A Night On The Town

Bryce and I were actually able to get out for a date last night. It was Bryce's work party. Thanks to my sister getting married a few years ago, I had a suitable dress. We didn't even get back from the dinner until 9:45 pm....on a school night! I felt like a teenager again! I thank the Lord for Bryce's job for many reasons and last night was one.

Golden Wassail

I found the BEST recipe for a fall or holiday drink. Here's the recipe.

Golden Wassail

4 C Pineapple Juice

4 C Apple Cider

12-oz Can Apricot Nectar (found in juice isle of grocer)

1 C Orange Juice

1/2 tsp Cardamom (what's that? I just used cinnamon)

2 4-inch cinnamon sticks

1 tsp whole cloves

1/4 tsp salt

Put the cloves in cheese cloth or leftover toole from tu-tu making or something that will keep it separate from the rest so they don't float all over. You can throw the cinnamon sticks in there too but they are easy to pick out so it's not necessary. Then dump everything else in a crock pot. Let it simmer for a while and enjoy. Oh heaven!

We Have Room!

Yesterday was CBS, and they acted out the Christmas story in Treyton's class. Each kid got a role to play, and my darling got to be the inn keeper. Now, my boy has a very big heart. And when someone has a need he is quick to help out. So when Mary and Joseph came to his inn door, he was supposed to tell them that there was no room. But instead, according to his teachers, he was insistent and persistent that he had room! He had room! "No, no, no, we have room. You can come in. WE HAVE ROOM!"

So, dear Jesus, if Treyton was around while you were being born, he'd make sure you'd be comfy and cozy as you came into this world. The Christmas story according to one little boy with a big heart.

My Morning

A few days ago I had a morning. A somewhat typical morning. Here's what happened....

I was giving the kids a bath in the tub in our bedroom so I could put laundry at the same time. Galina pooped. In the tub. Treyton jumped out of the tub and started turning blue while he kept yelling, "Oh no! Galina POOPED!" So I grabbed Galina out of the tub and ran her into the other bathroom to start the whole bath process again in there. With all the quick movements and my not-so-friendly attitude, she started wailing. So both kids crying and turning blue from the cold.

I got them in the other tub and was running back and forth between the two bathrooms, trying to clean up the poop so it didn't dry while checking on the kids.

After the bath in tub #2 was over, I got them out. Since Treyton was still blue I decided to get him dressed first. Thinking that Galina had just peed and pooped she was okay for 75 seconds. Well, I was wrong.

As I was getting the undies on Treyton, Galina squatted down (like a DOG!) and proceeded to pee and poop in the middle of the hallway.

So I raced to the poopie tub to grab the paper towels only to return to the crime scene to see Daisy eating the poop while Galina stood captivated as well as naked. Please don't get any ideas Missy Magoo! I tried to get Daisy to stop to no avail (and was secretly glad that I didn't have to clean up more poop).

When people ask what I do all day, I usually just say "stuff". But today I decided to stand up for my job and share the grim details of a typical morning which is never typical and makes being a stay-at-home mom that much harder. But I love it. Poop-eating dogs and all.

Gabrielle

Each week in Treyton's Sunday school class, the preschool kids all go downstairs for a time of worship and storytime. Today we picked up Treyton from Sunday school to learn that he got to play Gabrielle in the Christmas story. Evidently he volunteered and was put in a white robe with garland and wings. When they told him to say a line he did accordingly. Oh what I wouldn't have given to be a mouse in the corner! I am so proud of him! They made two angel crafts today too. Here's "Gabe" with his protégées.

To be honest, I thought this was an airplane. Galina wanted in on the photo shoot so her she is in her lovely dress. By the way, I wore a long flowy skirt today and Treyton asked me to dance. I love that kid! He told me several times how pretty I looked. (Extra dessert for him today.)

Of course, when Galina learned about Treyton's acting debut, she had to throw in a few theatrics of her own. Gosh, I love that kid too! Thank you Lord, for adding so much to my life through these two little ones.

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!