Big Day

Today is formal day at Annie's school.

Oh how I wish I could peek in her classroom!

4$ thrift store dress

+

some ribbony straps sewn on (thanks mom:)

=

feeling so pretty!

Some little high heels were the perfect touch.

Oh, and last night 15 minutes PAST bedtime she says,

"Oh Mom...I need a

Annie for President

poster tomorrow."

So off to the store I went.

Stayed up late doing her my homework.

I just did the scallop border & her name in black glitter.

This morning she worked on the little flap hearts that open to tell you why to vote for her, and she glued all the hearts.

Then, I imagined everyone else bringing in a little

piece of printer paper decorated with markers

& wonder if we might have over done it.

I have a feeling we did.

Actually, there are so many kids in her class that would be

AMAZING class presidents.  Good luck everyone!

Every morning before she heads out the door

I give her motherly advice...today's:

Don't go looking for compliments today.

Look for ways to compliment others.

Make sure you let whoever wins class president know you are proud of them, shake their hand with a big smile!

Be confident & know that you are loved.

Chocolate Covered Grapes

I used to make these little babies all the time

for showers and parties.

They were always the biggest hit!

Chocolate covered grapes...yum!

I just melt chocolate chips,

dip,

& cool!

But, if you make them,

watch out for Rocco.

He might just show up!

I like them straight from the freezer

so even the grape is frozen.

My kids like them straight from the fridge,

hard chocolate, soft grape.

Speaking of sweet...

Annie got a card from the girl who received her

Operation Christmas Child box.

Now I know that it is not really that lil' babes lips,

but it got me thinkin...

Roo could do that!

Pucker up baby!

Well, almost...

He's just lucky I didn't use this pose:

Maybe tomorrow.

:)

Painted

So with no school today the morning was sweet & slow. 

I LOVE the relaxed pace of no school!!!

I pulled out the paints & we just enjoyed creating together.

The boys lasted about 15 minutes and then

I got some time alone with Annie.

Of course I painted something I love!

(That is suppose to be Annie :)

She thinks I am the world's greatest artist so...

...I pretend I am  :)

All excited she says, "Now I wanna paint you!"

Of course, I say what every good mom would say,

"Honey, just make sure you don't paint me too fat."

"MOM!!!!!"

Well apparently that didn't work too well.

I take up the whole page!

And yes...my feet really are that big.

But hey...togetherness is good.

I'm just glad we didn't use bigger paper!

;)

It's Time

    Annie always helps me with the dishes at home, but on Sudays at my mom's, the moms always take over the kitchen. 

This Sunday when the cousins left early I decided it was time. 

Time for Annie to join the women in the kitchen. 

   She was excited when I asked her to dry the dishes

for Grandma while I fed Roo, "Ooooooo!  Really?!"

Then we told her all about the kitchen:

It's a privilege to be invited into the kitchen to help.

We don't let the men help because it is too much fun!

It's a bonding time for the women,

we talk about how our weeks went and all kinds of good stuff.

:)

As I listened from the next room I heard her,

"So Grandma..what did you do this week?" 

...and they talked.

And then it was true...all the stuff we said,

it is a bonding time...it IS fun. 

Made me smile as I remembered all the hours trying to get my sisters to do the dishes for me.

 And when Grandma rested on a stool to talk to me for a minute...

Annie peeked her head in,

"Grandma!  Get back to work!"

Made even me think of dishes in a whole new way.

Par-TAY!

Time to hang back up the party dress...

hers not mine :)

Jeans for me.

Up late...

Wild night...

You know the kinda party where

"Open Bar"

means no one is guarding the pop from

the kids & you have a lot of kids on a sugar highs,

with very loud horns.

Wild I'm telling ya.

Complete with our own fancy ball drop, of course :)

Not exactly Swarovski

but a broken Christmas ornament will do.

A house filled with family and friends of all ages.

(I heart my Dad)

And my favorite part...

the tradition

(maybe just my families?)

kids banging pots and pans outside

hooting & hollering,

"Happy New Year!!!"

to well wish all your neighbors

at midnight.

I bet they love me.

And to you?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

:)

I can't wait to see what the year holds!

What did you do last night?

I really want to know!

Children's Christmas Party

Christmas has passed but I am not ready to let it go! 

So today we invited over our cousins and a

few friends for one last Christmas Party!

Up go the poms!

Stools make perfect little craft stations.

We started with a little scavenger hunt.

They found all the clues :)

Then they got busy crafting!

A little hot chocolate with Mrs. Clause.

Of course there were cookies!

Best of all was time spent with good friends.

Oh & I almost forgot..

The favors.

I got this idea from Sarah over at Light.

I have to admit....the first idea that I pinned that I actually did!

Homade candycane play dough.

So now Christmas....I am officially saying "See you next year."

:)

Ready Girls?

Carols sung,

Stockings hung,

back up for about the 5th time.

(Bo!!!)

The trees are trimmed with lots of homeade decorations.

Annie's Cards are made and delivered.

My elves are busy at work,

...and they just left to

deliver some cookies to the neighbors.

Of course, the gingerbread man is already eaten.

And we just wrapped up our early morning baking session.

Orange cookies from

The Chew

We're ready...

Just need to crank up the Christmas music

& put out the milk & cookies tomorrow.

Are you ready?

~Thanks for all your love on my last post~

It was hard for me to share but

You girls make me feel sooooo blessed!