Holiday Hoopla

Here are the rules, as decreed by someone higher up than myself.
1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas
2. Please refer to it as a ‘hoopla’ and not the dreaded ‘m’-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you’re done. None of this “if you’re reading this, consider yourself tagged” stuff is allowed…then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you — but the more, the merrier to get this ‘hoopla’ circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I’d like to get as many people involved as possible.

Here it goes...

1. I have a fake tree...don't want to have to water a real one.

2. I have been going to my Grandads on Christmas Eve for the past 30 years????  I think.

3. I LOVE Christmas music.

4. My sister and I usually make Christmas candy and cookies, but this year we didn't get to.

5. I buy way too many gifts!!!

6. I used to care more about how my wrapping looked, but now I just do it to get it done.

7. I still have one more gift to buy...

8. I wish we would have a white Christmas!!!

9. I have never left Santa cookies.

10. I have never bought egg nog.

11. I love spending time with family for the holidays.

12. I hope Summer likes her gift from Santa.  She never did ask for anything so he is getting her a doll house.

I tag Amy. 

5 Days 'til Christmas

I can't believe Christmas is only 5 days away.  I really need to finish up my wrapping.  I need to buy two or three more gifts and I'll be set!  Summer is having fun with the 12 days of Christmas we are doing.  The only problem is she likes to go pick a present under the tree herself.  The past two days she has done just that.  I am lucky because she just so happened to pick the present that was for her.  Two days ago, she wanted to open someone else's gift, but of course I didn't let her.  I guess I waited to late in the day to give it to her that day.  I was doing it in the evenings, but now she is pretty much trying to get it in the morning or early afternoon.  So far she has gotten a singing and dancing Santa, box of Little Debbie Christmas trees, 2 sippy cups, 5 books, bathtub crayon play set, and today a Hokey Pokie Elmo.  I only have two days of gifts left - magnetic numbers for the fridge (if I can find them - I think I am going a little insane because stuff keeps disappearing around here, like the magnets :)  ) and a coloring book with crayons.  I'm not sure if I want to share what else she is getting since you might tell her...LOL. 

Well, I've got a million things to do so I better get off here. 

I hope all my readers have a Merry Christmas!!!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

I decided to do the twelve days of Christmas with Summer this year.  Meaning that she will get one present a day up to Christmas day (for the most part anyway).  These gifts are just some cheap things I found while out shopping...or going through my junk at home. :)  Her first one was a singing and dancing Santa that I found in the attic.  I wrapped it up and gave it to her on Thursday evening when Clint came home from work. (that sounds weird - Clint coming home from work.  If you didn't know he has worked from home since I met him, but now he goes to the office almost everyday.)  Anyway, she was a little freaked out by it and would not go up to it and touch it when it was singing and dancing.  Nor would she sit down by him, without screaming that is...LOL.  She did, however, like the box he came in.  Go figure.  You can see for your self, just look at the pics.  I know, I know.  I am a horrible mom to make my child get her picture taken with her first present of the year.  Let's just hope this isn't an indication of the rest of our Christmas pics. 

Earlier this week we went to visit Santa for the 2nd time.  She would not sit on his lap and didn't even want to give him a hug this time like she did before.  I think we are regressing in the Santa department.  I will try again next week because I really want to get her pic taken with Santa.  Maybe Clint and I will have to get in it too if we can't get Josh and Amanda to meet us that the mall for the pic.  We will see.

We also went to Chuck E Cheese this week for my nephew's 5th birthday.  It was fun for everyone I think.  The kids all enjoyed playing games, even Summer.  They did have some that she could play and she enjoyed it.  Even the adults played some to try to use up all the tokens so we could go eat.  We went to Ryans and pigged out before calling it a night.  Summer ate very well - green beans, pinto beans, broccoli, cheese, cottage cheese, and cherry tomatoes.  Of course that was followed by a cookie and some ice cream.  She knew to save room for the good stuff.  She gets that from me!  Clint starts eating cookies the minute he fixes a plate when we go there.  He too makes sure he has plenty of yummy cookies before we leave. 

 

16 Days 'til Christmas

I can't believe Christmas is almost here.  This past year has flown by.  I just recently finished the Christmas album from last year and it is amazing how much Summer has changed in the past year.  She is talking all the time and becoming so independent, well kinda.  If she wants you to come in her room with her, she will let you know. LOL  She will tell you where to sit and may or may not share her toys and blankets with you. 

She is stacking blocks now until they tumble and fall.  If you stack the blocks, she knocks them down.  She is able to put shapes in the openings where they go so they will drop into the bucket although sometimes she cheats if she gets frustrated.  :)

We went to the Christmas parade last weekend which was fun.  My sister and parents came along with a few other family members.  It was really nice.  I don't remember going to a parade with everyone ever now that I think of it.  But, I guess that is not really uncommon.  Does anyone do that as like a tradition?  I guess it is a tradition I would like to start.  It always good to bring the family together so we can spend time together and celebrate special occasions.  We'll see who shows up next year. 

Today we went to a birthday party for one of Summer's friends.  Mason's 2nd birthday was on the 6th and he was all boy at his party today.  Well mostly....  Anyways, it was fun.  Summer kept coming to get me to go in the playroom with her.  After a while, she warmed up to going without me or Clint.  She was a cutie as usual.  She really liked this singing and dancing reindeer that Mason had.  Oh and the stuffed donkey he got.  We saw a stuffed animal at ToyRUs a few weeks ago that she loved.  But, it was $50 and I just can see paying $50 for a stuffed animal.  I saw a similar one at Wal-mart for $20, but I still can't cough up the dough.  If it was as big as the other one, I probably would though.  :)  I am being good so far though and not going crazy on her Christmas gifts.  I have only bought two or three gifts which I think is pretty good.

Summer also loves to play outdoors or"walk" as she calls it sometimes.  Her favorite thing to do right now is play on steps.  She is trying to master them, but she still has a way to go.  She holds onto the handrails (when she can reach them) and uses them for stability.  Sometimes she holds my hand instead.  It really is so amazing to see her grow and accomplish new things.  She it truly turning into a little girl.  I am still trying to hold onto my "baby" for as long as I can, but she is getting so big.  I can hardly hold her in my arms like a baby anymore.  She is tall which I guess she gets from her daddy....along with her brown eyes. 

Here are a few videos for you to enjoy:

Playing with a bear and a blanket:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLVnCjTNEAY

Eating broccoli:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb-QtttHWs8