Christmas Day

Ben woke us up Christmas morning ready to go! I put him to bed in Christmas PJs, but before he got us up he changed into his signature look, shorts and a tshirt. He wants to wear shorts year-round. It's a constant battle with him to put pants on for school when it's cold.

Grammy and Grampy got them stuffed animals as part of their gift (along with a Lego set for Ben and a baby pram for Liv), and we got them the plasma cars. We didn't feel like wrapping any of it, so we just put the stuffed animals on the cars and called it a day. I figured it'd be fun for the kids to see a few presents unwrapped and calling their names. Ben was smitten.

First we opened stockings. Ben got them all down for us.

Ben was super excited and high energy, whereas at first Liv was more quiet and just taking it all in.

But it wasn't long before she picked up on the excitement and joined Ben in his enthusiasm.

Dee got a new toy and some treats, and was more excited than Ben and Liv put together.

The kids each got Grammy and Grampy a small gift (some candy). I want them to start learning that Christmas is also about giving, so we got the grandparents small presents and donated to Toys for Tots this year.

Ben also made us a 2016 calendar and an ornament, which were both super cute. He was very proud and excited to give them to us.

Then it was back to opening their gifts!

Santa, Mom and Dad, Grammy and Grampy, Grandpa and Grandma, and their cousins all spoiled the kids, so it was a very busy Christmas morning. Ben was so excited, he started tackle-hugging Mike after each gift he opened.

After the presents were all unwrapped, Livvie opened up her princess tiaras and handed them out to me and Mom, so we ate our annual breakfast burritos in style.

And did I mention that the plasma cars hold up to 220 lbs so the adults can get in on the action! I took Liv for a spin. I intended for these to be fun toys for the basement that I'm clearing out for the cold winter ahead. But Mike moved the hall rug and they are riding them around the house. I think Mike likes them better than the kids. Great purchase! If you are interested in buying one, keep an eye out for a sale on Amazon. I paid about $40/car.

That afternoon, we headed over to Nana and Papa's house to celebrate with the Tammaros. It is baby Theo's first Christmas, so that was exciting. He is very mellow and just took it all in. Liv is smitten with Theo, and most of the time he stared at her, not sure what to make of her.

Liv kept herself busy playing with coffee filters that Nana let her have while making coffee.

Per usual, skinny minnie ate very little but definitely enjoyed the jello!

Then we opened more gifts. Oh my. Theo really dug the tissue paper.

And that wrapped up Christmas 2015!

Christmas Eve

We did a lot of celebrating this Christmas, starting with Christmas Eve. 

But actually, it all started with Ben's holiday concert at Creative World on the 12th. Then I was one of the party mom's for Ben's Kindergarten holiday party. I made the kids goodie bags and put together a little craft--decorating foam trees and ornaments with stickers and buttons. The kids really enjoyed the craft, and at one point I heard Ben say to his friend "Alex, doesn't my mom Rock?" I better enjoy it now before I'm totally uncool and he's embarrassed to be seen with me. Ben came home and immediately hung his ornaments up on the tree with pride:

Front

Back

The party really got started when Mom and Bill arrived. We hung out, ran errands, went out to eat, and watched holiday movies.

On Christmas Eve, we had already made plans to attend the annual Jackson Christmas Eve party, so we headed off and Mom and Bill enjoyed the quiet. :-)

We headed to Cheryl's for dinner and gifts. The kids sat together, except Liv who preferred to eat downstairs with Hannah (Cheryl's stepdaugther who is 17 and great with the kiddos, bless her).

It's not really Christmas until you have an impromptu football game in the kitchen. (Note Ben's outfit. We picked out the holiday button down, and then he chose that t-shirt because it's green, so he had red and green to celebrate. Hmm, indeed.)

The kids were all excited to open gifts. Liv was very slow at this but really enjoyed it. She was often excited just to have the box.

Ben knew the drill though. He got several Lego sets, a remote control car, clothes, and more.

Liv got a Frozen dress up trunk with dresses, rings, and bracelets. She put a ring on each finger to show them off--that's a lot of bling.

She also loved this new baby who had her own binkie and baby carrier. Big hit.

And this Elsa doll, which she kept putting in a box, telling all of us to close our eyes, and then whipping off the lid yelling "tada" with such excitement. So cute. Like I said, she is still at an age where the boxes are as fun as the gifts inside.

The kids were both spoiled by all their generous relatives and had a great time.

Cheryl had cute props for the kids. Liv seemed a little confused as to what to do with them, but that didn't stop her from getting in on the action.

Snuggles with my love bug.

We stayed pretty late, and it is a 1.5 hour drive, so we got home pretty late. We put the kids in their PJs before we left, so we just had to carry them up to bed. Ben woke up when we got home and rallied long enough to help me set out the cookies and milk for Santa and the carrots for the reindeer. He also made Santa a "present" complete with tape to unwrap in order to see the picture he drew. So we put that out for him too, along with the snowflake that he cut and colored. Ben is REALLY into Christmas and Santa this year.

Once the kids were up in bed, I put out our gifts and we were ready to go. Bring on Christmas!

Christmas Around the House

I always love Christmas decorating, and this year the kids are really into it too, so it is super fun. That said, I didn't feel like going all out. I put up about half of what we have, and the rest I'm going to donate.

We always put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Mike had to work that day, so we waited until evening but still got it up. 

I let the kids put on all the ornaments with mixed success. Ben put them all front and center at his eye level, except Batman, which he had Mike lift him up to put on the top to "watch out for us." Every time I'd hand Liv an ornament, she'd ooh and ahh over it, and then put it in her "purse" to keep. Typical Livvie--so cute.

We also decorated the mantel with garland and stockings.

I picked up a few new pillows too. This one is from Target. As is the one below it for the playroom.

This one I LOVE, from Pottery Barn.

The Christmas cards are starting to roll in. This year the card tree is in the family room.

In the entryway, my pointsettia. Still living after 2 weeks! And chalkboard with a few decorations.

In the dining room we have garland, where our elf, Smartie, is hanging out today. Oh my goodness do the kids love finding his hiding spot every morning. 

I have all but one present bought and wrapped. And the last one is just a giftcard, easy peasy. These are Ben and Liv's teacher gifts--we got them each a pack of Sharpies (a huge hit last year and you can always find amazing sales on them this time of year), a Target gift card, and these little Rudolph candy cups (Pinterest). Ben and I whipped them up today while he was home sick (although not really sick anymore but we were being safe).

My new chalkboard got some love. I've been practicing my skills but don't have the patience for anything very impressive.

In the kitchen we've got the candy advent calendars, the Santa coutdown hanging, and a little free art print in the top frame. Other than some holiday towels and a jar of candy, there is not too much going on in the kitchen.

I also got this new printable for $5. You can't tell but it's 16x20. Obviously I struggled to get a good pic due to the bad lighting (and my bad skills).

In the kids' rooms, we have mini trees and baby trees. I couldn't resist the mini battery-operated trees at Target. Very pretty at night with the lights out.

And last but not least, this cute sign from the target dollar spot hanging on the inside of our front door.

Merry Christmas!!!

Holiday Concert

Saturday we attended Ben's holiday concert for Creative World. Kids don't participate until they are 3, so Liv missed the cutoff this year. But next year, she will be up there too! 

I think she is ready to get up there--she sat mesmerized for a bit, with her baby doll and her My Little Pony blanket that she insists on taking everywhere.

And danced and studied the program too.

But after about 30 minutes, her interest started to wane. Snacks to the rescue!

Because Ben is one of the older classes at Creative World, he was near the end. I was very impressed at how nicely Liv behaved. Last year was a very different story.

Finally, it was time for Ben's class to take the stage! He came out without the adorable Christmas sweater that I bought him just for this show. It was 60 degrees out (crazy weather here lately), and he was too hot. Oh well, I tried.

Ben did an awesome job as usual! 

After his performance, we went to collect him. The kids sat for a quick picture together. Such cutie pies!

Here are the videos of his songs:

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town:

All I Want for Christmas:

Frosty:

Chandelier Makeover

As I slowly work toward fixing up our dining room, I've had my eye on this Pottery Barn chandelier. I was telling my mom about it and she said I should just try fixing up my existing chandelier before I spent $500+ on a new one. 

Here is the before. Not awful but so ho-hum.

I took off the globes, replaced the bulbs with these vintage bulbs, and Mom brought me some flat black chalk paint on her next visit and we got to work.

The night before she left, Mom slapped a coat of paint on half the chandelier, and then headed out. Thanks Mom! We lived with the table in the entry and a drop cloth in the dining room for about a month while I slowly but surely finished it up. Here it is now! (Not the chandy of my dreams, but soooo much better and cheap!)

It doesn't look like it would be that hard to paint, but the top where all the arms come together is extremely narrow. Even a thin brush barely fit. And then I had to do the chain, which was tricky too. I was too uncertain of how to unwire the thing to take it down, so I painted it as it was. But it would have been much easier to take it down and spray paint if you know how to manage the wiring.

What's left in this room? Painting the trim and molding white, putting in board and batten below the chair rail, and adding a buffet if I can find one that is narrow enough or a corner unit.

She's come a long way!