My Daybook, Entry #13

FOR TODAY
Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009...

Outside my window... I see SNOW up on the mountain tops!! The snow line is dropping - will we have a White Christmas??!?

I am thinking... That I really gave too many options on that blogname poll for the newest addition to our family. I am seriously considering a new poll. Sorry! Read yesterday's post to read my feelings on that one.

I am thankful for... my VERY helpful children! See what we've been up to "around the house" and "from the kitchen"...

From the learning rooms... Had a good start last week! We will continue to plug away a little at a time until someone new in our house finds a more "normal" schedule!

From the kitchen... Sunday and Monday we (the treekids and I) began our Christmas cookie making. I decided upon some more simple cookie varieties for this year and made two bar style cookies, one where you dip a store-bought cookie and another that was no bake - but totally kid fun! We will continue to create cookies throughout this week as we get closer to Christmas! As for the rest of the eating... easy meals this week as we will have big "fancy" meals on Christmas Day! Coffee Cake, River Omelets, Bacon and Fresh Pineapple for breakfast and Prime Rib with all the fixin's for a late lunch! I can hardly wait!

I am wearing... my hair back in a French braid, soft, cozy, thick socks, jeans, a favorite taupe knit top and a bit of post-baby jiggle around my middle -- when, oh, when can I expect that to go away!?!

I am creating... A few homemade Christmas gifts. I am way way way behind on this topic. In fact, if you are expecting anything to arrive at your house from our house... expect it to be late!

I am going... to "town" tomorrow to finish my Christmas shopping. Nothing like down the the wire WITH A NEW BABY! How ridiculous of me to not have been better prepared. Now, I have to brave the crowds with a new babe in tow. Luckily, I only have to visit a couple stores. I did do some shopping in a little children's boutique in our town last week and I was thrilled to be able to support a local business and find some great prices on NICE items!

I am reading... There is More to the Secret by Ed Gungor

I am hoping... for a beautiful Christmas weekend with my family. While it is fun and exciting to run around and visit everyone when you live closer to family - it is nice to have a slow bit of time for us to enjoy each other and have time to remember what this Christmas Season is all about and spend our time appropriately!

I am hearing... Adventures in Odyssey - a story on CD that Bud and Branch are listening to while finishing up tidying their school area in the loft.

Around the house... MY house is BACK!! After a month of not REALLY helping much around the house and only "harping" at the kids to clean their stuff up (which OF COURSE does not happen if I don't actively participate here...) things had really fallen apart. The treekids and I have worked as a team yesterday and today to find all of the living spaces - including their rooms!! Woooooo Hoooooooooooo!! It feels so good to have a clean house and helpful kids who helped it get back to normal!

One of my favorite things... snow on the mountains in my view out the window, but NOT on my driveway!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... finishing up my shopping on Wednesday, making more cookies, putting out Christmas decorations, a bit of workbook time with the treekids, Christmas Eve Family Mass on Thursday, Christmas fun at home on Friday!! Sounds like a busy week!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

They all still seem to be enamored with him... just wait until he eats their books,

knocks over their legos, or breaks their polly pockets!! Ah, he's too sweet...

He'll never do any of that will he?

To read more daybooks or to join in the fun, head over to Peggy's.