Elf on the Shelf

Elf on a Shelf

OMG, I just love this and I am sooo excited that I stumbled upon this yesterday on, Our Ohana. If u have little kids that "Believe" this is a MUST!!!! U really can use an elf of your own or if u are crafty make your own. I want the book to tell the story for kids, but it would be fun to make my own elf for the kids to pass down after all it's a "tradition". This would make a fun gift for someone having a baby.

From "Elf on the Shelf" the Tradition,

This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Plagued by their desire to know how Santa really knew who had been naughty or nice, I searched through the Christmas decorations for a plausible explanation. Nestled among them was the answer; a small elf doll from my own childhood. With that discovery, the idea for the elf tradition was born.

At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" (with some parental assistance) and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name - officially adopting him into the family.

Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the "elf was watching" for errant behavior to be modified.

I never dreamed this simple tradition would lead to so many Christmas memories for our entire family. It is my earnest desire that The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition will bring as much joy to your family as it has to mine.

Make it your own,

Christmas is coming....

Since Christmas is upon us I thought I'd share some of the kids favorite things.....

How can you not love Fancy Nancy??

My mother-in-law started the girls on the Fancy Nancy book series, last year!! This little girl is so darling, the illustrations are bright, colorful and very detailed. Everything in French sounds fancy and of course my girls can not eat ice cream without making it fancy. They have easy readers too for those with kid beginning to read. I would love to see them come out with a movie!

I love IKEA!

My aunt introduced me to them if ever get a chance to go to one of the stores, GO it's a MUST!! We have the KALAS the kids textile set. I actually picked up another set when I went to the Atlanta store a couple months ago and a table and chair set too, SVALA. $40 bucks real wood with two chairs I painted it pink and purple. I love all the products we have bought from them.

Brain Quest

These are AWESOME!! They start at age 2 and go up. It's perfect one on one time with your kids while learning at the same time. We take them when we go out to dinner it kills time when you are waiting on a table. They are small enough to fit in to a purse. S sometimes opts for this instead of choosing a book at bedtime. The Brain Quest website has a listing of all the products. You can find them at Target and Toys R Us.

Melissa and Doug Responsibility Chart

S got this last Christmas, she loves it and so does mommy!! The one we have is just a single board and it has the magnets on the back. I wish I would have gotten this version instead. U can interchange the chores out on ours they gave blank ones also so you could make up whatever you wanted to add.

Leapster L-Max

S's favorite games are Letters on the Loose, Kindergarten, & Animal Genius. She has a couple other but these are the ones she plays the most. H also picks it up and draws with it, colors in pictures. They have a new version Leapster2, you can hook it up to your computer and see your childs strengths and weaknesses. I love it, it's educational and portable!!

I highly recommend the Leapster DVD's they sell them in a set of five now, Amazon has them. My kids love to watch them, which is how Shelby learned her ABC's sounds. As you can tell we are Leapfrog lovers in this house. We also have Fridge Phonics, Word Whammer, USA puzzle map & Phonic Railroad. The railroad is not as popular these days, ebay is where I got ours last year.




I have recently discovered a toy site I thought I'd share Fat Brain Toys! Go check it out they have what appears to be unique, quality toys.

Military Welcome Home Banners

20,000 Banners and Jumbo Cards for our Troops!

Do u need a sign? Better jump on the bandwagon!! Spread the word this is a great business that supports our military members

so if u need the direct link its www.buildasign.com/troops


From Build a Sign....

Hello,

I'm an employee at Buildasign.com, and we just launched a promotion in honor of Veteran's Day. We're giving military families a free customizable banner to help welcome home their loved ones returning from overseas or the option to send a free customizable jumbo card to a loved one overseas. I was wondering if you could offer me any tips or suggestions on who to get in contact with to get the message across to people that can take advantage of this promotion. Also, it would be great if you could help spread the word by posting about our promotion on your blog. The link to this promotion is www.buildasign.com/Troops.

We are giving away a total of 20,000 banners plus jumbo cards to support our troops at home and abroad. Thank you again, I greatly appreciate your time!

Best,
Katherine Chen

In Memory....

CPT Sims
November 13, 2004

Never Forgotten! Freedom Isn't Free!

Santa Baby

It's here!! Her Santa Baby outfit for her routine. Actually it came weeks go but I just got around to snapping some photos. S is insisting on wearing it for her private lessons, that she is taking to learn her routine. Last week was her first private lesson and she learned the full routine she just needs to work on hand motions being sync with the music. She still has a month to get everything down and will start Saturday dress rehearsals. She is skating to Martina McBride, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow". I added the song to my playlist so u can listen.

It's going to be a fun show. For those Fayetteville families looking for something to do its going to be $3 admission so its affordable for the whole family. I'll post the flyer soon!!

Where do u live??

Rewind to Yesterday morning, 5am.

J gets up and gets ready for work. I usually sleep in til 6 then start getting the kids up and going. So J is walking out the door and jumps in the truck to leave for PT. Well, the truck wouldn't start...so I get up to see if he needs help....he tried to jump it off and it was a no go!! So that means he has to take my car. Of course it would be the only day that I "had" to be somewhere bright and early in the am. So I come inside and start my normal morning. I get the kids up and feed them breakfast and then I hear this meowing noise that sounds like its coming from the garage. I thought maybe a cat got in the garage from when J was trying to get his truck started. I open the garage door, no cat..still hear meowing. Go open the front door and guess what I see a, kitten...mostly grey with a little white on it's chest and paws. No collar of course, I felt sorry for the thing because it was so cold outside. Immediately the kids start saying can we let him in. Time is passing and remember I have no car so that means S has to catch the bus. So she gets ready and we head down to the bus stop and the cat follows. S is saying funny things like, can I take her to school in my book bag? Do u think she will get on the bus with me? S gets on the bus and the cat follows me back home. I go about my morning, cancel my appointment then J comes home with a new battery for his truck. He puts it in and it works, woohoo!! The cat is still around walking in and out of the garage and H wants to love all over her.

Fast forward....5pm and the cat is still outside laying in my flower bed.

Hubby comes home and guess what....lets the cat in!!! The kids reply, so we can keep her!?!? J told them that we would take care of here until we can find where her home is and if no one came looking then we would talk about it. So the cat is in the house and is so friendly and its fur is short we inspect her and notice that her whiskers have been cut. We think she's about 6 months old and looks like she had been well taken care of. She has to belong to someone its just figuring out who. They must have kids that like to play with scissors.


Oh Kitty, I bet that kid who cut your whiskers misses u? Where is your momma? Where do u live?

I am sure this story will be continued, hopefully someone from our community watch group will know who the owner is!

Minestrone Soup Recipe

It's cold outside baby and it is a sure way to get warmed up!! Make it for your family, my kids even love it.

What u need:

* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 4 carrots, chopped
* 4 stalks celery, chopped
* 1 small zucchini, sliced
* 1 sweet onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, chopped
* 2 dark green romaine lettuce leaves, diced<~~~~I like to use spinach instead
* 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
* 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
* 1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth
* 4 cups water
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
* 2 cups uncooked pasta (macaroni, angel hair, small shells)

What u need to do:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Stir in carrots, celery, onion and garlic into pot.
Mix in tomato paste, beans, broth and water.
Season with basil, oregano and salt.
Cook and stir 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

2. Mix pasta & zucchini into pot.
Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until tender.
Stir occasionally.

3. Salt and pepper to taste.

I serve mine up with a side of bread with butter of course. Here is a yummy olive oil dip that we use to when we are not dipping in the soup.

Bread Dipping Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Italian seasonings
Black Pepper
Parmesan Cheese

I don't use exact measurements just wing it really and taste until I like the flavorings!

Potty Training!!

The joys of motherhood!! The time came when I was so "over" diapers! You are tired of changing them & spending the insane amounts of money on them.

H is officially potty trained!

I am sure she will still have a few accidents, you know those when she is playing to hard and can't get to the potty fast enough. She has gone through the night for 2 weeks without having an accident. Traveled in two seven hour car trips without any incidents, just mommy I have to go potty!! Then you have to figure out which exit to get off at and hope and pray its a decent location. The transition has been challenging and took about a month but she was ready to wear big girl panties like her sister. The potty treats and success chart worked perfectly with her. So no more coupon clipping for diapers.

For those who are in the process don't give up just give it some time, it will happen!!

Cleland Ice Skating Rink, Ft. Bragg

I've always loved being at an ice skating rink for some odd reason its relaxing to me. My dad would take us to hockey games when we were younger and even tho it can be an aggressive sport I've always found it relaxing, maybe its the smell of the air crispy and chilly...I could just be weird.

Ok anyway back to the point of this post......

S was doing ballet and I wasn't too happy with the end result of recital she had and the school she was going through they were unorganized and everything was last minute with them. The teacher ended up leaving after the show and that is the only reason why I was still having her attend, she LOVED her teacher.

So the beginning of the year rolled around and that was when J was gone and we were looking for things to do. We stumbled upon ice skating, I inquired about prices and such and let her give it a try. It took her a while to get adjusted one week she would hate it the next she would love it. The lessons are 6 week sessions long enough to get adjusted. It's exciting to see how much she has learned and how comfortable she is becoming on the ice. In the beginning, she was afraid of falling down and looked like a little penguin on the ice. She has advanced to Tot 4- Pre-Alpha which the scale that they are graded on after you learn each skill in ice skating. The instructor wants the kids to master each skill before moving to the next level.

So the holidays are around the corner and this skating director is putting on her First Annual Holiday Show in December. S is now taking regular group lessons and then they have a separate night for rehearsal for the shows. The kids are grouped according to the skill level and they perform groups routines, solos and duets. Imagine listening to Christmas music in September I love it, its relaxing..I think I am weird seriously!! If I could only remember to bring in a cup of hot chocolate with me. All of the kids look so cute and are having so much fun I am glad she has this opportunity. The show program was released last week and guess what!?!?! S has a SOLO!!! AHHHH!!!! I had to talk S before we committed to make sure she was really wanting to do it and understood what the definition of having a solo really meant. I didn't want her to be afraid of being on the ice alone and under a spotlight. So she will start private lessons to learn the choreography for the show she will be skating to "Let It Snow". Her costume is on its way here and I can't wait for her to put it on she is going to LOVE it!! Imagine a Santa girl outfit in blue cordory with white fur like trim and embroidered snowflakes on the skirt with white leggings a santa hat to boot...for a bargain of a price.

For the next month or so I am volunteering to help these ladies take donations for decorating the rink and getting props together. Once it all comes together this show is going to be so fun to see in action.

I intended to snap a few recent pics of her on the ice last night at practice BUT I forgot to bring my memory card...so next time!!

School Picture

S got her school pictures today and I thought I'd share. She's gotten so big. I was actually surprised they turned out pretty good for school pictures.

Review

Remember those Onion Straws I mentioned from The Pioneer Women...I finally made them today. I've been slacking on school work and I told myself if I could get 5 assignments done I could make them, sad huh. Drumroll please......I give it 5 stars!!! They tasted good, I won't cut mine so thin next time tho. I didn't have as much oil as she mentions using so had to make due. The kids and hubby liked them they are very similar to what you would get in a restaurant. I used one viladia onion and used most of the batter mixture.

Her favorite color is....

Chocolate!!!

Everything seems to be favorites to her these days. Yesterday the girls had chocolate pudding for a snack and as H was eating she repeatedly said, "Chocolate, is my favorite color". Of course S chimed in to correct her, "Hailey, chocolate is not a color..it's really brown". Hailey ignored her and kept diggin' up her favorite chocolate pudding. Kids are so funny!

She is so much like her momma. How can u not love this lil face.

My mini-me H!

I took this picture while S was at ice skating practice hence the winter wardrobe, lol.

Fishing

This past weekend they held a Wildlife Expo at a local fish hatchery. The event had wildlife, the kids could kayak (ours were too small), fish, shoot air guns, archery...get the picture. We really went for the fishing since its an opportunity for the kids to catch a couple fish and of course throw back. I do have to admit I get as excited as they do when I catch one, haha. Here are a few pics from our day!

Can u believe how big they have gotten??

H reeling in a cat fish.
She didn't want any help, Miss Independent!

Officially Addicted

Toooooo......

Confessions of a Pioneer Women!!!

If you haven't become addicted go ahead click then link and be absorbed in. She is an amazing writer and the recipe blogs are awesome! I've been so sick of eating the same stuff lately that she has opened the doors for some new recipes. We had Marlboro Man’s Favorite Sandwich which isn't figure friendly and will make ya need to hit the gym a couple extra hours. J liked it and I didn't use a big enough pan to lay the meat in a single layer and I also had to drain some of the juices off, I'd give it 4 stars. I have a list of the ones I want to try next up will be the Onion Strings - Oh Yeah, Baby.

She is also giving away a pretty lil espresso machine so go comment and if you win you owe me a cup and I'll do the same for you hehehe. Hurry up it ends 12 noon Pacific time today!!!

So if you have been making her recipes I'd love to know the ones you have tired and liked.

Blogger

Things sure have changed with Blogger. I love how we have so many templates we can use from the net. All the new features rock!! Why does it not default the blog rolls each time you update the template, anyone know? I guess I need to save them somewhere now. So if u were on my blogroll and you don't see yourself now let me know so I can add ya'll back!!

It's been forever!!

I am ALIVE!! Sometime has really passed since I have posted but I am going to try and get back in the swing of things. After all my husband has made it home safely!!! I am so glad it's all over, your really don't know what its like unless you have been through it.

So a little update, lets roll back to where I left off........

Hubby left June 07 for Iraq and life got in the way with me running this place alone. It's never fun but someone has to do it. So December S was in a wedding which was an hour or so north of here so that helped a little with the holidays. I was still able to see some of our family. At this point which was less than halfway of deployment I drove J nuts with asking about R&R. For those who have no idea what I am talking about that is Rest & Relaxation way from the desert. It's 18 days (because he was doing a 15mth tour) which they end up taking away from your leave days (vacation days). It should be free time but that is the military for ya it's never they way it should be. Ok back to life and to make a long story short he showed up on the door step the day after Christmas. I was completely speechless. Christmas was I think the hardest day for me out of the whole deployment at least its the day I remember the most. With J showing up the following morning made things a little bit better. Once I got over the shock of him being home I immediately thought about him leaving. I guess with the suprise I didn't have time to prepare myself for that next adjustment. He was home still mid Jan, the kids loved every minute of it and I knew him leaving was gonna be hard on them.

Earlier in the year S started ice skating lessons and was still in Pre-K. New and old friends came into my life and it was great because they kept me going. H turned 2 in Feb and family from NY was down to celebrate with us. I started school in April, fun fun. J's time was cut short, imagine that he came home mid July so 14 mths is what he ended up doing. S turned 5 the day J came home from Iraq, two days later she started K. This school that she is going to is year round. J's leave time started and we took time and went and visited family and went up to the mountains.

So that is a brief update on life.... more soon!

Shopping

I've been fabric shopping and I picked up some new patterns! I've been itching to make something new. I'd share pics but Blogger isn't working right.

Anyone wanna share some great sewing goodies for Christmas presents besides the usual??

Time Change

So we are a couple of days into daylight savings time and I am still adjusting lol. The good thing is that I am getting up early without hitting the snooze button but I am so tired by 8:30. I did stay up way past my bedtime all weekend so maybe that could be a reason. I'll be adjusted by the weekend.

My Donut of Misery is at 33% done & 67% to go!! I can't wait for the number to be flipped around.

I'd like the small things...

a tub of ice cream
cold night, warm fire
hot chocolate
moon & the stars
a chick flick
some more chocolate
a bubble bath by candle light

I miss my hubby!!

Ever think??

Your life could be made into a movie or book??? For some reason thats all I can think about lately. I guess I should not be complaining. The drama I had in September which seems to be continuing into October, am I gonna have a boring month soon?? Between our life and friends lives I think we could make a pretty good movie, anyone wanna watch? jking!

I feel like I've been on the go for ever now and I once I felt the sickies coming I decided I'd take the weekend off. Well, not off...because how are the kids gonna eat or how are diapers gotta get changed. As hard as it may be I did it. I turned down the phone calls to go out with my friends on Saturday and Sunday because I needed time for me just to be lazy, well not really lazy I should say be a home body.

I am ready for cooler weather so I can turn on the fire place and pour me a cup of cocoa. Even getting the urge to sew again. I need to de-stash the closet seriously!! I am looking forward to these last few months of 2007 flying by. I am almost at my 11 month mark, I seriously wish it was over already until then I'll keep dreaming for Sept 08!