Holiday Hangover.

It's official.  I have a holiday hangover.

All year long From September-ish to Christmas Eve I am obsessed with the holidays.

First there is Labor Day.

Halloween.

Thanksgiving.

Christmas.

It's like all of my favorites are thrown into a few months--we have the bbq's, the candy, the food, the sweets, the shopping...

And then?

It's all over.  Done.  Finished.

Boo. Dislike. Suckage.

I can't believe it's all over?!

What the hell happened to the past four months of my life?  Seriously.

So, there you have it.  I'm hungover by the holidays.  And the fact that we drove for 16 hours yesterday.

Yeah, that will wipe any ounce of happiness you have left right off of your radar {for reals--all four of us have been dragging today}.

I know--I'm being such a mope, huh?  Do you go through this whole "holiday hangover" thing, too??

Brilliance.

Merry Christmas, peeps.

Keep it real.

Be nice.

And leave Santa some yummy cookies.

And a glass of white wine.

Love and baby drool,

Madelyn

aka

Butterball

Munchkin

Cutie pie

Sweetest baby. Ever.

Maddie McMaddie

Maddie Mae

Embarrassing Mommy Moment #127

Ahem.  Okay.

After reading this hilarious post I was reminded of a hilarious "boobies" story myself.

When I was pregnant and after having Madelyn my chest was huge.

I'm not even exaggerating.  I really wish I was...

Because my 2 year old?  Became obsessed with boobies.

She would ask me all.the.time. about what they were.  I told her they were Mommy's boobies.

That phrase now haunts me constantly.  And, really, I had no idea about the fascination factor. 

One nite she and I were shopping at Target.  We were shopping and having fun.

All of a sudden she looked up {and of course my "boobies" were right in her line of sight as she's sitting in the cart...}.

She reaches out, hands wide open and says....

"Mommy's BOOBIES!"

OhmyLord.  I was so embarrassed.  My face was so red.  Everyone around us thought it was hilarious.

I really cannot wait until she understands that we don't talk about body parts in public...

I think when Madelyn gets curious I'll call them something else.  Like 'my girls' or something....

I'll Be Home for Christmas...

Oh, yes I will!  I cannot believe in less than two days I'll be back home in my favorite state {which is none other than Missouri for anyone who didn't already know that}.  Two days!  I did, however, get so much accomplished in the last day or two.

It's as if Chelle who kicks major slacker booty kicked it into high gear--and do I dare say that *gasp* I liked it.  Hold on a second--I think hell just froze over....

Because I find everything that got accomplished in 24 hours beyond great, looky at what all got done:

--We paid off our Jeep.  Six months early!  No.more.car.payment.

--But of course now Leo's truck won't start.  Oh, the irony...

--Completed all Christmas shopping for: the parents, the girls, the husband, siblings, husband's siblings, nieces and nephews...

--Bought some adorableness for my new niece who is due to arrive in early May...I could seriously buy baby clothes all day long...

--Finished all of my Christmas cards.  Yay!

--Washed all laundry {and the husband folded it AND put it away!  He must have caught on that Santa would be leaving coal in his stocking....}

So now?  I need to pack for our trip.  Do even more laundry.  And wrap all of the gifts that we have here at the house...

So excited.  So stressed. 

And?

I'll so be having some wine tomorrow nite...I'm in desperate need of a bottle  glass or two....

Totally off topic, but why does my cat always chew on the same branch of our {artificial} tree?  That poor branch is seriously disfigured due to my sweet, sweet Boo Kitty....

Toys For Tots and 1800Flowers Working Hand in Hand...

There is an amazing Facebook Secret Santa challenge happening right now!

1-800-FLOWERS.com has a Secret Santa warm fuzzy campaign where you simply become a fan {click here!}, and e-mail someone a Secret Santa warm fuzzy.  It's SUPER easy and if there are 10,000 particpants 1-800-FLOWERS will donate $5,000 to Toys for Tots!  You'll also receive a 15% discount for participating.  Nice!

Just by sending a sweet e-mail message to brighten someone's day can potentially help out many children this Christmas. 

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and thank you to my fabulous readers when you send a Warm Fuzzy!

Adorableness.

Definitely on the "nice" list this year...

Tick Tock...Tick Tock...

I know I've talked about what a big procrastinator I am.

It's not that I'm lazy.  {stop laughing}  I am just busy...{except for this weekend.  My party was awesome and I then became a lazy mom for a weekend.  And it, too, was awesome.  Thank you, Leo, for allowing me to become lazy for a couple of days.}.

Here is a list of my procrastinator offenses that I've tallied up {these are all present offenses here}:

-I am still no closer to being done with Christmas shopping than I was when I typed up that meme. 

-I haven't written a "me" blog post in, oh, Idontknowhowlongitsbeentotellyouthetruth.

-I haven't made a list for what to pack for our Missouri/Indiana trip.  We leave Friday.

-I still don't even know what to get almost everyone for Christmas. 

And after typing this out, I am even more stressed and once again wide awake at almost 1 in the morning. 

This is a vicious cycle, my friends.  A vicious cycle that not only stresses me out, but causes me to be an insomniac. 

I am now forcing myself to at least write out some lists.  For some reason that satisfies me and somehow convinces me that I am no longer a procrastinator because I wrote a list. 

Take that little tip and run with it, friends--but only if you procrastinate like me.  If you're already done doing all of your holiday shopping, wrapping, cookie baking, card addressing/mailing...shutty.  I don't want to hear it.

I'm kidding.  Go ahead and rub it in my face {but do it nicely, okay?}.

ps-I think I like the thrill of the waiting.  To see if I could possibly accomplish everything I need to do.  I love it.  I thrive off of it.  It fuels me to be awesome.

ps again-case in point--I was just putting my post label on and guess what was already in there?  Procrastinating.  Ha!

HP Envy 13 Laptop Giveaway!

So you may have heard that The Fashionable Housewife {who is beyond awesome, y'all} is giving away an HP Envy 13 laptop!

How cool is that?!  This giveaway prize retails for $1,899!  Holy smokes!!

You have from now until 12/20 to enter--and there are a lot of entries possible.

Good luck and thank you to The Fashionable Housewife and HP for making this giveaway possible.

Buzzed Driving Campaign

With the holidays literally right around the corner comes parties.  Family parties, friend parties, work parties.  Many will celebrate with appetizers, foods, drinks, and alcohol.  I am a big believer in finding a sober driver and a designated driver if you have been drinking.

We all know that drunk driving is a big no-no.  It's simple.  Do not drink and drive.  Do not drive drunk.

But what about buzzed driving?  How many of us are guilty of driving home from a holiday party buzzed?  Slightly buzzed, really buzzed, just buzzed.  It's all buzzed driving.  And it's illegal.
In 2008, nearly 12,000 people in the U.S. were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes - and during the periods around Christmas and New Year's, this number was particularly high, with 316 people killed in alchol-impaired driving crashes. In 2007, 162,493 women were arrested for a DUI, an increase of almost 29% since 1998. You can't help but wonder if lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel. With the holidays approaching, it's important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows...it could save a life.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the Ad Council are asking everyone to drive smart this holiday season and to pledge not to drive buzzed. Help spread this message during the holiday season by posting about the dangers of buzzed driving, sharing a story or experience you might have had with buzzed driving and encouraging readers to follow Buzzed Driving on Twitter @buzzeddriving and Facebook {click here} to get the latest updates and news. You can also visit the Buzzed Driving website (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/) where readers can sign a pledge to not drive buzzed, play an interactive game which demonstrates the difference between buzzed and drunk, and hear personal stories from people who have driven buzzed.

While at holiday events, it's easy to lose track of a drink here or there - but this can be fatal. This holiday season, keep you and your family safe by spreading this message.

Have a safe and happy holiday and remember that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

A Thank You to Four Bloggers!

Just want to give a shout out to some bloggers for some great giveaways that I've won!  I love all of these women--you definitely should check them out if you don't already.

1) I recently won a Clarisonic Skincare Limited Edition from Life Starring the Kids & Me.  So pumped about this win!  My postpartum skin has been a disaster to say the least.  My sister has one of these and swears by it.

2) I also won a Handbag Heaven purse from none other than Theta Mom!  I've been looking around for a new bag, so this win came at the right time.  Yay!

3) I won a LeapFrog Scout from Two of a Kind.  So fun and perfect to give to Maddie.  I know she'll love it!!

4) And last, but certainly not least, I won a LeapFrog Tag Jr from Lizzy Dear's Life.  I have been wanting to buy one of these for Isabella, so I am so happy to have won one!


Thank you to all of the awesome bloggers out there for all of the giveaways you put on.  I know that it isn't easy to write up a review and do giveaways.  I'm so excited about my wins.  I love entering giveaways--and am glad I enter them--I've won so many awesome things! 

Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent {A Winey Mommy Review}

I was recently given the opportunity to review Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent and Stain Remover.

Being interested in the environment and choosing products that are not harmful to use in my household, I was intrigued to try them out for myself.  As a mom to two little girls, the stains are never a problem for me to have to hunt down and treat!

I tested the Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent and Stain Remover on an all white dish cloth that had been used to clean up a coffee spill in my kitchen. 

I have to admit when I was using the stain remover and pouring in the detergent liquid into my washing machine {by the way, you can use the detergent in ALL machines, to include he machines} that I was doubtful.  How can something natural without chemicals  remove a coffee stain from a white dish cloth?

Into the washing machine it went.  I waited for the cycle to be done and then dried it so I wouldn't be tempted to try and remove the stain a second time in case the first wash didn't take care of it.

I took it out of the dryer...and...the stain?  Was gone!  No kidding.  I was impressed with the ability of the cleansers to remove the coffee stain.

The only drawback to the product, in my opinion, was that my clothes don't have the "clean" smell that I normally get and look forward to.  I know that the clean smell is due to the chemicals in other products, so I understand why the Green Works don't smell the same.

But that was the only drawback that I experienced.

Bottom line: if you are looking for a safe alternative to wash your clothes and get rid of stains?  I recommend Green Works Laundry Detergent and Cleaners.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Clorox Green Works and received a bottle of Green Works Natural Detergent and Stain Remover to facilitate my review and a $20 thank-you gift certificate.

The Ultimate Party Meatballs...Yum! {A Winey Mommy Review}

Like so many other people, I love party foods.  The appetizers are always my favorite--I usually plan any type of party as an appetizer only party.  Easy, delicous and a large variety of different foods.  You can't go wrong with that!

I was recently offered the chance to review The Ultimate Party Meatballs thanks to Mom Central.  I took them right up on that offer {remember how I love appetizers?}.

What are The Ultimate Party Meatballs?  Let me tell you this--they are so good!  You simply add meatballs with Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce and Heinz Chili Sauce.  So simple, so delish.  I didn't have to change a thing to this recipe! 

***Recipe***

1 14-ounce can Ocean Spray® Jellied Cranberry Sauce
1 12-ounce bottle Heinz® Chili Sauce
1 2-pound bag frozen, pre-cooked, cocktail-size meatballs


Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.


Makes 30 appetizer servings.


Slow cooker Preparation: Place meatballs in a slow cooker. Combine sauces and pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 4 hours on HIGH.

 
I would definitely recommend this recipe for anyone wanting a nice, simple recipe to share with their guests.  And make sure you check out The Ultimate Party Meatballs website for recipes, tips for entertaining as well as a chance to win $3,000!
 
Thank you, Mom Central for the chance to make this yummy recipe!
 
“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Heinz and Ocean Spray and received the ingredients necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

I Crack Myself Up.

Occassionally when I am typing in my blog name or address to come to my blog I type:

Wieny Mommy.

And by doing this?

Makes me giggle.

Every. Single. Time.

ps-don't judge that it's 1 a.m. and I am writing about wieners.  Or wieny mommy.

Du.du.duuuun...It's Random Time!

*I honestly have no clue how to spell what I was saying for the title of this post.  But it caught your eye, no?

*Went shopping tonite.  BY.MY.SELF.  {I realize that myself is one word, but the effect of breaking it up worked better}.  Seriously, friends.  It was a miracle--in fact, Isabella?  Shoved me out of the door.  No good-byes.  Just a door slammed in my face.  I'll take it.

*Went to the Gap and Baby Gap. I got so many cute clothes for both me and my girls.  Cute Long & Lean jeans, tons of camis, shirts, boyfriend cardigan.  For the girls? Thing all-in-one long john outfit with pink patches on the elbows {Madelyn}, sweaters, jeans with hearts and flowers stitched on them, the coolest snowman slippers ever and a jacket for Madelyn.  I am in looove with it all and am planning another trip back there next week.  You know, to stock up on winter clothes for our Missouri/Indiana trip!

*Leo got Madelyn sick.  And me {yes, again}.  I swear, this year has been brutal.  This is my 2nd or 3rd cold.  I still blame this all on the swine flu.  I haven't been the same since.

*I'm trying to catch up on all of the SITSmas posts and the comments left on my post.  I had SO much fun!  Seriously--if you are wanting some comment love and are wanting to add even more amazing blogs to your Reader {I realize you do need more than just my blog to read} head over to SITS!

*Isabella is still awake playing.  I think I hear some jumping going on in there--I may need to go regulate in a moment...

*Did anyone else just say "Regulators...mount up!"?  No?   Nevermind me....just had a 90's flashback to Warren G....

*I've changed what I'll be having at my Christmas party.  The wine is still on my list.  But my food?  I'm adding a cheeseball.  God, I love those things.  I may make those pinwheel sandwiches, too.  Yum. 

*Madelyn rolled over from back to tummy today!  Love her and how big she's getting--I'll be taking some new pics soon.  Y'all must be dying without any pictures for a week or so.

*And Madelyn is always laughing at me.  Seriously--I just say hi to her and I hear the cutest baby giggles.  She's adorable, that butterball of mine.

*Speaking of butterball, I'm postponing my 30 Day Shred "Ikickass" regime.  I'm waiting until after the holidays.  I've been trying to watch the girls, catch up on housework, clean, shop {and grocery shop}, plan our trip--not to mention my party and Christmas.  It's too much for me.  BUT the Monday after New Years I am starting again...woohoo!!

*Apparently Starbucks is no longer making pumpkin spiced lattes.  I went there the other day after the Chuck E. Cheese fiasco and 1) was told there were no more psl's.  2) after I regained my composure I ordered a caramel brulee latte.  Disliked it.  Ew.  3) and I didn't even get a red cup.  

*I was devastated after that Starbucks trip.  Just topped off the whole crawling through nastyville at C.E.C earlier. 

*Isabella is quiet now...guess no need for me regulate.

*And before I sign off...Regulators!  Mount up.

*You're welcome for getting Warren G stuck in your head for Thursday.  xoxo

Merry SITSmas!

Can you believe Christmas is in less than three weeks?!  I know I can't--I have so much to do around here--it's not even funny!  I'm really hoping that Santa has his act together better than I do this year, that's for sure!

I wanted to leave y'all a few of my favorite things for this Christmas.  So sit down somewhere comfy, cuddle up with a warm blanket {or you could totally rock your Snuggie or Slanket!) and a hot cup of coffee--and mostly I hope you enjoy my happiness that makes me merry:

1.  Hearing Isabella tell me she loves "Kissmas" and the "Kissmas lights are bee-you-tee-ful, Mommy!".

2.  Seeing Miss Madelyn staring at the Christmas tree and loving the lights.  She's totally infatuated with them--hard to believe I was pregnant with her this time last year!

3.  Speaking of which, SO happy I don't have the extreme morning sickness that I had last year.  Which means holiday cookies, treats and I can enjoy my wine this year--yay!

4.  Isabella's "wishlist" consists of a Dora bike.  Must let Santa know of this asap.  Because last I knew it was a wagon...now it's changed to the Dora bike. 

5.  And what's Christmas without my beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte in my red cup from Starbucks?

6.  The playing of Christmas music and movies everywhere I go....falalalala!

7.  Comfy sweaters to hide that leftover baby belly. 

8.  Christmas themed everything--from disposable coffee cups, tissue boxes, paper towels, candles...it's heaven to me.

9.  The cheeriness of everyone I meet--seriously, there seems to be so much kindness and caring this time of year.  I wish more people were this cheery throughout the rest of the year, that's for sure!

I'll sign off with a picture of one of my favorite Christmas movies EVER!  Merry SITSmas to all of my SITStas from SITS and to all of my readers, too! 

The Day I Owned Up to My Stretch Marks

Just had to let y'all know that if you were at the Gulfport Chuck E. Cheese today?

Um, yes, that was me crawling through the maze in the air trying to convince Isabella that she was not trapped up there.

And, yes, those were probably my stretch marks that you saw through the little viewing windows as I was trying to crawl on my hands and knees through a child's suspended maze.

And, yes, that was me scooching down the twirly slide covered in sweat and cursing whoever the genious was to create something as "fun" as a maze that's so high that I practically had an anxiety attack due to the height and the claustaphobic atmosphere of the "fun" toy.

And, yes, that was my child--who just merely moments before was so terrified that she wouldn't/couldn't get out of the maze--who immediately tried to crawl back up again.

I just love that place called Chuck E. Cheese...

ps-I may or may not have thrown up in my mouth a little bit when I imagined all of the germs that invaded my body in that humid, stuffy, stale air maze...*shudder*

Wen Cleansing Conditioner {A Winey Mommy Review}

I recently had the chance to review Wen Cleaning Conditioner {in sweet almond mint}.  I don't know about y'all but when it comes to hair care products I am super picky.

I am cursed blessed with extremely thick and wavy hair--and living in the South?  Oh my.  It's so hard to find a good shampoo/conditioner/product that won't totally dry out my hair or make my hair extremely greasy. 

When the Wen Cleansing Conditioner arrived I was ecstatic to review it.  It recently was awarded the coveted Shecky's "Beauty at its Best Award" for both their shampoo and condtioner.  I love using a product that's been recognized--that means {to me} that it must be great to quite a few people out there.

This conditioner is a single step process that cleanses and conditions--which means there is no need to use a seperate shampoo.  I read on the back of the bottle that this product doesn't lather.  It's like a really thick conditioner treatment for your hair that you leave on for 3-5 minutes, depending on the amount of conditioning you are looking for {more if you have longer hair}.  It's also made with natural ingredients which is very important to me--both for myself and my family.  The Wen Cleansing Conditioner does not contain sodium laurel sulfate and other damaging detergents that can be found in a lot of other shampoos/conditioners. 

***Product Benefits***

*Will give your hair added moisture, body and shine

*Works great on a variety of hair types including wavy, straight, curly and ethnic hair

*Leaves your hair soft, manageable and touchable

*Is usable both before and after any chemical treatment or when hair has been stressed

*Strengthening action that will repair damage, renews elasticity and reduces chemical stress of dry and/or extremely damaged hair

***My Opinion***

I used the Wen Cleansing Conditioner last nite.  It smelled SO good--very minty and fresh.  In my opinion it's a great product to use in the morning if you're tired and taking a shower--the scent will wake you up and perk you right up!

I pumped the recommended 16-24 pumps into my hand and massaged into my scalp and hair {and remember it's both a shampoo and conditioner--awesome!!}.  I let it set for ~5 minutes and then rinsed.  I was afraid because of how thick it was that it would be hard to rinse out and leave a film on my hair.  I was wrong!  It left my hair feeling so clean--I loved how clean my hair felt.

I then did the "ultimate test"--blow drying my hair.  My hair tends to frizz out quite a bit if I don't use the right conditioner.  I blow dried and straightened my hair--perfection.  I seriously loved it.  Even the husband complimented me on my hair.  I loved that he even noticed that I was having a great hair day.

I would definitely recommend this product to my family, friends and readers.  I loved it that much.  A great product that both smells wonderful and did its job--with natural ingredients. 

***Where to Buy?***

You can purchase any of the Wen by Chaz Dean products on their website.  The set includes the Wen Cleansing Conditioner {which is what I received} as well as styling creme, re moist intensive hair repair mask, texture balm and a wide tooth shower comb.  All for the great price of $29.95!

I was provided a free bottle of the Wen Cleansing Conditioner in order to write a product review and give my honest opinion.  I was not paid to write this post and all opinions above are honest and written by me and by my experience.  I want to thank Traci and The Product Review Place for giving me the opportunity to complete this review.

Hot Cocoa Recipe--Super Easy!

Okay, I had a few requests for my Mom's cocoa recipe and as promised, here it is for you all:

As taken from her Facebook page:

8 qt box powdered milk (Carnation is best, but I can't find it this year!)

3 oz jar of Coffee Mate original powder (I always add quite a bit extra)

1 lb Nestle Quik powder

1/2 lb powdered sugar (I added probably almost a pound...and it tasted so good!)


Just mix everything up and you are done! (I bought a Christmas bucket at Wal-Mart with Bellie the other nite--it has a lid and everything!  Perfect for storing it.)

Serving size I used a 1/3 cup measuring cup.  Add hot water and you are done.  You can taste it before you add your marshmallows or marshmallow fluff to see if you need more mix.

It's so easy to make and my Mom always gets requests for her recipe.  I've drank this for years and I will never drink the packet stuff again!  Her recipe is that good and yummy.

Let me know if you have questions and then after you make it come back and tell me what you think.

ps-and you can always head over to my Mom's blog and leave her a thank you--I know she'd love it!

Ahem. An Apology.

I just want to apologize to any of my readers who may have been at the brand new {well, our only} Olive Garden on Saturday nite in D'iberville.

If you heard/saw/witnessed a 2 year old throwing a huge tantrum.

Or heard/saw/witnessed a 2 year old telling their Mommy "I be back, Mommy" and hop out of their chair running.

Or heard/saw/witnessed a 2 year old doing the whole dead weight act and making my Mommy drag said toddler on a germ infested restaurant floor.

It was not us....

Not my sweet, loving Isabella. 

Ahem.

Okay.  It was Isabella.  And it was me.

By myself sans Daddy and Maddie just trying to take my girl on a Target and Olive Garden date.

As you just read, that whole date?

Backfired.  Majorly.

We are now sticking to drive throughs {or is it thrus?} only.

{We can't go step foot in a Chick-Fil-A without an enormous tantrum, hair pulling and scratching episode when it's time to leave.  Indoor playground.  Enough said}.

This was taken in October...but as you can see she just likes to scream...

I just can't help but laugh! 

Lots of Giveaways Ending Today.

Here are some great giveaways that are going on right now:

Ending today:

Little Mommy Walk & Giggle Doll (Barefoot Mommies Gift Guide)

Mickey Mouse Train (same as above)

Britax Carseat (same as above)

Roku for Netflix (same as above)

Leapfrog Tag Jr (Our Ordinary Life)

Leapfrog Tag Jr (Lizzy Dear)

Homemade Cocoa and Naughty Cats

Due to the "threat" of 1 inch of snow, I decided that I would make some homemade hot chocolate {y'all--my Mom gave me the recipe and it is awesome.  Just sayin'.  If you want me to share leave me a comment and I'll write up a post for ya.  I'm too lazy at the moment to go over to her Facebook page and copy it....ha}.

So Isabella and I braved the cold and headed out all bundled up and determined to get our ingredients for hot cocoa nite.

We get to Wal-Mart and it was SO cold...Isabella told me to run--and we did.

Got the indredients and headed back home.  I popped in the new Tom & Jerry Christmas movie {she totally begged for it.  And she calls Tom "Naughty Cat", haha!}.

Anyway, we saw a lot of Christmas lights up in the neighborhood.  So we turned up the Christmas music and drove all around.  We looked at every single house.  And we sometimes did a drive-by two times if the lights were "awesome/cool" according to B.

We got home, I mixed up the cocoa mix and made all of our mugs.  I bought Isabella her own miniature mug--super cute!  Then we all sat around the table.  Drinking the cocoa.  Having a wonderful family moment. Poor Maddie was in her Bumbo chomping at her hands and just watching Isabella with every spoonful that went into her mouth.  I kept reassuring her that next year will be the year that she can participate in cocoa.

Anyway, so we're sitting there, right?

And Isabella kept telling me the following:

"Cocoa is AWESOME!"

"Tom is Naughty Cat"

"Nummy! Ee-soso {delicioso en Espanol aka delicious}! Eat!"

"Treat!"

"Where Scooby Doo, Mommy?" {Um, I have no clue?  She's never watched that show--I asked her one time and she said NO! Ha...}

So, my friends, tonite was filled with mugs of cocoa instead of glasses of wine.

And guess what.

I loved my cocoa nite...it was just nice for everyone to be happy and in a great mood, laughing, smiling.  No tantrums.  No attitude from me or Leo.  No screaming from Maddie.

Perfection friends.  So tell me....

When was the last time that you had a perfection nite?  Where you were all happy--your family/spouse/children/cat/dog/ferret/or whatever else you want to include....?

She Said What?!

Isabella has been talking up a storm y'all.  Seriously.

*She asks me where her case of "ddd's" are {dvd's}.  Especially Frosty, Ru-Roff, and Chaw Broooown.  Her faves by far!

*This morning she asked me where Halloween was.  Hm.  Good question, Bellie.  I would like to know that answer myself...wasn't it just here?

*She asks me daily "Where Toe go?".  Toe is her 2 yr old cousin, Mateo, who lives in Texas.  I love that she calls him Toe.  Haha!

*If Madelyn is crying Bellie will tell me, "Mommy, Sissy Cryyying!  Sissy Cryyying!".  Unfortunately this is sometimes a result of her being a little, um, rough with her sister. 

*I forgot to plug in her pink Christmas tree yesterday morning.  Wow.  She was all about letting me know about that mistake, haha!

*I think it's so cute when she's talking and all of a sudden she gets SO excited and it's suddenly a big jibber jabbering mixture with some words thrown in here and there.

*And when she sings a song?  Ohmygoodness, my heart melts into a big, melty, lovey puddle.  Love it.

I just love how much she talks.  It amazes me when she says a sentence...it's seriously fascinating how when we're born we know nothing.  Wow. 

ps-this also means we have to be super careful of what we say around her...if you know what I mean!

A Christmas Meme...

I've been tagged by the always funny and always sweet G-Zell for this super fun Christmas meme.  This was started by Heather over at Top Ten Christmas Blog.  Here we go!



1.) Have you started your Christmas shopping?  Yep!  But I'm nowhere near finished.  Stressing about how much I need to get done...yikes.


2.) Tell me about one of your special traditions.  Well, this is the first year that Isabella is sort of understanding Christmas and Santa.  But I would love for us to go and look at Christmas lights together as a family.  We also play Christmas music the entire month of December.  I hope to get more traditions as a family as the girls get older.


3.) When do you put up your Tree?  Usually the day after Thanksgiving except for this year--we decorated early since we were out of town on Thanksgiving.

4.) Are you a Black Friday shopper?  No...we did go later on in the day.  I usually do most of my shopping online for Christmas--way easier than dragging the family out together.


5.) Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?  Usually stay at home, but we'll be going to Missouri so we can go and spend some time with my Grandpa.


6.) What is your funniest Christmas memory? Last year on Christmas Eve nite, Leo and I were putting together Isabella's toddler coupe car.  I had the worst morning sickness and could barely function {I wish I were kidding...}.  Anyway, we opened the box and we were missing wheels and other parts!!  I could have died!!  We now will make sure all parts are with all gifts...before Christmas Eve! Haha!


7.) What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time? All of them?  Lol--it's a tie between Christmas Vacation and Elf.  Love them both!


8.)Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat? Yes!  I love baking.  This year I've made pumpkin bread, pumpkin choc chip bread.  I'll be making Snickerdoodles for my cookie exchange.  And I know we'll make homemade toffee and magic cookie bars...yum!

9.) Fake or Real Tree? We have a fake tree although we love them both.

10.) What day (as a Mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done? Honestly?  This year it really hit me on December 1st.  I hate seeing countdown signs everywhere I go...ahhh!


11.) Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve? Yeppers!

12.) What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas? I love Christmas Eve nite, Christmas morning and watching A Christmas Story together.  Oh--I forgot that on my favorite movies!


13.) What Christmas craft do you like the best? I have NO time this year for anything crafty, lol!


14.) Christmas music? Love it all!  I only get to hear the songs for one month, so I use that to my advantage.

15.) When do you plan to finish all your shopping? I honestly cannot answer this...



Wanna plaay along?

Just simply copy and paste the questions into your blog, and then answer them.
When you post your blog, please spread some Christmas cheer, and leave a link back to Heather's Top Ten Christmas Blog, and the blog that you were tagged by.


Loved this meme!!  If you play along, leave me a comment and let me know so I can go and give you some comment love.

Bryan Sausage Winner

Congratulations to LittleEagle!  She won the Bryan Sausage giveaway.

She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be picked.

It's On! Good Bye Muffin Top!

The ever so fabulous Heather from Heather's Hacienda is having a 30 Day Shred challenge--and it starts TOMORROW!

I started the 30 Day Shred video, but then got a knee injury.  And the swine flu.  Then another cold.  Then the back.

But enough is enough already.  I think part of me was just struggling to get back into it.  Call it the weather, the holidays...whatever.  But starting tomorrow?

I'm over it.  The excuses.  The "baby weight" that loves me so much.  I want to fit into my favorite of favorite jeans again!  I want to be happy with what I see in the mirror.  I don't want to suck my tummy in for dear life anymore! 

So who's with Heather and I?  Come on...we can do this together! 

Go and check out her blog to find out more!