Bring on the Christmas Cards!

I love, love, love getting Christmas cards in the mail.  Particularly ones with a picture on them!  I wanted to create a cute way to display them this year.  So, this is what I came up with!

Remember this old window that I got for 50 cents and painted with chalkboard paint and added some hooks to?  We usually keep our weekly schedule written on it, but I decided it would be the perfect spot to hang our cards! 

When I took the window down and placed it on the ottoman, Hayden yelled “playground!” and went to get a few random objects to play with.  When I say random, I mean random…apple, tractor and trailer, and a couple of Scentsy bricks.  I guess it was a new solid surface that was just his height!  Ha!  Then, he decided to write with chalk.  As he was writing, he was saying random letters.  O, T, S, H, I, etc.  He had the best time for a few minutes until this Momma needed to get her project done! 

This project took all of about 5 minutes.  Clear push pins, some string and mini clothes pins I got at Hobby Lobby (in the wood craft section).  

 

I got our Christmas cards ordered after I picked up our CD from our family pictures last night.   Here is one of my favorite pictures of us!  I have so many favorites!  Now to choosing which ones to print!  

That large metal “S” is actually ours that we brought with us.  My BFF Jen, picked it up at a Thirft/Salvage type sale for nearly nothing!  I L.O.V.E. it!   It sits on top of our entryway cabinet that we had built by this guy.  I love our little chalkboard/metal signs I found at LaurieAnna’s last month!

We actually took that large frame with us for our pictures and used it too.

I will share more of our family picture later!  :-)  Can’t wait to get your Christmas card in the mail! 

Wrapping presents and Visiting Santa

I finally got some presents wrapped last night.  Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with wrapping presents?  I love picking out wrapping paper, ribbon, and making or buying cute tags. I love the way our presents look under the tree.  But, I don’t really like the mess it makes and the time it takes to actually wrap.  Anyone with me on this? 

But, we had one excited boy this morning when he noticed presents under the tree!

 

This morning we got up and got ready to go pay Santa a visit.  I thought Hayden looked super cute and I couldn’t resist the urge for a picture by the tree before we go.  Except, Hayden didn’t really care to get his picture taken by the tree because he looked so stinkin’ cute.  I don’t know what I stress so much about getting a cute picture, but I can’t help it. 

Now wouldn’t this be so cute if he was looking at me and maybe smiling too?  Stinker!

 Made it to Bass Pro.  Had to do a little walking around and calming of nerves before visiting Santa.  I didn’t get a picture, but Hayden was obsessed with the train set they had going there.  I wish I had a $1 for every time he said “Look at the trains” while we were there!  :-)

After our experience the first year, we have decided that visiting Santa at Bass Pro is easy with no lines and it is free! 

Hayden didn’t cry.  But, I don’t think he was in love with Santa.  He just wanted to get down! 

Last Year

First year

I know, it is still painful for me to see his pants all hiked up and no socks on.  I know.  Bad Mom!  Ha!  I think after waiting for 4 hours to see Santa the first year, I didn’t really care at that point.  Just wanted it done! 

We had to do a little target shooting while we were there today.  Hayden gave it a “shot”, but I think Jeff and I had more fun.  Not sure how they ended up with the pink gun.   Ha!

Overall, I would say no tears = successful trip to see Santa!

Good Samaritan Saturday and Making Cinnamon Rolls

Have ya’ll had a good weekend?  We have!  Been a good weekend to just be at home in our pj’s!  Jeff has been gone on a hunting trip since early Thursday morning.  So, it has been pretty quiet  and not much going on around here.  Hayden and I have had a lot of fun together!  Praise the Lord for the rain! 

We took Mia (Cindy-Jen’s Momma) to the airport Saturday, but Hayden and I made a quick dash to Good Samaritan beforehand.  We did find a few things.  Some crafting wire, some textured wallpaper (for a craft project), a book about bullets and reloading for Jeff (I know, crazy I picked that up.  I just saw it on the shelf and grabbed it because I knew he would love it.), and a few things for Hayden. 

We got these Waffle Blocks.  The box says made in 1984.  They look brand new and Hayden loves them!  He loves anything that hooks together! 

They make the perfect barn for his tractor.

We also picked up this bag of wooden animals. Or so I thought that is what it was.  Come to find out, they actually are a puzzle!  I had so much fun putting this together!  :-)

I knew Hayden would love them for this very reason!

I also picked up these stacking cups.  Just because I suppose.  Not that we really needed them.  I spent $3 total.

Tonight I got a wild hair and decided to make Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls.  They are pretty easy to make, but make a big ole’ mess!  

Hayden was loving it and was such a great helper!  He rolled the dough.  Slapped the dough. Poured 5 tablespoons of cinnamon in one spot.  Well, he added those last two steps.

Mmm. Mmm.  Mmm.  Look at all that butter. 

“I know Son.  I am worried about all those calories too!”

Pure deliciousness!  If you feel like consuming a lot of calories at once, give them a try!  Or, make some to give to your neighbors.  They will be so grateful! 

Who knew beans could be so fun?

Several months ago, I decided to buy Hayden a few different types of beans to play with.  Well,  just recently I bought a bucket for them to go in and got brave enough for him to play with them.   As in, use cups and pour them. 

    Hayden had a few different {and more fun} ideas than me! 

And then there is this.  “Bean Head” he said.

Jeff’s comment to me, after they had been playing with the beans for a while…

“You know, you have some really great ideas.  But, I am not  so sure this is one of them.” 

HA HA HA!

We have beans in ever nook and cranny imaginable.  In the carpet.  Under the cabinets.  Taking a couple of minutes to sweep the floor it worth Hayden having fun!

Remember this?

Do you remember this golf cart?  I got for my birthday a couple of years ago?

Then this happened?

Well, Jeff’s Daddy got it and made it look “new” again!  Doesn’t it look awesome?