and I'm glad!! With warmer temps on Sunday, most of what we had melted. I would like a White Christmas! How else is Santa going to get his sleigh going without snow??
Speaking of Santa...so a little birdie told me what he's bringing, but SHH...it's a secret.
Cal is getting a Baltimore Orioles baseball hat (the old logo), 2 books about Cal Ripken, a game for his Nintendo DS(which he is getting from Grandma and Grandpa, Mike's parents), and the first Indiana Jones movie.
Maddie is getting a stuffed dog (which she seriously has loved for a year--everytime we go to Hallmark at the mall, she picks out this dog and says she is hiding it for her birthday; and she shoves it at the back of the display case. The first couple times, I figured, whatever. But everytime we went there after she'd check to see if he was still there!), a polly pocket princess Jasmine (the only polly pocket princess she doesn't have), a Backyardigans movie, and a singing barbie (I know nothing about all these Barbie movies that are out there, but the past few times Maddie has gone to her friend's house, Maddie throws a fit because she wants to bring some singing barbie home from a barbie movie. It's really not funny at the time, esp. since Maddie is really such a good little girl. But I stopped going to this friend's house because everytime she would dig up this barbie and want to bring it home!) So Santa is so thoughtful, he thought it would be nice if she had her own.
Kaycey is getting an American Girl doll from my Grandparents (either way it's a hand-me-down, either my old Molly doll, or a Kit doll my Grandma got from a resale shop, I think) so then Santa is getting a couple outfits for the doll, a game for her Nintendo DS(which she is getting from Grandma and Grandpa, Mike's parents), the Kit Kittredge movie, & a Puppy Place book.
I found her a "Give Kids the World" snow globe--that is where we stayed on our Wish Trip to Disney. But it's not necessarily Christmas-y, so she might get that for her birthday.
I have bought some miscellaneous little items, like socks, ornaments, little notebooks, barettes. Maybe those will go in the stockings (which nothing usually gets put in the stockings, really). So this is our "simple". I feel it's the perfect medium. Just those few extra special things the kids have been talking about, you know? Nothing outrageous or crazy expensive. I figure there will be years for those requests when they are teenagers!! I suppose simple would be one gift from Santa. I suppose, what we do is simpler than some people, more complicated than others.
A quote for today: For it’s when we believe without seeing that we experience the spirit of Christmas and the heart of our faith.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Christmas thoughts
I just have to say I am so happy and proud of the fact that our kids are not greedy, and are happy for whatever they have. They don't ask for much (particularly birthdays and Christmas) and it's next to never that they would ask for anything while at a store or a check out line, and I can't think of a time they've been unhappy about a gift they've received. I can honestly say that our kids get a just a few special items they may have asked for from Santa, and that's it (of course Grandpas and Grandmas and Aunties buy for the kids, but for the most part, no one goes overboard and Santa keeps it real simple). While at Old World Wisconsin with Cal, they discussed what gifts were given in the 1880's--an orange was a wonderful present to a child. An orange!!!! How did the holiday become what it is today?? It is really sad, I think, to see how overly commercial and materialized it's become. I'm glad we keep it relatively simple for the times we are in.
For the second year in a row we are sponsoring a family and purchasing gifts for them. This year it is a single mother with 4 boys, and she lost her job this past summer after her (5th) son was killed in a car accident. I love doing this. It makes me a bit sad, but at the same time it's very gratifying to know we are the ones to help make their Christmas more joyful. It really puts things into perspective and I know it makes our kids feel good to be helping to get the presents for the family. The requests on this family's Christmas lists are such simple things that we take for granted like laundry soap, socks, boots, thermal underwear...it really makes my heart feel for them.
One of my favorite Christmas quotes: "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~Burton Hillis
For the second year in a row we are sponsoring a family and purchasing gifts for them. This year it is a single mother with 4 boys, and she lost her job this past summer after her (5th) son was killed in a car accident. I love doing this. It makes me a bit sad, but at the same time it's very gratifying to know we are the ones to help make their Christmas more joyful. It really puts things into perspective and I know it makes our kids feel good to be helping to get the presents for the family. The requests on this family's Christmas lists are such simple things that we take for granted like laundry soap, socks, boots, thermal underwear...it really makes my heart feel for them.
One of my favorite Christmas quotes: "The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~Burton Hillis
the latest...
Cal had a field trip yesterday to Old World Wisconsin, this place that is set up as a village from the 1880's. The kids all thought it was neat, but it was so darn cold. You walk from place to place outdoors, and many of the houses/replica shops have nothing more than an old wood stove to heat it up. I couldn't feel my toes! But it was still neat; I'd love to go back in the summer months when everything is open and it's WARM. Cal was happy to have me along, and I took pictures of their day but haven't uploaded them yet. i just have to mention the mom who was chaparoning-I am so intolerable of people like this (apparently way materialistic & incredibly vein) who for this outdoor field trip with 3rd graders on a 15 degree day was dressed like it was Rodeo Drive. A brunette long haired Posh Spice--she had some trendy little hat, her long hair completely curled, make up--and alot of it, her big bug sunglasses (sorry I can't stand those things!! I'm just too simple & plain, or unstylish, whatever you want to call me...), her Uggs, a giant Starbucks coffee in one hand, and her Blackberry or whatever in the other (and texting while on the trip). Ugh. I just don't get it. Just like when I see moms in malls pushing their kid's stroller looking like that...I will never understand the point. Was this gal trying to pick up the Blacksmith?? Maybe the shoe maker??
Today we had a style appointment at the place where we got Kaycey's wig from. It's only 4 months old and alot of hair is very brittle & has broken off, and it's gotten more difficult to style. Back when we got it our stylist recommended we call and complain about the quality (the stylist works for the same company as the guy we worked with to get it ordered and made; so to hear that from the stylist, we figured there must be something not right with the wig itself). I had called back then, the man never returned my voice mails. I kind of left it at that, after multiple attempts at getting a hold of him and he was always busy at the moment...but the past couple weeks it's been more and more obvious that it is a wig and the lacing beneath the hair has become visible at times. I made the appointment in hopes the stylist would help me do something with it to make it look better. She cut short bangs onto the front of it (which I am not a fan of, and I am hoping I can work with them) but they are to cover the line of the wig which is more noticable now. Kaycey seems to like the bangs since some of her friends at school have bangs but I think it looked better the way it was before; I think they'll look better if I curl them or something. Anyhow, she got the head honcho in the room to show him the issues with the wig. He seemed rude and unhappy; BUT he is having a new wig made for Kaycey, free of charge! I don't know if his personality is always like that, or if he's unhappy about forking out this wig for no cost. He maybe was unhappy about the job the other guy did, and about the quality of the product itself. He was shocked at the amount of hair there was on the wig for a 6 year old as well as the color; and mostly that it didn't seem to fit her head quite properly. They took a small chunk of Maddie's hair from underneath to match a good natural color and have it custom colored. So in about 6 weeks, we'll have a new one. I feel a little guilty for saying anything at all. I didn't expect a new wig out of it. (I may complain regularly about stuff, but I am really NOT one to complain directly to the source!).
Well, we didn't get as much snow around here as predicted, but still 5" or 6" on Tuesday. It started with a rain/sleet Monday night and changed over to all snow. It looked like a mess out there...I wouldn't know, I actually didn't leave the house from the time I got home Sunday from Dad & Maria's until Wednesday morning when I went on a field trip with Cal's class. I was partially afraid of getting stuck in the driveway again, and also it was nice to just stay in because I could. Didn't get a whole lot done...3 trees are decorated, with the big one to go, which we will do tonight.
Today we had a style appointment at the place where we got Kaycey's wig from. It's only 4 months old and alot of hair is very brittle & has broken off, and it's gotten more difficult to style. Back when we got it our stylist recommended we call and complain about the quality (the stylist works for the same company as the guy we worked with to get it ordered and made; so to hear that from the stylist, we figured there must be something not right with the wig itself). I had called back then, the man never returned my voice mails. I kind of left it at that, after multiple attempts at getting a hold of him and he was always busy at the moment...but the past couple weeks it's been more and more obvious that it is a wig and the lacing beneath the hair has become visible at times. I made the appointment in hopes the stylist would help me do something with it to make it look better. She cut short bangs onto the front of it (which I am not a fan of, and I am hoping I can work with them) but they are to cover the line of the wig which is more noticable now. Kaycey seems to like the bangs since some of her friends at school have bangs but I think it looked better the way it was before; I think they'll look better if I curl them or something. Anyhow, she got the head honcho in the room to show him the issues with the wig. He seemed rude and unhappy; BUT he is having a new wig made for Kaycey, free of charge! I don't know if his personality is always like that, or if he's unhappy about forking out this wig for no cost. He maybe was unhappy about the job the other guy did, and about the quality of the product itself. He was shocked at the amount of hair there was on the wig for a 6 year old as well as the color; and mostly that it didn't seem to fit her head quite properly. They took a small chunk of Maddie's hair from underneath to match a good natural color and have it custom colored. So in about 6 weeks, we'll have a new one. I feel a little guilty for saying anything at all. I didn't expect a new wig out of it. (I may complain regularly about stuff, but I am really NOT one to complain directly to the source!).
Well, we didn't get as much snow around here as predicted, but still 5" or 6" on Tuesday. It started with a rain/sleet Monday night and changed over to all snow. It looked like a mess out there...I wouldn't know, I actually didn't leave the house from the time I got home Sunday from Dad & Maria's until Wednesday morning when I went on a field trip with Cal's class. I was partially afraid of getting stuck in the driveway again, and also it was nice to just stay in because I could. Didn't get a whole lot done...3 trees are decorated, with the big one to go, which we will do tonight.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Winter wonderland...
for real! and 6-12 more inches on the way. Wow. Apparently this winter is going to be a snowy one!!
So Wednesday I got stuck in the driveway. Again. Really stuck. Mike spent hours shoveling the driveway and around my car, which was stuck by the bottom of the driveway. Seriously this is going to be the longest winter ever, if it takes only a couple inches of snow to get stuck in the driveway. Much to Mike's dismay, I began looking for a new vehicle online. I looked up what our trade in value would be, and sent him links to the big honkin' SUV I'd be happy to drive through the snow (a pink escalade would nice, hehe : ). I got a big "NO" for a response, and he said that I'll be driving my minivan for 10 years (uh, no I won't). So definitely a long winter...well, I guess Ill either have to drive his truck, or his little Cavalier, which actually handles amazingly well in the snow.
So we got our real tree...well, Mike went and cut one down with the kids yesterday while I worked at the Scrapbook Store. I was a little disappointed not to come and take photos of the process, but I had complete trust in his choice for a tree. We like the big fat trees. It's not as tall as we initially thought we'd get (I thought we'd get at least a 10 footer and put it in front of our big window). But we ended up putting it in the corner where there isn't a high ceiling. It looks great and I can't wait to decorate it. The kids did their (new) tree the other night, and it's in the dining room.
I am living off of less than about 8 hours of sleep since Friday....I went to bed Friday around 1:30am and the kids were up by 6 getting their stockings from St. Nick. Yes, it was still pretty dark out. Then last night some friends and I hit the town (my town) to check out the bar scene. It was kind of lame, but we had fun anyways. They slept over and we were up till 5am, the big dorks we are, laughing and taking goofy pictures of ourselves. So I'm a little tuckered out so I'll leave it at that for now.
So Wednesday I got stuck in the driveway. Again. Really stuck. Mike spent hours shoveling the driveway and around my car, which was stuck by the bottom of the driveway. Seriously this is going to be the longest winter ever, if it takes only a couple inches of snow to get stuck in the driveway. Much to Mike's dismay, I began looking for a new vehicle online. I looked up what our trade in value would be, and sent him links to the big honkin' SUV I'd be happy to drive through the snow (a pink escalade would nice, hehe : ). I got a big "NO" for a response, and he said that I'll be driving my minivan for 10 years (uh, no I won't). So definitely a long winter...well, I guess Ill either have to drive his truck, or his little Cavalier, which actually handles amazingly well in the snow.
So we got our real tree...well, Mike went and cut one down with the kids yesterday while I worked at the Scrapbook Store. I was a little disappointed not to come and take photos of the process, but I had complete trust in his choice for a tree. We like the big fat trees. It's not as tall as we initially thought we'd get (I thought we'd get at least a 10 footer and put it in front of our big window). But we ended up putting it in the corner where there isn't a high ceiling. It looks great and I can't wait to decorate it. The kids did their (new) tree the other night, and it's in the dining room.
I am living off of less than about 8 hours of sleep since Friday....I went to bed Friday around 1:30am and the kids were up by 6 getting their stockings from St. Nick. Yes, it was still pretty dark out. Then last night some friends and I hit the town (my town) to check out the bar scene. It was kind of lame, but we had fun anyways. They slept over and we were up till 5am, the big dorks we are, laughing and taking goofy pictures of ourselves. So I'm a little tuckered out so I'll leave it at that for now.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Crisis averted
and the snow is falling again... My van has gotten stuck in the driveway three times already. It's going to be a long winter.
Well, I don't know how, but mysteriously 2 boxes appeared in my dining room overnight. (I am guessing Mike drove to his parents house after work yesterday, otherwise it's magic). These 2 boxes contain what I believe is all the missing ornaments. Okay, so I had the bins full of the empty boxes of ornaments, and when we put the house up for sale (last winter) I did something I never do and I didn't pack some of the ornaments back in their original boxes. I put them in another box, thinking I would pack them away later. So somehow all the boxes got separated, and didn't necessarily get labeled and that's how they went missing...that is my guess anyhow. I am happy everything is now under one roof, at least for the most part!!
Bad news...the Christmas tree broke that used to be mine & my sister's for our ornaments growing up (it was now used for my kids'ornaments). It's a little sad, it was so old...I remember it being in our playroom when I was about 7 or 8 with our ornaments and paper chains and lights. I have pictures of it from way back then. But the legs on the stand cracked, and it won't stand up. So the kids need a new tree. Which really is okay, I'd like to get them a much taller (the old one was maybe 3 1/2 ft I think) tree to put up hallway upstairs or maybe in the dining room for all their ornaments. I want a Christmas tree in every room!
I spent THREE hours at Target today. Ridiculous, I know. I wanted to look at the trees, but didn't accomplish much of anything. I vow not to go there with Maddie anymore. I think she played with every single toy in the toy aisles. I thought I'd try to get some Christmas shopping started for the nieces and nephews; and while I walked out having spent over $200, I have no presents yet (Darn you, Target!!!) I bought a curtain rod and curtains for the dining room. I did buy a Christmas dress for Kaycey (she despises dresses). And an outfit for Maddie that was too cute to pass up. Cases of soda were 5 for $15, and you got a $5 gift card on top of that. I should go buy some more. I did get some stuff for the stockings for St. Nick, but not much. We do not go overboard or crazy on gifts for the kids in any way. For one, they have so much stuff the way it is. For two, there are so many relatives who buy for them. For three, it's just plain silly.
Mike has started working with his brother again, which is a little frustrating. There is so much work to be done on our own house. Anyhow...'
The kids have a 1/2 day of school day. Well, they get out at 1pm. They do that once or twice a month on a random day. It's sort of strange and I don't quite get it, but whatever. Cal is going over to his friend's house to play for a few hours, and I was hoping to take the girls to the library. But with the snow coming down, we'll see if I can make it out of the driveway...
Well, I don't know how, but mysteriously 2 boxes appeared in my dining room overnight. (I am guessing Mike drove to his parents house after work yesterday, otherwise it's magic). These 2 boxes contain what I believe is all the missing ornaments. Okay, so I had the bins full of the empty boxes of ornaments, and when we put the house up for sale (last winter) I did something I never do and I didn't pack some of the ornaments back in their original boxes. I put them in another box, thinking I would pack them away later. So somehow all the boxes got separated, and didn't necessarily get labeled and that's how they went missing...that is my guess anyhow. I am happy everything is now under one roof, at least for the most part!!
Bad news...the Christmas tree broke that used to be mine & my sister's for our ornaments growing up (it was now used for my kids'ornaments). It's a little sad, it was so old...I remember it being in our playroom when I was about 7 or 8 with our ornaments and paper chains and lights. I have pictures of it from way back then. But the legs on the stand cracked, and it won't stand up. So the kids need a new tree. Which really is okay, I'd like to get them a much taller (the old one was maybe 3 1/2 ft I think) tree to put up hallway upstairs or maybe in the dining room for all their ornaments. I want a Christmas tree in every room!
I spent THREE hours at Target today. Ridiculous, I know. I wanted to look at the trees, but didn't accomplish much of anything. I vow not to go there with Maddie anymore. I think she played with every single toy in the toy aisles. I thought I'd try to get some Christmas shopping started for the nieces and nephews; and while I walked out having spent over $200, I have no presents yet (Darn you, Target!!!) I bought a curtain rod and curtains for the dining room. I did buy a Christmas dress for Kaycey (she despises dresses). And an outfit for Maddie that was too cute to pass up. Cases of soda were 5 for $15, and you got a $5 gift card on top of that. I should go buy some more. I did get some stuff for the stockings for St. Nick, but not much. We do not go overboard or crazy on gifts for the kids in any way. For one, they have so much stuff the way it is. For two, there are so many relatives who buy for them. For three, it's just plain silly.
Mike has started working with his brother again, which is a little frustrating. There is so much work to be done on our own house. Anyhow...'
The kids have a 1/2 day of school day. Well, they get out at 1pm. They do that once or twice a month on a random day. It's sort of strange and I don't quite get it, but whatever. Cal is going over to his friend's house to play for a few hours, and I was hoping to take the girls to the library. But with the snow coming down, we'll see if I can make it out of the driveway...
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