Christmas decorations

It's tradition to put our Christmas tree up the Saturday after Thanksgiving. But we have to make sure that everything is done before the FSU vs FL football game. The kids were very excited to help. I don't think K remembers much from last year and I don't think she gets the whole "Christmas season." She's still asking if today is the day to open presents.

Before breakfast I had to run out and get lights (and I got a few presents and a peppermint mocha from Starbucks--YUM!) After breakfast, K and I started working on the tree inside and the boys went out to put up the lights. It was cold out but not freezing. Actually kinda nice to put lights up. C got to help Daddy. He was a really big help. After they were all done, C asked if he could get up on the roof with Daddy. Once he was up there, K wanted to go up too. Surprisingly, she was more scared than C. But they were so cute sitting up there with Daddy.

We also put some lights out back this year. And on Black Friday I got 2 pre-lit trees in pots. One is on our front porch and the other is in my living room. I've wanted trees like this for years. (same ones mentioned in the last post).

After we decorated we watched the game. So sad. For dinner, we had a "snacky type" meal. I tried these Pillsbury savory sensations. We tried the cheese and spinach and the pizza ones. They are YUMMO. It was a fun family day! All in all we had a great long weekend. The kids were good, we got a lot done, we found some good deals, and made some memories. I love weekends like this.

Black Friday

Did everyone get some good deals on Black Friday? I know we did. And we had fun too. And got to eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel--even better.

One quick funny story since I don't have any pictures. Daddy and C planned on going out early Friday morning, just the two of them. Daddy told C the night before that they would get up around 5 am and leave quickly. After the kids went to bed, Daddy and I looked over the ads and what we wanted and decided that we could all leave a little later (6:30ish) and probably still get what we wanted.

Next morning around 5:15 I was rudely awoken to C loudly yelling "Mommy! Mommy!" I rushed to his room and found him crying crocodile tears. "Daddy said he was getting me up at 4 or 5 and he forgot me!" Oh dear. "No he didn't. We actually planned on all of us going later." "I want it to be just him and me like we talked about." Again-oh dear. Since Daddy was now awake, he decided to go back to the original plan. So the boys left before 6 and K and I left around 7:30 and met them at Wal Mart.

We got toys, blankets, laptop table, socks, jeans (which I have to return; the snap broke), pre-lit Christmas trees, presents, a 4 slice toaster, sweat shirt, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I can't think of what else. But you get the picture. It was a great day.

Oh I forgot that I do have a picture of one of my pre-lit trees. So I will leave you with that. Disclaimer: Please tilt your head to the right before viewing. (I'm being very lazy today and don't want to rotate it).

An Italian Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving and Christmas it will be just our little family of 4. We will be having no company and we won't be going anywhere for the Holidays. In a little way it will be nice to not have to travel (I am the world's worst traveler; 'worser' than the kids), but I will miss seeing family.

One evening Daddy and I were discussing what we were going to have for Thanksgiving.

Me: I don't know if I want to make 2 big turkey dinners within a few weeks of each other. Our kids won't eat much of what I make anyway.

Daddy: Oh look. Buca de Beppo is open on Thanksgiving.

Me: Oh I like that idea. I don't have to cook or clean up! SOLD!!!

I called within the next few days to make reservations and our Thanksgiving dinner plans were made.

So Thanksgiving morning, after we watched a little bit of the parade we drove downtown to the restaurant. Buca is a family style Italian restaurant that was actually serving a turkey dinner. We all opted for Italian food and actually were able to get individual portions.

We started with yummy garlic cheese bread. Daddy had stuffed shells (stuffed with sausage and spinach), I had 4 cheese stuffed manicotti, K had "pa-sketti" and C had pizza. We ended with THE BEST chocolate chip canolis. They were worth going back for.

Our waitress was very nice but did ask why were eating there instead of home. There was almost no one there at the time. When we got dessert, they did seat another table. Downtown was very empty too.

It was a fun family time and the food was very good but I miss leftovers. I guess I will just have to wait until Christmas.

At this restaurant, you can request to eat with the pope. We didn't get to eat with him but did get the kids picture taken with him.

Craft Day

I have started a new tradition. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving I decided that we wouldn't have regular school, but instead we had a "craft day." We did have to do a few errands in the morning (got a present for Daddy accomplished). Then home to do crafts almost all day long.

They both had quite a few messyor very involved crafts that I had been holding on to. Let's see: a Star Wars BLACK color wonder (usually gets black all over his hands--remember this SIL?); painting sun catchers (from C's grad party); a plaster-of-paris hand print for K; hand art; at home Build-A-Bear for K; and foam airplane gliders.

We started with C doing color wonder and K painting sun catchers. They both did really good and didn't make a mess at all! Then they switched. C made a little tiny mess and K did good on the color wonder. Then we moved on to hand art. After K's nap I worked on the bear. That thing took me forever! K did help stuff it but that was really all she could do. She (her name is now Peaches) is really cute!

Craft day had to continue to Friday when Daddy helped make the foam gliders. C has a wooden plane that still needs put together and painted. It will have to wait til some other time.

The kids talked about craft day for many days leading up to it (I"m counting it as a homeschool day) and really seemed to enjoy it. I know I had fun; it was fun spending time with them. But I did learn 2 things: I could not go back to a job where I stand on my feet alot and I couldn't be a teacher trying to help many kids that are working on different things/levels and try to keep everyone going/happy. That second one should prove to be a challenge when I homeschool K next year.

Potty Diaries-The End!

This post is for anyone who cares and anyone who was wondering. K girl is officially potty-trained. I declare it done and she has stated as such too. She has also said that we need to sell her potty seat. So if anyone is in need of a used potty seat, I have one. She still needs a diaper at night but can go all day in her pretty little panties. I'm so excited and so proud of her. Another "baby thing" behind us.

I know this is a short post--short and to the point--but I am in the middle of Christmas shopping online. No time to stop! Catch you later!