Four gifts

This is the year I decided to try the four gifts thing I've seen on Pinterest. I thought it would be a good way to organize their presents from us and also provide some structure. I'm hoping this is an idea that will stick around. And since I'm in charge of most of the gifting around here, it probably will. Santa is bringing them each 3 presents, 1 big and 2 small, and a gift for the family. So it should be a successful Christmas. 
When I first ran the idea past BT, he seemed suspicious. His family is fairly intense about Christmas. As long as it doesn't include Santa presents then he was fine with it. The Something They Want, Wear and Read was easy. I had them circle the toy catalogs when they came in for Santa presents and picked something out for the Want. Clothes, they always need especially as they both had growth spurts recently. And, of course, I have the Read covered (Bub is getting the illustrated Harry Potter and I am super excited about it). It was the Need that stumped me. After all, if they need something I usually just buy it. I did an internet search for ideas and didn't really find many. Bub has ended up with a soccer goal and Button with shoes. Both things they need in different ways and I'm hoping having his own goals will inspire him to practice more.

I should start making a list of Needs all year round so I 'll have ideas for next year. It was after I finished the list that I thought that rain boots would have been a cute idea for the two of them and maybe rain coats. Oh well. There's always the Easter bunny.

Merry and bright

I hope everyone is having a merry Christmas.  The nice thing about this year is that we are finally home after having spent the last 2 years at my in-laws. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy Christmas over there. It's just that we usually alternate years and due to an obligation with my family we ended doing 2 years of Thanksgiving with my family and 2 years of Christmas with his. And I do look forward to that year at my own home. It's so much easier and involves a whole lot less hauling of gifts and hiding of Santa presents. So far the plans involve the traditional reading of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" by BT once he gets home from work (he has to work late) and watching Christmas movies. We will also be spending some time with my family, I'm sure since my sister is in town. I'm looking forward to a nice, relaxing Christmas.

Santa the stranger

I've been trying this holiday season to take my kids to see Santa. But things like sickness and the weather keep getting in our way. Finally I gave up and we decided to go to the mall. It's not that I don't like the mall Santa. I do. We have a very good mall Santa and the set-up is really pretty. It's just that it is expensive and, more than that, can be overwhelming for little ones. The only mall Santa picture I have with Bub was when he was about 2 and he was not happy about Santa. Now the thing about Button is she doesn't like strangers. She gets very serious with people she doesn't know. It's part of the reason why most of the professional pictures I've had taken of her are with a serious face. So knowing what I know, I kind of knew how this was going to turn out. The only saving grace could have been her brother. But not even his presence was going to save her from Santa. It did not go over well. Santa, in the end, had to stand behind the chair and even so the picture is not the best. C'est la vie, I suppose. I did get some great pictures of them in front of our Christmas tree in their nice clothes and I'm thinking about taking them to a local restaurant where Santa is going to be and trying again. Maybe in a more relaxed setting I can get a decent picture. And, if not, oh well. This will all be apart of the story of Button's 2nd Christmas.

Day 16: Christmas money (The Grateful Project)

Back when I started my job with the university I started a Christmas Club fund. My parents always had one when I was growing up and more than once my mom remark on how great it was. The fact that Bub's birthday is also in December adds to the amount of money we have to spend. So when the opportunity arose I started a fund and it has been one of the best money decisions I've ever made.

A certain amount of money gets pulled out of my paycheck every month and I budget how much goes to who. And then I have the money to get everyone something nice. Plus we have the money needed for Bub's birthday presents and his party. It's the party that costs the most. So it's nice not having to worry about where the money is going to come from.

31 Things: Day 23: Favorite holiday

Christmas is my favorite holiday mostly because birthdays don't count. No, but really I do love the holiday. My next favorite would be Easter, I suppose. I love the traditions of holidays and the excitement behind them.

Christmas 2010

We had a good Christmas.  BT and I actually had to wake Bub up though I suspect he was already awake.  We saw him just standing at the baby gate to his hallway staring.  When I went over to him, he said "There's something in my stocking" in a whisper.  He needed his clothes changed so while we were doing that he said again, "There's something in my stocking" *pause* "There's something in your stocking too."  It was precious.  Once he had on clean clothes, he ran out and begin going through his stocking.  He got a kid camera, a MobiGo, an Iron Man (which seems to be his favorite thing), some Play-Doh, some other toys and clothes.  I got a Weekender bag that I had been wanting, a String-Ring (which is really cool), and MySims Sky Heroes.  So that was everything I really wanted. 

This is my parent's year for Christmas so BT made a gumbo and potato salad and we had that for dinner along with a whole lot of dessert.  We opened more presents over there and ate a bunch and just hung out.  It was cold and rainy out so we stayed indoors all day.  I'm glad that the weather was wintry for Christmas.  I hate it when it is warm.  But it was a very nice Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

I hope all your days are merry and bright.  Wishing you a lovely holiday! 

This week

This week has been pretty busy.  Monday I finished up my shopping and Tuesday I took my sister who has a broken foot shopping.  Wednesday I cleaned the house really good and Thursday I did absolutely nothing but read and watch TV.  It's been a good week but now I'm excited for Christmas.  Bub is excited and really knows what is going on and it is going to be fun!

Library Christmas Party

Today was the "office" Christmas Party and it was very nice.  I always enjoy it though the last two years I've had to sit with people I don't have much to talk about with.  But this year I endeavored to sit with people I like.  I had my new assistant sit by me and made a pact with the account because she was worried about the same thing.  And one of the reference librarians who I guess is my friend sat there too.  So it worked out.  The only thing was my really awkward part-time assistant was like attached to my hip or something because I couldn't shake him off and he sat with us.  But he doesn't say much (which is part of the reason he is awkward) and so it was alright.  The food was good and it was a nice time regardless. 

We play this Secret Santa stealing game and it is fun but I'm too nice to steal from anyone so I always end up with some random thing I don't really like.  Next year I'm doing nothing but stealing.  I'm getting something good next year.  But it doesn't matter, the point is just to play and have fun.  I just need to figure out what I'm going to do with the gift I ended up with.  Regifting?

Christmas cake

Last weekend I decided to make a Christmas cake to go with my new cake plate.  I ended up coloring a white cake red and green with white frosting.  It was pretty good.

Christmas decorations

The weekend after Thanksgiving we did our tree.  We have an artifical pre-lit tree that we add red lights too.  And I'm a big fan of ribbon on trees.  This year is a "candy cane" or "red and white" year.  All my paper is red and white.  I'm big on matching.

 

BT's family has these matching elf stocking and his grandmother made extras for their spouses and children so we have matching stocking and we have our own stocking hangers.  BT has snowman, I have an angel, and Bub has a Christmas tree.  I usually put our Mr. Bingles up along with a Christmas tree on the mantel.

 

I also collect Tigger ornaments and I have so many that I put up a little tree with all of them.  I even have a Tigger tree topper.

 

And then outside we string lights around the house and put up our inflatable Santa in a helicopter.   This is the first year that Bub is really appreciating everything.  Last year he knew more of what was going on but he seems to be more into the idea of Santa and decorating and everything.

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all!  I hope your holidays are happy and full of family and the holiday spirit.

"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppets take on Charles Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol" with their own special twist of course.  Starring Michael Caine as Ebeneezer Scrooge and the cast of the Muppets in various role, this is a fun take on the old story. It follows the Dickens story fairly faithfully and most of Scrooge's dialogue is straight on.  The addition of Charles Dickens (Gonzo) as the narrator is funny.

It is a musical as Muppet movies usually are, though the songs are less memorable.  I like particulary "It feels like Christmas," a jauntly little tune.  The special effects are well done for 1992 and the Muppets are so great.  Michael Caine makes an excellent Scrooge and I love Miss Piggy's Mrs. Cratchit.

Favorite Christmas Books

Christmas time is upon us and I've been doing some lovely holiday reading.  So in particular order, are some of my favorite Christmas reading.

1. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Barbara Robinson) - I loved the movie growing up.  We had it on tape and use to watch it all the time.  I read the book a few years back and now I try to read it at least once during the season.  It's about the Herdmans, a group of bad children, who take over a Christmas pageant and end up making everyone think about the true meaning of the Nativity and who learn themselves the meaning of Christmas.

2. Skipping Christmas (John Grisham) - My favorite holiday book, I listen to it every year for about 5 years now.  I love how the Kranks try to "skip Christmas" with hilarious results and how no one wants to let them and everyone acts very selfishly until the very end.

3.  A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) - Of course, this is a perennial favorite.  There is much more to this little novella than any adaptation you will see (though my favorite is A Muppet Christmas Carol) and the redemption of Scrooge is so classic.

4. The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) - Another lovely classic, it's the story of two people willing to sacrifice something they love for each other.  So much goes into the act of sacrificing something that it makes the realization at the end very poignant.

5.  A Christmas Story (Jean Shepherd) - The famous movie is actually based on four short stories by Shephered.  I love the extended version of what happens to Ralphie that this is a great book to listen to during the Christmas season.

So there are my favorite re-reads for Christmas.  What are some of yours?

Holiday Movies

It's Christmas time and now all of the best holiday movies are coming on TV and we are breaking out our DVDs.  Here's a list of some of the favorites around my house.


1. A Charlie Brown Christmas - We own it and my husband has to break it out at least 2 times a year.  And now the boy is loving Snoopy.  My favorite part is when Linus quotes the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14 to emphasize what Christmas is really about: 

"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

2. A Christmas Story - annual favorite and all time classic.  "I want an offical Red Ryder BB Gun with a compass in the scope and this thing that tells time."  I love it when the kid's tongue gets stuck to the pole.

3.  The Santa Clause - I just find it to be a very cute movie with great spirit.

4.  All the stop motion animated Christmas specials like Santa Claus is Coming to Town with the Burgermeister Meisterburger and Frosty the Snowman

5. A Muppet Christmas Carol - I just bought it because I love it so much.  The songs and the acting is really great and of course, Muppets! What could be better?

Just catching up

I had an idea of what to write about and now I forgot. I have actually been doing well at work and working and not goofing off but today I kind of backslid a little. Ah me.
Anyway, Christmas was good. Bub got lots of toys and I got some good stuff too. I got this Fleur de Lis pendent and My Sims Kingdom for Wii (which I am now addicted to) and a cute little camera for my purse. We went to Oklahoma for New Year's and to see my cousin's house (which is really pretty). BT didn't get to go b/c he had to work a lot (which apparently also means he doesn't have to pick up the house any or do laundry but I digress).
I have been listening to the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud. I just finished The Golem's Eye and have now started Ptolemy's Gate. This is the third time I've read/listened to these books and they are so awesome. I love Bartimaeus. He is so awesome. I've heard they are making The Amulet of Samarkand into a movie. I hope it is a good one and they don't ruin it. I haven't been able to find much about it.
Oh, and I also have starting watching Pushing Daisies, just as it is canceled, of course, It is really good and I regret not watching it. I hope they move networks or something b/c it is really clever. But I liked Dead like Me a lot too and I can't wait for the new movie. I miss that show.
Anyway, that's all I got now.