Christmas Party Day!!!!

Friday, December 20th, was a busy day! 

Worst part is I had just been to the doctor, yes the doctor that I never go to unless I am falling over, it's been days, and I can't beat it on my own...that day had come - it was Thursday December 19th.  I waited 2 hours, got 2 prescriptions, several vitamins, and rest, so I could be ready for the next day.....

Brecken's Pary 1:30pm

Max's school party 3:00pm

Grammercy Park Party 6:00pm

Jenn/Bre/Girls come over to say hi - 8pm

Busy day, but

Brecken needed someone to visit her at school for her party since her mom or dad couldn't make it, so we needed to go.....

Max's school party was at 3pm and he had been looking forward to it for weeks.  He had songs to sing, of course we had to go...

Grammercy Park Neighborhood Christmas Party was at our house!  (separate blog) and we had set the date weeks in advance....

Jenn Travis was in town from New Jersery, one of my best friends I hadn't seen in forever.  She was eating out with the girls.  Since I couldn't make it they were going to swing by after our neighborhood party.

so busy day - and we couldn't get out of anything, and I was sick.....the cards were stacked up against me, but honestly the day was a lot of fun, and worked out so much better than I thought and was tons of fun, just what we all needed

Max and Brecken at Brecken's school Christmas party

Brecken and her friends

me and Brecken and her school friend who really wanted in our picture

Alex did not want to party aka he skipped his nap BUT he did want to read on the couch behind us so I said sure

oh there are cookies? well than Alex will party.  Good thing I brought him some dairy free option

TIME FOR MAX's PARTY!!!!

Max made these reindeer ears. Aren't they cute?

The class sang 2 songs. Roudolph the rednose reindeer, and Santa clause is coming to town.  They did great.  I took both videos (of course), but I think the blog only lets you upload short videos, because it will not let me upload either video and it will others, o well. If you really want to see them let me know and I can get them to you :)

The class had snacks and a fun activity.  They had green icing and a waffle cone to make an edible Christmas tree.  As you can see - Alex was up in the action but he did great in knowing it was his brother's party and we were just guests.

my favorite part about the party, my gift, well that sounds bad, but see below and you will understand.

The teachers and the kids made handprint calendars for all of the parents.  Can you believe it?  Every month it is his handprint in a different theme.  January is a snowman, February a heart, March a leproacon, April a bunny, May a flower, June a fish, and so on and so on.  It is so cute.  I was so surprised when he gave it to me at the party and boy was he proud!  I wasn't expecting anything at all and I got this AND an ornament.  They were such thoughtful and special gifts.  I am excited to use the calendar all year long.  I am so thankful Max goes to such a great preschool and that they have such fun parties and do so many fun crafts.  His teachers are the best, so thoughtful and creative.  Max loves them.

The Christmas Train

A few weeks ago I received a text from one of my friends, Alexis around 9pm.  She wanted to know if we wanted to go on a Christmas train with her the next morning at 9am. Her family was going to go with her but needed to cancel. I would need to be in Springdale at the train station by 8:30. I'm not going to lie, I hesitated :) but I thought it sounded like a great idea, and decided to take the boys and join her, and her 11 month old son Will, and 2.5 year old son, Walker.  I knew the boys would love it.  I actually had always wanted to take the boys on a Christmas train, but just never got around to it, and this was my chance.  I got the boys up and ready and we made it to the train station just in time...literally 5 minutes til the train was suppose to leave...and than Max said he needed to go potty!  Its not like I could say no - he just had a 30 minute car ride and than we were about to hop on a train.  Luckily they running pretty behind that day.  We had time to go to the bathroom and waiting a bit before we got on the train.

I think Max took this picture for me...and Walker was taking a picture with Alexis's phone.  This is the best we got.  I don't know why we didn't just take a "selfie" of ourselves.  It probably would have turned out a bit better

a view of the inside of the train.  I didn't take a picture of the outside but it was huge!

A neat part of the trainride was that there was a visit from Santa!  Alex was excited...Max turned to me and said - that's not the real Santa.  We were just at Silver Dollar City where we got to see the real Santa but for some reason - Max was not convinced this was the real Santa.  So I was got offguard, and Alexis helped me detour the conversation.  worked for me :)

Alex shook Santa's hand

Walker and Will both wanted the window seat.  Luckily they both fit pretty good

another fun part of the train was that they handed out cookies and hot chocolate!  This made Max happy for sure.  Max also got to try on the conductor's hat.  He felt special here, he was grinning ear to ear.

Walker had to try on the hat too - Alex didn't want to

Max decides he does like Santa and does want to shake his hand

adorable picture of the boys - sorry - Will didn't make the picture - he was inbetween me and Alexis

Here is Will! 

So Thank you Alexis for the invite.  I am so glad we went.  It had it's moments with 4 boys, age 4 and under....but honestly I think they all did really good, so glad we took them. 

Ashley & Jennie's girls night out

A few weeks ago me and Jennie had a night out. Jennie invited me to a Pay it Forward Dinner at the local Church of the Nazarene.  I honestly wasn't sure what it was all about, but I seldom get to go out with just Jennie so Mike said he'd watch the kids, I got dressed up, and met Jennie.

First off, let me say, the dinner was delicious.  I had brisket, potato, corn, fruit, and tea.  I enjoyed getting to visit with about 4-6 other people at our table that also know Jennie.  There were over 300 women present at the dinner.  There were also about 20 men dressed in Santa hats who helped out and served dinner and were there as Hosts.  The dinner was so much more than I thought it was going to be. They shared stories from last year's dinner.  They also recognized women in the church that had been great examples of Christian women in the community and who give their time to help and serve others.  I enjoyed getting to hear all of the different stories.  The best part was that they were all present at the dinner, and didn't know they were about to get recognized, their name would just get called and they would go up to the stage, and get a story told about them.  There were some women that got recognized and got a manicure and pedicure that was donated.  There were also several more touching stories.  There was a story of a single mother of 3 children who just lost her husband.  She worked 3 jobs to keep her family going. They surprised her with all sorts of gift cards and toys for her family this Christmas.  There was also a story about a family who has a son battling leukemia and has had to miss school since last August.  They got him a basketball signed by his favorite basketball team and a gift card to Sams. It was a dinner about learning to pay it forward.

The most exciting part of the night, was that every person was given a gift - our table actually got 2 gifts because we drawn twice.  I got to take home gift 1 - a pillow and a blanket, and gift two - a warm little girls winter pack with a brand new purple jacket with a fur hood, socks, and thermal underwear.  The purpose of the gift was for you to take them home and give them to someone who needed them - to pay them forward. I have given away the winter pack, but the pillow and blanket are still in the back of my car - hopefully I will find someone that needs them soon.  Below is the story of how we gave away the "girls winter pack"

A few weeks ago, on a Tuesday morning, I took Max to speech and me and Alex sat in the lobby and waited. I noticed a mom came out of the library, and had two Walmart sacks in her hands, held them up in the air, and looked around and said, Thank you.  Thank you for blessing me this Christmas.  The two receptionists said, your welcome, Merry Christmas. the lady than said, no...really...Thank you. You don't know how much you have helped me this Christmas, my kids are going to be so happy and I couldn't have done it without you.  It was touching for me and Alex to get to witness the conversation.  Made me very Thankful for everything I had under the tree wrapped for my boys this Christmas.  I than remembered that I had the little girls jacket, socks, and thermal underwear in my car.  I walked up to receptionist and asked about what they were doing.  She explained that parents in need this Christmas got to "shop for free" in the Library today so that their kids could have a better Christmas. At first, I think she thought I needed to shop.  I smiled at her and said I had something I wanted to give her, and that I'd be right back. She looked a little surprised. I went to the car and got the "winter pack" and walked back in.  I gave her the coat, socks, and thermal underwear.  The 4 women behind the counter had big smiles on their faces.  They said your giving this to us?  I explained to them that I had went to the dinner, and that I had it in my car, and wanted to give it to someone in need this Christmas.  They were so thankful.  They had smiles on their faces, and said.....Bless you, you will make some little girl very happy and warm this Christmas.  Merry Christmas you to and your family.

It was a great experience for me to be able to give something to someone in need, that had actually been given to me.  I was excited and happy.  The dinner is such a great idea for this community. That night over 300 people got gifts to pay it forward.  Think of all the people that week, or the following week benefited from that dinner.  Think of all the stories.  Also, think of all of the people like me, it helped this Christmas. A small reminder of how lucky I am to have what I have, and how much everyday we need to be watching and looking for people that need our help.

Happy New Year

I hope you find a way to pay it forward in 2014.

Eddie the Elf

Elf on the Shelf

So, Eddie the elf came back to visit us this year!!!

For those of you who don't know Eddie, he first started visited our house Christmas 2009, Max was 10 months old. He comes back every year around Christmas time, normally right after Thanksgiving. Santa sends him. He flies back to the North Pole every night to tell Santa how well the kids behaved during the day and if they should be on the Naughty or Nice list. The boys love getting up and looking for Eddie.  They were really sad when he flew back to the North Pole after Christmas.  I told them though, maybe Eddie will come back and visit us throughout the year.  We'll invite him to Max's Birthday, Easter, etc. 

 Can't wait to see when Eddie will return!!!

I spy Eddie in Daddy's stocking!

Eddie watches for snow predicted to fall

oh no - Max gets a letter from Santa about his behavior

Eddie made snow angels

Eddie brings another note - call Santa ASAP

they aren't allowed to touch him but they sure enjoy getting close

Eddie rocking baby jesus

oh my.....Eddie started a snowball fight with Max's Transformers

Alex trying to get close to Eddie

Eddie brought a gift!

Max loved the movie from Eddie

Eddie enjoying some hot choclate

Eddie made himself a swing

A Call From Santa

We got a call from Santa this Christmas.  Santa knew Max's name, he knew what he did every day.  He talked about Max playing soccer this fall. Max was speechless. Aunt Kelley just happened to be here when he called.  Max talked about it for days.  Max just kept saying.....Santa called me, the real Santa called me and he knew me by name.  It was fun - hope he calls again next year :)