Crackin' Up

If you read this blog regularly, you know about the kids' love affair with their nutcrackers! They have REALLY been bugging us about trying them out with actual nuts, and yesterday we gave in! Don't you love where Tyler was trying to put the nut first. I'm sure his nutcracker didn't appreciate that in the least. No wonder it wasn't working (check out Ty's frustrated face!) Anyway, we've now discovered that Nutty and Golfie (the kids named them, not us!) are purely decorative. Golfie took one for the team ... on an almond that was a particularly tough nut to crack (ha)! Fortunately, Tyler took it well. Had it been Abby's nutcracker, I'm certain there would have been tears. Instead, we just broke out the mallet and cracked a few nuts the less traditional (and much messier) way instead. Too bad both kids thought they tasted horrible. Anyone have a nutcracker (a real one) they want to bring over and use on this whole basket of nuts I bought?

Appletinis ...

... who wouldn't love them!?! Especially because they were red and green, and rimmed with lots of sugar! Dennis and I hosted some good friends the other night for a bit of holiday food and cheer(s)! Of course, there were the appletinis (don't worry, Sam's was non-alcoholic ... she's due with child #2 in late January), but we also played some "reindeer games." If you know me well, you know I just LOVE games, so I was in heaven. Unfortunately, the other team was MUCH better than us at Pictionary. This was about my one chance to draw and NO ONE got it (Silent Night)! I'll stick to games like Bunco, where it's all luck ... no skill required!

All Aboard!

The last week of school before the winter break, Abby's class held several theme days. On Thursday, they were asked to dress in their PJs so they could climb aboard the Polar Express. Just like the kids in the movie, they enjoyed hot cocoa, got a ticket with lots of hole punches and of course, a bell! It may all have been pretend, but Abby believes (in everything about Christmas ... which makes the season so much fun!)

Tyler's Christmas Program

We've been pretty busy here since mid-last week. Thought I should get caught up on the blog so I don't become buried in posts once Christmas arrives (and it's almost here, huh?) Last week, Tyler has his Christmas program at preschool. He was SO excited to see us in the audience when he walked in ... check out the expression.

On stage, he didn't clam up, but he appeared to be concentrating quite intently (here, he's shaking bells!).

Ms. Cindy had warned us that Tyler is the "participation police," and that he's always telling people to play their instruments (or to stop when they are playing at the incorrect time). Guess he was too concerned about his performance to do this at the real show, but Dennis and I just loved watching him on stage!

It's a real thing folks!

If you recall, on the Christmas questionnaire a few weeks back, I answered that "yes-in-dee-dee" I had regifted at least once. Well, turns out, there's an actual day that celebrates regifting ... and it's TODAY (the third Thursday in December).

Tonight is my Bunco group's holiday gift exchange (in other words "take a cute gift, hope you end up with something you don't detest" party) ... and I'm happy to report I purchased my gift for this event. And it's cute too. We'll see what I end up with - and I hope it's not bumps and bruises. :) Of course, I'm kidding, but this "white elephant/yankee swap" party has been known to get a bit ugly. There's always one item that everyone wants! And we just look like a nice group of girls! I'll leave you with this link for the regifting challenged, or those who simply don't believe me about this neauvoux-holiday. AND look ... you can even create "regift-tags" if you want to be completely upfront about the fact that you "recycled." Think of it as "going green!"

Makin' her MARK

Abby and her friend Anabelle had a GREAT time making these ... but THEY weren't the ones who burned the heck out of their hands with the hot glue gun! Still, they're cute!

Super Easy Cookies

Although he DID eat one or two of the ingredients, Tyler was our "M&M color control analyst" (separating out the Christmas colors, because the only holiday pack I could find would have fed an army) ...

Abby gave each pretzel a "kiss" ...

Both kids helped add an M&M (after the kisses melted in the oven for 5 minutes at 200 degrees) ...

And they turned out so cute! We gave these to neighbors and teachers.