, Just Dance Disney, a bucket full of coloring fun, a Barbie makeup kit, La la Loopsies and more.

 

Olivia asked Santa for Jabba's Palace Lego set.  She wrote it on her letter, asked him at the mall, prayed about it at bedtime, described it to me during every ride in the car, looked at it in Caleb's Lego book...  We sure are glad Santa brought it and made Olivia one happy little girl!

Olivia also got an Easy Bake Oven, Barbies, a purse, a bucket of markers and coloring books, a watch, and Squinkies.

 

Santa has been watching Caleb closely and has noticed that his grades are awesome A's!  He sees that Caleb has a good attitude about school and homework and rewarded him with his own tablet.  Now Caleb can read books (hopefully!), play games and learn while having fun.

 

 

Caleb also got Star Wars and Halo Legos, Skylanders video game, a watch and a Star Wars origami book.  Remember origami?  The kids in Caleb's class love it!

 



The girls went to work on making Gramma pretty with Ella's new makeup kit.

Chad made pancakes and, thanks to Pinterest, I created these.

Super cute!  My kids, however, prefer plain pancakes... 

 

After breakfast, Ella made Papa pretty like a girl.

 

Then Papa made Ella pretty!

After a day of playing, Olivia made dessert in her Easy Bake Oven.  6 super mini, very delicious red velvet cupcakes.

She ate them all!

Merry Christmas!  I cannot believe it is over.  I hope you had an amazing Christmas as well!

Hair today, gone tomorrow

It was time. 

I have been growing my hair out for a couple years.  Let me explain why.   Right around the same time, three awful things were happening.  An innocent boy was in a car accident that would change his life, a toddler boy was experiencing seizures and a lively librarian was diagnosed with cancer - while she was pregnant. I found myself reading their blogs daily, hoping for good news and often feeling drained when there was none.  Then I would feel guilty that I was annoyed with my 3 crazy (healthy) kids at the end of the day.   I became lost in the sad news.  There was nothing I could do to help these boys or the librarian that used to teach at our school.  Nothing. 

Then it hit me.  I could donate my hair to a good cause.  I know it is not much, but when I realized I could easily grow my hair and give it to a sick child who truly needed it, it was a no brainer.  Soon, ponytails and I became inseparable.  We were besties.  Together everyday. 

Fortunately, those two boys are improving with each day!  Sadly, our school librarian passed away when her daughter was only 10 months old (she had just turned 30).  Her little girl will never meet her amazing mom...

Fast forward to the other day.  I realized I was looking like the before pictures in the makeover segments on television.  You know what I am talking about, right?

See for yourself.

I cannot believe I am posting these.

I knew I wanted to go shorter.  Then short seemed like fun.  A good change.  A necessary change.  So I went for it.

It will take me a bit to get used to, but it is a small price to pay.  I am healthy, my hair will grow back.  And who knows, maybe I will donate it again.  But for now, I am having fun playing with hair clips and headbands!

And - just for fun - a BEFORE:

And AFTER:

Have you had your hair cut lately? 

Are you ready for Christmas?!?!