I Did It Again

Yes, I did it again. I volunteered for another party in Jack's pre-school classroom. Don't get me wrong, I love it....absolutely. But, I've come to realize why all those cute goodies in the gift shops say, "Stop Me Before I Volunteer Again".

You see, I realized that I don't have to volunteer to be able to attend. So the smart Mommies just show up, enjoy time with their kiddos and leave. Me, on the other hand, spends weeks before coordinating with the other "Party Moms", ordering crafts, pre-assembling them, grocery shopping, arriving early to set up, and then cleaning up. Hmmm...something is wrong with this picture.

However, I did have a great time. Jack loves that I help and it also fills that empty void of the old teaching days. I was assigned the craft and story time...again. I'm getting pretty good at it too. And I've still got one more party this school year to exercise my expertise...the end of the year celebration. But, until then, I had my fill with the festive Christmas party.

Unfortunately, when you are the "Party Mom" it leaves little time for picture taking, but I always mange to get a few.

The party started with a Little Drummer Boy performance from the class. Absolutely priceless!

Snack was a plate full of Christmas goodies. These are Jack's "prayer" hands as all the children said the blessing in unison. Now if I could only get him to keep his mouth empty at our dinner table during the blessing.

Pin the Nose on Rudolph was the party game. Jack, being an expert at this, ever since Maggie's Pin the Hat on the Turkey game, got Rudolph's nose right on! (And I know he didn't peek this time)

Jack was in awe as I read the children "Santa's New Suit". It's one of his favorite Christmas books...this year anyway.

And this makes it all worth it...a happy boy going home with a tired Mommy. I wouldn't change my "volunteer" time with Jack for anything!

Where To Clarence?

I'm seriously running out of places for this little guy to go. Any suggestions? He's already hung from every chandelier in my house.

Kitchen Memories

Some of my most cherished memories with my Grandma are from her kitchen. I loved everything about being there--the smell, her soft voice, the little lessons I learned (very little of which was cooking), and the end product...especially when it was Christmas cookies.

Well before I married Clay, my Grandma gave me a very memorable Christmas gift. It was a cookbook and maybe even her little way to market me for married life ( I think she was always secretly up to that). Regardless, it was special and what made it so special was what she wrote on the inside cover...think of me when you are in your kitchen and the happy times we had in mine -Grandma, Christmas 2001. *sniff sniff*

So every time I pull out that red cookbook, guess who I think of? Yes, my incredible Grandma, and every time a smile comes across my face and I am taken back to that very special place in my childhood.

I tell you all this because now it is Jack and Maggie's turn. It's their turn to make kitchen memories with their Grandma...the good kind...the Christmas cookie kind. With Grandma's extended visit, they were able to do just that. I feel happy for my kids. This is what Christmas is all about. What family is about. And I am so grateful that they get to experience it. Thanks Grandma for two very special days of messy kitchen memories (and everything else that fell in between).

The first day of making kitchen memories with Grandma was a glorious Gingerbread Boy.

Maggie intently watched on with her own kitchen utensils. And yes, she is that yummy...who needs Christmas cookies anyway when you have a Magpie?

Okay, so we did let Jack attempt to reap his rewards. However, thankfully for all of us, he only made it through good ol' Ginger's toes before calling it quits.

Day 2 of kitchen memories with Grandma were sugar cookies, icing, and sprinkles. What else could a boy ask for?

"There's no such fang (thing) as a green stawur (star)" and I quote from guess who.

Jack requested a yellow snowman with a blue hat (his two fave colors). I guess he got over the color issues he was having earlier with the green star.

Top that with sprinkles and you've got one pretty good Christmas memory.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

The stockings are hung, the tree is up and decorated, Christmas cards are mailed, the house is decorated inside and out, and my kids (okay, maybe just Jack) are wild with excitement. And, to top all that, we've already got company--one of Santa's elves, kindly named Clarence by Jack, is here to send reports to the North Pole. It definitely feels like Christmas at the Cibula house.

What's left? Finish a tiny bit of shopping and start wrapping presents. Although I'm already feeling worn out, I don't know if I can take 20 more days of this.

We did however start the first weekend in December with a festive bang. Our dear friend Alexandra turned 2, and guess who was there to celebrate the December baby's big day?...none other than Santa. Loved it...marked one more thing of off my to do list. Santa visit...check!

Do I seem picture happy? I know this post has a ton of pictures (like the 3 previous posts), but...Tis the Season!

Look at those Christmas babies! Aren't they yummy? Maggie is a few months older than sweet Eliza Kate, but somehow I always forget. In my head, I put Maggie in the same group as those Spring babies. Those will be her best pals in a year or two.

Mommies and baby girls waiting for Santa's big arrival. We didn't even realize it until half way through the picture that there were no boys. Go figure...the boys were playing hard while the girlies were sitting pretty.

Santa's arrival began with a reading of Twas' The Night Before Christmas. Maggie was pretty entranced...from a safe distance.

Time for Santa's lap. I was shocked that Maggie let this happen. I'm thinking big brother by her side gave her the courage. Whatever it was, I am a happy Mommy, I was totally expecting to have to join them.

Jack had some alone time with Santa. He is telling him how he wants "magnetic cars" for Christmas. Just great...the only thing I didn't buy. (Oh, and you don't even want to see a picture of Maggie's alone time with Santa--it was not pretty--a Mommy can only ask for so much, huh?) Maggie however, did give Santa a pretty smile and giggle from my arms.

Cupcake time! I caught Jack right before he looked like his messy friend Patterson. Except Jack's wasn't confined to just his face, it was ALL over his shirt too.

Sweet Mags opted for fruit and pretzels over cupcakes. Mommy's choice--I did not feel like soaking two articles of clothing when we got home. It's plain to see, she was just as content with her healthy meal. Love that girl!