Well, it's almost 1am and I'm laying here pretty much wide awake.
Christmas snuck up on me once again this year, but I think we did better than last year. And next year I will aim to do better than this year.
Christmas growing up was always so amazing. My mom worked her butt off to make sure we had a great Christmas every year. Even on the years when she told us that it wasn't going to be very good, it was always great.
I remember last year being so sad when Christmas was over. I felt like we didn't do enough for Lexi, or anyone else. But this year I feel pretty good. I'm sure that will change by tomorrow night though. Kristin (baby sister) and I were talking about it tonight. How we felt so bad because our gifts were always piled up under the tree as kids, but they seem so bare tonight. Our kids are young enough that they aren't going to remember much. And they definitely have lots of aunts and uncles who will be giving them gifts also. There was an article going around this week, written by a mom explaining why she buys a lot at Christmas, and I thought it summed up my feelings pretty well. Basically I don't buy my kids everything they want. They get special things on occasion, and they most certainly don't do without. But I have to say no a lot. I don't have the money to buy Lexi an ipad. I would love to have a huge swinger in my backyard, but it just can't happen right now. So, on the rare occasion that I get to go all out, then that's what I do.
I know it's more about the memories than anything. But I also know that Lexi is getting to an age where her friends are going to start talking and comparing gifts. And I never want her to feel left out!
Today we enjoyed the rare treat of being off work on a week day. We did a little last minute shopping, ate lunch, and took naps. Then we made cookies for Santa. I don't bake, lol. So I bought the pre-packaged dough. Lexi got to lay it out on the cookie sheets and then put sprinkles and m&m's on them. Tonight after bath time, Jacob told them about the night Jesus was born. Lexi wrote a note for Santa and put out his cookies and milk.
Tomorrow we will wake up and see what Santa brought! We always have lunch at my Grandma's on Christmas Day. There will be a few gifts there, but nothing major. My grandparents put money on a savings account for the kids on their birthdays and Christmas. Before we go we will have a discussion about thankfulness. Lexi is at an age where her personality and tastes are developing... and let's just say that she doesn't always have a lot of tact. She has always been good about saying please and thank you, but lately she makes it really obvious when she doesn't like something. I don't want to feel like I'm constantly nagging her, but we are trying to teach her about respect.
Tomorrow evening we will go spend time with Jacob's parents. Then Friday evening dinner with sisters and cousins. Saturday afternoon Christmas with my brother and his family. Saturday night Christmas with my parents and sisters. Whew! That's a lot!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Friday, November 30, 2012
Time to Catch Up
Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I blogged. But, I have been a little busy. So what's new?
We spent a night in the children's hospital with Rex. I don't recommend it. All is fine with him now, and thank God we only had to stay that one night.
I'm back at work. Things are crazy. Trying to catch up on everything that accumulated while I was gone.
We had an amazing Halloween. Rex slept the whole night in his carseat, but he made an adorable little skeleton. Lexi was Cinderella. She loved the fact that she could wear her costume to school, but was very sad when she couldn't wear it again the next day. She is in love with all things Princess right now.
We spent Thanksgiving in Cherokee, OK with my Mom's side of the family. We had a great time. Lots of babies in our family this year. There were 4 there on that day, with 1 more missing.
We went Black Friday shopping on Friday evening when we got home. Guess what?!? There were still some great bargains, and not hardly any shoppers. Not to mention the fact that Target started their sales on Wednesday, so I got a great deal on board games for all the nieces and nephews. It's nice to have a dent in my Christmas shopping so early. The past few years I have been a Christmas Eve shopper...and I don't really like that. Every year I vow to start buying things at the beginning of the year...and I never do. Maybe 2013 is the year?!
I can't believe tomorrow is December 1st! Bring on the Christmas season. We got some lights up on the house. Jacob and I are somewhat of "Griswolds" so of course we would love to have more. Being this is our first year in this house we are testing the water on what all we can do. I'm so excited to get all my Christmas decorations out. Since we didn't have a house last year I didn't get to decorate. So, I'm so excited to decorate my very own house this year. And I'm sure Lexi will enjoy it also. She is so excited about Christmas-time already also.
Rex has started sleeping a little better...knock on wood....he gets up 1-2 times a night, versus every 2 hours he was doing up until about 2 weeks ago. Jacob and I are definitely enjoying the extra sleep.
Keep checking the blog, because I have lots of great ideas!
~~Danielle~~
We spent a night in the children's hospital with Rex. I don't recommend it. All is fine with him now, and thank God we only had to stay that one night.
I'm back at work. Things are crazy. Trying to catch up on everything that accumulated while I was gone.
We had an amazing Halloween. Rex slept the whole night in his carseat, but he made an adorable little skeleton. Lexi was Cinderella. She loved the fact that she could wear her costume to school, but was very sad when she couldn't wear it again the next day. She is in love with all things Princess right now.
We spent Thanksgiving in Cherokee, OK with my Mom's side of the family. We had a great time. Lots of babies in our family this year. There were 4 there on that day, with 1 more missing.
We went Black Friday shopping on Friday evening when we got home. Guess what?!? There were still some great bargains, and not hardly any shoppers. Not to mention the fact that Target started their sales on Wednesday, so I got a great deal on board games for all the nieces and nephews. It's nice to have a dent in my Christmas shopping so early. The past few years I have been a Christmas Eve shopper...and I don't really like that. Every year I vow to start buying things at the beginning of the year...and I never do. Maybe 2013 is the year?!
I can't believe tomorrow is December 1st! Bring on the Christmas season. We got some lights up on the house. Jacob and I are somewhat of "Griswolds" so of course we would love to have more. Being this is our first year in this house we are testing the water on what all we can do. I'm so excited to get all my Christmas decorations out. Since we didn't have a house last year I didn't get to decorate. So, I'm so excited to decorate my very own house this year. And I'm sure Lexi will enjoy it also. She is so excited about Christmas-time already also.
Rex has started sleeping a little better...knock on wood....he gets up 1-2 times a night, versus every 2 hours he was doing up until about 2 weeks ago. Jacob and I are definitely enjoying the extra sleep.
Keep checking the blog, because I have lots of great ideas!
~~Danielle~~
Thursday, December 22, 2011
25 Questions: Christmas Style
I am stealing this from Lisa. Considering the fact we are sisters, some of the answers are the same.
25 Questions: Holiday Style
Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate. I’ve never had egg nog, but it just does not sound appealing to me at all. I prefer Swiss Miss hot chocolate with 2 French Vanilla creamers in a cup of coffee.
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
It depends on if it's big or small. Big things I will probably leave unwrapped under the tree.
Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I have done both. I always think I want to do all white, but I just like the randomness of the colors.
Do you hang mistletoe?
I don’t. And I actually don’t know anyone who does.
When do you hang your decorations up?
It's been so long since I have had my own house that I don't even remember. It's definitely after Thanksgiving though.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
That’s an easy one. My Grandma’s homemade noodles. She rolls them out herself and makes them every year before Thanksgiving. If we’re lucky, we get some on Christmas too. When I was pregnant with Lexi she taught us how to make them, but I've never attempted it on my own.
Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I have so many. My sisters and I used to try to stay up all night playing games on Christmas Eve. And take turns creeping down the stairs to see if Santa had come yet.
We and our cousins used to sing songs and make up little plays to perform for our parents.
My uncle Steve used to dress up like Santa and come visit us.
Going to Grandma Eva's every year on Christmas Day after getting up early and opening gifts.
Really, I could go on and on.
So many memories.
What is on your Christmas wish list?
Things that no one can buy me. Like to have the closing on the house over with.
I would love to have a keurig, but it isn't really practical right now.
Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?
No. I have been buying Lexi Christmas Eve pajamas, so maybe I will start wrapping those and let her open them on Christmas Eve? And maybe a new book?
How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Our Christmas ornaments started out Red and Blue and have gathered a few others over the years. At mom and dad's they are all ornaments gathered from 28 years of marriage.
Snow? Love it or dread it?
Love Love Love it! I love the way it looks. I love to walk around and play in it.
Real tree or fake tree?
Real. There’s just no comparison.
Do you remember your favorite gift?
No.
My mom always has made Christmas really special for us, so I'm sure there was something every year that could qualify as the best gift ever.
What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Family.
I get all sappy and emotional this time of year just thinking about how lucky I am. It all stems back to the birth of Jesus, and how we wouldn't have the life we have without his birth and death. But I have the greatest family ever and I am such a lucky lucky person.
Favorite Dessert:
Um….any and all? Haha. I love desserts. Literally anything sweet.
What is your favorite tradition?
Christmas Eve Eve with my cousins. We pick one of our houses and all stay the night. We always find something fun to do together. Also, getting up early to open presents on Christmas morning.
What tops your tree?
This year it's a woven looking star. It's pretty cute!
Do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving. That sounds cheesy, but I just love to buy things for people. I get so excited after I buy something that I know someone will like, that I have a really hard time not telling them what I bought them.
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Anything traditional and of the country variety.
Candy canes, yuck or yum?
Yum! I love them.
Favorite Christmas movie?
Home Alone 1 and 2. You can’t go wrong with the classic tale of a kid getting revenge on a couple of robbers. (We’re going to pretend like Home Alone 3 never happened).
What do you leave for Santa?
We used to leave him cookies and milk.
Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?
My dad has to be at work early on Christmas (he’s a rancher) so that he can be off by noon to go to my Grandma’s for lunch, so we get up super early and open presents. We all pick a spot on the dining room floor and pass out presents and then open them together. This will always and forever be Christmas to me.
Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?
The older I get, the more I would LOVE to buy everything online. I just don't like the hustle and bustle and how crazy and rude people get.
Christmas letter or Christmas card?
Cards. Once Lexi gets a little older I will probably start doing a letter. Maybe next year since we will have a new house in January (hopefully) and that will be something to report on.
25 Questions: Holiday Style
Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate. I’ve never had egg nog, but it just does not sound appealing to me at all. I prefer Swiss Miss hot chocolate with 2 French Vanilla creamers in a cup of coffee.
Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
It depends on if it's big or small. Big things I will probably leave unwrapped under the tree.
Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I have done both. I always think I want to do all white, but I just like the randomness of the colors.
Do you hang mistletoe?
I don’t. And I actually don’t know anyone who does.
When do you hang your decorations up?
It's been so long since I have had my own house that I don't even remember. It's definitely after Thanksgiving though.
What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
That’s an easy one. My Grandma’s homemade noodles. She rolls them out herself and makes them every year before Thanksgiving. If we’re lucky, we get some on Christmas too. When I was pregnant with Lexi she taught us how to make them, but I've never attempted it on my own.
Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I have so many. My sisters and I used to try to stay up all night playing games on Christmas Eve. And take turns creeping down the stairs to see if Santa had come yet.
We and our cousins used to sing songs and make up little plays to perform for our parents.
My uncle Steve used to dress up like Santa and come visit us.
Going to Grandma Eva's every year on Christmas Day after getting up early and opening gifts.
Really, I could go on and on.
So many memories.
What is on your Christmas wish list?
Things that no one can buy me. Like to have the closing on the house over with.
I would love to have a keurig, but it isn't really practical right now.
Do you open a gifts on Christmas Eve?
No. I have been buying Lexi Christmas Eve pajamas, so maybe I will start wrapping those and let her open them on Christmas Eve? And maybe a new book?
How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Our Christmas ornaments started out Red and Blue and have gathered a few others over the years. At mom and dad's they are all ornaments gathered from 28 years of marriage.
Snow? Love it or dread it?
Love Love Love it! I love the way it looks. I love to walk around and play in it.
Real tree or fake tree?
Real. There’s just no comparison.
Do you remember your favorite gift?
No.
My mom always has made Christmas really special for us, so I'm sure there was something every year that could qualify as the best gift ever.
What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?
Family.
I get all sappy and emotional this time of year just thinking about how lucky I am. It all stems back to the birth of Jesus, and how we wouldn't have the life we have without his birth and death. But I have the greatest family ever and I am such a lucky lucky person.
Favorite Dessert:
Um….any and all? Haha. I love desserts. Literally anything sweet.
What is your favorite tradition?
Christmas Eve Eve with my cousins. We pick one of our houses and all stay the night. We always find something fun to do together. Also, getting up early to open presents on Christmas morning.
What tops your tree?
This year it's a woven looking star. It's pretty cute!
Do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving. That sounds cheesy, but I just love to buy things for people. I get so excited after I buy something that I know someone will like, that I have a really hard time not telling them what I bought them.
What is your favorite Christmas song?
Anything traditional and of the country variety.
Candy canes, yuck or yum?
Yum! I love them.
Favorite Christmas movie?
Home Alone 1 and 2. You can’t go wrong with the classic tale of a kid getting revenge on a couple of robbers. (We’re going to pretend like Home Alone 3 never happened).
What do you leave for Santa?
We used to leave him cookies and milk.
Do you have a Christmas morning tradition?
My dad has to be at work early on Christmas (he’s a rancher) so that he can be off by noon to go to my Grandma’s for lunch, so we get up super early and open presents. We all pick a spot on the dining room floor and pass out presents and then open them together. This will always and forever be Christmas to me.
Do you prefer to shop on-line or at the mall?
The older I get, the more I would LOVE to buy everything online. I just don't like the hustle and bustle and how crazy and rude people get.
Christmas letter or Christmas card?
Cards. Once Lexi gets a little older I will probably start doing a letter. Maybe next year since we will have a new house in January (hopefully) and that will be something to report on.
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