Christmas Party

Saturday night, we went to our annual Christmas party held by some of our friends in the county.  This year, they did a progressive party.  Appetizers and Santa visit at house #1.  Main course at House #2, and Desserts and presents at House #3.  While I don't think it's a horrible idea....it's not the best idea in the rain...with 2 young kids.  But...it was fun nonetheless.  The kids had a great time with their friends and the Santa was great.  We use the same guy every year and he is really great!  He tells stories, sings with the kids, and gives presents (which of course, we pay for).  Here are a few pictures:

My contribution this year was cupcakes and buffalo chicken dip.

All of the kids with Santa.  I love the fact that almost all of these kids have gone to preschool together (or at least with the younger brother or sister). 

Mia and I take a minute to pose for a picture

and Pax and I too of course. 

Mia told Santa she wanted an Ariel doll.

Is this Paxton or Rudolph?

Pax told Santa he wanted a remote control airplane and a black and red gun that shoots balls.

Santa is telling the kids a story.  They are mesmorized.

By the time we got to the last house, we were in our PJ's.  Their cousin Emma is helping them open a gift. 

I love that we have the option of doing all of these great things with our kids...and our friend's kids. 

Frozen

Besides being actually Frozen from this cold weather here in MD....we went to see Frozen at the movies.  It was great!  Definitely one of my new favorites.  The kids loved it too! 

Elsa, is Mia's favorite. 

Pax really liked Anna. 

The movie was so cute and fun.  The snow monster did scare the kids, but otherwise, it was a hit!

Adventures of Alex the Elf (Elf on the Shelf)

I admit, I've been a slacker this year both with this blog and with everything else, including moving Alex, our elf.  I just sometimes feel defeated with everything going on - Pax's lack of eating and the therapy and surgery not helping, my Dad refusing chemo, etc. 
But...I'm trying to do better.  I've managed to do a few fun things with Alex so far and the kids LOVE it!

He had a dinner date with Minnie Mouse and the Catapillar. 

He also decided to play in Paxton's ball pit.

Today, he left some Elf Kisses for Mia and Pax.

He also took a ride on the airplane in our playroom. 

Who knows where he will be next....

Weekend Shananigans

We've had some busy weekends lately.  This past weekend was no exception.  We went to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Sofia the 1st Live  It was a great show, but really short (1 1/2 hours total, including intermission).  I thought the price was a little steep for the amount of time we were there.  Regardless, the kids really liked it. Pax was scared of the tick tock crock.

Saturday, we had lunch at my Uncles house in DE.  It was great.  The food was delicious as always, but even more, I enjoyed spending that time with my Aunt and Uncle.  I see them only a few times of year now and his health has been deteriorating (Diabetes, Kidney Failure, heart disease, etc.).  Sometimes I feel like this will be the last year that my life will be the same---everyone relatively healthy enough to enjoy the holidays.  The stress has definitely affected me more this year than ever before.  No one ever said growing up was easy, but I guess I have never thought about facing so many close relatives and people I love who are in such bad health.

I hope everyone has a happy healthy holiday and enjoy all of the blessings in your life!

Scrapbook Paper Christmas Tree Craft

Mia always asks to do a "project".  This week, I actually came prepared.  I bought some scrapbook paper on sale at Michaels and let them go to town...making a Christmas tree.

I helped them cut the strips of paper and I found some foam stickers in our craft bin, which I used for the angels.  Easy Peasy Project for under $1! 

Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Series: Book Review

I've definitely had a thing for short easy read romance books lately.  I also read 2 books in the Castle Mountain Lodge Romance Series.  You can read these together or separate as stand alone books.  Mistaken Gifts was the 1st book I read and then in Unexpected Endings, Andi meets Collin through Eva and Jeff.  I really loved both books.  Andi and Eva are party planners, which I loved reading about.  I enjoyed how they planned the Christmas party together at the lodge and how they planned Eva's wedding.  I think I read both books in 1 week so....definitely quick reads that you don't want to put down.

book reviews: The Fairhope Series by Sarra Cannon

So, over the past 2 weeks, I've devoured 3 books in the Fairhope Series by Sarra Cannon.  And....I loved them!  They were fun, quick, easy reads with a great love story.  Predictable?  Maybe a little, but sometimes I like that.  They were just what I needed to take my mind off of the stress of the holiday season.  I loved all 3 equally, but I believe "The Trouble with Goodbye" was book 1 (Leigh Ann's story).  Penny's story (The Moment we Began) is book 2 and "A Season of Hope" which is Bailey's story is book 3.
In each book, you really get to know the characters.  They are not as shallow as they may seem in the first books.  In the 1st book, I did not like Bailey.  But...by the time I got to her book, I understood more about her and grew to really like her.