12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

Today's topic: Least favorite thing about the holidays

I love love love the holidays so its hard to find something that I don't like about the holidays. I would admit I don't like the post-holiday weight gain that seems to find me every year but thats my own doing. I love shopping, I love Christmas music, I love decorating, I love that people seem to be happier around the holidays...I love anticipating the holidays.

I got it! My least favorite thing about the holidays is the day after Christmas when you get the itch to take the decorations down - I love decorating but I do not like putting it all away. I also don't like when the holidays linger - people still have their Christmas lights outside their house too long, or "that" neighbor who didn't get the memo about when the Christmas trees will be picked up so he keeps his tree at the curb for weeks hoping someone will do something with it.

Ok there you have it. I guess in a nutshell, the thing I like the least is when its over. :)

I'm a Princess and I have the Earrings to Prove it.

On Saturday, we went to a 4-year old birthday party that had a princess theme. Our friend Dorothy was at the party because we're all mutual friends. In fact, the princess' mom and I went to high school together and Dorothy and I worked together in high school (she went to a different high school). Then princess' mom (ok, this is getting ridiculous, her name is Michelle), met Dorothy at college. So we all know each other and all of our husbands met each other at college. Weird huh?

That little story has nothing to do with this blog post.

So anyway, we were at the party and Dorothy said "Nice orange earrings, you're so festive!". I said "No, they're coral!" I got hung up on the color and didn't process the other part of her comment because I have a child that likes to run around and I need to keep track of him so my attention span is very very small. Wait, what was I saying?

So on the way to the car I asked Rob "Do you think my earrings are weird?" Rob said something along the lines of "huh?" Then I said "Dorothy said they were festive" and Rob said "I think she meant they were saucy". I said "Well I think when you say festive, its kind of like you are spirited or something."

Then Rob and I realized Dorothy thought my rose earrings were my princess earrings and we both started laughing because they are not my princess earrings but my "I saw them at the mall and thought they were cute" earrings.

I'm embarassed to say this has happened before. I used to play bunco and one month there was an 80's theme. I didn't have time to dress up so I came in my normal clothes. Someone laughed at me and said "that's a GREAT necklace!!!" I giggled and said thanks. I never wore that necklace again.

The Many (Funny) Faces of Charlie.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Today's Topic: Gift Ideas...For Me!

Rob is done shopping for me so I'm going to opt out of this blog post challenge. I'm sure whatever he got will be great! Well, maybe I'll just put some gift ideas that I know will never happen but it would be great if they were possible.

1.) The loss of 20 pounds
2.) A full-time massage therapist/make-up person/hair dresser that was available on call
3.) What the heck, lets throw in a personal chef, too!
4.) An all expense trip to Italy for us and all of our family, nanny included

That's all, I'm a pretty simple gal. ;)

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

Today's topic: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special


I have a few favorites from my childhood and those are Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
 
 

 
and Frosty the Snowman
 
 

 
and A Christmas Story
 
 

A mid 90's favorite is The Ref. This movie is so funny ("hysterically funny") but perhaps not one for little ones.
 

 
A "modern" favorite would have to be Elf
 

Clothes.

Poor Charlie is going to start having self image issues. His nonni bought him this cute outfit sized 6-12 months and the zipper won't zip. He never got to wear it. :(

Luckily he is spoiled and had a back up outfit from nonni.

Look at them teeth!

Its good to know he'll never be without the necessities like Janie and Jack outfits. And good thing he has a nonni because his mama cannot afford to shop there on the regular!

Michael Jackson Eyes.

Buddy has Michael Jackson eyes. I've never said it out loud because its kind of random (not that that always stops me from saying random things). I finally said it a couple days ago and my mom said "yeah, I can see that." So either I'm not crazy or we're both crazy.

I never said I was normal.

I'm Bad.

Yes, Another Blog Post About Napping.

My mom discovered Charlie naps better on a bed rather than his crib so when she watches him during the week, she puts him on the guest bedroom bed and sits in a chair in the room. Obviously we cannot leave him on the bed by himself. If he sleeps in his crib, we get 30-40 mins. If he sleeps on a bed, we typically get a 2 hour nap. What does this mean? When I am home with him on Wednesdays and the weekends, I have a lot of time to look online and blog! It would be nice to have him sleep in his crib for 2 hours so I can relax a little then do something productive around the house. Aw well. It also seems he might be dropping his morning nap soon. He used to need a nap about 2-3 hours from getting up but the past few days he's been not going down until 4-5 hours after getting up. This kid, always changing it up on us!

Its a bit chilly today in this room so I made some cocoa and am sitting here blogging (duh) and looking at Black Friday deals online.

Thanksgiving 2010 - Charlie's 1st!

We hosted this year for Thanksgiving. We had my parents, Rob's parents, my sister and her family, Rob's uncle and two cousins over for dinner. My mother in law brought wine and appetizers, my sister brought a couple pies and my mom did most of the cooking. It was very delicious. I had some stuffing and garlic mashed potatoes for breakfast this morning.

Playing so well together....

They're all about sharing...

Emmy giving Buddy his bone.

Charlie teaches Emmy to put everything in your mouth. "Like this!" -Charlie

More family arrives

Busy in the kitchen

We had a segregated Thanksgiving. The men were only to be in the formal living room.

Gracie - Charlie's oldest cousin

Mmm, appetizers

Gracie and Emily created the indian centerpieces.

They also made turkey name tags for everyone - so thoughtful!

I jokingly said we should create an order sheet for everyone like at those build your own sandwich places. Rob thought it "wasn't a bad idea" so I created this...

Us and Mimi.

The turkeys.

Charlie loves his auntie.

Sisters

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4

Today's topic: Tips/Tricks for a Budget Friendly Holiday

Every year I create a spreadsheet of who we are shopping for and how much we are to spend for each person. This way there are no surprises when the bills come. I also include what was purchased so I can look back at the spreadsheet and not buy something for someone that I already bought them in prior years. I typically stay to the budget or may go over by a little bit but for the most part I stay on track. I try to create a budget then come up with gift ideas instead of buying stuff and working it into the budget (unless someone has a larger budget than others, like Mr. Charlie). ;)

P.s. I feel like the Christmas season has officially begun and we are going to put up the Christmas decor today. I can't wait!!

Some Thanksgiving Funnies...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our turkey was so excited about Thanksgiving that he woke up at 4:30 am this morning. I'm on 5 hours of sleep right now and look forward to his nap that will take place around 8:00 am (hopefully). Coffee is my friend this morning.

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year but my mom is pretty much doing all the cooking while Rob and I "assist" her in the kitchen. The cooking started on Tuesday and we're not done yet.

Here is a sneak peak of what 's been cookin' the last couple of days:

The brine for the turkey, its pretty

and smells good, too!

Pecan pie - my favorite!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!