A Whole Lotta Christmas Fun!

Miles set up this little tree in his room. He did a lot of other rearranging to prepare for Santa as well! AND he decorated his tree...

...all by himself! Very proud!

James and Grandma Mary. His baby, which he has named "Grandpa Paul baby," and Miles' guitar, which James has taken over.

Miles got these great blocks. He loves them, builds garages for his police trucks!

We got an amazing amount of snow over Christmas! The heavy wet stuff. So James and I made a snowman!

Unfortunately the snow was a little too wet and he fell over. So he became a little shorter!

Miles made some reindeer food in preschool, so he sprinkled it out back so they would know to stop here!

Milk and cookies for Santa.

A carrot for the reindeer (there was food outside so one would do).

And some truffles for Mrs. Claus!!!

After Santa arrived!

I informed the boys Santa wouldn't come until they were REALLY asleep. Miles decided he didn't want a bath, he just wanted to go to sleep!

The next morning he forgot all about Santa.

He came into our room to snuggle with his mama until I said, "Merry Christmas Miles." Then snuggling was over and he went down to see his presents. All was quiet until he got to the bottom of the stairs and peaked in the living room.

"WOW!"

And back up the stairs he ran to wake his brother!

I think James was a little disappointed Santa ate all the cookies!

Oh and I here's a picture of the quilt I made my mom!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!!!

Cookies!

Did a little baking yesterday!

Sugar cookies with yummy (and easy) lemon cream cheese icing!

The boys have been admiring painted fingernails in ads on TV, so mine were painted red with sparkles! James then requested his to be painted.

These peanut butter cup goodies were super easy to make! And quick! And tasty!

And Ritz peanut butter cookies! Messy to make, but worth it!!

I LOVE baking! So Saturday was a great day.

Stay tuned...
James has been taking pictures today. It's pretty cute watching him bend down, lean over, and get close for his shots! Some are pretty funny!

Dance Party

Last week while Ben was at a meeting i went upstairs and was told by my 2 year old to go back downstairs. "What are you guys doing?" I asked. "We're having a dance party!" exclaimed Miles. So downstairs I went... ...grabbed my camera (which shot some lovely red eye), and back up I went. This had to be good. Miles was standing on a stool in his room and announced, "attention, attention everyone!" (to James). "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider has been cancelled. Thank you." He then bowed, stepped of his stool and said, "okay James, now we can dance."
And dance they did!

James caught me. I was allowed to take a picture before being banished downstairs again.

On another note... later that night while James was in the tub, I called for Miles to take a bath also. He responded, "Mommy, I just need some time alone right now." WHAT?! Yep, he did a puzzle in his room alone, and then was off to the bathtub.

Hot Cocoa!

It finally got cold in Minnesota and some hot cocoa was in order!

I decided to try and make my own, and I will not buy anymore premade cocoa mix again!

It's super easy, and the kids love it...

Here's my recipe...

2 cups dry milk

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Ghirardelli)

2 cups nondairy creamer (powdered)

a dash of salt

I found it's best to prepare in a bowel or storage container with a lid. Add all the ingredients, pop on the top and shake. That's it!

Fill your cup approx. 1/3 full of cocoa mix, add hot water (or coffee!) and top with marshmallows. ENJOY!!

Slow Christmas

In past decorating was completed in a day or two. This year we're moving a little slow.

Tuesday the Christmas tree was set up.

Wednesday we took a break.

Thursday 4 ornaments made it on the tree, a tree skirt was added, and the mantle was decorated.

Friday we took a break.

Today I wrapped some presents and packed away the rest of the fall decor.

I love that it looks like the boys are laughing at the Christmas balls!

At this rate we'll complete decorating just in time to take it down!

The day after Thanksgiving we went downtown Minneapolis to the Macy's, Day in the Life of an Elf. The boys walked through in awe! James was a little scared of the reindeer trying to get out of the barn and Miles started crying when we got in line to meet Santa. He was upset because he didn't see the elves making any fire trucks! Didn't know he was being that observant! So we explained if he asked Santa then the elves would make one for him.

Miles asked for, "4 things. A cup, and a matching bowl." I could hardly hold in my laughter, I don't think Santa heard that one yet. And, "a firetruck and ambulance so I don't have to share with my brother." At least he's honest!

James asked for a teddy bear. Miles suggested something else, but James just wants a bear!

They "wrote/drew" letters for Santa, donated some money to Make a Wish, and surprisingly didn't ask for a thing from the gift shop or cookie counter. I was stunned!

I'll post a photo of the tree once we add a few more ornaments... maybe around New Years!

November Randomness

Just some random photos from November... Here's James all "clean" after supper. Like the face. Seriously we can not keep up after these two. Yesterday I found a little chicken drumstick bone in the cupboard next to the cereal. And greasy fingerprints on the computer. I have to say I was not home for supper last night, so this was not under my supervision...
A rare photo of Ben and I. And yes, this was in November... at the park!!

Sweet Miles.

...and an innocent looking James...

See his cheek? That started a a tiny scratch from his daycare girlfriend. But he won't stop picking it. So it's last over 2 months now. I've tried putting a band aid on it or distracting him, I don't know what else to do. It'll be a scar for sure now...

There'll be many more, I know.