Swedish Christmas

Cookie was strapped in a car seat this morning, complete with a gold Lame' Barbie Coat waiting for Audrey to meet her on her way to preschool.

Audrey came home today with a cute little filled wooden shoe( made of construction paper). Today her class celebrated Christmas like they were in Sweden. The name for Santa in Sweden is Jultomten. Swedish children place a wooden shoe out for Santa to fill with treats. She was so darn excited.
Her shoe had our Christmas Snowman covered candy bar in it that we took as a treat today!


Then, we made some special candy for her Elf Party this Sunday, chocolate covered oreos.  My SIL, Samantha, can make candy unlike anyone I know....me, not so much.  But they didnt turn out toooo bad, and they taste alright...I know because I ate one. May I just say that is enough sugar to keep your system high for 3 days! Whew!

Wrapping it up

I swear to you, I put my camera away for a few days just because I need to.
So, envision what today held.
Cookie was sitting under the tree with some newly wrapped presents, holding a special one that Audrey was able to open this morning...new cupcake earrings..Thanks cookie!
As I wrapped presents last night, I used two great ideas that I will share...I bought stamps A, S, J, M for Christmas morning presents, so for each present, I simply stamped the initial of the person...for my mom I stamped MJ. Also, I added some cute mini prints of audrey in pic tags for gifts for my In Laws, even my neieces, who love their baby cousin...they are 18 and 22, so they appreciate her in a way the littler ones do not.
I am cleaning out my closets today and the whole house...WHEW, I craft too much...Is that possible?

The Elf , the master painter

Cookie was eating Cheez-its ( audreys favorite treat) yesterday. This morning, we followed the lead of some other friends and had Cookie paint on Audreys face in one of our frames.

In the process of Cookie doing her "thang" I managed to break one of our large frames in our living room! AAHH!!!! That ELF! I need some glue or duct tape or hammer....er...maybe 2 new frames( since I have two matching ones!

I visited Cameron Estates in Mt Joy yesterday to photograph a wedding. Beautiful setting.
I had such a fun time with LETTERS.  Letters in Pics make for a great gift. Simply collage the pics in Picasa and make them into a 4X6 to send as a card.
Here are the wedding letters and then our Christmas creation with letters!

Today, I went too far!  I wont even take pics AND I desperately need my SIL Sam's help, as she is an expert...I TRIED TO MAKE CANDY!! TRIED!

I bought a mold that places an oreo in the middle of the chocolate mold.  Needless to say, I think i can make it a solid color, but painting to make it colored for snowmen and wreaths...well Audrey colors better...but still fun!

WOW, I am so far behind:

Gift Ideas I am working on: Nail Polish with a tag that says "For your Mistletoes!"

AND for Audreys upcoming Elf Party: Reindeer Food) Oatmeal and glitter....only I am going to make it a Reindeer Food Bar for them to make their own on Saturday!!!

A crazy busy beautiful day

Today, Cookie was found in mommy's jewelry box, trying on my necklaces and bracelets.
It was quite a busy day.
First, we got all dressed up and headed to UAFD for the Open House complete with Santa arriving on the firetruck.  AWESOME, Such a good Santa and the kids had a ball!

Even Jim and I got in on the action.

After that, Audrey and I went home, changed clothes and headed to Fort Hunter for their Christmas Festivities.  I have to give them an A PLUS, we pet a reindeer, had hot cocoa, visited with Mrs. Claus, Shopped, voted for our favorite cool tree, visited a toy train exhibit that was amazing, and so much more...We had a blast. We spent about 1 hr there.  I highly recommend going.

Then, later this evening, we went to Christian Life Assembly's play the Gospel according to Scrooge! This is my second year.  I took my in laws, niece Kendra, and nephew Parker.  Better this year than last! This church knows how to put on a play! Broadway quality!

What an awesome day!!

Storytime

Cookie was reading to her friends this morning.
Our plans for today were a no go with the funeral of our dear friend Mark being our place for today.
I just want to say GOD BLESS my kiddos TEACHERS...ALL OF THEM...not just the ones she has everyday, but the ones who she sees as substitutes, etc....They blessed us today by taking our kiddo on a day that wasnt her own and keeping her while we took part in funerals services.  They were just so gracious to us today!!!
The holidays are so easy for me to get caught up in...this blog is proof positive of that, but it is also proof positive that every mom that plans well will miss her mark sometimes.  God has a way of sitting us down and saying Hey, this isnt as important as you think. So Santa Garden wasnt as important as standing behind my husband and supporting him today as we said goodbye to a dear friend.
So, maybe I didnt make a craft or dessert today or even yesterday, today I served my friends and family in a different way.

Toilet Paperin

I admit it...I stole this elf on the Shelf idea from my cousin Amanda.  Last night, I Tp'ed my kids bedroom...and man was it fun!  I stuck Cookie on the fan, along with her Santa Lantern and a note that said, WOw, that was fun!
Today, I made up some Snowman Soup in packets to keep on hand and give out at will....meaning, when I see someone who needs some cheering up, I have something at hand to give them!

It has been a VERY crazy week( isnt it always) so I apologize for being behind!
Tonight ...Mary Poppins with my kiddo and my neice( who turns 18 tomorow!)

Cookie and Comet and Santa and Sleigh Rides ( er....sorta)

So, Audrey found Cookie outside riding Comet our reindeer this morning....but it was much too cold to keep Cookie outside, so we brought her in and let her sit on the wreath while Audrey was in school.

Today, I finished the cute trail size snowman bar wraps and made a few scarves for Audreys teachers.
This evening, we met the Natales at the Silver Spring Fire Hall.
The weather went from "no need to wear a coat" to "frikkin freezing" by the time 6 pm rolled around.

We stood in line for a sleigh ride, but realized after 40 minutes in line, that the rides were taking a little longer than we thought, so we decided to skip the ride and go inside.
Inside, we found a shortened line to see Santa. We wrote him a letter during our wait. He gave us an orange and a candy cane for stopping by.

The event was nice. they had a chorus and band, crafts and free hot chocolate.  

We will get a sleigh ride eventually, but the visit with the Big Man was worth the trip.

PS: what did Audreys list say....Doc McStuffins....who else?  LOL!