Trying to enjoy my last few days off of work!

Thursday the boys and I went to the mall mainly for something to do. We spent a long time in Barnes and Noble as always, then they played games, got a cookie, and then we went out to lunch at Blimpies (yes they had cookies before lunch- what can I say it was a special treat I guess)! We headed to Target and then finally home. I had my small group and my mom invited us over for dinner so Jeff took the boys over there for a great meal. Meanwhile, I went to My Daddy's Cheesecake to met with the girls for our small group meeting. The food was delicious, I had never ate there before. Our meeting was great as always, too. Both boys ended up staying the night with my mom. They had tons of fun! I was surprised Preston stayed; yet, Austin told him he couldn't stay the night and I think that just made him want to stay more. Friday I picked the boys up and we just played at the house, Parker came over for a short while and played. Friday night Austin was off again to stay the night with Parker for his birthday party. So, Jeff's parents watched Preston so we could go out for some much needed quality time together. We went to eat at Ruby Tuesday's and then we went to Target (yes, Target again- I love that place and we were actually looking for a few more things on sale) and Wal-Mart to look for a dartboard. We ended up just buying a new Christian CD there. OK -so that may not sound like a dream date; however, we really enjoyed each others company and just being together! We're really going to try to make it a point to go on a date at least once a month. I know we've been saying that since we had the boys; yet, hopefully this time we will make time especially since the boys are bigger now. I shouldn't feel so guilty leaving them for a few hours.

The slidshow below!

OK, I had to switch back to my favorite blog template! If you didn't know already pink is my favorite color! I got the Kodak software- so I'm back with pictures! The pictures are from Austin's Christmas party at school, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! It sure was a busy time; however, we had a lot of fun! Well, the boys are still asleep and I suppose I should get myself ready for the day!

Jeff had to go back to work. The boys and I took it easy. They were actually cranking with each other this morning. So we made breakfast- french toast sticks. We put together Austin's bubble experiment lab, which held their interest for about 5 minutes. Later the boys rode their bikes and I walked molly to the school to play. We warmed up and then I had a few errands to run. The boys played outside again for awhile. Austin is actually at Parker's house now. I think he and Preston needed a break from each other for awhile. Preston has been quietly playing down here the whole time I've been journaling.

Christmas- it came and went so fast

I just don't want this time of year to end. I love it and now I can actually enjoy it since the hustle and bustle is over. Christmas Eve we went to church and Austin got to sing on stage with the other kids. He loved it and looked so handsome up there. Afterwards we went to the LaFave's for Christmas. We had a nice meal and opened presents. We got the kids home (they made a quick trip outside to sprinkle the lawn with reindeer food and Grinch dust to keep the Grinch away) and bathed, we let them open one present. Preston opened his metal detector which he loved and Austin opened a spy gear present: he thought was really cool, too! We finally got the boys down around 10:30 after setting out cookies for Santa. Luckily, I only had a few present to finish wrapping. Normally, Jeff and I stay up late to wrap; yet, I had time in the morning before they woke up to wrap which was a great idea. Jeff and I were able to get to bed before midnight. Christmas morning we were up opening presents by 8:00. I think the boys loved every gift and they were so sweet taking turns opening presents, seeing what the other one got ( I guess because that's how we did it the night before at the LaFave's). Austin notice the full stockings first thing and then went to the tree to see the presents. We were sure to remind the boys several times throughout the day the real reason for Christmas and the best gift of all, Jesus! Austin can tell you all about it I''m sure. We headed to my moms around 10:00 to open gifts with my brothers and sister and to have a wonderful breakfast. After that it was back home to play and clean up the mess from earlier. We hosted a Christmas dinner with my family and Jeff's parents. It was very nice, great company and fabulous food. It doesn't get much better than that for Christmas.

OK! I'll have to post photos later because I've missed place my Kodak software and since I had my computer worked on I have to reload the Kodak program. Here goes the last few days! Actually, let me go back to the night we got snow. We were at the Fisher's and the kids went out in the snow before we left. When Austin got in the car, he was so wet from rolling around in the snow. So, we got home, changed into snow clothes and went out to play at around 11:00. Hopefully, we didn't wake the neighbors. It was a lot of fun. It was a good thing we went out when we did because we had church the next day and by the time we got home the snow was almost melted.
The week before Christmas was crazy. Trying to get all the holiday activities squeezed in at school for my class. Also, I made time on my breaks to go to Austins' class and help each student make a hand print Santa shirt to wear for their party. We were also busy making treat bags for both of the boys class' and mine. We spent on afternoon making reindeer bread (recipe is as follows: one piece of bread cut into two triangles, spread peanut butter on one half, use two green M&M's for eyes, a red one for the nose and pretzel sticks for the antlers). I wish I could post a picture to share. Preston thought it was hilarious as he ate each M&M of the reindeer! We also made our reindeer food this day to put out in the yard. Of course, I had last minute shopping to do right up until the day before Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve I spent the day baking : peanut butter bon bons, oreo bon bons, iced sugar cookies, chocolate dipped peanut butter crackers, chocolate chip cookies, dipped pretzels, and I think that's it. I love to bake and don't get the chance to enough. So, I made up for that. Also, it was tradition growing up to have a day with my mom where we would bake all day! It's funny because when I talked to my sister at the end of the day, she had spent the entire day doing the same thing. If only we would of talked earlier. Perhaps next year we will bake together.

Well, I'm really behind on my journaling now!!! We've been so busy with Christmas celebrations. Hopefully, I will have time later to update. The boys and I are going to play outside for awhile!

Yeah, I got my computer back from repairs. It was getting really slow and who has time these days to wait on a slow computer right! Well, thanks to my sisters' boyfriend Adam it is working much better! Most importantly I can get back to my journaling. I mean we actually got snow last weekend, well not much! However, I have lots of great pictures from the boys playing in the snow at 11:00 at night! This week was very busy planning for the kids Christmas parties. Also, at work making all the fun crafts with the kiddo's! So much fun! Now, I get to enjoy my own kids for the next twelve days, it doesn't get much better than that! I'll update with more pictures later. The boys want to go rent a movie! Sound's good to me!

The boys get carried away with the paint! You never at our house what might happen! Tonight as you can see they had fun painting each other! Too funny! This is what happens when I walk out of the room for a few seconds!

Preston did enjoy painting his hands, he just wouldn't make the cute Santa and Rudolph for me!

Hand print Santa and a foot and hand print Rudolph! Austin enjoyed making these! Preston wouldn't do it!

Austin reading to Preston

Preston was repeating the words after Austin! It was so cute!

Making ornaments again!

Finally Friday!

Well, the week actually went by really fast! Monday I got my hair done, a little darker (closer to my natural) and a few layers put in it that I'm still trying to learn how to fix!! Tuesday we took it easy around the house! Wednesday, after school we went to the mall, I let the boys play at play land and they played a few games, they love that! Also, they got to ride the train they have set up in the middle of the mall. We grabbed some pizza on the way home, I went back to Cape to volunteer my wrapping skills for Teen Challenge. After that I met Jeff at church, we swapped kids and he stayed for his small group, I came home to do baths, books, and the normal bedtime routine. Thursday night there was nothing going on!
Have you got down on the floor lately and just tickled your kids crazy?? My boys love it and so do I! We had an attack of the tickle monster the other night and I realized it had been awhile. Probably just to preoccupied with all the little things. So, I promised myself to get down and tickle them crazy more starting yesterday! Because moments like those are the really important little things in life not all that other stuff that we get preoccupied with! Well, we are going to Elevation at church tonight! If anyone reads this, you should go sometime, it's a great music experience that I'm sure you'll enjoy!

Rainy Sunday!

After church today I went Christmas shopping for the boys. The wet weather didn't keep the shoppers home, that's for sure! I could just buy the whole store, Toys-R-Us that is! I just love that store! However, Jeff and I agreed that we would not go overboard this year! So, I tried really hard not too. I think I'm done with their toys. The boys are so easy to buy for at this age! After a trip to Wal-Mart I finally made it back home! We passed on the Cape parade since we just went to one yesterday and it was cold, windy, and wet outside. So, Austin wanted CiCi's for dinner; therefore, we went to Cape again and let them eat some pizza and play the games. They love playing those games they have there, I think that is why they like going there so much! We went to look at Christmas lights again and Austin practiced his Christmas songs for the Christmas Eve service! He seems pretty excited about getting to sing in "big church" on Christmas Eve. I hope he doesn't change his mind! The boys are all in bed now and it's about time I head that way, too!

We went to the Jackson parade today. The weather wasn't too bad. The boys enjoyed all the candy they got thrown at them! Afterwards we went to see the Bee Movie. It was pretty good, a lot of adult humor that fortunately was over their head!