Christmas Gifts at Home, Finally!

Our kids had to wait till the Sunday after Christmas to open the presents that were here at our house - they were quite patient, since we had thought we'd open them on Christmas Eve Day - but we were so busy. . . here are boxes from Gpa P and Gma D ready to be opened!!! Lots of good stuff in there!! B loves the little ice cream cart with figurine! And Z was excited to get an art kit like B did! Ak - another doll another smile and cute glimpes at her holding it with a bottle.

They all got robes from us

Track from Gma & Gpa

Ak sitting in the wagon for the blocks

Mammaw got her lots of jewerly and she loves it - on all at once of course


We were blessed this Christmas - thank you for all the thoughtfulness - can't believe next year is almost here - hope everyone is ready

Christmas Morning

We went to D's mom's and Pappaw's house for Christmas. We all had a nice time! There was TONS of food and lots of presents too!

Among other things - B got princess things and art supplies! Z got CARS, CARS, and more CARS! He was so happy, he did a "Riverdance" move when he opened the movie, he was so excited! Ak never seems to lose her excitement for a new doll and she loves her new sock Monkey from Uncle M. They also got a Dual Screen Portable DVD Player from Mammaw!!!

Their new blankets were a hit too - from Uncle B, especially when AJ wrapped them up as Burritos!

And even though I was asked multiple times if we wanted a dog - the answer stays NO - I like them at other's homes! Plus they are good entertainment for my children - new and exciting!!! This was Pappaw's Christmas Present.

Christmas Eve

We got to see my two brothers and their families for Christmas Eve. Had some YUMMY food, made some cards, exchanged a few presents and the cousins had fun playing together! We didn't take the cousin shot till after V left - sorry we missed G!

Secret Friends Finale

Well, I was very excited to find 2 final gifts on our doorstep when we arrived home!

Some popcorn in a basket and a big stocking filled with gifts for each of us!!! D and A couldn't resist opening ours that night even though the kids were put right to bed - they had fun opening theirs the next day! B got a puzzle and a watch - which she exclaimed, "WOW, I wanted a watch! I used to have one and it broke and I thought I would never get another one." (: THANK YOU SECRET FRIENDS - I HOPE YOU FIND OUT HOW THANKFUL WE ARE AND HOW MUCH WE ENJOYED YOUR DAILY GIFTS!!!!!

Secret Friends Update

Well, I am happy to say that our Secret Friend did bring us a treat Tuesday night!!! So I suppose my note must have blown away.

"On the 10th Day of Christmas, 10 pieces of tasty fudge. Love, Your Secret Friends."

Wednesday night again we got a treat!!! We stopped home between stops so I could check! I was excited to find another treat!!!

"On the 11th Night of Christmas, 11 cookies to brighten your night. Love, Your Secret Friends." YUMMY - I love cookies!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Secret Friend Gift #9

Last night we got this package - "On the 9th day of Christmas, 9 (or more) pieces of peanut brittle. Love, Your Secret Friends" Yummy!!!

Tonight, I left a note for our Friends letting them know when we weren't going to be home for the holidays and when we would. I just looked, my note is gone and no bag left for tonight??? WHAT?!?! Did my note blow away before they could read it and they haven't come yet? Did they get the note and got offended? Ahhhh, makes me sad. I really enjoyed being visited by Our Secret Friends! I was impressed that someone took time to come up with the gifts but also EACH day to come and deliver something to us!!! Like the mail man, sleet or snow! Thank you!

Experiment Time

My kids got a package today from Gpa P and Gma D and so tonight they wanted to see the "magic towels" in action. We put some water in the bathtub and threw in the small shapes and watched them get big!!! In the middle, Z was like, "it IS growing!" (: They enjoyed seeing what picture they had on their own washcloths. Thanks for the package!!!

Secret Friend Gift #8

Last night we got this on our door step: "On the 8th Day of Christmas, 8 ornaments for your tree." Love, Your Secret Friends

My kids were VERY excited for this one! They loved putting them right on the tree! Later they took enjoyed taking them off to show Daddy and then putting them back on the tree. D tried to say a couple were cookie cutters, but B insisted "No they are ORNAMENTS!" I think I will try making the popsicle christmas tree next year with the Joy School kids - thanks for the idea! and for all the ornaments!

Nutcracker Ballet

D got free tickets from a co-worker who couldn't use their tickets - so we got to go for free! D wasn't thrilled with the idea of going - so he volunteered to stay home with Ak while she took a nap, so we invited a friend to go with us. Earlier in the week, they asked me to read a book we have on the Nutcracker Ballet - so I think they understood the plot. Although at the end of the show, they said in the book the sugar plum fairy wore pink as if the book is the expert (in the play she wore purple (PLUM)! (:

My kids got a little restless in the middle, but were excited when snow fell in the audience! They said they enjoyed it. B said her favorite part was "the whole thing". Z said he liked the mouse fighting. The friend we took when she got home told her mom she thought it was funny how the boys wore shirts, but no pants! (: There was one boy - I question

whether he had tights on or his legs were painted.

Secret Friend Gift #7

"On the 7th Night of Christmas, 7 candy canes for your tummy or your tree. Love, your Secret Friends"

Last night our treat was VERY close to the door - right up on the ledge! Turning off the sensor light has helped them feel safe to venture closer! We aren't trying to peek and keep a look out - but I am very interested who it is who's adding such excitment for us during this season! Thank you Secret Friends!

Secret Friend Gift #6

"On the 6th Day of Christmas, 6 Sweet Apples. Love your Secret Friends"
It's back to the handwriting of a left handed older person or a foreign person. (: ?????

Last night I tried to get out a loaf of freshly baked bread out by the door as a thank you to give our secret friends! But it was in the oven when they came (I didn't know) and I was too late when I went out there to place it on the door mat!

Birthday for B!!!

We became parents 5 years ago! Having 2 other kids - it does seem possible, but wow - she is growing up! We had a party with her friends last Saturday - a gingerbread house decorating party! (Z thought we were making igloos.) (: We let her invite 5 friends (plus their siblings). After decorating their houses and snacking, we read a story, played musical chairs, played pin the bow on the gingerbread man/girl, ate cupcakes & ice cream and opened presents. She got some nice things! I thought it went really well and I think B had a great time!

Then on her actual birthday, we went out to Red Lobster to eat! (Because D won the Biggest Loser at school and won the pot - so we spent it all on dinner - splurge!) They gave her a free sundae apologizing they were too busy to sing. She leaned over to D and said, "I think she (the waitress) gave me this ice cream because she couldn't come to my party." (: Then came home to open a few more presents from family. Fun Day! Thanks B for being fun, willing to help, peacemaker with friends, striving to be obedient and a good example. We are glad you are in our family!

Secret Friend Gift #5

"On the 5th Night of Christmas, 5 juicy oranges to enjoy. Love, Your Secret Friends"

This was left really close to our door - I had turned off our sensor porch light, so maybe they felt more comfortable coming closer. (: The handwriting has changed the last 2 nights - looks more like a teenager's handwriting. ??? We have no clue who our secret friend is - but we love the surprises and the fact someone is thinking of us!!!

Thank you!

Milk & Cookies With Santa

The library hosted Santa today and I signed up to take my kids. This was their first time meeting Santa - I think they were a little nervous, but B and Z were brave and sat on his lap so I could take a picture. Ak would not have any part of it. (: So I didn't force her. Santa asked B what she wanted and she said, "Princesses and Unicorns." As we walked away - Z was whispered to me, "I DIDN'T TELL HIM WHAT I WANTED" - so we went back and he whispered "cars" in Santa's ear. (: We got to eat some milk and cookies too!!! On the way home, B asked if that was the real Santa because she said she didn't think so because this Santa had on shoes and not boots. (: (: (: I told her maybe his feet hurt and so he put on his comfortable shoes. (: They had a good time!

When we got home, Ak was all about holding Santa on HER lap. (:

Secret Friend's Gift #4

Last night as D was leaving around 7:30 PM there was a treat already at the door! So the kids got to see it and sample it before going to bed!!! The note read, "On the 4th Night of Christmas, 4 tasty loaves of banana bread for you. Love, Your Secret Friends". And it was yummy banana bread! The kids and I all liked it!!! I might have to leave a note asking for the recipe! (:

Sledding

The kids and I were going to walk to the library (down the driveway, across the road, brown building) to return a couple of books (story hour was cancelled for today due to weather but it would be a nice outing I thought) but we got sidetracked by the hills in our neighbors big yards - so we sledded instead!!! I even got to go!!! Ak wasn't very happy out there THE WHOLE TIME - she made me come in ealier - you can only carry her so many times up a hill.

Yea, big yard! Big house! Nice Neighbors! We tried in the front first - it was nice. For all of us, but Ak. I don't know what her problem was! But then the owner came home and suggested we try in their backyard!

So we went in their backyard (which I had told D I wanted to do) but we both worried about going into their pond. So I went down with them every time to make sure - but we stopped in plenty of time each time - it was a lot of fun!!!