Day 1: O Come Let Us Adore Him

Setting up the Nativity is one of my very favorite things to do.  it's one of Bojo's favorites, too.  We struggled a little with where each figure should be placed.  I tried to accommodate his requests but found myself with ideas of my own.  I love that he wanted everyone to be "inside" so they would be "protected".  I thought the wise men should be outside looking in as if approaching with their gifts.  I also suggested the shepherd could be on the other side with his flock.  The important part was we had a sweet discussion about who they were and why they were important in the story of our Savior's birth.  Moments like this are few but they are the moments that make everything worth it.

Happy Birthday to Alex

Alex got a check from Grandma and Grandpa Bateman for his birthday.  Yesterday he asked if we could go to Build a Bear.  He picked out a bear, selected the heart, loved it up and watched him come to life.  He chose out a basketball uniform for his beloved Fuzzy to wear.  Happy Alex is the sweetest boy in the world!

Santa!

We were walking through the mall when RJ shouted that he found Santa.  The next thing I knew, all five kids were racing to see him.  We took pictures,  shared their desires and got a Sees sucker.  It was a fun time with our favorite man from the North Pole.

The bonus was that they let me take pictures on my phone in addition to their official shot.  Merry Christmas to me!

Candy Making 101

What I learned: candy making is not one of my strengths.  What I remembered in the process: it's kind of exact.  You can't be doing other things, cut corners and leave your project unattended.  I burned a whole in my squeeze bottle.  I was sad to throw all of that Guittard chocolate away.

The goal: homemade turtles
The process: simple
The lesson learned: do NOT attempt while doing other things.
The end result.  Gross.  I don't like chocolate or carmel.  I enjoyed eating the nuts.

Happy Birthday to Me!

My mom got me a sewing machine for my birthday. Best. Gift. Ever.  As soon as my UPS driver brought her Friday I sat down to work on a project.  I've been wanting to work on since before Thanksgiving.  The result was several different garlands.  I made two for Christmas, two for the Packers game, two for friends' birthdays and one for Seuss Day.  (Yes, I know it's not til March.)  Turns out sewing is also therapeutic.  I put my headphones in and sewed away.  It was a crafty Friday night!

Report Cards

Krispy Kreme has a great deal for kids.  For every "A" on your report card you get a free glazed donut.  Report cards came out Friday and they were all dying to get down to the store.  We went yesterday and they were so excited.  I was thrilled they all had straight A's.  way to go, TEAM!

Stacypalooza Days 1 and 2

Last year I celebrated 32 days of 32.  The celebration concluded on my birthday.  This year I'm celebrating Stacypalooza.  Sadly, I don't have any commemorative pics from the first two days.  They were pretty great though and I'll do a better job of documenting from here on out.  Yay for celebrations!