They're baaaaack!

The elf tradition is still in the works here at my house. 2 years ago we introduced the "Elf on the Shelf". Now this elf is much easier to work with because basically it just moves around in your house and the kids wake up in the morning trying to find him. (The rule is they can't touch him or he loses his magic.) We named ours Buddy. 

This is Buddy. He was my easy tradition.

There is another kind of elf the Magic Elf. These little mischievous elves cause chaos and messes and like to get into trouble. 

 This is Fred.

This is Elfie.

Christmas is forever changed because of these little guys. At Ben's school this is the elf that most of the kids have and God forbid my kid doesn't have one like everyone else. (That's my rule not his:)) The fun thing about these elves is that they can carry them with them anywhere, therefore they can watch you at restaurants or anywhere. The are really cute and there is a website that explains all their rules. I can't follow them all, like feeding them crackers and water every night, but I am good about moving them and creating a mess. (It's a commitment so don't do it if you are not in it to win it!)

 When the boys woke on Saturday they woke up to a trail of lights going to the kitchen. 

 This breakfast was waiting for them.

The elves even brought them new Christmas books.

They brought baby Duke something too :) (he does not have his own elf yet.)

 They knew Mommy didn't do this because there was too much sugar for breakfast!

I guess it was a hit!

As much as I hate the elves, I LOVE them!

Happy Elfing!

Thanksgiving 2012

My family is relatively small so when one person is missing it doesn't go unnoticed, i.e. my sister. Tia was greatly missed this year but my bestie Becca came in Wednesday night and SURPRISED me!!! I have much to be thankful for, no doubt, but Becca is definitely at the top of my list. Since I had baby Duke I haven't seen her since last December!!! TOO LONG! Even still we had a fabulous Thanksgiving and we already miss her here at our house. 

 The week first started with a feast at our school. Senior Pre-School are the Native Americans and Junior Pre-School are the Pilgrims. 

 Before we head to my mom's we had to have a photo shoot. The baby was asleep, didn't want to mess with that! But this is my bestie, AKA Aunt Becca.

Sam loves his Aunt Becca!

 My mom knows her grandsons and knew they would need a craft to keep them entertained.

 They were making their own turkey cookies, made out of sugar cookies, with candy corn, icing and Reese's Pieces.

Crafty Gammy to the rescue!

Ummmm...I'm not too sure how much they look like turkeys, but they had fun making them.

 Almost a complete family photo, minus Tia.

 The boys with their Great Tia Yoyi who spoils them so!

Just can't say enough how thankful I am for these 2!

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! Or as we say in Miami, Japi Shanksgibe!

Honoring My Veteran

I am proud to say that my amazing hubs served in the US ARMY for 8 years. He was a military police officer and was called to active duty 3 times. He served 6 months in South America to help build schools, 1 year in Maryland to guard the NSA after 9/11, and he served 1 year in Iraq in 2003. Most of you know our story, but for those of you who don't......we were to be married June 2003 and on Valentine's Day he was called to active duty. Needless to say our wedding was postponed, but it was quite the celebration when he returned!

My boys and I are very proud of Daddy, and every year on Veteran's Day he comes up to our school and shares his story with my 3rd graders. Now that my boys are in school he also goes to their class and reads a book called Hero Dad, then he teaches them how to salute. (It's adorable!) 

It is always such a special experience. It is a tradition that we will continue to honor. We are ALL blessed to be a part of this MAGNIFICENT country....the US of A! And we have the men and women of our armed services to thank for keeping it safe for us all! Thank you!!!

Christmas gift ideas

With Christmas only weeks away the million dollar question lies on our minds..."What gift should I buy?" Every year in the mail I receive, as I am sure many of you do, the Toys R Us catalog....

I tell my boys to pick 3 toys that they want to ask Santa for. Since Santa has to make toys for EVERY child in the world he can only make 3 toys per child. (We'll see how long that story lasts.) Unfortunately, for Sam, he inherited his mother's genes. Every picture he says, "I want that." Yes, just like his mother, his Gammy will tell you. 

Kids are easy, mothers, sisters, sister-in-laws, mother-in-laws, aunts, cousins, they are trickier, luckily I have befriended the most delightful girl who has the BEST gifts EVER, Kristin Pearce....

Kristin Pearce Shop

She has EVERYTHING monogrammed, adorable jewelry, cute paper items ALL of it!


I am also OBSESSED with monogrammed colored necklaces!

There is a site based here in Miami to order any of these darling choices, but place your orders ASAP they take 5-6 weeks! 

Ella's Closet Boutique

These are just a few of my ideas, and my favs! Happy Shopping Y'all!




 

Ocean Reef does Halloween

There is a place in South Florida called Ocean Reef. It is basically a private island country club. (We have friends who have a place there so we get to pretend like we are part of an elite crowd.) It is literally a cookie cutter oasis for families on the beach.

They hosted a Halloween weekend which the boys and I had never been to Ocean Reef for Halloween.  My husband had to work, my mother went to her homeland, Texas, and so I had to recruit help, Tia and Ogie. (aka my dad) They were great help, but let's just say there's nothing like having your mom!

 We started our weekend in the pool.

 Then we had to decorate our golf cart so we could go trick-or-treating. (b/c that's how they do things there)

 Yes, we decorated in our swim suits.

 Now we are ready to go!

 Here's Tia to the rescue!

 She caught her prisoner!

We had a blast! Thanks Tia!

Halloween Finale!

 At school Sam saw he was not the only Captain America, but to me the cutest!

 We had a parade at school. 

 My police marching by.

 Our service men! They are all smiles.

 Sam with his best buds.

 We went to a party with a train ride on Halloween day.

 My Martica Estewart friend made witch's brew with champagne!

 Another party with a bounce house right before we go trick-or-treating.

 As if that wasn't enough we went to another party with bungee jumping....

 and carnival rides!

I just love this picture! Happy Halloween....until next year! I am exhausted!

S'more Halloween

If Halloween isn't crazy enough, I decided to follow Miss Dixie's lead and make S'mores for Halloween! They turned out VERY cute and were a BIG hit! I would like to send a quick shout out to Tia and my friend Carolyn for helping assemble and print the famous s'mores! Yes, I did stay awake until 1am finishing them. I made 40. 20 for Ben's class and 20 for Sam's. Yes, I know I'm insane. 

 I used 2 graham cracker squares, 1 miniature Hershey's bar, and the Peep ghost. 

Miss Dixie had a free print out on her web site that I used for the adorable bag topper!

 Officer Ben was very proud of his s'mores. 

Another Halloween hit that I will do for years to come!