Winter Sucks

We are dreaming of spring...

{Glittery flower stickers brought to you by Aubrey's Christmas $. The girl has good taste.}

Blizzard of Fun

We made snowflakes out of coffee filters.

Ah, so pretty.


CB decided we should make a banner with them. She picked out a special one for each family member. Concluded that they needed faces and waa-laa...

A happy snowflake family.

With the leftover scraps, we made

blizzard scenes

by shaking our groove things.

{how to}
* put scraps (and optional glitter) in a plastic bag

* put glue all over your paper (works best if your paper is at least a little smaller than a regular sheet)

* place paper in bag loosely but securely tie shut

* shake like crazy

* take paper out and let it dry

* add details and/or embellishments to your winter scene if desired

Best Countdowns Ever

We had a great time getting a new book every night and delighted in getting to "poke a lego".


We ended up with our literary horizons broadened like only books about monster bugs, ballet, and underpants can lead to.

Our Lego collection has expended to include utter coolness like this guy:


and utter confusion like this guy:


But weird-Santa-impersonator-in-a-thong-with-a-scrub-brush aside, it is all good. We got all kinds of neat stuff like a piano, drum set, Christmas tree, snowman, helicopter, airplane, firetruck, dog and cat {just how I like them, not piddling anywhere in my domain}, and a train cause the not so creepy Santa impersonator rolls in style.

FULL

Full of food. Full of laughter.

We went to THE buffet.

At one point BBD asked the quintessential question of buffet dining...

"Mom, will that fit in my mouth?"

And no, it did not.

Upon us leaving our server caught sight of BBD, who was well beyond the aid of a wet napkin , "Awesome! Did you enjoy it?"

Yes. Yes we did.

CB said that her favorite part of the buffet was the nap. I didn't know what she was talking about.

But I soon figured it out.

That deep, contented sleep that comes from a nice full belly.

Let the countdowns begin!

You already knew that we are counting down to Christmas with Legos,


But what have we here?

A big bag of 24 brand new books!

Why?

Because 1 countdown just isn't enough this year.

Because we need more books around here. bwahahahaha

Because reading is cool- see even Daddy agrees.

"Wait, let me see that one."
It was a book about motorcycles just in case you were curious.


1st book:

How appropriate is that?! Zen.

We killed it!

I do not enjoy being woken up. I have gotten better since my two lovely morning rompers have come into the picture. But still, I treasure sleep.

This guy of mine
mentioned how great it would be if only I could go Black Friday shopping with him. He said it so wistfully.

So wistfully that I found myself offering to go with him. "We could probably ask my parents to watch the kids" was out of my mouth before I fully realized what I had just consented myself to.

Getting out of my cozy bed. To go into the nasty cold. To go shopping with sale crazed people. At midnight.

And I wouldn't get to tuck these babes into bed {one of my all time favorite things}.

But...

it was actually pretty cool.

Dare I say, fun?

In fact, we killed it.

I was armed with hot cocoa, an enthusiastic shopping partner, and a list.

Jason insisted on using the flash- we discussed how you were supposed to blind the competition, not your partner.

Our objectives were split. I was in charge of apparel, Jason had the toys and kitchen items. But we knew what the other person was in charge of just in case we came across it. Which turned out to be a good thing because I found a few games and Jason snagged himself 2 Punisher shirts.

I got a good position right in front. I could see like half my to-get-items from where I stood. I did not enjoy the sudden sight of all the people who turned up about 10 minutes before the countdown right behind me. One minute not so many people, the next minute I glance behind me and there has been a full invasion- kind of freaky.

Jason got a great position right in front of our dear friend Thomas the Train and his new track set going for $15. He, of course, got to this place by walking through areas that I am pretty sure you were not supposed to be unless you were a store employee, but hey, no one stopped him.

This guy is an unbelievably great shopping buddy. He has an eye for things and is responsible for me owning some of my favorite articles of clothing because he is the one who spots them in the store.

I passed the waiting time listening to people's plans of attack. It was entertaining. Jason saw one woman making umpire like signs to her husband. She was pretty intense. For the man's sake, I hope he got 4 of whatever it was she wanted him to grab because she was rather adamant about that number.

We were resigned to the fact that we may not get the things we were looking for. You never know how these things are going to go and I am a novice Black Friday go-er.

We got ev-er-y-th-ing that we wanted.
And just a little bit more.

I only had to get crazy once, which involved tucking the cart out of the way, going under three sales racks, and shimmying past a lady. But, I got the coat Jason wanted in the color he requested. It was the last thing on my list.

Previously unmentioned highlights include a waffle maker, pop-up tents, plush wraps, and {a childhood favorite game of Jason's} Don't Break the Ice.

It is going to be even better when the children are grown up and can accompany us. BBD is always up for shopping and his enthusiasm would help banish the initial sleepiness and possible crankiness. And CB she is a very helpful shopping buddy. She would be a definite asset.

Team work is definitely the way to go for tackling Black Friday.

Better Butter

Did you know that you can make butter just by shaking heavy whipping cream?

It's true.

It is A WHOLE LOT OF SHAKING. But it's true.

And it is tasty too. I like way better than store bought. I don't know where it is on the healthy spectrum, but I don't really care.

You can add salt for flavor if you desire, but all you really need is the cream and a container with a tight seal. And A WHOLE LOT OF SHAKING. {The tight seal is important people, learned that the inconvenient way.}

After thinking it could not possibly be working and this is a sick joke because your arms are really getting tired, the joyous thunking sound will be heard and you will be the proud of owner of some really great butter. {more detailed how-to found here}


The crazy outfit is completely optional, but I highly recommend it.

Best. Cookies. Ever.

Of course, that is technically opinion, but it may actually be bordering on fact.

The recipe is so simple. Which is good because I have been known to skip steps when following a recipe as recently as yesterday.


No raw egg is involved so dough can (and should) be sampled.

They are a bit ugly, but that is actually a good thing because perhaps it will deter others in your house from sampling them thereby leaving more for you. That may be the addict in me talking.


They are moist and cake like. We call them cookies, BBD corrects, "No, they are muffins". Whatever you call them, they are TASTY.

And fun to make.

Is it December 1st yet?!

Cause lookee at what we got...





We need a count down 'til we get to use our count down.

Calling All Space Rangers

This little guy is 3.

His party rocked this galaxy.

Entire star systems were created.


Wonderful presents were received.



Daddy was as meddlesome as Zurg.

A rocket ship crash landed bearing goodie bags.



The cupcakes were adorable and delicious.

Everyone put on their best space attire.