After the 26th...

Yesterday morning, I was reading "Bees and Fleur De Lis" blog about taking down Christmas decorations. It occured to me that I love, love my decorations from Thanksgiving till the 25 th of December. However, on the 26th of December my Christmas decorations begin to make me feel cluttered. By the 30 th of December...the Christmas decorations feel like they are overtaking me and I can't function in my home! WHY is that??

So late last night..I had a moment of despair....went around and took EVERY Christmas decoration and put it in one room! If I could of carried the TREE in there, I think I may have done it!!! It's crazy...two weeks ago....I just wanted to host every brunch possible surrounded by my Decorations. Now, I can't even cook an egg if I see one Christmas ribbon!

{Whew..a clean, uncluttered counter is a good thing, right now!}

Are any of you like that??? Must it come down after the 25th? Or do keep it up till February until the neighbors start to comment?

Here it is!

You all crack me up! I have received emails and questions in the "comment" section about my "gift". I think you all are "peekers" and as anxious as me! Here it is a Canon EOS 40D...I love it! My husband also got me the "big case"(it's like a luggage piece), a great lense, two CF cards..one of them is what the national geographic uses. Well, my kids..national geographic...there is a resemblence..hee hee!

I love it! I love it! If it was softer, I would sleep with it! It has been fun to use but there is so much this camera does and I am still on the "automatic" button! I need an entire day to learn this camera...try different things..upload pictures. So slowly I am learning it! Any words of advice? I know quite a few of you out in blog land have this camera...words of wisdom please!

{First picture I took with it! Kids in their Christmas pj's...looking at lights..with their 3D glasses! I,also, used the camera with the pictures of my kids on the right column of my blog.}

"Home Where We Finally Roam!"

Whew...we are home!!! It has been packed with activities, "family", holiday activities and much more. Here are a few pictures from our trip...we visited my in-laws on the coast of N.C.! I have over 600 pictures from this trip but I picked a few quickly!

Are you ready for the New Year? I am! I think I may even try to get some Christmas decorations down tomorrow and a few loads of laundry...mmm..I wish only a "few"! Can't wait to visit all your blogs and see what you all have been up to the past week!

The grandchildren made gingerbread cookies with their Aunt Tina. She is truly creative and full of fun! My kids love her ! She is so talented...wish she had a blog!

Hello from the Crystal Coast!

Still living in a hotel!!!! The breakfast lady and I have become great friends! It's 70 degrees...yesterday the kids collected shells on the beach! Some of you have emailed me about the gift under the tree! YES!!!!!! I did get the most "dreamiest"(is that a word?)camera...now if only I can learn how to use it?? Catch up with you all soon!!!Heading home today!

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through "Sandy Toes" house

Not a creature was stirring , just Sandy Toes and her computer mouse.

The stockings were all hung waiting to be stuffed but Sandy Toes was typing the best post out of the bunch.

The kids were all nestled, all snug in their beds,

While visions of Christmas bliss danced in their heads.

As Sandy Toes was trying to keep quiet in the night,

The moon shone through the window telling of late...with a flash and a click...her blog could not wait...

More words of her kids, cupcakes in pans, minivan express and words of her daughter's Christmas dress

There were blogs to visit and comments to be made...a giveaway to enter before her sleepy eyes would fade...

With one press of the button...it was done! Sandy Toes wrote her last posting of the year

Wishing her blog friends "Merry Christmas and Good Cheer"!

A Perfect Classroom Treat...

One thing I love to make are classroom party "treats". It doesn't have to be "hard" or time consuming...just colorful and lots of sprinkles. I first came up with this idea about two years ago after visiting Disney World. We had chocolate covered marshmallows on a stick. It was true Disney "magic".

I came home and started making chocolate covered marshmallows on curly straws like Disney. Well, now I put marshmallows on anything that will hold them. Yesterday, I stuck three marshmallows on the end of a candy cane...dipped in chocolate...tossed on the sprinkles...spritzed with white chocolate! My kids "eyes" were so big while watching I thought they may "pop" right out!

When they harden, I will put clear "wrap" around the marshmallows and tie a bow right under the marshmallows. I leave the plastic on the "hook" of the candy cane so their hands don't get sticky. It's such a fun treat for any class party. Marshmallows, chocolate, sprinkles and candy canes...a true delight for any child!

P.S. GUESS WHAT TONIGHT IS????

P.S.S. Go check out this blog! She is having a unique and wonderful giveaway celebrating her 300th post! Her blog is a true "treasure"!

A Box Under The Tree!

This is between you and me...can you keep a secret? I have been throwing little "hints"..okay and Big "hints" what I would like for Christmas. My husband is good with gifts..I may have to write it down or email it but he usually remembers. I have even received the little "blue" box so he is still romantic when he wants to be.

Yesterday, I walked past our "living room" where the tree is and there was a BOX tucked way under there! Oh my! A box...well, walked by it and it was for me. Later, walked by it again...got closer...picked it up. Later, when no one was home..just me and the "tree"....I really looked at it. However, I am the type of person who would open and then wrap it back up. BUT, I have a husband who can wrap better than the professionals. Through the years, I have told him he should do a seasonal wrapping job at Macy's b/c he would be employee of the month.

He grew up on the coast of N.C. . His parents owned a motel on the beach. His siblings and him would clean the rooms. So he can make the best "bed" ever...WELL, his wrapping is that good too! You can't even tell where the paper ends or begins! So I put the box down! Darn! It's killing me...just killing me!

Okay..I am so pathetic..I called the company of the "gift" I asked for to see how it is packaged. Well, that was no help...it can come in one box or two..AHH!

I guess I have to wait!

How many things can I check off my "list"???

To be completely honest, I am ready for all the things to be crossed off my list...I have so much going on...only a Starbucks can keep me "grounded" this week! From Christmas parties to decorating for a teacher's brunch to kids school parties..concerts..going to the Nutcracker...basketball tournament, shopping, cooking, wrapping, traveling to N.C. and celebrating Christmas!

Sunday we had a little Christmas party with adults and kids. This was a first b/c usually I do not do a mixed party(kids and adults). However, with my kids getting older and the "nature" of this group....we did! It was great fun. Everyone brought their favorite Christmas dessert.

I made my peppermint punch and snowman cupcakes!

We did a white elephant exchange...I still don't think my 4 yr. old understands this "whole" concept. Even during the exchange...I kept thinking "oh please no one steal her gift...it will be a meltdown!"

Also, we did the "reindeer antler game". Everyone gets an antler when they come in. The host throughout the night will take it off. When you see the host take it off..you quickly take it off..last person with the antler on their head is out. There is a gift at the end of the night to the person still wearing the "antlers". It's crazy but the kids love, love it!

Well, Sunday was crazy with church, basketball game, Nutcracker and then hosting a Christmas get-together. The Nutcracker was very sweet. I even got teary eyed at one part..OH MY! I know I am just exhausted when I cry at the Nutcracker. Do you know how many times I have seen this? I COULD BE THE NUTCRACKER..Just hand me my sword, please!

I did not take one picture during the party. By the time, I sat down for the exchange...I did not have one ounce of energy to go back upstairs to get my camera. Well, off to eat an energy bar and wrap some more gifts!

p.s. I saw the snowman cupcakes on Family Fun. However, recently I saw them on the most wonderful "blog". It's like looking at a magazine...a true delight! Check this talented lady out...her cooking is so beautiful and her pictures are like a storybook!

2008 Christmas Tour of My Home

Today, I am participating in the "2008" Christmas tour with BooMama! I have taken some of my favorite decorations from my home..inside and out! I tried not to "feature" pictures that I have already posted!

So come on in, wipe your feet....here is a cup of peppermint ice cream punch..don't forget the whip cream!

Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget your candy cane!
"Sandy Toes"