Fast and Easy Angel Craft

Here's a quick angel we made before heading out for the morning. Just take a paper plate (I used the small, cake size kind). Fold it in half.

Cut that in half.

Take a cupcake holder.

Fold in half

And cut it in half too. So you should have 3 pieces.

Now assemble with glue or tape or used bubblegum or whatever your adhesive of choice is.

Stick a head on it made from construction paper.

And your angel is complete.

Unless you want to add a halo. I did this as an afterthought. Hang it somewhere for a little holiday cheer.

Christmas Round 1

(I apologize in advance for how uncharacteristicly long this post is!) We got a new tree this year, prelit, 9 ft. Treyton just stared at it. So did I. I didn't know what to do with myself with all the saved time from putting up our old one one branch at a time and then stringing up the lights. This tree reminded me of the unbrella trees from the Grinch. SO EASY AND QUICK!

Part of the reason we got the tree was to celebrate Christmas with these two people: Bryce's parents, Dennis and Sharon. In from Texas.

Here's the loot and the kids playing in it. Notice the snow outside. It fell all day.

Here's Grandma Sharon with her grandbabies. They loved her lap. And they loved reading books. Here's a three generation picture.

After waiting what seemed like forever for the kiddos, the games were to begin. Treyton moved into the "I can use a scissor" crowd now that he's in preschool.

His first gift was a giant flat bed truck from Great-Grandparents Bob and Ruth.Look at his eyes! That look says it all. Excitement personified.Next we opened the giftrs from the Great-Grandparents Ralph and Helen. It was a really neat idea. They collected all the state quarters and put them in a nice folder display. Galina especially liked them. They did this for all their great-grandkids. Can you imagine collecting all those sets? I'm tired even thinking about it. Here's my favorite:Here's where I'd like to be right now.: And here's where we live:Great-Grandpa Bob is pretty handy with tools and woodworking. He actually made this for Galina with her name on it an all!A little jewelry/treasure box.Great-Grandma Ruth filled it with some treasures: bows, barretts, and braceletts. She teaches little kids. Perhaps today is sponsored by the letter B, Ruth? We put one on her. Boy did she catch on fast!Then she wanted to share her bling with everyone. My little Fancy Nancy.Grandparents Dennis and Sharon gave Galina the cutest little purse with all the fixin's: key chain, cell phone, coin purse, lipstick, mirror, and credit card. Treyton got his first Transformer! Bryce was especially excited about that one. Galina got a doll crib. She is gonna love it.

Both kids enjoyed playing with Treyton's new race track and T-ball set. Dennis and Sharon spoiled them so much, I can't hardly believe it. Here's Missy Magoo taking off with her purse and baby in tow. I guess she's going shopping.

Kisses to the baby!

Oh, shopping is such hard work! Time to take a break. Oh Galina. Just wait until you learn what Starbucks is.

Thank you to all the grandparents for the amazing gifts. What a major blessing you are to us and our kids. We love you!

Workin' at the Carwash

"Mommy, I want a car wash for my trucks." When my precious firstborn said that I got to thinking. Could I make his little wish come true?

So I gathered some foam and cut the pieces the short way to form strips. Then I cut them in half to make the perfect size for those car wash brush thingies. Next I cut slits into the top of a box and inserted the strips.

Here's what it looked like after I got all the strips in.

Vroom! It was ready to go!

It worked on the scoop! I get chastised by my rocket scientist husband for calling anything with a scoop or bucket (or whatever those shovel like things are called) a scoop. "No, Tiffany, it's a front loader!" "It's called a back hoe. Why can't you get that?"Now were heading into big time truck washing. This is his new flat bed truck or semi or whatever..... thanks to great-grandparents Bob and Ruth. He's been playing with it straight since Sun when he got it. Even slept with it. It had to sit in the car wash for a bit to get all the ickies off. Oh my cute boy!

Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands

Galina wanted a snack. I was busy doing something world-changing, I'm sure. But after it got really quiet I started to search for her. Here's what I found.

That little missy was into the pantry (well-stocked from all the recent grocery sales, I might add).

Oh the choices. Which leftover Halloween animal crackers look good, Galina? "All of them, Mommy!"

"I want it all!"

Thanksgiving Plan B

This year for Thanksgiving we were going to spend it with Bryce's sister and parents. However, our nephew was sick and instead of bringing that upon our kids, we opted out. Good thing I was at Walmart at 5am the day before. If you've never been to Walmart at that ungodly hour, you're missing out. The sweetest people work there, it's not busy, and they are in the midst of restocking. So as I was gathering ingredients for the desserts I was to bring, I asked if I could have some of the large boxes from the storage bin isle. They were more than willing to give them away, help me take them to my car, and even offered to break them down for me. Good ol' Walmart. Nordstrom service at prices I can afford. So I brought the boxes home and for almost 2 hours, the kids played in them. I made the desserts. Tiramasu Toffee Torte and the beginning of a Chocolate Cake Trifle. (I thought Bryce's grandparents were joining us at Thanksgiving too and wanted to have enough.) After that we had a playdate at Chick-Fil-A. When I came home I decided to call in to get messages as I hadn't checked them in probably 3 days. That's when I found out about poor Ethan.

So on Thanksgiving, my wonderful Rocket Scientist Husband got out his box cutter thingie, rulers, and tape and created houses from the boxes.

The kids loved them! We had a great day off. I felt like we were cheating or something.

Treyton was soooo interested in the parade. The music and dancing combined with the balloons and clowns....a fun show for the whole family. He watched most of it from his house.

All in all we had a great family day which we really needed, come to think of it. With pizza and desserts galore. Can't complain!