OH Christmas Tree

This is where you can find my girls most every morning. They bring out their instruments to serenade the tree. Notice the little candies on the baby gate? I found them at Walgreen's they are battery operated and all the girls need to do is press a button and the lights start singing and dancing. Now they keep their hands off the tree.

Christmas time part 1

"CHRISTMAS IS BIG"!!! If you asked my Dad about he would always reply with that answer. Growing up some of my fondest memories where our house during the holidays. My Dad traveled a lot but one thing we could be sure of; he would always be there for the decorating of the house. It was an event, music played while we ate yummy treats and decorated for hours and of course the annual trip to the store when we bought a new set of lights. Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I feel the same way Christmas should be BIG. My husband told me before we were married that he didn't want decorations up and out all the time but he would give me Christmas I could go as wild and crazy as I wanted... and so I do.

Typically I would put off this post till all the decorating was done but then it would never get posted. I tend to still be decorating and making things up to the last minute when it's time to start unwrapping the gifts.

So here is a few of my decorations, projects and favorite sites (cause I must give credit where credit is due)



Here is the advent calendar I made every single detail down to the glittered numbers for my Nieces and Nephews.





I found this

http://afmwords.blogspot.com/2007/11/advent-calender.html

last year. I loved the idea but new there was so much more that could be done with it. I'll post another picture soon but I made these little red Santa bags that hang from each grommet. Inside each bag I planned something special for the family and some of these activities involve a beautiful decorated gift that they can open. I even re wrote "Twas the Night before Christmas" for each family. I have to same I pretty proud of it.

On the 24th day of December we have another family tradition. We have a birthday party for Jesus. We read the Christmas story, sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candles on our pretty decorated cupcakes. So on Day 24 when they open their gift they will find party supplies and these party hats I made for each kid.





But once again I can't take the credit I'm obsessed with glitterville and took the idea from this fabulous company

http://www.glitterville.com/Glitterville_Home.html


so as you can see mine are not nearly as beautiful but I was making them for 8 kids and wanted to stay within my budget. It ended up being only $1 a hat.

Here is my garland (only half way done)



once again the inspiration came from glitterville... I literally drool every time I look at his handmade creations.

Halloween

Here is the family circus... typical me was still putting together costumes at the last minute. The last needle on my sewing machine broke and I had to pull out my glue gun to finish it. My plan were much bigger but its Halloween right.

Sister Love

One of my favorite things in the whole world is watching these two love each other.

Sweet Estee Moe

Oh my Sweet Estee Moe. You've always been my snuggle bug! Your full of hugs and kisses and run into Mommy and Daddies arms with so much joy. You've always been able to connect with people threw your eyes and your sweet little pats on my back make my heart melt. Your a smart little girl, the wheels are always turning. You may be easy most of the time but you know how to be sneaky. The girls at the gym child care call you "Miss. Mischievous". That is the perfect name for you! You sit back and enjoy everything around you but when the moment is right you execute your plan of attack.

Oh my little Coppelia

Oh my little Coppelia, you have more energy then 4 2 year old's (and I should know if I can teach a dance class to 8 of them) and your not even 2. You make this world colorful doing everything at 150%, from singing and dancing to throwing a temper tantrum. You have the biggest personality and continually make Mommy and Daddy smile! You have never been a baby, you came out with perfect posture and at 8 months got up and started walking like you'd been doing it for 18 years, I should have know you would be like this in every physical activity. You belong in the circus my sweet girl and I have a feeling I'll be spending many hours watching you from (the bleachers, side line or wings). You may be tiny but watch out world everyone see's you coming!

Band Camp

Running Over

Every night before bed we do our devotions. Now I know they aren't old enough to sing or say their memory verses or sing the songs so we use our hand motions. I just feel like its important to teach my children how much God loves them and even now they can learn to hide God's word in their hearts.

"Running Over" by Estee MacKinnon Guidry 16 months

Holding Hands

This morning for the first time Coppelia grabbed Estee's hand and wanted to walk around. First I grabbed my camera to take a picture because when you pull out a video camera they always stop. But the moment continued so I grabbed the flip and caught this sweet moment. As you can see it ended in frustration for Coppelia because she wanted to go to the Toy room and Estee wanted to play in the bedroom.

The talented Vanessa Ray

I don't like to post anything on this blog but family things so please visit my person blog to check out my friend and the newest cast member of "As the World Turns". I promise you wont be disappointed... and more then likely you will be seeing a lot more of her in the future... We love you Nessa!

Potty time.

We decided since the girls always go potty on the floor before they get in the tub we should get them some potty chairs... even if its just to get use to the idea. Well they have yet to potty in them but they do like to sit on them in front of the TV.

Pictures

The girls love baby dolls! We like to put them to sleep, hold them and kiss them. So I decided to get them some bottles (add something to our imagination play) They knew exactly what to do. They like to feed mommy too.




Us at outside time... playing in the rain.





We like the pantry and now we know where the cheerios are


Mommy after a ruff day!