i caved.

feeling a bit of Santa guilt….i went a little overboard this year….they probably didn’t NEED the new wheels, but i couldn’t resist, i got caught up in the moment….or the isles of Target.

rob and i take pride in the fact that we don’t spoil our kids….they have what they need…..we don’t indulge…..we don’t ever want them to feel entitled.  When we go to a store we go in with a list…things they want get put back…once i was reminded of this when we were in my favorite greenhouse buying spring flowers…  “mom, you can’t have everything.” words right out of my mouth…they do listen to me!  most of their presents were bought through the year at consignments sales and tag sales…..at ages 5 and 3 they really can’t tell the difference.

but this year i couldn’t resist the pink scooter for my little girl and all Cooper asked Santa for was a tractor……i caved.

I'm over it…..take a look at these smiles!

  

and then they switched! cooper doesn’t mind pink at all!

 

then it was time to try the snowshoes that Grampa and Nonna got them…..they were a hit! can’t wait for more snow!!!

a warm bath at the end of the day…..wrapped in their new towels….warm and cozy!

Christmas morning

heading downstairs….(temporary stairs still in place from renovations.)  about 7:30am

i love how each present was looked at carefully….and the new underwear was just as exciting as the toys! It was a magical morning!

and a bit exhausting…..Caroline enjoying her new blanket.

a few pictures of cooper……pez and new hat!

  

new hats from Santa!

dressed and ready to go visiting….loving that Christmas plaid!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day we headed over to Nani and Grampa’s house to enjoy the beautiful day…..the ice was amazing!

who needs a zamboni when we have a leaf blower to clear the ice!

trying out the ice fishing tools….how thick is the ice?

 

Christmas eve we host a party for Rob’s family and my dad’s family…its a bit chaotic and i never have the chance to take pictures…but i did catch Caroline and one of her cousins at the dessert table…yum!

cooper is showing us his reindeer dust…..usually a mixture of oats and glitter…the oats for the reindeer to snack on and the glitter shines in the night so the reindeer know where to land….but i forgot the oats….so we used rice krispy cereal, carrots and lots of glitter!

 

right before bed we head outside to sprinkle the reindeer dust all over the front yard.

i always love the tree on Christmas eve…with the kids asleep, the house clean from the party, and presents underneath….all is peaceful.

I love christmas eve… a house filled with friends and family, cousins together, great food, and the anticipation of the next day!

too crazy

why does it always have to get crazy around here before a holiday!!! 

a couple of random pictures

paper whites have bloomed in time

and even though this picture shows little snow (it was taken Monday)….we are actually getting flurries now as i type……its beginning to look a lot like Christmas when there is snow on the ground.

and this little guy has been scaring the kids…the thought of an elf flying around the house is freaking Caroline out.

baking, wrapping, cleaning, assembling toys…….keep calm, and carry on!

staying in touch

one of my favorite things about Christmas is receiving cards…

i love the daily ritual of going to the mailbox to see who has sent holiday wishes.

since the day i left my small town to go to college 15 hours away i lost touch with many friends from high school…but during the month of December i get cards!

after 6 years in the South i moved back up North to move to the city and i lost touch with friends, Theta sisters and roommates, but in December i get cards!

once in the city, new house, newly married, new jobs….we had our first child….we moved to the suburbs and i became a stay at home mom. once more i moved away from friends (Mary, congrats on becoming a Grandmother, i am so excited for you!)

with Christmas cards i feel connected to friends and family who are far away…the friends i know that when we get together its like time has not passed. Friends who i feel blessed to have in my life, who have been there during different chapters of my life.

 

photo cards let me see new babies i have yet to hold, new homes, family and friends….kids growing up so fast!

hoping you have many warm wishes in your mailbox today!!

peanut brittle

i think of my grandfather when i make this recipe.

we used to make batches of peanut brittle and put it in tins for my grandfather…we would watch him open it up and then quickly close it up….we would ask, “what did you get Bub?”

“oh nothing.” he would say…as he would get up to hide his stash of peanut brittle so he wouldn’t have to share it  :)

 

easy recipe if you have the right mixing bowl….a glass one with a handle is perfect……and this is not recipe to do with kids because it is very hot! even when mixing….don’t put your face near it…i’ve learned this the hard way……and work quickly on the last step because it will harden very quickly.

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup light Karo syrup
• 1 cup salted peanuts or cashews
• 1 Tbs. butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda

grease a cookie sheet with sides….put aside

1. in glass bowl mix sugar and karo.  Microwave for 4 minutes.
2. add nuts. microwave for 4 minutes.
3. add butter and vanilla. microwave for 1.5 minutes.
4. add baking soda. stir well and QUICKLY and CAREFULLY pour into cookie sheet…..spread with buttered spatula.
5. after it cools you can break into pieces.

 

and if you want the house to smell amazing…make a batch of spiced pecans too! 

 

Happy baking everyone!

its starting to look like Christmas here

things get done at rapid speed around here when we have a party planned…. i recruited Cooper’s help to stuff the pillows for the new sofa.

 

the tree was securely tied and the angel finally put in her place.

all the decorations out…

tables set…..i was able to fit 2 adult tables and 1 kiddy table in the dining room to fit all 14 of us for Christmas lunch on Saturday.

  

the kids in their new pjs from Gramma…

 

now what needs to get done before our next party?   just kidding rob :)

half done

so everything around here is half done……i can’t seem to get anything ALL done.

after the Christmas tree fell…we stopped decorating it….and the angel doesn’t fit.

i can’t set the dining room table because we need to finish painting one wall….that has been left undone since the renovations.

shopping and wrapping……half done.

sewing projects….started but not done.

christmas cards….half done.

and baking…well….lets just say we are having technical difficulties……our new stove….doesn’t fit…..so baking is on hold.

we did find Santa again…although according to Cooper  aka Mr. Nose (he smells EVERYTHING")  “Santa was smelly.”  yikes!

  

hoping to get a few things done today!!!