Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Christmas!...in January?

It's almost February..and I'm finally getting around to blogging about our Christmas Morning!

I shared a video already with some iPhone photos here.

I feel like this yearly full post is more for me than my readers haha...

We love looking back at past Christmas Mornings. :)

Here's our 2010 Photo Re-cap and Video Greeting and

our 2011 Photos and Video Greeting. So fun seeing the kids growing up..

Christmas morning is so magical when they are little!!

I seriously was so excited for them to wake up I barely slept. :)

I've been getting lots of e-mails from readers who start off their e-mails with "You don't know me and this might be weird but I feel like I know you!" hehe. and I LOVE it. It's not weird at all I'm so happy to have this connection and community with you all through my blog!

I know that I love seeing how others celebrate in their home..

so I'm happy to share our morning with you....sleepy face and all. :)

Here's the video we shared on Christmas Night for our Family and Friends far away. :)

I put a qr code with our Christmas Cards for people to scan with

their iPhones and be taken directly to see the video!

Christmas Day was filled with lots of dress up dance parties and shows!

(We always grab up costumes after Halloween... major discounts!)

The guitar..one of sophie's favorite toys.. we found at a flea market near us. I think it was $1? The sound works and everything. We also got sienna's cash register from their for 50 cents??

Santa was proud of himself. ;)

I LOVE the photo below of me with sienna and micah..

And I love that sophie put on her hat before coming out to open presents.

She insisted she wear it!! The girls are wearing their Christmas Pajamas from Carters. Grabbed those up during the Black Friday Specials.

I'm wearing my comfy pajamas that I got at Target to put in my Hospital Bag when I had Micah.

We had a bounce house inside.... and the girls flipped over it!

Grandpa Bob gave this to them.

I loved the idea of them getting all their energy out in a confined space. ;)

Micah's first Christmas.. consisted of him getting snuggled by everyone.

lots of smoochies.

One of Sienna's favorite presents was a sit n' spin ben found on craigslist for $10.

Perfect gift for a child who doesn't stop moving! She can sit and move at the same time!

Ben got me the purple north face sweater that I'm wearing below.

so comfy and I love the color.

Bahahaha...

Micah's face sums up his feelings towards sienna at this moment....

Micah: "help.. me.."

We got the girls an iPad for their 'big' present.

We found one on craigslist..great condition. and then got the

iGuy case on ebay for 6 or 9 bucks. I blogged about our Favorite Kid Apps.

We had it loaded and ready to go on Christmas morning. they loved it!

It was a great Christmas morning.. Ignore my sleepy face below..and find sienna in the background of that photo sneaking candy. that one is silent and sneaky. ;)

Ben surprised me by getting me something I had talked about wanting a long time ago..

Bamboo splash! (for drawing designs/graphics) AND an iPhone 5.

Plus some other fun little goodies. Husband did a great job this year!

Here we are at Christmas Eve Mass. :)

sophie was boycotting photos.. sienna was hamming it up.

If you missed our Christmas Card for this year I shared it HERE.. One of the photos we sent was a little manger scene..Sophie was Mary, Sienna was an "angel" and Micah was baby Jesus. I thought it turned out pretty cute. :) I need to blog the out takes though..They LOVED dressing up and posing..but halos were flying and Mary was having a melt down over how the angels hands were folded......haha. o yes.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

even if this post is coming in February.. :)

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Morning 2012 VIDEO

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day!

Here's a video of ours.. A fun awesomely exhausting day. :)

God Bless you and your loved ones!
Hope you enjoy this video..
the beginning starts a little shaky.
I love having these videos to look back on!
The end is full of some too
adorable for words singing and dancing... hehe.
(to prevent skipping: pause and let the video load a bit before watching through)

Christmas morning

is hard work!! ;)

Monday, December 24, 2012

Our 2012 Christmas Card- Merry Christmas Eve!

Hope you are having a great Christmas Eve!!

Excited to share our Christmas card for this year!

I wanted to wait to post till everyone got them in the mail. :)

I created all of these designs in Photoshop...

Printed the year in review card and video blurb card at home..

and then printed the 3 photo prints at target! (150 cards for $22.. not bad at all!)

I was determined to get cards out...

But the only way I was able to get a shot of all 3 with Micah

so little, was to lay them on the floor and stand above on a chair haha.

My mom was there making faces and arranging for me...

I should post the outtake photos......ridiculous. ;)

The newborn photos of Micah were taken the week before.

I blogged about getting those shots at home here

I knew that a whole family photo just wasn't going to happen.

So I made up a little card with a photo of ben and I...

and a message for our friends and family to visit my blog Christmas Night

for a video message! I added in a QR Code for people with that app to

be able to scan with their iPhones and go directly to the post! :)

I couldn't resist....we had a newborn! ;)

Sophie loved being Mary... I first had her in a blue sheet and

she told me no no mom...white. Sienna thought her halo

('dollar' bin area from joanns) was so silly...but quickly turned non angelic.

I didn't have wings..so...we photoshopped some in!

I hung up a sheet, wrapped Micah in my scarf and used an old

IKEA rug in the girls' baby doll crib...

boom. nativity scene.

Sweet micah didn't make a peep.

He was getting into the Jesus role very well.

I made up a little year in review card!

I had seen the idea on Pinterest and ran with it!

My favorite part is the girls' favorite foods. That was the order they told me..

It's funny they said cheese roll ups.. because plenty of people probably

had no clue what that was since it's kid language. haha.

(tortilla..with cheese.. rolled up.. :)

We included a Birth Announcement in the envelopes going out!

I can't get enough of this sweetie. :)

Sunday, December 23, 2012

My 2012 Christmas Cookie Exchange Party!

Having a 4 yr old..2 yr old.. and almost 5 week old has

delayed this post a week or so. :) But here it is!

I really look forward to this party with friends every year.

I LOVE to bake... It's fun seeing the variety of cookies everyone brings...

and I love any excuse to get the girls together and have a party!

Here's a round up of photos from the fun night!

With a 4 week old at the time, the party details were cut to a minimum.

And with Christmas around the corner...extra budgeting is happening.

But I was happy how it all came together and

that we could have a fun girls' night!

First things first...the invite! I e-mailed it out to some of my girls.

I love having a creative project to work on....

but I also need some brain power to do DIY Projects and

my kids have currently zapped all brain power from me.

So I tried to keep it simple this year.

I feel like a walking zombie plenty of these newborn days..

A lot of things happened the couple days before with a baby strapped to me,

during naps, or while nursing (creating printables).

I had little helpers while making my sweets. :)

Here's how the set up looked like before everyone arrived and

placed some of their cookies on the taste testing table!

This year I used all my own plates from pottery barn..(wedding dishes)

and my reindeer (target couple years ago). The mini trees are from Big Lots ($6) and I put some gold ornaments on them from the dollar store. (our tree is all silver or I would have used those!)

I made a banner in Photoshop and then strung it up with some tinsel from the Dollar Store.

I got a sheet of gold sparkly card stock from JoAnns on clearance..and used my circle punch to cut out circles to place around the table for a little sparkle. :)

I also created some tented cards with numbers on them for the cookie voting.

I also had favors for the ladies.

I grabbed up a variety of mugs from our local thrift store...

50 cents each.. ran them through the dishwasher..

then used an OIL BASED Sharpie to decorate them!

Baked in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Sophie LOVED them..

so she got her own too. it says sophia on it. :)

(she is reallyyyy into hot chocolate with marshmallows right now. hehe.)

I filled up some of the extra clear bags with a marshmallow mix and marshmallows...

then tied with the gold curling ribbon from the dollar store.

The prizes this year were edible. (above are shots of work in progress)

Edible amazingness.

Oreo Truffles.

All time favorite dessert right now..... dangerous little things.

I made up some cute tags to go with them.. and packaged them

up in clear bags and dollar store curling ribbon.

The cookie competition was fierce this year... ;)

Lots of yummy varieties to sample...

We loaded up our little plates with a taste of each... and got to voting!

It's a tough job but someone had to do it!

Like previous years, I made up Ballot Cards for the voting!

I think it adds a fun activity to the night.

After the cookie sampling and voting was done...

it was time to load up the cookie trays!

I got silver dollar store trays..I thought they would be a fun alternative

to the christmas trays they had..

because the girls can use them for other occasions..

(like new years!)

I made Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies. A family favorite!

It was a fun group of girls!

I was so happy that we made this happen...

December is such a busy month.. 4 girls had to cancel last minute.

Here's some shots of the lovely ladies who came.
We all were happy to have girl talk and sample cookies... ;)
(ps. cute red straws below were from bed bath and beyond.)

Not only did the girls have the yummy oreo truffles...
but one of the girls that came sells Thirty One products, and
brought a handful of them for the winners to choose from! :)
A winner across the board was the Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies.

YUM! We all ended up with some pretty trays of cookies..
to freeze for Christmas... or to dive into right away.
we chose to dive in. ;)

If you want to check out my past cookie exchanges...

Here's from 2010 in our old rental...

and here's from 2011.

Thanks for stopping by..
Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Christmas is almost here!!!!
Can't wait to share our Christmas Card(s) Cutenessssss.
Today the girls and I are going to decorate sugar cookies...
and on Christmas Eve we're decorating their gingerbread houses!
I have a feeling sienna will be eating most of the decorations. :)

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Christmas Tree Time!

I love having a 2 and 4 yr old.

I'm especially loving it this Christmas season!

They are so into everything.

The other day we went to pick out our Christmas Tree.

As soon as we pulled up to the nursery sophie goes..

"what is that smell!?..christmas?!"

We hunted down the perfect Tree...

It was magical to them...making their way through the trees...the christmas smell!

And tying a tree to the car?!? awesome. ;)

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend

and enjoying all the Christmas time fun!

Sophie was actually a big helper with decorating the tree.

Even though she kept putting up all her decorations

in the same general area.. ;)

I'll share our Christmas decorations soon!!

And because people asked via instagram:

--sophie's outfit--

polka dot sweater... old navy (current)

purple "soft" skinny jeans....target (current)

hat....old navy

--sienna' outfit--

polka dot sweater..target(4 years old)

yellow skinny jeans... old navy (current)

Friday, November 16, 2012

My Christmas DIY or BUY Gift Guide: Real-Life Pretend Play Gift Ideas

I wanted to make my Christmas Gift

Guide this year really useful!!

When I start thinking about our Christmas gift list..

I know I want to do a mix of gifts to BUY and DIY.

So I put together different sections of pretend play themes where you

can see toy options to buy, with a variety of prices, and mixing in

some DIY options for those feeling crafty!

I am a huge fan of real-life pretend play!

So I created all my categories of toys with that theme.

Each Category has it's own graphic, for those of you wanting to

pin to pinterest something that catches your eye!

Gift Idea Categories: Doctor/Nurse, Mail Man, Little Artist, Vet, Little Mommy,

Fix it Guys & Girls, Pizzeria, Grocery, Ice Cream Shop and Little Cook!

Hopefully you can spot some things you want to BUY or DIY..

and then get in on the black friday deals!

Most of the items are found in major local stores(Target, Toys R Us & Walmart, etc.),

Handmade items from etsy shops or blogged DIY Projects.

Happy gift giving everyone!

My girls LOVE playing doctor or nurse.

I plan on making the little nurse outfits for both of them. How ridiculously cute is it?!

Sophie spotted it while I was putting this post together... and with her reaction..

I knew I had to make that DIY happen. ;)

Both of my girls put "doctor" on their letter to santa...

I wasn't able to find it online, but Target has a really cute pink kit with a clear briefcase.

Imaginarium Doctor Dress Up Set - Green 5-Piece - $21.99

Let's Play Doctor Playset - $10

Dress up Nurse Costume - DIY

Fisher-Price Medical Kit - Pink - $14.99

Pretend Play: Doctor Kit - DIY

Fisher-Price Medical Kit - $13.88

Even with it being cold outside..

the idea of Gardening is so fun for little ones!

My Sophie(4), especially loves it. She gathers up all her vegetable felt food in a basket..

and goes to work in her "Garden".. which is..nothing... so, I'm thinking of making the

DIY garden on the bottom left below. I love the idea of using turf..

and having tubes that they can "plant" their flowers

in and then pick them! so sweet. And I love toys that keep kids busy.

I might kill every plant that I touch...But I think I can handle the fake ones. :)

Pretend Play Felt Food Garden Vegetable Box - $37.47

Little Tikes 2-in-1 Garden Cart and Wheelbarrow Play Set - $36.97

Just like Home Vegetables Playset - $9.99

IKEA DUKTIG 14 Piece vegetable set - $7.99

American Plastic Toys Gardener Set - 5 Piece - $17.99

Fairy Fox, Felt Vegetables Garden--PDF Pattern via Email- DIY

IKEA DUKTIG 9 Piece Fruit Basket Set - $7.99

Pretend play garden box - DIY

Felt vegetables Tutorial - DIY

Sending and getting mail is so fun for kids!

We made the cardboard mailbox a while back..

and it is used almost every day at some point.

I never got around to painting it.. but I think it could be really cute pink or blue!

The little wooden mailbox is a splurge

but my sophia has always eyed that toy up at stores..

I know so many people who have it and love it!

Cardboard Mailbox Tutorial - DIY

Melissa & Doug Stamp and Sort Mailbox - $29.99

Melissa & Doug My Own Mailbox - $19.99

Imaginative Play Toys, Mail Bag and Working Envelopes - $44

Felt Envelopes Tutorial - DIY

Angeles Mailbox - $74.99

With a house of girls...
we play mommy a lot. I mean... a lot.
everything is mothered in our house. ;)
There are so many cute little mommy (or daddy) items out there..and lots of DIY's!
We have the circo car seat and diaper bag full of goodies. they LOVE it.
This Christmas is going to be a big Mommy gift year I think..
especially with baby #3 arriving right before in november.
I really want to make up some felt diapers and the swaddlers! I think I'll get my
mom in on that when she comes up to help out with baby. (are you reading this mom? :)

Car Carrier Circo - $17.39

Felt Baby Doll Diaper Pattern - DIY

Magic Bottle & Magic Sippy Cup - varies

Little Golden Book, Little Mommy - $3.39

Badger Toys Doll Highchair with Accessories - $18.99

Circo Stroller Baby Doll - $19.99

Doll Crib -DIY

Circo Diaper Bag Set - $15.49

Deluxe Doll Nursery, 10-Piece Play Set - $29.97

Baby Doll Diapers, Set of Pink - $14

And here's a whole nother batch of little mommy gifts!

I found so many great DIY projects..I couldn't edit this list down.. had to share. ;)

Baby Doll Highchair - DIY

Play Circle Neat & Tidy Cleaning Set - $10.99

American Plastic Toys My Very Own Laundry Center - $19.99

Badger Basket Heirloom Doll Cradle - $29.97

Cardboard Box Washing Machine for dramatic play - DIY

Doll snuggler - DIY

Play Circle Vacuum Cleaner - $20.79

Play Circle Ironing Board & Iron - $20.79

Baby Doll Crib - DIY

Baby Doll Diaper Bag Tutorial - DIY

Child sized ironing board tutorial - DIY

Doll Diapers & Wipes Tutorial - DIY

Stuffed animal sleeping bags- DIY

Fix it time! I am seriously considering making..

or getting my husband to make.. one of these tool tables below!

My girls are always drawn to those things at friend's houses.

And I have to hide my tape measurer from them.. they are fascinated by it. I think a kid friendly version might be good to have. :) I put the hammering toy on this list...

only because sienna loves it so much whenever we go to IKEA.

I'm not sure I could handle that in our house... all the time.. ;)

Pretend & Play Tape Measure - $8.99

Children's Tool Bench - DIY

American Plastic Toys My Very Own Tool Bench - $19.99

Melissa & Doug Role-Play Costume Set - Construction Worker - $22.49

IKEA MULA Toy hammering block - $5.99

Little Tikes Little HandiWorker Workhorse - $24.99

The Home Depot Helmet with Headlamp - $9.99

The Home Depot Deluxe Toolbox - $9.74

Children's Tool Bench - DIY

IKEA DUKTIG Toolbelt with soft toys - $7.99

I came across the felt dog treats and almost died!!
So cute! My girls are really into animals.. and doctor... so playing vet is the perfect combo!
I have seen some cute DIY stuffed animal band aids out there too.
I think my girls would flip over the little cage and vet kit!

Barbie Vet Care Playset - $69.99

The Felted Pear, Felt Dog Food Bag and Dry Food - $21

Time 4 Toyz Vet Set With Dog - $15

The Felted Pear, Felt Pretend Dog Bone Treat Toy - $18

Vet Dramatic Play - DIY

Do you have a little artist in your house?? We have the IKEA easel and love it. And the monster crayon bag?!? adorable. There are so many great ways to showcase and carry around your little ones crayons! and I think every kid loves crayons..and loves putting them in something.

My sienna fills up purses and baskets all day long.

She would love having a spot for each crayon and then taking it to church with us!