:: Christmas - reindeer food

Last week I was trying to figure out 

what to give Ava's little preschool friends for Christmas.

I'd seen these idea on Pinterest.

Reindeer Food.

Of course.

They'd love that.

And Ava loved the idea too.

And it's so simple!

Just get some oats, sprinkles, and glitter, (or other reindeer snacks)

mix and put it in a snack size ziplock bag.

Print this topper here and you're done.

They'll love sprinkling this on the lawn/snow on Christmas Eve.


{here are those sneaky, little hands again - - always trying to grab what I'm photographing.
at least they're cute, sneaky hands.}

Some other free printables for reindeer food

can be found below.

Source: tomkatstudio.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: mychicnscratch.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: mychicnscratch.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: memyselfandu2.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: kerryspapercrafts.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: memyselfandu2.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

:: Christmas - portable north pole video

Last December, I discovered an amazing website
that helps you create personalized videos from Santa to your child.
Genius.
Almost better than waiting in a 2 hour line at the mall to sit on his lap (we have yet to do that).
It's called the Portable North Pole and you can find it here.

I discovered it and made a personalized message for Ava and each of her cousins
that were going to be at my parents' home for Christmas.
After we read The Christmas Story and the kiddos
opened up their Christmas pajamas,
each child took a turn watching their own message
from Santa.
{we recorded it, but I can't find it.}
The awe on their faces was priceless.
Those kids were in heaven!

So, I was reminded about it this year and decided to do it again.
It might as well become a tradition.

All you have to do is give them some info
(name, age, what they want, what state they live in, pictures)
 and your e-mail and they'll e-mail it directly to you.
It does expire (I think a month later) but you can
buy your video for $6.99.

If you'd like to see Ava's video that we'll show her
on Christmas Eve, then click here.

So much to be grateful for.

Last Friday was the dreaded day. The day I went back to work.

All I ever wanted to be was a mom. Sounds cliche, I'm sure. I went to nursing school and became a nurse just as a back-up plan. Just in case. Never did I think that I'd have to put my hubby through undergraduate school and then through law school and that I'd be working this long. But here I am.

I went through many emotions that day. Guilt. Sadness. Nervousness. Frustration. And then as I was preparing myself for the next day, I felt an amazing calm and peaceful feeling. Something that I don't usually feel as I go back to work. I know that He is mindful of my situation and that it won't be like this forever.

I do have a lot to be grateful for . . .

I have two healthy, beautiful little girls and an amazingly supportive husband. I have a flexible job with a boss who's been through what I'm going through and who's so understanding and also tries to work around my husband's schedule so we don't have to take them to a friends house. And especially, to have a job during this time when so many people are out of work.

So much to be grateful for.

{These pictures were taken the day before I went back. Love these precious moments.}

10 weeks.

This past weekend was a success! We had a ton of family come into town to see this little one blessed at our church. I'll have to show pictures of her in her blessing outfit.

I am so in love with her. She's already 10 weeks old and it's gone by way too fast. She can be a pretty serious little girl at times, but when she does smile, it brightens my day. I mean, don't these pictures just make you happy??

This quilt is a wedding gift to us from my husband's grandmother. Love the bright colors. And it made a perfect photography background. Love it!

Hope you had a wonderful Monday!!!