Santa stopped at our house... 2009

The jolly ol' guy made a visit. I have come to believe that those elves must have their work cut out for themselves... or Mrs. Claus does! He is not the tidiest snack nibbler! (Or at least he isn't at our house!)

Apparently, while he enjoys the cookies and such that the treekids leave out for him, he takes the time to write a letter to them!! He addresses them by name, but I have digitally removed their names from the photos that Pops took. Santa addressed the kids in order of their age... Bud, Branch and then Blossom. Enjoy our letter from Santa!!

There were loot filled stockings...

and presents for everyone!

Santa brought each of the treekids a bunch of junk nice little things for their stockings, one wrapped up toy, an outfit and a wrapped package of books.

Seems like Santa did a nice job of choosing things for the treekids this year! They did make it sort of "easy" for him. Bud asked for the jars of pickles and then made a loooooong list of favorites out of a catalog. There were soo many things to choose from because he wanted it to be a surprise! Branch asked for... "Hello Kitty things, a surprise, anything." Wow - that was great! Blossom asked for Polly Pockets and an Ariel Barbie. It seems that everyone got their wishes this year!

Books... glorious books!!

Our brunch will follow!!

Christmas Eve Traditions

Every Christmas Eve, after we return home from Mass... we allow the treekids to open ONE present. Of course, every year they think that THEY get to choose which one they will open. HA HA HA! Aren't they mistaken!?! I choose every year. I know what is in each package!!

Every year they seem to open a present that has a new pair of pajamas inside! Lucky them that they get to wear a new pair of pajamas to bed and wake up Christmas morning in their new pajamas!!

I usually put a little something else in the box with the pajamas since not every kid is as excited about new pajamas as the next kid... can you TELL who likes new pajamas and who couldn't care less?!?!

This year, the girls' little something else was a new pair of flip-flop style slippers and Bud's little something was a book of "Cool Stuff and how it works".

Well, it was off to bed - plenty of fun to be had in the morning!!

Christmas Review 2009

Well, the twelve days of Christmas are over. We had a wonderful time and I would like to share some pictures of all the fun. It is going to have to come in parts as I never know just how long I can get sitting and loading pictures! So, hopefully over the weekend, I will post all sorts of pictures of the festivities!!

Here's li'l ol' me in my santa hat from Blossom! (And don't miss out on seeing the burp cloth on my shoulder... I think that one is now always there - whether burping babe or not!!)

And by the way... I hope that all of you who had a "White Christmas" enjoyed it!! I am sorry about all the cold and snow that is continuing and you are having all that fuss to deal with. Today, here it is sunshiny and 50 degrees. My treekids are wearing short sleeves and think that it is picnic weather! I am obliging the picnic for lunch - but, it is having to be indoors. We have had some rain and therefore the deck and the grass is all wet (besides the fact that Pops just fertilized the lawn the other day and that might not go well with eating!!). Here's hoping that you get some warmer weather to thaw yourselves out!!

My Daybook, Entry #15 - Hello 2010 Edition

FOR TODAY
Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010...

Outside my window... Dark dark dark. The sun is gone and I am rushing to get something, ANYTHING posted on this here blog!

I am thinking... That you must all believe that from the look of my last post, I fell asleep and took a "Rip VanWinkle" twenty year snooze under a tree!!

I am thankful for... people who understand what kind of chaos ensues and wreaks havoc on one's schedule when an infant joins your home!!

From the learning rooms... still working through basic subjects, but tomorrow will be a fun day as we celebrate (and learn about) Epiphany at home!!

From the kitchen... Here's the "plan":

Monday - we had pork roast, mashed spuds and peas

Tuesday - we ate stir fry and rice

Wednesday - I think Pops is itching to grill hamburgers, as he has suggested it the past 3 days!

Thursday - Steaks - grill again, Pops!!

Friday - Cheese Enchiladas, refried beans, chips and salsa (we didn't do this last week!)

Saturday - Breakfast or Pizza

Sunday - Something in the crock pot...

I am wearing... polar fleece Dr Pepper pants, a gray shirt and a squirmy baby on my shoulder!

I am creating... Christmas/New Year mailing, thank you notes, this blog post

I am going... for my 6 week post partum check up... has it already been 6 whole weeks?!? WOW!!

I am reading... that secret book is on hold while I try to catch up with Bud!! So, I am reading The Chronicles of Narnia and Chet Gecho's Detective Handbook (and Cookbook).

I am hoping... to find a little blogging time each day this week!!

I am hearing... A local high school basketball game being broadcast online (Pops is hangin' out nearby!) and that whispery quiet breathing of my li'l baby.

Around the house... Tidy is as tidy does!! The Christmas decorations are set to come down on Thursday if the li'l guy allows us all that time!!

One of my favorite things... when Pops has been holding this precious baby and he passes him off to me... Babe smells like sweet baby smell AND good smelling Pops!!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... core subjects for school work, Epiphany celebration, Christmas decor clean up, a visit with my midwife, kisses for Pops from us all as he is heading to Florida this weekend and will be there all of next week for work (eeek!)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Why is it when I want a "nice" picture of the treekids all together...

I get stuff like this?!?

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