Merry Christmas

Have a blessed holiday and see you in 2017!

Friday Favorites

Good morning!  Who's excited and ready for this weekend?!  The kids sure are.  I'm still trying to wrap and put together toys.  It will either be late nights or early mornings to get it all done, but it will.  The kids and I are also getting ready to go on a special trip.  We are so excited!

We are all on a much needed school break and we are going to soak up as much play time as possible!  No packed lunches or snacks to pack, no homework to do, no rushing out the door in the mornings, and no crazy afternoon pickups.  I'm ready for our time to be slowed and not so rushed.  

I turned in my final paper on the 12th and I skated out of the class with a B+.  This was my first class (in my master's program) to receive a B (of any sort).  I was out of focus during much of the class so I'm determined to get back into focus for my last class.  It starts in January so I have a few weeks to slack off.  I need to pass this next class so I can graduate in May!  Determination and no procrastination will be the key from January-May!

What a busy week and half we've had!  I love being able to get Sterling together with her favorite friends.  We headed back to the ice rink with more friends.  She had the best time and I loved getting to know their moms.

Sterling had her holiday program and she sang her heart out.  She's a natural performer!

I began reading since I'm done with school.  Reading is so much more fun when it's not required and I can actually get into a book.  I'm hoping to keep it going, even with my next class starting.

I was able to go to Xander's classroom on Friday to help with gingerbread house/men making.  It was my favorite moment all week!

But, because I was there, I saw ALL the kids licking their sticks and dipping them back into the frosting.  So, when he got home, I told him he couldn't eat any of it.  I know, mean mom, but there is so much sickness going around.  We just can't afford being sick right now.  So, we made our own at home.  With green frosting.  Because we compromised and it worked!

Xander made his special with a door, wreath, brick walkway, and rocks.

Sterling's creation was my favorite.  She took so much time and wanted her candy canes standing up.  

We've started doing our holiday baking.  This year we're only making three fun treats.  Peanut Butter Temptations is a family Christmas favorite!

Pretzel Kisses are another family favorite.  But, not just for Christmas.  I like to make them for any holiday that M&Ms has coordinating colors.  They are the best holiday treat!  Tomorrow we will make Santa's cookies.  I cheated though and bought refrigerated dough.  We'll roll it out, I'll bake it, and let them frosting and decorate them.  They have so much fun!  While I sit back and repeat, "what was I thinking!"

We decided to gift the pretzel kisses to their teachers because they have been so sweet to them.

The packages turned out so cute.  Sterling had a hard time writing her name in the small space, but they were still adorable and personal.

The kids were so excited to see presents under the tree after school.  Sterling sat by the tree for a long time admiring them.  We decided to let them open one present each, and they could choose.  Sterling chose her biggest box, a Peppa Pig school house. 

Xander chose a medium box, and it was a package from his grandma, a remote control truck.  They loved their new toys!

We've also have a pesky elf hanging around still.  He wanted to go to school too, but Sterling didn't like his idea because she wanted to play with her school and if she did, she'd touch him.  So, we had a meltdown before 8 am.  Thanks, Elf!

I've also been doing a lot of thinking and I'm going to keep this blog going (along with my new blog with my sister).  I'm going to try something different in 2017.  I want to try to post something special {or not so special} from every day.  Will you stick around and read?!

I'm not sure what I'll call the posts yet, but I have a week to make a plan.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Friday Favorites ~ Let's Play Catchup

Since starting a blog with my sister, I've sort-of neglected this one.  I'm having a hard time deciding if I should continue this one, or just have the new one.  You can check that one (click here), as we post more frequently, to see what we've been up to.  

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci

The kids and I headed to Walmart in our PJ's before everyone woke up the day before Thanksgiving.  I had to get a few fresh produce pieces and while we were there, we checked out the Christmas isle.  This standing Santa is a favorite, year after year.

We hosted Thanksgiving this year and Nick's dad, sister, and some of his cousins came over.  We had the best time with them.

A couple days later, we met up with Nick's cousins for breakfast, then all headed to the mall.

While at the mall, we were able to check off the visit to Santa.  This Santa was a favorite, for sure!

After dropping everyone off at different airports, the kids and I got started on decorating for Christmas.  This is the first year that I waited until after Thanksgiving to decorate.  We played Christmas music, made a huge mess (much to Nick's dismay!), and got busy.  The kids decorated over 90% of it and I didn't rearrange one ornament.  I had to do the last foot of the tree, but they loved doing so much this year.  I'll just say that it wasn't a favorite to wait.

Sterling waited what seemed like forever to wear this outfit.  She wanted to wear it so bad, but I told her that she had to wait until after Thanksgiving.  She loves dressing the part of the seasons, it's her favorite!

On the 1st of December, we had an elf visit.  The kids were so curious on when he'd show up this year, so they were beyond excited to see he was waiting for them with breakfast ready and gifts.  They received Lego Advent calendars and they have been a favorite.  Definitely the best idea the elf has had in all the years!

Sterling had a playdate with her friend.  We went to Snow-and-Story.  It's always a favorite to play in the snow and be pulled super fast on sleds.  We're going again this week and are excited to have more friends come alone.

Total life changer right here.  This robot vacuum has made my daily floor care so much easier.  It took  a few days to figure out how to make it work it's best, but now we have a system and a schedule.  It's a lifetime favorite!

Sterling wanted her hair cut short, so I cut it for her.  It was fine, she loved it, but I didn't.  I wanted her hair to have a style to it.  When I had my appointment, I had my stylist fix her up while my hair was processing.  I LOVE her her.  She has always hated her curls, calls them messy, but they are my favorite!  Embrace those curls, girl!

We met up with some of our friends last weekend at the national air and space museum, and we had the best time with them.  Nick and I have been friends with them since 2006, before any of us had kids, and now we both have 2 kids.  It's pretty awesome to have kids the same age.

Sterling went to a ballet class to tryout and she's the newest member of their team.  She's so excited because dance is her favorite.  She's in her element dancing and we love watching her shine.  She'll have a recital in June, the week before we go on our Disney Cruise.

Did I mention I love her hair?!

She's always performing!

We mailed out of Christmas cards.  We probably won't receive many this year because with moving so often, each year people don't keep up.  Sigh.

We made our annual Christmas cake and this year we have a tree!  The kids loved decorating it.

This weekend is my last weekend of class for the semester, so I'll be here finishing my final paper.  In January, I'll start my very last class for my master's degree and be done with school forever in May!  I can't wait.  I'm so tired of school work.  Senioritis is in full swing.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites

Hello friends!  I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for another week of Friday Favorites.

I'm so glad Friday is here.  How about you?  We're hosting Thanksgiving this year and I need to start prepping.  I haven't done a thing.  Next week is already packed full so there won't be any time if I wait until the last minute.  I need to come up with some sides to go along with the turkey.  Do you have any favorites?

{ONE} I've been wanting to clear out the remaining 30 boxes to create a space to paint my ceramics.  I put together a shelf to put them on and now everything is easy access now.  I only have 6 boxes to go through, but, they are boxes that need to be sorted, so it's going to take a little bit longer.  I hate moving because of unpacking.  No fun!  But, we did finally find the kids' helmets.  It's the little things!

 

{TWO} Sterling had school pictures and she was beautiful.  We had a last minute outfit change because the outfit we planned on wearing, we didn't have shoes to match.  I just love how photogenic she is.  I hope it never changes!

{THREE} We did our family pictures over the weekend.  It wasn't nearly as bad as we anticipated.  It went quickly and everyone cooperated.  Even Nick.  Thank goodness because he sure knows how to turn things sour.

{FOUR} Xander has been forgetful this week.  He lost his PB lunch bag and bento box.  I'm still hoping it shows up, but it's been 3 days.  It took him 2 weeks to find his snack baggie, so I'll hold onto some hope.  I went online and ordered him this Yumbox and so far it's a new favorite!  Some people don't like the smaller portions, but it's perfect for my kids!  They'd rather have a few different smaller bites than two larger things.

Thanks for stopping by!  

Have a great weekend!

Friday Favorites

It's been awhile since I linked up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci, so I thought this week I'd join the party.

{ONE} My sister and I started a blog together and we went live on Monday.  This week we've shared a few fun facts and quirks about us, and a caramel apple snack idea from Pinterest.  My sister and I are 364 days apart, she's older, and we live so far apart now.  We wanted to do something together and we both love blogging, so what better way to connect than through the world wide web?  

{TWO}  We spent the weekend with our friends in NC and had the best time.  Xander and Lily have their first family photo with their kitty.  Lily's mom and I are determined these two will marry each other.  Our families met the day we moved to Germany outside our German hotel.  We've been best friends since 2010!  Xander and Lily are six months apart (Xander's older), and Lily and Sterling are six months apart (Lily's older) and born at the same hospital in Germany.  We have so many fun memories with them.  And this last weekend, we all went to the Wake Forest football game.  It was a great game and Wake Forest won!

 

{THREE}  I finally found the perfect picture location to take our fall pictures for Christmas cards.  Right in our own back yard.  Love it!  Xander was not too excited because he was scared a snake was going to get him, but Sissy wanted to explore more.

 

{FOUR} Xander led his conference on Monday and I was so proud of him.  He scored an 85/102 on his PALS testing.  The requirement was only a 29 at the beginning of the year and an 83 for the end of the year.  He's also already at a level 3 in reading.  I'd say he's a pretty smart kid.  

{FIVE} Playing around on my silhouette to make planner stickers was a favorite...until the sheet sticks to the mat and the stickers don't come off so easily.  So frustrating, but, I will have it figured out this weekend.  Lots of down time to explore google and youtube for answers.

 

{SIX} Target was a favorite yesterday.  They had some pretty good sales on cartwheel, plus many good sales throughout the store.  Double win.  I also picked up Sterling a Christmas present while it was on sale.  She's obsessed with Peppa Pig (still) so I got her a few more pieces to her collection and while I was checking out I had her sit next to the dog so she didn't see me put the stuff on the register belt, ha!  The things mom's do with kids around.

{SEVEN} As a veteran of the Air Force, I'd like to also say "Thank You" to all those who served their country honorably.

Have a great weekend!

Friends and Family

Hello November!  November is here and I'm starting the month finishing Octobers pictures.  It's a lot, so sit back and enjoy!

Alexander on picture day.  He's so handsome!

 

After 6 weeks of weekends at the rec center, the kids finished their programs.  We haven't had a free weekend since the beginning of September and I can't wait until the 8th...no where to go, no place to be!  I can sit back and relax.  Maybe.

One morning for school Xander was throwing a fit that he wanted to wear a "handsome shirt" and not where what I had picked out.  I asked him to show me what shirt he was talking about, and it was this one.  He may have a girlfriend he's trying to impress?!

Two weekends ago, our friends came up from NC and while we had tickets to Disney on Ice (for over two months), they headed into DC to tour some of the sights.  We all enjoyed ourselves.

During intermission, I took the kids down to pick out their prizes.  I asked Sterling if she was having fun and liking the show...she said no, it's not her favorite because Anna's not there.  Little did she know the whole second half was devoted to her favorites, Elsa and Anna.  She sat there and sang every song...loudly!

We headed out just as it was ending so we could beat the traffic.  It worked perfectly.

The next day, we headed out to the battlefield and the kids enjoyed exploring and becoming junior rangers...again.

B.F.F.

And these two we are predicting to marry in about 15 years.

 

We had planned to go to the pumpkin patch with them, but it was later than we planned and they had to get back on the road home.  So, i took the kids to a nursery and it had a mini pumpkin patch.  It fulfilled their desire and didn't take all day. Win-win!

Xander had pajama pants day at school and was comfy in his Dino pj bottoms.

 

I pick Xander up inside school everyday and he rounded the corner with a quirky smile and quirky glasses on.  They're his favorites!

He's also been wanting to hold my hand walking home from school.  Sweet moments I never want to miss because I know it won't last much longer.  Soon he'll be too embarrassed to hold my hand, blow me kisses and shout I love you, mommy as he's heading out the van door in the mornings.  #nevergrowup

As the temperature reached cooler temps, I realized Sterling had only 2 long pants that fit her, so I made a mad dash to Target after I dropped her off one day and bought nearly every pair of leggings/shirts I could find (and the cute boots too!).  They've been a hit!  We're loving the new Cat & Jack collection!

 

We've also been loving some Jelly the Pug dresses.  They are always so adorable and wash so nicely

 

I've been wanting/needing to buy new plates and bowls for awhile and last week was the week.  I'd been eyeing the Pioneer Woman collection at Walmart.  Sterling helped me choose which dishes to ultimately buy because it was a tough decision.  I love what we decided!

Last weekend we had our local cousins come over for dinner.  Over the seven hours they were here, the kids room was tore up!  They had fun though, so I tried not getting too upset.

Until I started finding Sterling's nice jewelry on the floor all separated.  Her jewelry box was dumped out and the stuff was everywhere.  My kids can't reach it because we have it up high, but that 13 right there, he's TALL, and got it down (according to them).  So in an effort to find all the missing jewelry, we dumped out every bin in the middle of the floor.  It took 4 hours to sort through the mess.  And the jewelry was ruined.  

Sterling's been working on brushing her hair because she hates when I brush it.  She does an alright job for a 4 year old.  

She had silly hat day at school on Monday, so she created a silly hat.  I wanted her to make a google eyed monster hat (because it's Halloween and all!), but she had other plans.  As I was gathering the supplies for my vision of the hat, she already had the face of her hat glued on.  She was quick!  Her hat turned out super cute, creative, and silly!

 

Happy Halloween!  These two have been so excited to go trick or treating and wear their costumes.  Since this was our first year in our new neighborhood, we had no idea what to expect.  Well, it was awesome!  This area goes above and beyond in spookville.  So many homes were over the top deck out and there was a haunted house and people in the sewers.  Scary!  The kids loved it, as did I!

 

Sterling's friend from Pre-K even came to our neighboorhood and joined us.  It was so fun watching her.  It was her first time going door-to-door and she loved it!

Yesterday, Sterling woke up and wanted to be a kitty.  Because why not?!  Meow, meow!

Have a great day!