Getting to Know Me: Christmas edition

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Definitely wrapping paper! Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite things to do!  When I still lived at home, I'd wrap all the gifts my mom would let me!

Real Tree or Fake?

I grew up with only fake trees and I love them, but we wanted to start a new tradition with our family so we've started getting a real tree too!  The kids have artificial trees and the main tree in our family room is real.

When do you put up the tree?

Usually the first week of December, and it kills me to wait that late! One year I put up our artificial tree on Novermber 1st!

When do you take the tree down?

I usually take it out by New Years! I'm over cleaning up all the pine needles by then :)

Do you like eggnog?

I've never tried it and have no plans to!

Favorite gift received as a child?

I really don't remember much, but I always looked forward to getting a couple new Christmas ornaments for my tree!

Hardest person to buy for?

That usually was my parents and in laws but now we just do giftcards and keep it simple!

Easiest person to buy for?

My kids! I keep a running list of ideas in my phone throughout the year.

Do you have a nativity scene?

I have two! Both are kid friendly!  One is a large plush set and the other I just got this year.  It's made out of olive tree wood from the Holy Land. 

Mail or email Christmas cards?

Definitely mail, and I like to have them out in early December.  I love taking them to the Santa Claus post office and stamping them myself!

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

I remember an uncle (that we only saw once a year at Christmas) gave me socks with zipper pockets on the side.  We laughed about them for a long time!

Favorite Christmas Movie?

My favorite chick flick is "The Holiday" but it's not as kid friendly as "Elf".  I happen to find that movie hilarious and could watch it over and over! 

When do you start your Christmas Shopping?

That changes every year! Usually by Black Friday though.  

Favorite Christmas song?

Oh Holy Night - Martina McBrides edition may be my favorite

Travel at Christmas or stay home?

We travel, but just to the west-side of Evansville.

Angel on the tree top or a star?

I really want an angel, but I've yet to find one I like.  So we have a pretty star on the tree now.

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

My kids have to wait till Christmas morning to open them!  We usually have my in-laws over for a Christmas meal and gift exchange on Christmas Eve so they do get to open some gifts then.

Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

No matter how hard I try, I find myself stressed about things I'm wanting to get done.  I like baking and sewing and crafting all month but that leaves little time to do the laundry and dishes and house cleaning. 

Favorite food for Christmas dinner?

My mom has always made an amazing Christmas dinner.  Ham, seasoned mashed potatoes, broccoli cheese casserole, corn, Christmas jello, and rolls.... But dessert is my favorite and I can always find room for sugar cookies, gingersnaps, fudge, Mexican wedding cakes, peanut brittle..... I'm hungry thinking about all the food!

Gingerbread or sugar cookies?

I couldn't even pick between the two because I adore both cookies!

Do you like fruitcake?

Apparently my mom makes a killer fruitcake but I've never tried it. So I don't know if I like it, but I'm going I guess no.

Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make?

I'm going to go with sugar cookies. My moms recipe is a favorite to all who try them and I love making them!

What do you do the day after Christmas?

Before 2013, it was a lazy day for us, but now that's Austin's birthday and we are tidying up the house, making cake, and getting ready for his birthday party.  Two years ago we welcomed visitors at the hospital, last year we had a casual dinner for family, and I assume that will continue to be our tradition!

Is there a certain food you have to have around Christmas time that comes out?

Candy canes, and only the peppermint ones! I love the Brachs ones and the little tiny ones.  I could eat my weight in them during he month of December!  I love seasonal candy! 

Christmas lights, White or Colored?

I love both but always decorate with white lights.  Kevin prefers white and I grew up with only white, so we've just stuck with what we know!

Whats your favorite ornament on your Christmas Tree?

That's impossible for me to answer because I love every one.  And I haven't really decorated my tree in a couple years due to kids removing and breaking ornaments....I'm hoping in the next couple years I'll be back to loading my tree down with my little treasures!

What's your weirdest Christmas tradition that you do each year?

Weirdest, and definitely the most fun is Kevin shoots down mistletoe for us.  We love passing it out to our friends/family/(Kevin's)coworkers.

Have you ever spent a Christmas away from "home"? 

Never!

Describe Christmas morning at your house when you were a child.

Well, the night before Christmas, my brother and I would camp out in my sisters room.  We'd play funny games and make each other laugh all night.  And we'd be awake pretty much all night because we'd be so excited to open gifts. We'd wait till like 4am and wake my parents up to see if we could open gifts then, and they'd tell us to go back to bed (which we really hadn't gone to bed all night!) so we'd wait till 4:30 and wake them up again only to be told to go back bed. Usually somewhere around 5/5:30 they'd let us open our stockings while they drug themselves out of bed.  Then we opened gifts, mom would make breakfast, and we'd quickly clean up our gifts and get ready for my dads side of the family to come over for lunch.  

Did you believe in Santa as a child? Are you using Santa with your own children?

I did but I think I was always a bit skeptical.  I snuck downstairs one year when I was probably 5 or 6 and saw my mom putting presents under the tree.  I wasn't traumatized in any way to find out he wasn't real.  We do "Santa" with our kids but as soon as they start to question it, I'll tell them the truth.  

How will you spend Christmas day this year?

This year, the kids will open their gifts at our house Christmas morning.  We will turn on the tv and watch the Christmas parade while I make breakfast and eat.  Then we will get the kids and the adults ready and go have lunch with Kevin's side of the family.  They rent a cabin at Burdette for the get together.  We will probably come home and let some kids (and maybe adults) take naps before we go to my parents house for the evening.

I wish you all have the Merriest of Christmases!!!

Bookshelf Upgrade

I was sitting in our rocking chair about a month before my birthday.  I looked at this eyesore in my family room and though "it would sure be nice to upgrade this bookshelf!" My mom always asks for ideas for birthday and Christmas gifts and I thought maybe I could find a replacement with he money she was going to spend on my birthday.  

Within 5 minutes I had found this piece on Craigslist.  I loved the shelves were high enough the kids couldn't rummage through my books and I loved the doors at the bottom for extra storage. I immediately emailed the person who posted the ad and she called me right away to let me know it was still available.  Kevin and I went to her house that evening with some of my birthday cash in hand.  I'm glad I brought him because I needed the muscles!  He took the heavy end and I took light end and we loaded it up in the old Ford.

I was excited to start the remodel project and I made it known to my parents I'd be painting and updating it.  A couple days later my dad called to say he was coming over to help me start sanding the cabinet.  I told him I had planned to do it myself and he said he knew that but thought I'd want the help. And I did. I just didn't want to bother him with a project I had high expectations for.

I told him I'd like to put legs on the bottom and replace the back with bead board.  I actually did over half of the sanding on it (Kevin helped me use his big sander), but that's about as far as my help went.  My dad took it to his friends shop where they finished priming/painting and rebuilding it.  They rebuilt the chewed up corners on it, added some new trim to the top, and added a new board to the bottom to make it a little taller.

(I picked out the Palladian gold color to use as the bead board color.)

The before and after is pretty dramatic!

Our Christmas tree kind of steals it's thunder, but I love love love how it turned out!  It's by far so much better than I could have ever done by myself!  I had to rearrange my picture collage to center it above the loveseat and that turned out better than before!  I have updated pictures for my collage printing at Sams Club as I type!

I'm so happy to have added this beautiful piece of furniture to our house, and even more thankful for all the hours of work my dad put into redoing it for me!

Egg Update

Some egg facts:

We have all 8 hens laying eggs now!  

The most eggs we've ever gotten in one day is 8, but that doesn't happen often.

We had our first double yolk egg!

We have a hen (Whistle) that is very loud when she's ready to lay her egg!  She's actually woken me up in the morning squawking!

All of the hens lay their eggs in the nesting box, except one (Ginger) and she lays hers right inside the coop.

We just changed their feed over the weekend to help with egg quality, and I feel like I can already tell a difference! 

In other chicken news, we are planning to add to our flock this coming spring. We are thinking we will get 2-3 more of two different breeds.  Allie declares chickens are the greatest pets ever, so if you have ever considered getting any, you should do it!  And we are hoping to share eggs with friend and family this spring, but so far we've been using every egg we get!

Cute/Funny/Sweet Kid Sayings

10-11-15

Watching football and a player gets tackled...

Hayden:  "That would hurt... To get hit in the spot."

Me:  "Well the players wear cups in their pants so it doesn't hurt."

Hayden: "That's a relief!"

10-17-15

At dinner Hayden says, "Trick or treat smell my feet give me something good to eat, if you don't I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear." And Allie immediately says, "Hayden that's inpropriate (her way of saying inappropriate)"

10-18-15

Krissy was wanting me to hold her and rub her legs (and get her a sippy and a snack and on and on) and I was talking to Kevin and Krissy says, "Mommy, what are you waiting for?"

10-19-15

I gave all the kids "big kid" cups to drink out of for lunch and I asked Austin if he drank out of his ok. And all the kids chimed in he did and Krissy said to him, "Good job Austin! You're amazing!"

10-22-15

Allie wanted to go check for eggs and saw there were some wasps outside on the swing set.  She told the other kids, "Ok, I'm going out there! God's on my side!"

10-24-15

At dinner Krissy just looks at me and says, "I can't drive; I'm a goose!" (Quoting Cinderella.)

10-25-15

Krissy: "Moooom I want to watch fewtball!"

Me: "You're the cutest kid ever!"

Allie: "I want to watch football. Ok not really, I just wanted you to say I was the cutest kid ever"

Me: "You're the sweetest kid ever!"

10-26-15

Hayden to Allie, "Get your o-n-e; OWN!" And I quietly chime in, "Actually Hayden, you just spelled one, not own"

10-30-15

Me: I'm taking these apples out to my sweet little girls (the chickens)

Allie: They are perfect and they never do anything wrong except poop.

11-18-15

Krissy, "Bees lay honey, right mommy?"

Funny pronunciations:

Krissy saying fluffy = fluff-flee

Austin saying Hayden = Haynee

Austin saying Krissy = Reesee

Hayden's Thanksgiving Play {Video}

We attended Hayden's Thanksgiving play this morning.  It was one of the cutest programs I've ever seen!  He had several speaking roles that he memorized and spoke perfectly.  The other kids think it's the greatest thing to get to visit Hayden's school, and Hayden is always proud to have such a big cheering section :)  Here's a little flipagram I put together from pictures and vidoes on my phone!  Enjoy!

Halloween 2015

I  temporarily have a computer and took full advantage of my time with it and uploaded my two week old Halloween pictures :)  

Our kids were the Little Red Riding Hood characters.  We were given Krissy's costume, and I decided Austin would be the big bad wolf.  Allie chimed in that she wanted to be the grandma, and who was I to say no (especially because we already had that costume - well the wig!) and I was thinking, "If only there was a 4th character in the book!"  Obviously I didn't remember the story very well, because I forgot all about the logs man!  He was the hero of the story and I didn't even remember him.  We purchased a cheap plastic ax and our costumes were complete!

They all had such a fun time playing their character.  We ended up with way too much candy, but had a great time seeing neighbors/friends/family!  It was maybe the best Halloween yet!  Hope you all enjoyed yours too!

Hayden & School

At the beginning of the month Kevin and I were considering putting Hayden back in first grade.  His grades were pretty average (B's/C's) but we could tell he was struggling to keep up.  Pairing that with the fact he's one of the youngest kids in his grade, it seemed like if we stayed the course, it was going to be a loooong year.  He loved his teacher but there happened to be a first grade teacher, Mrs. Boris, he had for one day that he loved equally as much.  (Remember him getting moved after the first day of first grade to a new teacher?!)  We had talked to Hayden about maybe going back to first grade and he didn't seem to have an opinion either way.  We talked to the 2nd grade teacher and also the principle and got their opinions.  They fully supported our idea to move him back.  And it turns out Mrs. Boris was the next to get a new student, so he'd be exactly where we wanted him (isn't God good?).

He switched on a Monday that was the start of a new grading period. That previous Thursday we had told him we met with his teacher and the principle and decided to put him back in first grade.   We told him that we prayed about the choice and felt like it was the right thing to do. He just shrugged his shoulders and said ok.  I gave him some news that I knew would make him happy - he was moving to Mrs. Boris's class!  He was thrilled!  We gave him the chance to ask us questions and the hardest for me to answer was if he didn't like being in first grade could he go back to second.  And I had to tell him no, and that mommy and daddy had talked about that but we felt like God wanted him in Mrs. Boris's class and we knew he'd be so happy in the class he wouldn't even want to move.

The Friday before the move, the school counselor walked him to his new room and he met his new class.  His 2nd grade teacher had sent me a couple email during the day that just reassured me this was the right move.

The school counselor called me Friday after school to tell me about her time with Hayden.  She was saying most kids don't do very well with moving back, especially during th school year, but Hayden was quite the exception.  When she talked to him about how we made the decision, he told her his mom and dad had prayed about it, and talked about how excited he was to go back to this teachers class.  She was trying to find out if there were any nerves or negative feelings about it, and there were none.  She said it was amazing to see a child so confident with their parents decision, a child that truly seemed to believe in God and him so at peace about the switch.  Just more confirmation this was the right move!

He's finishing up his third week in his new class and he's absolutely thriving.  He's so confident with his work, he's writing more during writing prompts, his handwriting is getting better by the day.  He feels smart in his class, instead of feeling like he's behind. When I ask what the best part of school is, he always replies "everything" and when I ask if there were any bad parts to his day, he can't think of any.  Oh and one more positive, he has lunch and recesss with his old class, so he still gets to see all of his friends he's made while making new ones!  I'll say it again, God is Good!

When I hear stories of struggles that turned out to be blessings in disguise, this is one for us.  I was so upset he switched teachers last year (we didn't have a choice in the matter), we struggled all year to get him caught up, we struggled this year to keep up, and going back to first grade, which can sometimes be hard on kids, was the best gift we could have given Hayden.  

So remember, if you're struggling with something, God is going to use it for His glory and you'll be blessed by these struggles.  

The face of a happy boy at his fall party!

Apple Cider Slushies

Apple cider slushies... Ever had one?  I had a couple growing up (from the old Englebrechts Farm store in Newburgh) and more recently found them at Mayse Farm.  I love them in the fall!  I was disappointed they didn't have them this year when we went to pick out pumpkins, and my friend Sarah suggested I make my own.  I didn't ever think about that!  

I bought a gallon of apple cider from Walmart, and poured 1 cup of cider into a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer.  (I actually did several bags all at once so they'd be ready when we wanted them!)  To make them, put your frozen cider plus equal amount of unfrozen cider into the food processor or blender and blend until all the frozen has been chopped up.  

We all love them!  We've had them 3 times so far this fall!  And it's definitely cheaper to DIY!

Cute/Funny/Sweet Things My Kids Said

It's time for another edition of cute/funny/sweet things my kids have said or I've overheard the last couple months.  I did better this time with writing down the dates!  I keep things written down in my phone as I hear them or they say them.  I have a feeling the kids will enjoy reading these as they get older! :)

7-23-15

Krissy, "What are you making?"

Me, "Chocolate zucchini bread"

Krissy, "Awwww dat's cute"

7-29-15

Krissy came in my room at 3am, got in bed with me, and woke up with a huge smile on her face and said, "I wike you sweeping in my bed" and I replied, "You're in mommys bed!"

8-3-15

Austin scooted a chair over to the counter and dumped a bag of powdered sugar donuts all over the counter and then poured half a bottle of dish soap on them. I found him playing in the mix. I cleaned him off, then we ate lunch. He so sweetly took his paper plate to the sink (which should have gone in the trash) and dumped the entire uneaten contents of his plate all over the floor (oily vinaigrette everywhere - we had salads). I calmly took a deep breath and began cleaning only to turn my back to see him purposely dump an entire glass of lemonade all over the floor. I let out a very grumpy growl and yelled for him to get out of the kitchen.  Hayden says loudly, "PATIENCE!" ... I say nothing bc I know he's right and then about two seconds later he says, "KINDNESS Mom!" And I said, "You are right buddy; mommy is just frustrated" and then he chimes in with, "SELF CONTROL!" And I just admit he's right I need to use the fruits of the spirit and he said, "Yeah he's just a little baby and he doesn't know any better.. how about a back scratch when you are done cleaning that up? I bet that will make you feel better!" 

Side note: it's amazing how many emotions I felt with that whole conversation. Joy because Hayden has really grasped the fruits of the spirit, embarrassment because Hayden was actually correcting me and my bad behavior, frustration because of the mess I was cleaning up, but overall it was a humbling afternoon.

8-3-15

Allie, "Mom I just wanted to tell you I ate 2 cookies today and I'm so sorry." 

8-12-15

Me: "Allie watch out for the dead bird under the tree. I don't want you touching it!"

Allie: "Who would do such a thing? I like birds. I'm an animal lover!"

8-16-15

Allie (who has clearly seen too many commercials on the iPad!): "You know cover girl? She wears new out last lipstick. And she's beautiful and wears everything black. And she has something to keep her face to look natural" (then she sings) "New out last lip stick ow ow ow ow!"

8-25-15

Hayden came home from school and said, "You have to try my schools potatoes! They are the best!" And he pulls a wadded up napkin out of his pocket with a potato inside he brought home for me.

And this is so bad, but I didn't try it.  It looked so disgusting... but I thought it was so sweet he'd thought about me and brought one home for me.  I took it from him and was very thankful but he didn't know I didn't eat it.

9-9-15

Allie, "Can we jump in that muddy puddle?"

Me, "Um no"

Allie, "I know. You don't like when we get filtee and dirty"

9-9-15

Krissy looking at my new heart necklace, "Ohhhh a heart! How wonderful!"

9-10-15

Allie and Krissy were playing Barbies and Allie screams at Krissy, "No! You don't make her naked! That's gross!"

9-12-15

Krissy hugged me and got right in my face. I thought she was going to say she loved me or she's mommys girl and she said in a weird whispery voice with big eyes, "I don't want you to die!"

9-27-15

Allie and Hayden were playing with dead/old/broken phones when I hear Allie tell him, "Let's take selfies!"

What's Been Going On

The last couple weeks have been busy at our house!

We had family pictures scheduled for this past weekend and I procrastinated and had to make two dresses (and two scarves) in a day, which I did! 😀 (the girls ended up wearing jean leggings instead of black tights.) I can't wait to see the final pics!

The same time I was making dresses I had also been asked to make a three tier cake I couldn't say no to.  So, I did that too!

My favorite consignment sale was last week.  I like to sign up to work 8 hours so I get to shop first.  So all that happened the days prior to making cakes and dresses.  I scored BIG at the sale and got tons of adorable clothes, shoes, and unopened toys for Christmas!!  Some of my favorite finds were:  

A north face jacket for Hayden that he can wear this winter and next, for $25!

Tons of cute pink things for my girl who loves pink! (Boots for $3, Columbia jacket for $4, Hanna Anderson outfit for $5)

This is one of the 4 (eek) jackets I picked up for Allie! $5! What a deal!

And adorable, unworn, Minnetonka Mocs for Allie too. $5 (maybe $3, I can't remember!)

Rewinding some more into last weekend, I made cupcakes for a sweet friend and her little girl that was born a day after Krissy!

And we had a vey successful yardsale that weekend too!  My kids clothes literally flew off the table by the armfuls.  I guess things were priced right!

I should also mention Krissy was not feeling well the last week and right now I have 2-3 kids that don't feel well on any given day. Tis the season!

One more fun bit of news, I was picked to be a co-head room mom for Hayden's class. I'm slightly thrilled by the news and love this part of school/teacher/parent involvement!  Fall party planning is well underway.  

The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind, but I really do love this season of life we are in!  I think about blogging often but I never seem to make the time!  And it seems the blogging I do get done will be from my phone, because our computer is on the fritz.  

I'm looking forward to a slightly more low key week - enjoying the fall festival, making some cookies, and getting this house back in order!  :)