Humm...Humm... Hummer

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

My True Love gave to me...

12 hands to serve HIM

So many times at Christmas we focus on the incredible GIFT God gave to us by sending his son Jesus. While this is the correct focus to have, our pastor challenged us today to try to figure out what gift we can give back to God. Nothing earthly will suffice, He only wants each of us to trust in Him and to live in a relationship with Him daily.
To wrap up my 12 days of Christmas I can conclude that "every good and perfect gift comes from above." Including my children, my husband, my family and my friends. SO.... my "true Love" must be Jesus.
Merry Christmas!

On the 11th day of Christmas

My true love gave to me....

11 Peanutbutter Blossoms (wonder where the 12th one went? hmmm)

do you see a pattern here with the peanutbutter?

On the 10th Day of Christmas

My True Love Gave to me....

10 hands making Peanut Butter Ball Candy

9 Reindeer for Santa

8 hours of sleep

7 Synchronized Schedules

6 Candy Canes

5 Golden Tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa hat

On the 9th day of Christmas...

My true Love gave me to me....

Nine Reindeer for Santa... (Think Rocket can pass for one of them?)

8 hours of sleep

7 synchronized schedules

6 candy canes

5 golden tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa Hat

PAUSE

The 12 days of Christmas are officially paused until my "material" gets back from Nana & Paw Paw's.
I will still have time to complete the 12 days once they return. You know when you start thinking about the 12 days you begin to say everything in the song's tune....."I-m-No-t- Hung-ry" "Ti-me- To- Get- U-up" "Where-Are-You- Go-ing" It's a disease... "I-m Sure- of-it"

On the 8th Day of Christmas...

My True Love Gave to me....

Eight hours of sleep..... Since Nana took the kids back to her house for a long weekend.

So I posted a picture of Kaylee at her Christmas Recital last Saturday. She did a great job and tapped her way through Jingle Bell Rock.

I felt like last week was the beginning of a crazy week filled with parties, meetings, recitals and more. But we made it through and last night I slept like a baby. Sometime around noon today I even got out of my PJ's. We went to see "The Pursuit of Happiness" and did some last minute shopping at the mall.

On the 7th Day of Christmas....

My True Love Gave to Me.....

Seven Synchronized Schedules

(David, Nana and I had to get to Zane, Kaylee, Trent & Mia's parties)

On the 6th day of Christmas...

My true love gave to me...

Six Candy Canes

5 Golden Tokens, 4 on a Firetruck, 3 kids a crafting, 2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a Santa Hat

On the 5th Day of Christmas....

My True Love gave to me

Five Golden (ChuckECheese) Tokens

4 on a firetruck

3 kids a crafting

2 reindeer antlers

and a cutie in a santa hat

On the 4th Day of Christmas....

My True Love gave to me

Four on a Fire Truck

(I know it doesn't sound very Christmasy, but our friends the Fazzinos host an annual Fire Truck ride & toy drive for a local children's home. Everyone rides on an antique fire Truck through the neighborhood to look at lights and Santa comes along on the ride as well)

On the 3rd day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me

three kids-a-crafting

(with Aunt Darla)

2 reindeer antlers

& a cutie in a santa hat

On the 2nd Day of Christmas....

my true love gave to me

Two Reindeer Antlers
and a cutie in a Santa Hat

On the 1st Day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me a Cutie in a Santa Hat

First attempt at Video

Cookie Swap

Sunday night Kaylee and I hosted our 1st Annual Mother & Daughter Cookie Swap. We invited several of Kaylee's friends and their moms to our house for a cookie exchange and Christmas party. We ate yummy food and had fun exchanging presents with a little game. Each person brought 6 dozen cookies to exchange following strict guidelines on what was allowed, (I don't know anyone who would send out guidelines with an inviation do you?Especially not Eleven!) Then we all told about the cookies we brought to swap and took home a variety of delicious cookies.

14 different kinds of cookies were swapped. When the boys got home they were in heaven with all the cookies. There was almost a brawl over the peanut butter cookies with the hershey kisses on top.

Here are the girls exchanging their presents

Darla (David's sister), Toni (David's Mom), My Mom (aka Nana), Mia, Me and Kaylee
Enjoying yummy food!

Nana and Kaylee making a little frame that everyone got to take home. We used scrapbook papers and ribbon. Thanks to my cousin Amy for technical advice on the project.

A Star, A Star is burning in the night........

This may be the last year of our star tradition. Unless the kids quit growing or David can grow another arm. Neither of which sound appealing. Everyone always wants to be the "one" who gets to put the star on top. So, since Kaylee was born he's always held everyone while the star is put on. But it's just getting to Heavy. This year Kaylee did the ultimate honor. Although Zane had to give it a little push from the top. Next year will be Trent's turn. (I hope I can remember that)

Deck the Halls

Scenes from Monday's Decorating Night. Getting ready for Christmas.....

" Give me a red nose and call me Rudolph...."


Not sure if Zane is hanging ornaments or checking the transmission

Trent need a little "Booster"

Father & Son Cake Bake

We can do this!
Step Away from the Master!

We're Done, Let's EAT
Oh Yeah, Proper Gentlemen use Forks. Don't eat yet, it hasn't been judged
" Victory Is MINE!!!"
Zane's Boy Scout troop is raising money for a new Grand Prix track to race their pine wood derby cars. So this month they hosted a Father and Son Cake Bake. The cakes were judged and then raffled off. There were 35 cakes entered and Zane came away with the ribbon for Most Unique. He and David were very proud.

Caps to the Capital

My Bible Study leader made us aware of a movement that could possibly save newborns in developing countries. I did a little research and printed out the pattern a few days ago. Yesterday I wasn't feeling so well (allergies, sinus) so I decided to give it a shot. While I was crocheting David passed by me and said, "Hey, Granny!" My Granny is 94 and still crochets. (I pray I am crocheting at 94). Here are my results.

I am pretty pleased with them seeing as I haven't crocheted in quite sometime other than those beaded socks. (The purple one looks a little lopsided but it's really round, I promise)

It didn't take to long to construct so I think I'll make several more. I would like to also make some to send to the orphanage where Mia spent her first days. I have heard winter is a very hard time because the orphanages don't have heat.
If you knit or crochet here is the Info on the Caps if you would like to participate. www.savethechildren.org
"After Save the Children’s State of the World’s Mothers 2006 report highlighted simple, low-cost practices that could save newborn lives — like warming their heads with a knit or crochet cap —It is estimated that Four million newborns die each year within the first month of life. Half within the first 24 hours of life."

Little Miss Muffett

Little Miss Muffett
Sat on her Tuffett
All the way to school
But when along came the spider
that sat down beside her
She cried, "Mom it's scary! Not COOL"

So after the spider scavenger hunt successfully accomplished by Dad, Kaylee annouced she didn't like it. Frankly, it was a little scary looking. It was very big and very hairy. But I pinned it on her anyway and off to school she went.
At 8:30 when we arrived for the parade she made it out the door fine but when she saw me the tears began to flow. She wouldn't tell me what the problem was and finally I asked if it was the spider. "YES" it was the spider. So we un-pinned Little Miss Muffett's spider and the rest of the day was wonderful......

Fun Day at the Park

Most Wednesdays we meet with other moms and kids and have some type of outing. Today we visited a new park in the area. I had heard it was really nice but it is also really HUGE. The kids had a great time running and playing. We stayed about 3 hours and had a picnic lunch while we were there. If you look up "Bliss" in the dictionary this picture may be next to the definition. These swings were like mini-recliners suspended with chains.

He Shoots..... He Scores

Today was the last day for Upward Soccer. Trent finished the season well. Until today he had not made a goal for his team. But apparently he felt the pressure and came through with a hard kick and scored his first and only goal for the season.
Zane realized this morning that this would be the last game and gave him a little pep talk about "trying real hard and maybe you'll get a goal!" I guess the talk paid off

Pumpkin Carving

Everyone picked out a small little pumpkin to carve. It was a lot of fun getting all the "yuck" of of the middle. The kids did a great job of carving faces on to their pumpkins.




Who knew cats actually like raw pumpkin. Can you tell in the picture that Zane is feeding her off the spoon?

What do you DO all day?

A day in the life.... While this is not all that wonderful of an account but it gives some insight into life with 4 kids.

12:31 fall into bed
6:20 Child #1 wakes BEFORE the alarm even goes off
6:21 Get up, spend some Quiet Time before the day begins
6:40 Child #2 Wakes
6: 50 Child #4 Wakes
Breakfast, Clothes, Backpacks
Wake up Child #3 - Load the Car
Pick up Friend 1 and Friend 2
8:05 arrive back home from dropping off "load" at school
8:10 fix breakfast watch 5 min of Today show... Decide I don't need this season's fashion must haves......really where will I wear my little black dress and red pumps?
8:30 decide to make a Target run... All $1 spot stuff is .25.... need things for Awana mart...(I'm the official shopper, yipeee finally a job I like.... spend other people's money on "great" bargains)
Remember need blue jeans for Zane and Kaylee - acquire successfully
10:30 Stop off at Sam's to look at Christmas merchandise, kids eat slice of pizza, partake of salted pretzel and coke icee
11:15 Start thinking- Dinner? Start Craving ROAST.... Got to have ROAST... it's been too long
11:25 Acquire Roast and few other grocery items
12:30 Put child #4 down for nap.. Put child #3 in bed with a movie, join him for 15min. siesta
1:50 Call friend to pick up child #2 because child #4 is not awake
2:35 change child #2 into dance clothes, load car, drive to dance lesson
4:00 Friend brings Child #1 home and leaves her daughter here
Play outside with Friends and Neighbors 1 - 5. Nine kids in front yard (LOVE IT!*)
5:55 Friend picks up daughter and neighbors return home
6:00 Go inside to check roast in slowcooker, Finish up dinner
7:30 Start baths, homework
7:35 Help Child #1 on Texas Governor Election project (try to decide were my ballot will be cast)
8:45 Children 1 - 4 Successfully in bed.... Send husband on scavenger hunt for big rubber spider(needed for Child #2 Miss Muffett costume, 8 a.m. Tomorrow)
9:04 Three Baskets of Clothes await in Living room with one new episode of Survior


* Absolutley love having all those kids playing here today. We have waited for so long to have kids in the neighborhood to play with. 3 news families have moved in within the last year so it's finally beginnning to happen.

Personal Accomplishment for Day - Roast was good but Finally succeeded in successful gravy making. (Almost) Just like Mom's

9:19 Husband returns with Spider

Eat All we can, Sell the rest

For some time now we have wanted to visit the Blue Bell Factory in Brenham, TX. But it was never a good day. Especially since the tours are only given on week days. The factory is closed on the weekends. So, this past Friday was a Teacher inservice day and the kids were off school. We took a drive out to the Blue Bell Factory. (it's about 2 hours from our house) Cameras weren't allowed on the tour so I don't have any behind the scenes photos. We got to see 2 rooms where they were making the ice cream and then filling the containers. It was an awesome sight to see how fast they can fill each of the 1/2 gallon containers. Each production line can make 54 1/2 gallons a minute. We saw Sugar Free Vanilla Bean, Strawberry banana and Strawberry in one room. Blue Bell usues the milk from 500,000 cows every day. All the cows are withing a 200 mile radius of the factory. Probably the most fascinating for me was seeing the ice cream sandwiches being made. They can make 120 sandwiches a minute. They load cookies in 2 different areas and then squirt the ice cream between the 2 and wrap it and it's in a box within seconds. I'll never look at an ice cream sandwich the same again.
After the tour we were treated to a sample of ice cream. We could pick from 24 different flavors. I chose home made vanilla, Zane had Choc. Chip cookie dough, Mia chose Banana Pudding and I don't remember the others. This may have been the highlight portion of the tour.
(Kaylee spent the weekend with Nana and Paw Paw)
And YES the workers are allowed to eat as much ice cream as they want. We took a peak in the break room and saw people mostly eating chips but there was one guy reading the paper and having a mini-moo bar.

Costume Party

David's sister Darla invited all the family over for a Costume Party. The instructions were that EVERYONE dress up. Including the adults. So not only did I have to get 4 costumes the correct size we had to come up with ones of our own. Now I am not opposed to dressing up and enjoy it somewhat but the choices for adult women are downright scary. I am not into witches, and mystical stuff so my choices became even more scarce. After deciding that even though your family is suppose to love you no matter what, I just didn't feel comfortable showing up in the french maid or catholic school girl costume. So, I opted for a cheap but effective butterfly costume with matching metallic blue eyelashes. (see pic)David's costume was equally as challenging. I located a cheap Sumo Wrestler costume and finally had him talked into wearing it. The kind that has the motor and blower inside, but by the time I checked again it had already been sold, and I wasn't paying the big bucks at party city for a new one. So he sported the ever fashionable pirate costume (hand made by moi)
Zane wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy football player. Easy enough and he looked pretty good in the uniform. A little scary for me seeing my ten year old "baby" looking so mature.
Kaylee opted for the classic Snow White. No dwarfs behind her, even though I tried to convice Zane we could each be one. But he and I fought over Sneezy so we knew it was a moot point.
Trent wanted Batman. His costume was so cute, even had the fiber optic light show on his chest. He loved it and wore the whole costume most of the night.
I asked Mia what character she would like to be. I tried to talk her in to being Dora. But she thought a minute and said "I be Elmo." The child had never even seen an Elmo costume but apparently she understood the concept well enough to make an informed decision. So we found the cute little Elmo costume.
We had a great time at Aunt Darla's costume party. The kids looked forward to it for weeks. Kaylee was the most excited about bobbing for apples. We also had a cake walk and there were tons of treats and food for everyone to enjoy. The popcorn balls were a big hit with kids young and old.