Melody

No matter what, I can't seem to get this melody out of my head.  But I don't mind...

I kind of love it.

The Beginning of a New Christmas Tradition

The snow is here.  The tree is up.  Family Stone and A Christmas Story have both already been watched.  Santa letters are written.  Christmas parcels started arriving 2 days ago.  And the basement is off limits to little ones.  It really is starting to feel like Christmas around here.
Needless to say, for some reason this year I have embraced the whole Christmas season a little early.  And, in doing so, I have decided to start a new Christmas tradition for our girls.  (I actually got the idea from Dana).

A Christmas Book Advent.
I started collecting Christmas books a couple of weeks ago.  Since I didn't want this project to cost much, I went to Value Village and searched their hundreds of children's books.  It was actually quite fun.  I would get all excited when I found a good Christmas book.  I collected some about Santa, the Nativity, giving gifts, and I even found a Dora one for Lexi.  I also knew we had a few at home, so I searched around and found 8.  So, I only had to get 17 more.  It took a few trips, but I did it.  The whole thing cost under $15.  I thought that was awesome.  Each year I hope to collect some more Christmas books and switch them out for some of the books that the girls will grow out of.  I looked for How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but I didn't find it.

Here they are..

I made sure each one had something to do with Christmas.  There are some awesome vintage copies in there as well.  Do you spot the Nutcracker?  (Not the Berenstain Bears version). 

It only took about the length of 3 Friends episodes to wrap them all.

Here they are wrapped...

We start tonight.  They are sitting under the tree just waiting to be opened.  Right before bed the girls will pick one and we will read it together.  I am so excited!  I hope the girls love it as much as I do.

Oooohhhh yeah, I still got it.

True story...  As I walked to my car after work today, a grown man howled at me...  I didn't know what to do/say, so I walked the last few steps and got into my sweet mini van.  I thought after being married for seven years, I had lost my "mystery".  Apparently not.  

To the animal man....  I offer some friendly advice...  To catch a woman, you must first speak her language... (meaning human).  Just a suggestion.

Practically Perfect in Every Way

I have been in a major creative funk....  I have had no desire to blog, sew, create, or even cook.  BUT...  I am thinking that if I had a tube of this stuff, that funk just might disappear.

*Picture found here.

No Excuses

I won't make any excuses for my absence.

I have been using all my energy just to live.

I have felt warm sunshine on my face.

I have played until it hurt.

I have eaten until my pants are a little tight.

I have soaked in the summer.

In fact, I have had no motivation to do anything else.

And it's a good thing the weather forecast predicts hot weather for the next 5 days, or I would be really bummed!  (I promise to post First Day of School pics.... when I can get over the fact that fall is almost here). 

 Until then....

There Were a Bunch in the Head...

... And the little one said, "move over, move over"... So they all moved over and one FELL OUT!!

You're Only As Tall As Your Heart Will Let You Be

The past couple of weeks, our hearts have let be pretty tall....  I will let you see for yourself.

For the Canada Day weekend, we went to Nana and Crampa's "number two" house, as my girls call it.  They are just beginning renovations and we got to be part of the demolition crew.  It was pretty fantastic.  We colored on walls, wore our shoes inside, rode the awesome mechanical horse, knocked holes in walls, played in the sunshine, ate giant popsicles, played with cousins, and went to bed late.  Alexis was so exhausted that she napped through the sound of drywall being knocked down in the next room.  That kid can sleep anywhere!  (It might run in the family... Take a look at this).

Next, we had Lily's birthday party.  It really was her first real birthday party...  (maybe her last, ha ha).  She chose who she wanted to invite... which included her primary class, some kids from her kindergarten class, and cousins (of course!).  Well, the kids seemed to have a good time.  I didn't get to take many pictures because I was busy doing other things... but here are a few.  Lily had a blast!  And her friends seemed to have fun too. 

 Here are some shots of Grammie and Grandpa helping to get everything ready for the party.  (Somehow they always get "stuck" helping with big events... like birthdays, moving, and putting doll houses together until 2am Christmas Eve.  And get this...  they are HAPPY to do it....   Thanks Grammie and Grandpa!  You are too good to us!).

Then... (as if that's not enough), Grammie and Grandpa took Lily, Alexis, and me to the Stampede Parade! 

I haven't been in years and have always wanted to take the girls... (I don't have any pictures, but it was wonderful... and, yes, Lexi fell asleep on a bus bench right in the middle of it.)

Then, we went to the Stampede!  It was really fun.  We went and saw the Superdogs and Ice show.  We at mini donuts, corn dogs, cotton candy, and chocolate-covered marshmallows.  (We even saw deep-fried pickles, but I was too afraid to try it).  We went to the Indian village and watched some of the traditional dancing.  When they announced the "inter-tribal" dance, Lily and Grandpa got up and danced with them.  I can't even tell you how excited Lily was....  but I'm sure you can guess...  Just imagine her big eyes accentuated by her glasses and her smile so big that you could see each and everyone of her shiny, white teeth.  

They got their faces painted....  They made buttons....  They filled up on junk food.....  

They were in HEAVEN!  (Oh, and Mom, Dad, and I had fun too... in case anyone was wondering!  haha).

Oh... and Lexi fell asleep in the wagon. 

It is going to be hard to get back to "normal" life after all that fun (and junk food)!  But, we have a few trips coming up, so maybe we won't have too.  :)