Trim Their Tree

Trimming our own family tree and the kid's tree just wasn't enough this year.  Thank goodness for the Heilman's.  They invited us to a "Trim Our Tree" party.  Their white retro tree, that is.  So out of the norm for me and oh, so fun to shop for.

I was on a mission for green or hot pink ornaments {per the invite request}.  Doesn't sound too challenging, huh?  But, it was.  Maybe it was just my Christmas shops of choice.  This traditional gal was struggling.  But, finally, lo' and behold, I found what I was on my search for.  I got an awesome green lantern shaped bulb with a fabulous ribbon for Jack to hang.  And I got a, not quite as fabulous, but still cute, pink spiral bulb, for Maggie to hang.

All was well, I was feeling pretty accomplished until the night before the party.  Yes, less than 24 hours before bobble hanging time, I dropped Jack's bulb on the hardwood floor. {insert a smash and crash here}  Seriously, when did I become such a klutz?  Off to plan B {which seems to happening often lately}, I had to make a super fast run out on Saturday morning to replace the broken ornament, only to find they were sold out.  {Told you I picked out a beauty} So now to plan C, first store I could find, park, run in {literally}, and grab a "not as cute" green ornament. How bummed was I?  Fortunately, Jack didn't have a clue {but, now the Heilman's do}.

The happy ending to this story...we made it to the party with two intact ornaments and the party was over the top fabulous.  I'm still debating what was tastier the White Russians or Donna's signature salmon and caper rolls {yum, I am a sucker for salmon and these things are so delish}. Not to mention, the kids were in tiny tot and toy heaven,  There must have been 30+ kids there and at least 10 times as many toys.  A party for all ages.

So, I was kind of hoping this would become a yearly tradition, but I can't figure out how we could "trim the Heilman's tree" every year.  Hmmm...still thinking on that one.

Jack and Maggie pre-party.  Please note how clean {and festive} they are.

Jack hanging his Plan B Plan C green ornament.

Maggie was one of the last to hang her ornament, you know she needed her staple 45 minute warm up time.

Don't ask me what we were thinking or why we thought this would work, but a few of us tried for a group picture on our way out the door.  Lot's of things clearly wrong with this...it was post party, it was late, kids were wooound up, Clay had been drinking and still was {just kidding, honey}, it was getting cold outside, and the host family is missing.  Even more reason to have this party next year...picture retakes.

Merry Christmas to Mommy

Christmas is about the kids...that is my motto {circa 2007}.  I would seriously be perfectly happy if I didn't have one present to open on Christmas morning and just got to watch my kiddos.  I know all you Moms out there can relate.

But, we all know that is not going to happen.  Clay is going to get me something {because that is what husbands do} and of course, my Mom {well, because that is what Mom's do too}.  So this year I reluctanlty verbalized my wish list and poof, here it is 15 days early.

Now, that my {very early} unwrapping is complete, I really can have my favorite gift of all...enjoying my Christmas morning present free with all my attention on Jack and Mags.  And until then...I am lovin' my early Christmas loot {and meal time is slowly getting easier}.  Thanks Mom and Clay!

My new fab bench for the kitchen table.  I am thrilled with this!  Mags is permanently out of the high chair and now with the bench, I don't have to worry about her doing back bends in her chair, nearly tipping it over every night and in turn, nearly giving me a heart attack.  And if that wasn't enough, I've added extra seating to my table...anyone want to come over for dinner?

I couldn't stop there with new seating.  Three {just in case we ever make up our mind} new bar stools.  And these are actually bar height, not counter!  So my hungry kids can sit at the bar and actually reach their plates.  This has been heaven at breakfast.  No more navigating around the bar to get to the breakfast table to deliver spoons, extra napkins, a verbal warning, etc. while I'm trying to do all the other things that school mornings entail.  Aahhh...talk about a gift of peace.

And if you are lucky enough, you just might have one of these sweet things to climb all over your new furniture.  Is she yummy or what?

And no, this is not one of my Christmas presents {but, it sure could count as one}.  However, the new camera lens is!  Clearly, I don't have a clue how to use it.  {I am waiting on Erica's family to heal so she can give me a tutorial...sending "get well" dust her way}.  But I sure have had fun playing with it.

It's a portrait lens.  I wanted the cool "blur in the background" look.  I've gotten pretty good at the inanimate objects, i.e. Maggie's sippy cup, Jack's spoon, tree ornaments.  But, as you may have guessed, I didn't put this lens on my list to take pictures of sippy cups.  It was, actually for the kids {I'm beginning to see a common thread in Christmas gifts this year...hmmm}. And unfortunately, it's the kids that are nearly impossible for me to get the effect with.  If they would just sit statuesque still....uhrumph.  What is wrong with my 2 and 4 year old?

Hello Kitty {and Doggy}

When Cristina told me her sweet 2nd daughter, Alexandra, wanted a "Hello Kitty" party, the first thought out of my mouth was, "how are you going to make that cute?".  I should have known not to underestimate the power of the party planner herself.  She is 3 for 3 this year!

Alexandra's 3rd birthday was absolutely purrrfect.  There was something for everyone {including my crazy boy, which I was slightly concerned about when I got the invite for a kitty party}, lots of sweet pink treats, and absolute preciousness in the way of decorations.  I seriously don't know how Cristina found the time to throw such a precious party in the midst of Christmas mayhem.  I know I'm slowly drowning in wrapping paper around my house.

Jack, Maggie, and I, however, were able to climb out from underneath the Christmas storage boxes and celebrate Alexandra's big "3".  But in the process of escaping Christmas decor, I forgot my camera, yet again.  {Or maybe I subconsciously decided that I really needed one less thing to worry about} Either way, Cristina was more than willing to offer hers up. {And I'm starting to slightly get the hang of this Cannon thing}  So post party, she, once again, got to sort through 40 plus pictures and email my little kitty and doggy over to me.  And lucky you, here they are...

Hello Kitty! Face painting was one of the party activities...how cute, huh?  And this little kitty has worn her ears at some point everyday since the party.  Some nights she doesn't even want to part with them at bath time.

And Hello Doggy!  I told you there was something for everyone.

And these are the doggy ears that are impossible to see in Jack's close-up up there.  He lasted in them for about, oh, 8 minutes.  It was a cute 8 minutes though.

The Birthday Girl!  Yipee, Alexandra is 3!  We love you precious girl!

How great are these milk bottles?  There were so cute that I almost had a glass of milk myself and I hate milk {shhh...don't tell my kids that}.

These were about a fourth of the sweets that could be found at this party.  I think my kids could have used blindfolds instead of ears.  All was as tasty as it was cute though!

A Visit With Santa

The first day of December marked the beginning of many traditions around here.  Clarence {our mischievous elf} came to visit from the North Pole, the Christmas tree and all of the decor went up, Christmas cards went out in the mail, and we made an eventful trip to see Santa.  I smile as I write the word "eventful".  What isn't eventful with the Cibulas these days?  {I'm going to miss this one day, right?}

So with a 12:15 appointment, {yes, Santa is so busy, he now takes appointments}, I picked the kids up early from school and off we went to see the jolly ol' man.

Jack enjoyed every minute of his visit on Santa's lap. He had his hand written Christmas list that he had worked so diligently on the night before.  I got so much joy out of helping him with it--4 year olds really are hilarious.  Jack was very detailed about each item that I had to suggest that he choose the most important word to write and then he could explain the rest to Santa.  He agreed, it was a done deal, and he wrote the list in "outline" version. Jack gave Santa his all important list and chatted right through his visit.  I thought things were going pretty well {minus poor Mags over there}. But somehow, as soon as he got off Santa's lap, he announced, "I forgot to tell Santa all the important things".  Oh well, we'll have to write him a letter or send him an email, Santa has to take his next appointment.

Maggie was an entirely different story, just as I expected.  Santa was very intriguing from a safe distance.  However, as soon as she hit his lap, she began to wail.  A really red faced, tears streaming, and extremely vocal wail. Tis' the season, huh?  That all came to an abrupt end though when Santa's elves handed her her first candy cane of the season.

So between a screaming tot, Santa's personal camera use rules {no flash and stand behind the podium}, our pictures are less than desirable.  But, that is certainly not what it is about. {And hopefully our $18 5x7 will be a success}  In all honesty, it truly was a wonderfully festive moment that I know I will never forget.  And yes, one day I am going to miss this...Christmas with kids {especially mine} really is magical.

Jack's 1st Christmas list...so glad I took a picture of this because Santa has the original, rightfully so.  I will translate for anyone in the market for a Christmas present for Jack {this Santa is already done shopping--luckily 5 & 6 are taken car of}.

1.  RC- a remote control car like RC on Toy Story

2.  Zurg-the evil emperor Zurg, that is, from Toy Story

3.  Soldier-specifically a soldier with a jet, a gun, a parachute, and tower to climb??

4.  candy-a big bag of candy he clarified

5.  Lego-he prefers Toy Story, imagine that

6.  bike-with a bell and basket

7.  Buzz-with the words on the back, whatever that means?

Seriously, one of the only pictures with Santa that you can recognize their faces.  The "no flash" thing was an issue for me that I clearly was not prepared for.  But, how great is Jack explaining his list?  Love it!  I wonder if Santa could hear over Maggie's dramatic wails.

And although the quality of this picture is lacking, I couldn't resist sharing Jack's perky Christmas smile.

This is the new Maggie...little Miss Instigator.  Hmm....naughty or nice?

But, don't let her "love pats" fool you.  She is enamored with her big brother.  And he with her.

Now, finally, there are Santa's "nice" kiddos.  It only took 3 times.

So long Santa!  Have a safe trip back to the North Pole.