Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Psst.... Look At My New Ticker!

It's right below my profile...
Yup! That's right!
Most of you already know the news,
but some of you may not.
I haven't had an ultrasound yet because I was too early at my first appointment.
The Holidays have delayed my second appointment so I'm excited to have my 1st ultrasound.
I'll be approximately 12 weeks along.

The kids don't know yet, but Lucas has a sneakin' suspicion.
He outright asked me today if I have a baby in my belly
because my belly was getting bigger.
Ummm......
I think it was related to a Franklin (the turtle) movie that they've been watching lately,
in which Franklin is having a hard time waiting for Spring to
arrive because that is when his baby sister is due.

I don't want to purposely mislead him, but I would like to have my
ultrasound first since we miscarried last time.
I just told him my tummy was getting fluffy,
which is not entirely a lie due to lack of muscle tone
and too many Christmas goodies!

I really am looking forward to sitting down and telling them the good news!
I'm glad I could share it with you!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Sweetest Gift



I have the best 2010 calendar a mom could ever want!
Here is the layout for the calendar Lucas made
for me at preschool. It's laminated so I can use a dry-erase
marker to mark my schedule. When 2011 rolls around I can
print out my calendar, laminate it and reuse the pictures.
This is something I will cherish for a long time!
Thanks sweetie pie!
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Inexpensive and Adorable!

A few weeks ago I picked up these $1 kits from Jo-Ann's for the kids to make. A few of the details were a little difficult for them, but they had a great time anyway. The only thing we changed was to give baby snowman a scarf of his own.

Here are the end results:
Lucas' snowmen

Lydia's snowmen

I love the individuality of each one and I think they turned out much
cuter than the one pictured on the package!
(This mom is not biased at all!)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

How Could I....


...take these down?

Last week when I came home from work the kids
excitedly told me they had decorated for Christmas
while I was gone. They were so proud and so excited
So.... how could I possibly take these down? They are here to stay.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Easy Advent Calendar

Lucas brought the above Advent calendar home from school. Although I would prefer to have an Advent calendar that helps us focus on the true meaning of Christmas (I have yet to make a Jesse tree) he has really enjoyed placing a cotton ball on each corresponding day.

Of course, Lydia needed a calendar so she could join in. I drew a simple snowman and penciled in 25 circles similar to the Santa...


...let her decorate with pens and crayons and soon we will have a very
fuzzy snowman and Santa on our hands.

Now, on to shopping for my Jesse tree ornaments!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Making Memories



Yesterday, the kids and I decorated our cut-out sugar cookies. It was cold and blustery outside and warm and cozy in the kitchen. We played Christmas music and had so much fun! As you can see in the first picture, while I was busy help one kid the other would be going crazy with the sprinkles and M&M's. We had an out of control sprinkle-fest going on! It was great!


Sugar Cookies- Taste of Home (compliments of my sis, Jenn)

3/4 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Combine dry ingredients and add to your creamed mixture. Chill for one hour. Roll out dough to 1/4 -1/2" depending on if you want crunchy vs soft cookies. Cut out desired shapes. Bake @ 375 for 8-10 min. Cool and frost.

Buttercream Frosting- mom (love you!)

1/2 c butter
1/2 c shortening
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
5 1/2 c powdered sugar
1/4 milk or half and half

Cream butter and shortening. Add salt and vanilla. Mix well. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time alternating with milk. Beat until light and fluffy. Keep covered until ready to use.

***This made enough frosting to generously frost 2 batches of sugar cookies***

Now frost and decorate your cookies and try to keep from eating 2 or 3 at a time. SO good!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Graduation Weekend

A certain someone moved into a "big girl" bed this weekend!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Two Kinds of Cute!

Lucas decided today would be a good day to wear part of his Halloween
costume again. Such an adorable look on his face!
(We did end up going to a church festival... for those of you who I discussed Halloween
celebrations with, way back in October. I'm glad we decided to do it!)


Lydia showing off her new purple tutu, a wonderful birthday gift
from my sister Jenn's family. She looks so adorable in it!