Christmas Decorations 2012

 Our 2012 Christmas decorations!

Last year, I searched high and low for an artificial tree I did not hate.  At the end of last season, a strand went out.  It was our floor model and could not be returned.

When I set it up this year, two strands were out:

 I added some lights, but next year, I need to do it differently because I could still see stripes of burned out strands.

My pretty girls.

Playing with the twinkle lights.  Need practice.

With my girls:

 Our living room:

 I put the snowflakes up for Logan's birthday.  They were whimsical and made me happy, so I left them up.  (dining room post-cookie exchange):

I try to have some general winter decorations and snowman things that I can leave up all winter.  Taking everything down is such a bummer:

That is the extent of our decorating this year.  Next year, I really hope to add some new items and change things up.  I would love to have a fancy tree in my living room and a family tree in the family room.  Not sure if I can convince C to let me take over "his" room any more than I already have!

Christmas Reflections

I have all sorts of holiday themed posts lined up to be published.

They were never completed (although they might be published...just post-holiday).

I have a list of fun-filled holiday adventures for my family to do.

We never did them.

My baking list was as long as usual, filled with thumbprints and sugar cut-outs and gingerbread snowflakes.

I baked half of my biscotti.

This was the theme of our holiday season. I struggled. I was overwhelmed. I didn't take enough time to sit back and enjoy my family.

I was not an engaged parent. I was short-tempered and drowning in my to-do list. A list that is never completed. And a house that is a continual disaster with piles of paper everywhere.  Mail is out of control and I have no idea if I am coming or going.

I feel as if I am doing a portion of what I want to be doing and I am doing nothing well.  I find myself unable to give 100% to anything.

Logan's 2nd birthday party snuck up on me and I was so stressed that I found myself unable to enjoy it.  I took very few pictures and was completely overwhelmed.  I am usually a planner and have lists for my lists; for his party, I felt myself wandering aimlessly through the stores on Friday night, not having any idea what the hell I was doing or looking for.  At one point, I had to come home and regroup and reevaluate my plan because I had bits and pieces of all sorts of things.

A week later, my cookie exchange.  An event I love to host.  I think that being a Friday threw everyone for a loop and my friends were totally exhausted from the work week so it was an early night.   But a ton of preparation for only a few hours.

I need to make changes in the coming year.  I am short-tempered and snap when I don't mean to.  We need to work on organization and having a "place for everything" because that is how we will learn to function in a more productive way and a way that will make me happy.  And at this time next year,  I need to find myself in a better place.  I want to enjoy the holidays with the kids.  We are truly blessed to have two teenagers who are still willing to do family things with us and we need to take advantage of that.

I have spent some time praying and crying over this.  It is overwhelming to me, to feel like we are missing on something.  I need to step back and truly think about what is important.

In this new year, I need to focus on making myself happy, which I know will help me to become a better mom and wife.  I need to remember that life is short and that I must truly remember that my family is everything.

Our Christmas Photo

From our family to yours!

This was used for our Christmas card.

I told the girls to pretend like they liked each other.  Logan was bribed with suckers.

Thanks Colleen Reed Photography!

Teacher Gifts, Thirty-One Style

I was a little stumped about what to do for Logan's teachers for Christmas, but when Thirty-One announced their December Holi-Buys special, I knew right away that I was going with Thermal Totes! I chose 4 different patterns for the teachers I had to buy for and filled them with homemade biscotti! I hope they love the thermals as much as I do!!

Painted Ornaments

A few years ago, I had the girls craft lightbulb reindeer ornaments to give to all of their aunts and uncles for Christmas.  Since Jamie was not with us on Christmas and Lexy was in Florida visiting their mom, I decided not to have them do anything last year.  This year, since everyone is home again (yay!) and we have the girls for Christmas, I wanted them to make gifts again, and I saw this idea on Pinterest.

You need:
Glass Christmas bulbs (I got mine at Michael's)
Acrylic paint
Ribbon
Egg cartons/styrofoam cups so the paint can drip out

Alexys, crafting away!

Directions:
-Remove the hanger caps
-Put drops of paint on the inside of the ornaments and swirl around
-Watch as the colors blend together
-Place the ornaments upside down so the excess paint drips off
-When completely dry, reattach the hanger caps and then add a ribbon so the ornaments can be hung on a tree

Jamie, hard at work

Here they are, drying!

This is the one I did to show the girls what to do, hanging on our tree.

A Day of Silence

Logan's Polar Express 2nd Birthday Prep

For Logan's 2nd birthday, I was really torn. I had pinned all sorts of ideas for an Sesame Street party or a Mickey Mouse party. Then, little man developed an obsession with trains. Instead of going the generic route, I wanted to do something easy this year where I could incorporate trains and Christmas decorations all at once! So, of course, what theme could I do other than The Polar Express! Logan loves the book and now watches the movie once a day, so this is definitely appropriate! The invitation, designed by one of my friends!

The menu (I am keeping it simple, people):

• Hot cocoa bar consisting of:
• Cocoa (duh)
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Peppermint marshmallows
• Vanilla marshmallows
• Whipped cream
• Candy canes
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Cake
• Pinwheel sandwiches (ham and tortilla)
• Veggie tray
• Chips and dip
• Cheese and cracker tray

The decor: 

Keeping it simple.  Our Christmas decorations are up and I have some things I want to do, but we are having the party from 2-5 PM and I just don't have the energy to go crazy with crafting.  We have all been so sick the last week and a half and this has kind of crept up on me!