Scrapbook Pages - A Week in the Life

I told you I've been "creativity girl on crack" this weekend, right? Well, it didn't stop with the Christmas cards...

Several of you asked me to post my completed scrapbook pages from my "Week in the Life" posts I did last month. Well, here they are! All except Day 1, because I have a mental block against that day. I'm completely stuck. Is there such a thing as scrapbooker's block??? Click on the pictures below if you're interested in a closer look.

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

And the Color of the Day posts (part 1 and part 2) were combined into this jam-packed layout...

Updates on the kids

A couple of weeks ago, we took both kids hiking, Kaylin for the first time. Her short little legs just couldn't make it, so she rode on Mike's shoulders, which Ryan called, "going on a Daddy ride," most of the way up and back. Ryan, however, can keep up at an adult's pace, so he may be going hiking with us more often! Each time we've taken him, it's been too close to sunset and we haven't made it to the top of the mountain yet, which he's dying to do.

A few Kaylin-isms that I want to write down before she corrects herself:

- Her favorite color is "peent" and she's suddenly very into my clothes. With a few, specific shirts, she'll say, "Mommy, I lite that shirt!!!"

- She's really into doing things "all by ny-self" - today it was making her own Almond Butter and Jelly sandwhich.

- She says, "Up and Puff" instead of "huff and puff" when watching the Big Bad Wolf on the Little Einsteins

- She says, "No Away" which sounds like "go away" but is really intended to mean "no way" when she hears about something that's just too good to be true. We've tried to correct her so many times that when Ryan imitates her saying, "no away," SHE will say, "Ryan, say, 'no' ("no") ... now say, 'way' ("way") ... okay, now say, 'no away.'"

- She's recently facsinated with "Santa Clots." When we drive by decorated homes with Santas in any form, she'll say, "Santa waved at me and said (in a high pitched voice), 'Hi, Kaylin! Hi, Ryan! (then, in a deep voice) Ho Ho Ho!!!'"

Yesterday, I was getting her dressed and she asked, "Can I touch my bottom?" I said, "No, it's dirty. Don't touch your bottom." She said, "Can I touch my tummy?" I said, "Sure." She looked down at her tummy and patted it. Then she looked a little higher up her chest and said, "Can I touch my (then in a high pitched, quiet voice) teeny, tiny breasts?" I said, "Um, I think not...let's just stick to touching your tummy." (what is it with little kids and nakedness???)

A few minutes later, she looked up at me and said, "Mommy? Sometimes I love you." I started feeling all warm and fuzzy, until she quickly corrected herself and said, "No, sometimes I love Sierra." (my brother in law's DOG) She's into this phase where she coy-ly avoids affection. And if I sneak a kiss on her check, she rubs it off with her hand. It's terribly insulting!!! She used to say, "EW!" but now she'll say, "We don't say, 'ew,' we say, 'I love you!'"

On Thanksgiving, my mom saw her rubbing her face after I kissed her and said, "Kaylin's rubbing in your kisses," loud enough so that Kaylin could hear and Kaylin looked confused, like she was thinking, "Wait - I wanted to rub the kisses OFF, not rub them IN - what am I doing wrong?" So now I go with the angle that she's rubbing the kisses in, which drives her nuts, so maybe she'll stop wiping them off soon.

Also, kind of random, Kaylin suddenly doesn't like shadows. I've tried to show her that they're harmless and even fun when you do shadow puppets, but often at night, she'll say, "Mommy, I don't like the shadows." The other night, she pointed specifically to the shadow that her ceiling fan creates, which could explain why she gets up every night (no matter how chilly it is) to turn on the fan...maybe to get rid of the shadows cast by the individual blades - ?

Thanksgiving morning, I returned home from getting some killer deals at CVS and showed Kaylin a nail polish that I bought for her. She looked at me shocked, spread out her fingers, held her hands in front of my face, then said in her loudest, most teen-like accent, with a very serious look on her face, "Are YOU going to paint these PIGGY TAILS?" She was so excited that she accidentally called her finger nails "piggy tails." Oh, to have that moment on film. I want to burn it into my brain, it was so funny. (I know - you had to be there. And I can't do her voice influction in a blog...it's just not the same.)

When Kaylin went through her potty training regression recently, we began rewarding both kids for waking up with dry pants. Mike bought a bunch of glow necklaces around Halloween, so in addition to an M&M, they would get a glow necklace. (that's what you see around their necks in most of the pictures of my kids over the last few weeks) Kaylin caught right on and is back on track with no nighttime accidents and daytime accidents only when we are forgetful and don't encourage her to go potty after long periods of time.

But I'm surprised at how well Ryan's been doing. Last night was the first night he woke up with a wet Pull Up in the last 4 nights, which is huge for him. We make a HUGE deal of it when he wakes up dry in the mornings and you can tell he's so proud of himself. It's such a shame because I think the issue is that he sleeps so hard that he just can't wake himself up to go. Last week, I overheard Kaylin ask if he woke up dry and he said, "No, but I'm going to try again tonight!" It was the saddest, sweetest thing. He wants to be able to hold it all night so badly. My poor little buddy.

We decorated our Christmas tree on Tuesday and the kids had a blast. While Mike and I strung the lights, they occupied themselves by "taking a nap" on the couch together. They thought they were hilarious.

The next morning, Ryan asked if we could have a "Christmas breakfast" by the Christmas tree. I asked what that was and he suggested green oatmeal. Then he asked if we could use the Thanksgiving centerpiece he made at school the day before? I'll bet no one else reading this had a fancy candlelight breakfast at the dining room table this week!

Here are some pictures of the kids hanging ornaments...

One last thing, Ryan's new nickname for Kaylin is "fast little running girl." He calls her that often - at least once daily. Kaylin is laugh-out-loud hilarious to watch when she runs. Her little diaperless rear end scooting along cracks me up. I finally got it on video. Her sweater was too big, so instead of tucking her arms under her pits like she usually does, she was trying to pull her sleeves up. But I had to post this because she went running into Ryan's arms giving him a huge hug. Awwwwwwww...

Over Achiever

Is that one word or two? Overachiever? I'm not sure. Anyway...

I am one. At least at this exact moment. This weekend, I have been a creative whirlwind.

I mentioned that I make my own Christmas cards, right? Well, I've never waited until Thanksgiving weekend to make them. Until a couple of days ago, I didn't even have a design in mind. (all of you procrastinators just gasped with sarcasm, didn't you???)

I conceived the idea for my Christmas cards on Wednesday morning and was semi-motivated to get started. Sticking to Mike's non-household-budget "spending freeze," I was determined to only use supplies that I currently have to make my cards. Which means the cards were a rainbow of colors, using leftover cardstock that is Christmas-y or winter-ish.

After rummaging through my supplies to use up what I have on hand, I began printing the main message of "still merry" on the cards. Around card 8, my printer went on strike. Grrr........

Plan B. I borrowed a pretty scripted "celebrate" stamp from a friend. Stamps take so much more time than hitting PRINT on my keyboard, but what are you gonna do?

And so, on Thursday morning, the assembly line began. Stamp, stamp, stamp, stamp, fold, fold, fold, fold, measure, measure, measure, measure, cut, cut, cut, cut, punch, punch, punch, punch...THIS is why I usually begin my cards in September.

I even did a little insert with our picture on one side and a short update on the other. (my printer fixed itself, then broke again, then fixed itself...I cursed myself for printing my own pictures to save money...)

But, lo and behold, in two days, I have not only finished making my cards, but they are stuffed and in labeled envelopes, ready to be mailed.

Now, I have to forewarn some of you that you won't be getting a card from me this year. I know, I know, it's sad, but I got over it, so you should too. I went to buy stamps the other day and when I realized that I'd be paying a week's groceries on postage for 120 cards, I axed half of you. Sorry, but it had to be done. And those of you that live locally, expect your card to be hand-delivered next time I see you. If I sit and clip coupons and scout out the sales in the grocery fliers to save $5, you'd better believe it's worth it to NOT mail a dozen cards to save the same $5! Feel free to call me cheap, just not to my face. Because my husband's unemployed...I may have a weak moment and burst into tears on you, appearing oversensitive, and no one needs that guilt!

Where did that rant come from? I just wanted to show off my cool card design and brag about my ADD super efficient holiday weekend! Anyway, I hope you have all thought about making or sending cards, emails or e-cards this year. Your friends and family will appreciate them!!!

Our Polar Express experience

Is it just me, or is anyone else TOTALLY excited for Thanksgiving be over so we can officially get into Christmas??? Christmas started early for me this year - even before Halloween. The speaker for our mom's group at church spoke about Advent at our last meeting on October 30th. That next week, I was inspired to write out what I wanted to do for each of the 12 Days of Christmas posts. On November 15th, I went to a "Home for Christmas" luncheon at a fancy Scottsdale hotel. Then we rebelled against our "day after Thanksgiving" tradition and put up our Christmas tree on Tuesday. And finally, this last Sunday, we took the kids up north to experience The Polar Express at the Grand Canyon Railway.

I didn't think Ryan would remember the movie from last year, so on Saturday night after church, the kids took a quick bath, got into their jammies and we snuggled up with warm cocoa to watch The Polar Express movie in our dark family room. (Ryan must have told me five times how much he loved the cocoa!)

With a few potty breaks and Daddy's mid-movie craving for popcorn, the event lasted until 9:00...the kids were exhausted. Kaylin, in particular. But I can't tell you how much I enjoyed our first official Family Movie Night. We've never watched a movie with the kids that way before. (I know...pathetic!) There were a handful of musical moments in the movie where Kaylin wiggled off my lap insisting, "Mommy, I have to dance!" Then she'd hop and flutter around the room, spinning until she fell down. Mike and I cracked up.

Then Sunday was the big day. We caravaned with our neighbor friends up to Williams, Arizona to take a real ride on The Polar Express. I was SO glad they told us about this fun trip this summer. (and that it was already paid in full, so there was no guilt in going!) Thanks, Gaines family!!!

The train was huge and the kids were beyond excited to board. The letter they mailed us explained that everyone could wear their PJs, so I dressed up comfy, too...
On the way up to "The North Pole," they served warm cocoa...


and chocolate chip cookies, passed out by "the chefs"...


Then on the return trip, we sang Chrismtas carols...

Plus, Santa and his elves passed out bells to each child...

Kaylin was petrified that Santa was going to bite her (?!?!?)...

The conductor even punched their tickets...

We had a really good time, enjoyed the cold weather and I think finally got a decent Christmas picture out of the deal! (I look exhausted after a horrible night's sleep, but everyone else looks cute) Now I just need to get serious about planning my Christmas cards...

So Grateful

Even with the laundry list of unknowns in my life right now, I have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. The health of my family and myself. The love and support we have from our parents, who we're blessed to have in our same town. A beautiful home. Faith in Almighty God, which carries us through the peaks, valleys and all of the rough patches in between. Friends upon friends upon friends, everywhere we turn.

This weekend at church, I had the most powerful experience I can remember. The message was about being gracious, specifically this holiday season. Giving back and thinking of things on an eternal scale, not turning inward to the sorrow of our personal circumstances. It gave me a whole new perspective on our current situation.

Our pastor said, "Some of you have lost your jobs, but still have a home. Some of you have lost your home, but still have a job. Some have lost loved ones. Some have lost businesses. But no matter what you have lost, you have so much more than many people out there who don't have food, shelter, or even shoes for their feet."

Then, he asked us to consider leaving our shoes on the stairs to the stage. Not the shirts off our backs, but very literally, the shoes off our feet. They would be given to those in need, and when walking across our huge campus to the parking lot and driving home barefoot, he wanted us to reflect on those who walk barefoot every day. So many whose needs are far greater than ours.

My thoughts immediately went to the fact that I was wearing the same shoes that I wear about 6 days a week. My comfy, leather, perfectly-conformed-to-my-feet flip flops. I laughed inside remembering that I almost put on a different pair of shoes before walking out of the house. My shirt was dark brown and I almost wore my darker brown shoes, then thought, "Who's going to look at my feet?" (the same thing that runs through my mind every day so I can guiltlessly choose comfort over fashion)

But no. I decided to wear my old faithfuls. They're not ragged or worn. They're sturdy and perfect. And I truly believe that God guided me to wear those shoes tonight as a symbol. I didn't give up shoes that sat in the back of the closet. Oh no. I gave up my beloved, comfy shoes that carry me around every day.

I didn't hesitate for a moment, but I was quite overwhelmed. I couldn't hold back the tears as I laid my shoes at the alter, knowing they would go to someone who really needs them. Someone who has so much less than we do. Someone deserving of the generosity of a whining housewife whose husband might be out of work for a little while. I felt so small and so selfish, wanting to give more. Wishing we were in a different financial situation so I could give more freely to others.

As we walked to pick up our kids, I saw hundreds of people proudly walking around in socks or bare feet. Many still wore their shoes, and I didn't judge them for it. Our congregation was not warned about this random act of kindness and who knows what some people pay for their shoes! Or if they're their only shoes, like Mike. He was wearing his only gym shoes and we don't have $40-50 to spend on a replacement pair. (You know men...they have brown shoes, black shoes, tennis shoes and flip flops. That's it!) My poor husband felt so selfish and guilty walking around with his shoes on after the service. He was riddled with self-doubt, debating about whether to sneak back into the worship center to give up his shoes.

I hope you're feeling grateful this Thanksgiving. No matter what your personal situation is (and I know some of you are going through the worst of the worst right now) - remember to look forward and look upward. I know it sounds cliche, but God never gives us more than we can handle. (as an argument, I've also heard people say, "I wish God didn't have so much faith in me!")

It will definitely help to find some perspective in your situation. Take some time and give back this holiday season by serving meals at a homeless shelter or volunteering your time with an organization in your area. If you're doing well financially, do random things like paying for the car behind you in the drive through. (but don't cheat and ask how much their bill is first) Buy a cup of hot coffee (or cold bottled water if you're in a warmer climate) for the homeless man you pass every day on the street. Offer to babysit for a single mom in your neighborhood so she can do some Christmas shopping. Adopt a family and shop for their wish list with your kids. There are so many things you can do for others, the possibilities are endless.

Generosity is contagious. Do your part and start spreading it!

(PS - ABC news did a story on this and the link is here, plus there was an article in the paper here)

Expressing Thankfulness

Is anyone else REALLY excited about turkey tomorrow? I look forward to this indulgence all year long.

I usually throw out some random, useless facts to discuss around your holiday table, but I thought I'd do something a little different this year. I just came across this great list of ways to express your thankfulness this Thanksgiving season.

Because if you practice a thankful attitude, you will have a more cheerful heart. And if you complain less, you will be more content. So look inside of yourself this weekend and focus on the blessings in your life.

Some suggestions for helping your family have a heart of gratitude:

- After your Thanksgiving meal, go around the table listening to each person say what they're thankful for from the past year. To take this a step farther, record what everyone says in a notebook and keep a log each year.

- Create a "thankful tree" or a "thankful turkey" and add either leaves or feathers made from construction paper with things written that you're thankful for.

- If you're hosting the Thanksgiving meal, provide disposable containers for your guests to take home leftovers.

- Read Psalm 100 in unison

- Give your kids money on Thanksgiving Day and instruct them to help someone else in the name of Jesus and tell the family what they did on Christmas Eve.

If you have other fun ideas, leave a comment and share them with us!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

12th Day of Christmas - Advent

Is the 12th day already here? I hope you enjoyed this series and are more excited about Christmas than when we began two weeks ago. Only 29 days until Christmas...are you ready???

For this post, I saved the best (and most important) for last. For those of you who are Christians, the focus of your family's Christmas needs to be on Christ. With kids and lots of hussle and bustle, this has to be something very intentional that you choose to do.

Here are some great ways to refocus your family's attention on Jesus.

1. The Jesse Tree. This idea originated from Isaiah 11:1-2, which refers to the fact that Jesus would be born from the line of David, whose father's name was Jesse. Instead of re-typing the whole premise, check out this link for Simple Mom's explanation. You can also reference http://www.jesse-trees.com/ or check out books like "The Advent Jesse Tree" by Dean Meador Lambert or "The Jesse Tree" by Geraldine McCaughrean.

2. A traditional Advent Calendar. Advent means to celebrate that which is coming (the birth of Christ). There are many ways you can celebrate using an Advent Calendar. If you want to do something a little deeper than opening a door each day and pulling out a piece of chocolate, purchase (or make) a calendar with pockets or larger holes behind the doors. Write out notes to stick in each pocket. The note could contain a passage of Scripture, a family activity or challenge or a fun fact about the true meaning of Christmas.

3. An Advent Wreath. If a daily calendar is too much for you, consider an Advent Wreath, which is celebrated for the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas. The instructions for what you need for this project come from Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time by Donna Otto:

- Buy or a make a wreath and place four candles around or in the wreath and one candle in the center of the wreath

- On the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent, a prayer is said and some conversation about the use of the wreath is suggested. Usually the head of the family is resonsible for this time, as well as the lighting of the candles.

- On the 4th Sunday before Christmas, light the first candle. This candle is the Prophecy Candle. Verses to be shared are: Luke 1:30-31, Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:1-9; 40:3-11. If you do this before a meal, the candle can be left burning throughout the meal.

- On the 3rd Sunday before Christmas, light the second candle. This candle is the Bethlehem Candle. Verses to be shared are Luke 2:24 and Isaiah 7:13-14.

- On the 2nd Sunday before Christmas, light the third candle. This candle is named the Shepherd's Candle. Verses to be shared are Luke 2:8-20, Matthew 2:1-12 and John 5:30-47.

- On the Sunday before Christmas, light the Angel's Candle. Verses to read are Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:13-23 and John 3:16-21.

- On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, light the Christ Candle, the candle in the center. Select appropriate spiritual readings to focus on the birth of Christ.

4. The Advent Book - this is a beautifully illustrated book that walks you through the 24 days of December before Christmas.

5. Check this out:

Thanks for hanging with me during this 12 Days of Christmas Series! I hope you got some good tips and will be able to incorporate some of the ideas that were shared. Go enjoy your Thanksgiving tomorrow and remember to wear your comfy, stretchy pants!!!

11th Day of Christmas - Christmas craft ideas for kids

Does anyone else love Christmas crafting with their kids? Most of these take less than 30 minutes to do and your kids will enjoy spending quality time with you. Pick one or two and put a time on the calendar to do these this December!

Edible crafts:
* Snowman Pretzel Sticks
* Cinnamon Ornaments - Last year, Ryan's teacher had them put a paperclip through the top before baking them and added a ribbon to hang on the tree. Ryan tripped while carrying his ornament home that day and it shattered into a million pieces. We'll try again this year!
* A mini-"gingerbread" house made from graham crackers (this one's easy for even the 1-year olds to help create)

* String popcorn on a long string to make garland for the tree

Christmas card ideas:
* Handprint Santa
* Thumbprint Reindeer

Other crafts:
* Gift bags - either Reindeer or Snowman
* Rudolf Handprint

* Paper Snowflake Cutouts, just like when we were kids - just fold a square piece of white paper in different directions and let your kids cut on the folds to create a "snowflake" to hang from the ceiling or in the window

There are a bunch of additional ideas on the Family Fun website. Again, don't be overwhelmed by these ideas...just do something fun and crafty (and Christmas-y) with your kids. You'll be glad you made those memories for them!

Do you have a favorite Christmas craft? Leave a comment, post it on your blog and paste the link into Mr. Linky below or link directly to a site that explains the craft.

Oreo Turkey Craft

What you'll need:

- Oreos

- Whoppers or Junior Mints

- Candy Corns (bags are 5/$1 at my nearest store)

- Frosting (for "glue")

- Mini chocolate chips for eyes
- Red Licorice for the gobbler (we omitted)

Instructions:

- Unscrew an Oreo

- Eat both halves

- Unscrew another Oreo and start over

- Press 3-5 candy corns (into the side of the Oreo that has the cream left on it) as "feathers"

- Eat a few candy corns

- Spread some frosting on the side of the Oreo that doesn't have any cream on it

- Lick the frosting knife. Twice.

- Use some frosting as "glue" to press the feathered Oreo side to stand up on a flat Oreo

- Eat another Oreo

- Press a Whopper or Junior Mint into the intersection of the cookies as the "head" of the turkey

- Eat a Whopper (or Junior Mint)

- Put a little frosting on the ends of 2 chocolate chips and place them on the head as "eyes"

- Toss a handful of chocolate chips into your mouth

- Put a little frosting on a broken candy corn and place it in front of the head as a "beak"
- Allow the turkeys to sit for a while so the frosting can dry

- Eat another Oreo while your turkey dries. Or make another turkey. Or both.







ENJOY!

10th Day of Christmas - Theme Days

I'm a big fan of Theme Days. You may remember last month when I declared every day for a week a Colored Theme to teach Kaylin her colors.

Last year, I had high hopes of doing several different Theme Days in December, but they didn't happen. Well, one did. We had "G Day" - kind of by accident, and it was fun. I recently ran across a homeschooling blog that had ideas for every letter of the alphabet (plus teachable, pre-school activities) and I can't find it for the life of me. If anyone knows what I'm talking about, please leave me a comment with the website address!

Niki at Free to be Frugal just posted a link to watch 101 Christmas Classics at this site. (you'll notice that movies go along with most of my theme days...)

A few other ideas for "Theme Days" include:

- "S" day (stir fry, sledding, The Santa Clause movie)

- "H" day (hamburgers, hot chocolate, Home Alone movies)

- "C" day (cinnamon rolls, chicken fingers, Christmas cookies, A Christmas Carol movie)

- "P" day (pink piggie pancakes, PB&J, pepporoni pizza, popcorn, Polar Express movie)

- "Green" day (wear green, add green food coloring or pureed green veggies to foods throughout the day, make Wreath Christmas Cookies, watch The Grinch)

- "Starbucks & Stories" night (go grab a drink and tell everyone about your favorite Christmas stories)

Do you have any other ideas for Theme Days? Tell us in the comments.

Free batteries at CVS (*expired*)

Ugh - here I am breaking up the beautiful order of my 12 Days of Christmas posts again. But it's so worth it to share this great deal with you!

If you're a CVS shopper, you will likely get free batteries too. If you're not, they'll be very, very cheap. This week (ending today) CVS has a deal that if you buy $20 in batteries, you get $15 in ECBs (Extra Cash Back) coupons for your next shopping trip. (if you're new to CVSing, check out CVS 101 and Making CVS Work for You) That was an amazing deal, in an of itself. I didn't know the price of the batteries going into the store, but I had several coupons, so I knew I'd come out ahead of the game.

This is what I bought:

* 2 packages of 8 AA batteries

* 1 package of 8 AAA batteries

* 1 package of 4 C batteries

Each were $5.99 (be careful to buy the bigger packages of 4 C or D batteries and 8 AA or AAA batteries, because they are $5.99 while the smaller packages of 2 C or D batteries or 4 AA or AAA batteries are $5.29. You get twice as many batteries for an extra $.70. And no - they're NOT mismarked.

My total was exactly $26.00, after tax

I had 4 $.50 coupons = $2 off

The check out gal gave me TWO $5 off/2 coupons = $10 off

I had $9.98 in ECB from my last shopping trip

Total out of pocket: $2.32

Got $15 ECB back for my next shopping trip.

When all was said and done, I ended up with free batteries after the $15 ECB offer (even if I hadn't paid with my ECBs) AND CVS actually paid me $5.70 to leave the store with 28 batteries that I'll desperately need on Christmas morning.

I even paid for the $2.32 total with a CVS gift card that I got last week when I brought in a new prescription. (I highly recommend cutting out those coupons EVERY time you find them because you never know when someone in your family is going to get sick!)

I'm tellin' ya - if you don't play the CVS game, now's the time to jump on the bandwagon. You can save BIG BUCKS.

Update: I just read this post from Good Deal Gal and apparently, you can do this deal up to 3 times, using your $15 ECB for purchases #2 and #3. You wouldn't need to buy batteries until 2011!