Month: December 2017

Did Santa come last night? Tatum was sure she heard him. She also knew he ate the cookies. (He or Coti!? We will never know).

Today she got to put Baby Jesus in the manger, but first she had to kiss Him.

Tatum could not wait to go downstairs, but I still made her closer her eyes while we walked past the tree and headed to get Snuggle Bug (for his walk).

When we returned, I made coconut flour pancakes, so mom could decorate them. Tatum couldn’t help it!

We munched down our reindeer, and headed to the living room for openings.

This little remote control jeep was a hit. Of course baby needed to go for a ride. (she was not interested in decorating it with all of the stickers it came with.

Coti got a bit spoiled too.

An annoying, loud, adorable little rubber cow. The squeaker needs to be a few octaves lower for our ear’s sakes.  He also got  cow the size of his body, and a little mouse which was destroyed in about a minute of his squeaking it.

I’m sure he was pretty content as he watched Tot.

Tatum continued to open.

More magnatiles (these are for me since I think they are the bomb)

Pointer sticks (She wanted these from Santa).

And they came in handy the rest of the day as she pointed to everything and sang the days of the week and the months of the year.

Lots of new games (as you can see by Tot)

Mom got a “5” charm from Tot.

And I made mom a FAMILY book of five years of memories.

I got a warmy towel. My name is on it so I won’t lose it I suppose.

Many more presents were unveiled, but he piece de resistance was this little baby. Santa brought her this too.

 

The scooter was scooted for about two solid hours. She said, ” I CAN do this!” I love her attitude.

Later, we went to Kelly’s house to hang out with the family. Kas and Kell made a charcuterie platter which was exquisite.

We had such a fun time. Sadly, I was a bit under the weather so I left early. Tatum scooted a bit more when we got home. That lasted until she collapsed at about 9pm!

What a Merry Christmas. A time with family.

 

Christmas Eve this year was a Sunday. This means that the morning was a tad bit different than usual. Every Sunday, we head down to breakfast in our jammies then get ready for church. This Sunday, we headed down to breakfast in our jammies, and did NOT get ready for church, Ha!

That is because we’d be going at night for Christmas Eve service. So it was a bit odd today just being “un”fancy today for a while.

Mom was out of biscotti, so I surprised her with a box of Shelley’s Biscotti flown in from Santa Cruz! She used to love this stuff when I lived there, so I like to surprise her with it.

And it was a hit!

So, after brekkie, we did the usual: draw a wreath, play with random stuff, read many many books, snack a bit. AND we journaled. Yes, I decided we need to start writing more, so why not start today.

AND, this was the kicker: She expected to see Santa at church tonight since he had been at Hillsong every year prior. However, we don’t attend Hillsong anymore, and I knew Scottsdale Bible would not have Santa present, so……how would she tell Santa what she wanted? A conundrum for sure. (for me too!??)

Ok, so I figure we’d write it in the journal, and then we’d leave the journal in the mailbox. That way, Santa could check it before he headed down the chimney.

I helped her write her two desires: A scooter and a pointer stick.

OH, and the next page, she wrote, “I have been a good girl.” I sealed it with my approval.

Later on that day, we got ready for church and headed to Scottsdale Bible for service. So good this year. The candle lighting and singing are always exquisite. And to top it, the message about the REAL gift being our Savior made us all ponder our blessings.

Dinner? I made salmon, sweet potatoes, delicata squash and salad.

The faces were smiling from ear to ear, so I am pretty happy about it all! Tatum and Coti especially!

Doug, once again, read Twas the Night Before Christmas to Tatum,

and we readied her for the reindeer and Santa to come. Cookies were out, and we were all in bed on time.

What will come tomorrow?

 

Today, we would head to Target to buy materials for our Homeless bags. Often, actually daily, we drive by homeless people on the street corners. Now, we usually carry granola bars and waters to hand out, but since it’s getting colder out, it would be nice to give something a bit more substantial.

After Target, we dumped out all the items and made piles. Time to bag them up.

Socks, wipeys, deodorant, sanitizer, granola bars and toothbrush/toothpaste.

Now we will load them in our car and hand them out as needed.

We celebrated by drawing a gingerbread house and coloring.

It’s going to be a beautiful Christmas. May HE be in the center of it all.

 

Yes, Day 5!

Tatum decided she needed her glasses so she could see effectively. Yes, folks, she wants to wear glasses! I was reminded how I used to think braces were cool and I’d put foil on my teeth and pretend. She actually made these glasses by getting rid of the dark lenses.

Ok, on with Day 5:

Donating toys to St. Vincent’s. I love this donation place because they do so much good for kids. Anyway, she thought and thought. I told her we could search her room after school.
She immediately wanted to donate the Joker. (She has all the superheroes in little people form). Joker is not a favorite. I guess that can count as a donation?  How many kids are dying to have this evil villain!?

He’s pretty cute and quite happy, so I’m sure he’ll find a happy home.

When we got home from school, she found a box.

Although she’d go fast if I left her at St. Vincent’s, I told her I would not donate her. Nope Nope Nope! Plus, she’s not a toy although she has quite the playful quality.

We filled her box and are now ready to deliver. It’s going to be a happy day for some little kiddo! He/she will drum and and build to his/her heart’s content.

 

Donating games? That was a hard one because she loves all of her games, but I convinced her that children’s hospitals are filled with just that. Children. And they are children who are sick and need some fun in their lives.

We agreed on the flower building set.

And there was much rejoicing!

And an added bonus. We decorated her tree in her bedroom with these..

Have you seen such silliness?

 Ho Ho Ho!

Well, now it was time to unveil Day 3.

This had a special meaning because we would go onto the Compassion International website and see the needs. We watched a poverty video showing the extreme conditions in many parts of the world. What we decided to do, which seemed to help the spiritual conditions, was to send a few bibles.

They are doing so much to help; from building water wells to building schools. Maybe one day, we’ll get to visit one of these places and do more.

 

We have been going to Sportball for almost two whole years! Well, it was the last class today, and we are so grateful. Tot is now ready for a real soccer team.

To wish them goodbye and thank you, we made them a gingerbread bag, filled it with cookies and a bagel party gift card for the staff.

Coach Stephen and Coach Ryan have been phenomenal with all the kids. Patience is their virtue!

We will miss you, and we wish you the best for a bright future!