Suzanne McGrath Photography

Make Up Monday

I know.  I know.  I missed last night.  I'm still alive, so it's all good.  Here's what's been going on...

1.  I LOVE this time of year!  I truly do.  This year has been different, though.  I'm not sure what's been going on with me, but I haven't been able to enjoy this season like normal.  I've been grumpy and short with my kids.  I've been extremely tired.  If I didn't know any better, I'd think I have Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD).  But I really think it has to do with #4 not sleeping...  

When I had newborns - and therefore wasn't sleeping much - I always adjusted my lifestyle and expectations of myself.  But with a two-and-a-half year old whose sleep resembles a newborn?  I haven't adjusted anything.  I've expected myself to operate as usual.  However, I'm a DECADE older than when I had my first baby.  I used to be able to operate without a lot of sleep.  I don't think that's the case anymore.  It has caught up with me and it's not good.  Not good at all.  I went to bed last night at 8:30pm and slept 'till 6:15am.  And I did NOT get up with #4!  I just didn't have it in me.  Thank goodness the hubby took pity on me.

2.  Why is #4 not sleeping?  Well, I think it started off with her getting a cold.  Then the cold turned into something worse.  She just wasn't getting better (in fact, she was getting worse) so the hubby finally took her to an Urgent Care yesterday.  Diagnosis?  Ear infection, possible sinus infection, possible strep throat.  She is on meds now so we're hoping she starts sleeping better and stops with the attitude!  Wish us luck.  

3.  Last week the littles had their Christmas program.  They looked adorable.  #4 did not enjoy it.  Check her out:

#3 LOVED it!  She knew all the words and she sang it, baby!  She stood by her "boyfriend".  Are they not the cutest couple?

She is so funny.  I've told you before she is very particular about what she wears:  only jeans, no comfy pants, no skirts, no dresses.  Period.  Well, she knew she was expected to wear a dress to her program.  (That was the uniform for the evening for most of the kiddos.)  She didn't fight it or protest.  She did, however, bring along her jeans and T-shirt for after the program.  Sure enough, as soon as we got to Orange Leaf, she couldn't get changed fast enough!  All her friends were running around in their dresses but she couldn't wait to get hers off.  I didn't care.  I was just glad we got some mileage out of an old Christmas dress from years past.  

4.  I finally got around to snaping a few images of my Christmas decorations.  I've used most of these for years.  I am officially getting tired of them.  I know I am going to change a lot of this up next year.  And my neighbor, Karen, is going to help me do a SPECTACULAR tree next year.  I'm already excited!

Here's our little tree.  My sister calls it our Charlie Brown tree.  I can't get rid of it because it has so much meaning for me.  The hubby and I bought it our first year down here.  We were so broke that year!  We'd celebrate having $10 left over at the end of the month by eating out at Taco Bell.  No joke.  We bought this tree for $20 at Walmart that year and I thought it was AMAZING.  Nowadays it's the "kids" tree.  They decorated it entirely themselves.

I bought these lamps at Target this fall with the intention of spray painting them to match my retro yellow chairs.  Well, I have yet to fully decorate the family room and they were the perfect red.  So I set them out this year.

I hang little wreaths in the kitchen windows.  There are three of these.  I'm not tired of these yet - they just make me smile.

A few years ago I decided to save money by sewing my own stockings.  Unfortunately I did not end up saving more than a few bucks, but I did end up with some stockings I simply ADORE.

I've put my Department 56 Christmas in the City village on top of the mantle every year for 8 years.  It's time to change it up.  Next year I need to find another place for the village because I really want to decorate the mantle in something really cool and modern.  However, the village is the girls's absolute favorite part about decorating so I definitely have to keep it!

My mom started collecting this Nativity scene for me back when we first got married.  I still really love this set.  #1 set it up all on her own this year and I think she did an amazing job!

Since the girls can't play with the Nativity scene above, I finally bought them this Little People set this year.  The littles really like it.  I especially like that it invites a good conversation.  The girls are playing with it all the while asking question so I get a chance to explain all about the night baby Jesus was born.  A definite win-win.

These Santa Bears bring back memories of Christmases when I was a kid!  I got the one on the left from my parents when I was in sixth grade.  I got the other one from my friends for my birthday the next year.  I distinctly remember getting the first one because that was the year my sister and I searched the house and found EVERY SINGLE PRESENT we got that year.  It was so disappointing when we were done opening gifts and we realized nothing was a surprise.  We never did it again!  

I decorated my banister with a new twist this year.  I like it but I think next year I am going to buy real greenery!  I never realized how reasonably priced it is.  And I think it would look great swagged up the sides.  But this look has been a fun change, too.

Lastly, our Charlie Brown tree at night.  I love sitting down at night with all the overhead lights off and just my twinkly Christmas lights lit.  If I have a cup of tea in my hand, I'm in heaven.

5.  Last week the girls delivered cookies to the neighbors.  They worked so hard making the bags!  Aren't they cute?

And this image?  Oh, be still my heart.  I LOVE it!

6.  The older girls had an exciting day yesterday.  Their soccer team won the indoor soccer championships for their division.  I was so sad I had to miss it!  But #4 needed a nap due to her sickness and #3 needed a nap due to staying up 'till 10pm the night before.  When they got home their cheeks were flushed red, they had on their "winner" T-shirts, and they couldn't stop talking!  #1 even scored two or three goals.  And #2 ran all over the entire field and didn't act like the shy 3rd grader among a field of 5th graders.  I was so, so happy for them!

They were so excited they couldn't wait to run down the street and tell their summer nanny, Ashley all about it!  (I'm afraid #2 might have even woken Ashley with her texting from my phone!  Oops.)  #1 even wore her T-shirt to school today.  

7.  Want, Need, Wear, Read.  I did it again this year.  I try to be fair but let's be honest, it's impossible to make everything fair.  If they are arguing about who got what in 20 years, I'll have bigger fish to fry!

#1:

Want - Vera Bradley school bag and a North Face fleece jacket

Need - Soccer backpack, runing tights, and a ski helmet

Wear - Husker hoodie (oh yeah!!) and two outfits from Aeropostale

Read - some Ranger's Apprentice book

#2:

Want - iPod touch (Ouch.  That one hurt.)

Need - Chair for her desk and a soccer backpack

Wear - Husker hoodie (we are brainwashing them young) and two outfits from Justice

Read - Ramona set

#3:

Want - Camera

Need - Chair for her desk

Wear - two outfits from Old Navy (jeans, of course)

Read - an Olivia book, I think?

#4:

Want - Camera (a kiddie version since our other one bit the dust)

Need - Flannel sheets

Wear - two outfits from Old Navy (including an adorable jean skirt!)

Read - Honestly, I can't even remember!  

Santa:

I struggled here.  I did.  I was going to limit it to one thing but #3 is simply ADAMENT she is getting a Barbie computer.  She talks about it constantly and tells #4 that she will share it with her.  I kept trying to steer her away from the thought, but it was no use.  And I couldn't bear for her to be disappointed on Christmas morning.  I know.  I know.  Overboard.  But alas, I did it.

#1:  Just Dance 3 for the wii, Tetris for the DS

#2:  Sports Resort for the wii, Minute to Win It for the DS

#3:  American Girl doll and Barbie computer

#4:  Bitty Baby and Barbie computer (younger version)

Phew!  There you have it.  I feel like we're all caught up!  Have a great week. 

 

Six on Sunday

I've got nothin' for an intro so let's just dive right in, shall we?

1.  Wow!  My easy peasy two-year-old has turned into a tough cookie two-and-a-HALF-year old!  She is taking notes from her five-year-old sister, apparently.  She is getting good at whining (ugh) and it's driving me crazy.  Not only that, she now gets up multiple times a night - FOUR on Friday night.  Gah.  Calgon, take me away!  And just last night and tonight, she has decided she wants someone to lay down with her until she falls asleep.  We did that with #1 and vowed NEVER to do that again.  Ever.  But still, we have not been cry it out type parents.  However, it happened tonight.  Any suggestions???

2.  The car bad luck continued today.  Thankfully, it wasn't to the tune of a grand again, just a little wasted time.  I locked my keys in the car today.  Stuck in the ignition.  Who does that?  Oh, me, that's who.  And I had no idea I had done it until #1 and I tried to leave her swim practice.  Thankfully, another mom gave us a ride home - just in time for the hubby to take #2 to her piano recital.  Phew.  Dodged a bullet there!

3.  I baked yesterday.  As in I spent nearly 10 hours in the kitchen yesterday.  Oh, yes I did!  Here is the output:

I made 10 different varieties:  chocolate covered pretzel rods, chocolate truffles, peanut butter balls, caramels, Hug covered Pretzels, peanut butter cookies, black and whites, spritz, sugar cookies, and gingerbread men.  This is what the kitchen looked like Saturday morning:

The kids all "helped" in their own way.  I only got a couple snapshots.  Here is #2 helping:

And here is #4's idea of helping.  I think she ate as many Hugs as she actually placed on the pretzel:

#1 and #3 helped, too.  It was fun to let them drop in when they felt like it and drop out when they were done.  All in all, it was an easy day.

4.  For our Advent Calendar activity last night, we had the cousins sleep over.  The kids were SO excited when they opened the box.  It was adorable to see the girls so excited.  Since I had baked cookies all day, the kids spent some time last night decorating them:

5.  I have been reading a new blog later, Peas and Thank You.  We are not vegan.  Heck, we are not even vegetarians!  However, her writing is so light-hearted and funny that I continue to read.  And her food looks AWESOME.  I gave it a try this weekend.  Here is her Sugar Cookie Smoothie:

Unfortunately, after three different attempts to buy Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh RideTea, I had to settle for Peppermint.  (I think the cookie flavor would have been divine!)  The verdict?  Not bad.  It could have used a smidge more Stevia, but that was my bad.  I will make it again.  (I had it for breakfast yesterday.)

Last night we tried her Tofu Dippers with Mmmm Sauce.  The verdict?  The hubby and I liked it - especially the Mmmm Sauce.  The kids - we had to make them PB and Js.  

I think I will continue to experiment using her recipes.  They are very healthy but more than that, they really do look tasty and delicious!  I know for CERTAIN we will be making that Mmmm Sauce again!

6.  A few "catch-up" items:

• The hubby started his job last week.  So far, so good.  And let me tell you, after nearly four years of him working from home, it was strange to see him dressed in real clothes again!  I was so used to Husker sweatshirts and wind pants.  I think I kinda like the new look:)
• I had a birthday.  When you are as close to 40 as I am, you really don't make a big deal out of it anymore.  I want to say thank you to all of you who sent me a message - it was really nice to feel special for a day!  
• I have a ton of projects waiting in the wings.  I am hopeful I will be able to start with them in January!  I just ordered aluminum leaf last week - it should be good!

Wow - it sure takes me a long time to come up with six items when I am also watching The Good Wife.  I should remember that next week when I sit down to blog.  I definitely need to time it better!

That's all folks - have a great week.  

 

Six on Sunday

1.  #2 had a cold last week and felt pretty lousy.  Hence, #3 decided she wanted to sleep with her oldest sister.  (I don't blame her!)  But, by the time #2 started feeling a little better, #3 was relegated back to her bed for the night and she was very, very sad.  As I was putting her to bed that night, we were reading a book like normal.  She turned to me and said, "When I can't sleep with with my big [#1] sister, it makes my heart broke!"  Oh man, was that like a knife through the heart?!  But by the same token, I am so lucky they love each other so much.  After all, #1 is 5 and a half years older than #3 and they get along so well. 

2.  We have a big change happening tomorrow.  After nearly four years of working from home, the hubby is going back to corporate America.  I'm nervous and excited for him.  It's been great having him at home - almost like a Mr. Mom.  He has taken the big girls to school every day and picked them up, too.  He's dropped them off at soccer practice, girl scouts, and play dates.  By the same token, he has became more and more grouchy - working longer and longer hours.  His new job sounds like such a perfect fit for him I really, really have high hopes!  Cross your fingers for him.

3.  So far, our advent calendar has gone well.  The first night the girls followed four clues to find a bag of chocolate at the end.  The second night the girls drew a name for each other.  Now they only have to "buy" a gift for one sibling.  Last night we were going to attend the Luminary display at the OP Arboretum but it was cancelled due to rain.  Thank goodness I had something in my back pocket - a gingerbread house.  The girls - all four of them - took turns decorating a gingerbread man (can you believe the kit included FOUR?  How perfect!) and the house itself.  Thankfully it worked out really, really well with NO fighting.  Awesome, huh?  And tonight they each got to pick out a canned food item to take with them to church.  I thought they'd complain about going to church, but they were surprisingly calm.  Rock on.  

I've started putting together a December Daily and it's been a really fun project.  Once I have a few pages completed, I'll photograph and post them.

4.  We had to buy shoes for #1 yesterday.  We had pictures with Santa Claus and she had a new dress and no shoes.  So we stopped at Target for a quick run to the shoe department.  Luckily, she found some awesome flats.  So what's the deal, you might be thinking?  Well, she bought a size EIGHT!  I wear a size 7.5.  I can't believe my fifth grader has bigger feet than me.  Holy cow!  She is going to be taller than me in no time, too!

5.  If you follow along with my Six on Sunday series, you know we had to leave our Suburban in Chandler, Oklahoma on Thanksgiving day.  The hubby and my sister are my HEROES!  They drove down to Chandler yesterday and picked up the Suburban.  For a mere $950, we have a car that is drive-able now.  Woo-Hoo!  We are no longer a one-car family.  And I need to be really, really thankful because they ran into a lot of nasty rain.  And, they were on the road at 5:30am while I was soundly sleeping with #4.  I was really glad to see them at 4pm!

6.  We went to visit Santa yesterday.  Our time slot was from 3:00 - 3:30pm.  Santa was leaving at 3:30pm and we rolled in at 3:26pm and still had to run to the bathroom to get #2 dressed.  Luckily, we were good to go and were able to chat with the jolly man.  Of course #4 wanted nothing to do with him, again.  But to be honest, I didn't care about the talk with Santa.  I needed to get a decent shot of my four girls together in somewhat coordinating outfits.  I was so busy this fall that I didn't get a family picture of the girls.  I got lucky yesterday.  We got two shots in five minutes.  Seriously.  It was awesome!  I'm not going to show you "the" shot but I'll show you the Santa visit.

OK, here is where I tell you I have a problem.  #3 insists she wants a Barbie computer for Christmas.  We already have one "computer" in the basement that she never plays with - at all.  She also just got the v-tech tablet for her birthday.  She truly does not NEED this but she insists she wants it.  So what do I do?  Do I disappoint her and only give her an American Girl doll?  Or do I cave and buy the computer?  To make matters worse, #4 is a parrot of #3 and insists she wants a Barbie 'puter, too.  So if I get one, do I have to get two?  Because I know from (birthday) experience #4 will definitely want what #3 gets for Christmas if it's different from herself.  Ugh!  Any advice?  Because I'll take it!

Have a great week! 

 

Thrifty Thursday...an Advent Calendar

Well, I have to admit, I almost didn't make it tonight.  I didn't think I had anything to blog about and then it hit me.  My advent calendar!

I have showed this here on the blog before - a looooong time ago!  I think I made this about four years ago.  Actually, I know it was four years ago because I was pregnant with #4 at the time.  I must preface these instructions by saying this wasn't my idea.  Ali Edwards featured it on her blog long ago.

Check it out.  (Excuse the late night photos with flash.  Gotta love winter time!)

This is the first year I've hung these by the front door.  And I have to say I like the mix-up.  

All I did was scrounge up 24 boxes - all different sizes.  Some of these I had laying around the house and others I purchased at Michaels.  I also bought three different colors of that $0.99 paint at Michaels.  (Is it acrylic?)  The girls and I painted all 24 boxes and made sure to use the three colors fairly evenly.  And I will admit to going back and re-painting most of what they had done.  Remember, they were only 5 and 7 back when we did this.  I can be a bit perfectionistic at times.  Oh well, sue me.

Anyway, when they were dry I used a few different set of scrapbooking stickers to come up with the numbers.  That was it!  Truly - this was so easy.  I know there are adorable advent calendars out there today but they can be pricey.  This was so fun and I like knowing I won't find it anyone else's house!

Here's a close-up:

 

You might be wondering what I use to hang these up.  I use those removable double-sided sticky squares.  They're great and they don't ruin your walls.  (I put the spoon in there for a frame of reference as to the size.  They're truly the perfect size.)

 

Tonight I included a bit of a treasure hunt.  There were five clues and at the end of the clues there was a bag of chocolate truffles.  It was a hit!

 

That's it!  Easy peasy.  And to give you some idea of what I do each year, here are my "activities" for this year.  (I'm sure I'll end up making some changes, but it's a great start!)

Dec. 1:  Treasure hunt for chocolate

Dec. 2:  Draw names for sibling gifts

Dec. 3:  Attend the luminary walk at the OP Arboretum

Dec. 4:  Pick out cans of food to take to church to donate to those in need

Dec. 5:  Shop for Angel Tree gifts

Dec. 6:  Attend #1's orchestra concert and come home and make popcorn

Dec. 7:  Gather coats and drop off at a Salvation Army for Project Warmth

Dec. 8:  Family game night:  Twister

Dec. 9:  Give each other manicures and pedicures

Dec. 10:  Sleepover with cousins!

Dec. 11:  Attend #2's piano recital and go out for dinner afterward (we RARELY go out to dinner!)

Dec. 12:  Make Christmas cards for teachers

Dec. 13:  Movie Night:  Pick a Christmas movie!

Dec. 14:  Deliver cookies to our neighbors (Dorothy - pretend you didn't read this!)

Dec. 15:  Make a list of 10 things for which we are thankful

Dec. 16:  Attend AAC's (#3 and #4's daycare) Holiday program and go out to Orange Leaf afterwards.

Dec. 17:  Get hot chocolate at Starbucks

Dec. 18:  Attend #1's synchro program and eat LOTS of cookies afterwards.

Dec. 19:  Make brownies for dessert tonight

Dec. 20:  Sit in front of the fire and read about baby Jesus's birth

Dec. 21:  Drive around and look at Christmas lights - come home and make hot chocolate

Dec. 22:  Family game night:  Sorry

Dec. 23:  Eat breakfast for dinner in our PJs by candlelight

Dec. 24:  Attend church and come home to enjoy a yummy dinner.  Open Christmas Eve gifts (PJs).