It’s about Christmas spirit

Well…

It’s been since the 11th that I last wrote. I can and can’t believe it. I’ve wanted to write everyday, but my crazy schedule just hasn’t allowed me.

I’ve caught myself, especially this week, thinking that I am just ready for Christmas to be over.

I know what you’re thinking…

What?! How can she think that???? It’s the best time of the year.

Exactly, and I had to pretty much slap myself silly on Monday to remind myself of the fact that this IS the best time of the year. I shouldn’t be so stressed about shopping for the perfect gift {for everyone}, baking the perfect goodies, rushing to all the activities, and making sure the house is clean and straight. That’s not what the season is about.

Yes, it’s about giving and being jolly, but it’s the season to be with family and friends and rejoice in each other and the birth of our Lord and Savior.

I got so bogged down in the “to-do” list and the hustle and bustle of the crazy calendar that I forgot to enjoy this time. I was putting my children and playing with them on the back-burner so I could make the perfect craft and snack for their classes.

On Monday evening after complaining to our Pastors at the gym about how overwhelmed I was I realized what I had just said aloud….and that was pretty much the slap in my face.

I should enjoy this time no matter how crazy my schedule is and how much I’m shopping for the perfect gifts. This is the time to really enjoy being with my family, making special memories with my children, and enjoy the magic of Christmas through their eyes.

So here I am, I’m not overwhelmed anymore. Maybe it’s because the shopping and wrapping is complete. Maybe it’s because my husband is home for the next week and a half for vacation. Maybe it’s because I had the “slap in the face”. Whatever it is, I am in the Christmas spirit and I am J-O-L-L-Y!

And really how can you not be jolly when we actually sit back and enjoy the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child? Attending Christmas programs at preschool will put anyone in the mood.

Or visiting your daughters dance class’s rendition of The Nutcracker and having her daddy {aka favorite man on Earth} join her.

{And yes, she stands just like me… }

Even seeing pictures of my adorable nephews and God son helped put me in the mood.

And if none of those work for ya, check this guy out…

He has to be my favorite decoration in all my house. He is so real-looking with wrinkles and all. But, the most special part of all is the black fur you see was actual fur from Eric’s grandmother’s fur coat. My mother-in-law had him made for me a few years ago and he brings our house to life every year.

During this crazy time I did make a few crafts for decorations and gifts and I’m becoming good friends with my Silhouette, and I can’t wait to share those with you. But for now I leave you with this….

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Tis the Season to be Jolly and Merry and Bright!

Tis the season…

To be jolly…

To be overwhelmed…

To be merry…

To be busy…

Yes, yes, yes, and yes!

Why is it that this time of year, things speed up to light speed and then it’s all over in the blink of an eye?

It might be because we all get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the craziness the Christmas season brings. And I must admit I am guilty to the full extent.

We finished up Hunter’s birthday party last Saturday. I broke down the trimmings from “Hunter Stadium” to immediately start putting up the trimmings for Christmas. Like most people the Christmas season is my favorite time of year. The smells, the garland, the tree, the lights, and the trimmings. I love putting up our decorations and enjoying them each day. But I have to admit, I’m not one to leisurely put them up and sit back each night and enjoy them…no that’s not me. I’m the one that goes balls to the wall and will knock over anyone who gets in my way to get the decorations up.

Yes, you could say I’m a bit impatient…I will admit that. I also love to enjoy all the decorations and not just a little at the time. I want them up and I want them up N-O-W!!!!!

So anyway, like I was saying, the “Hunter Stadium” trimmings came down off the mantel and the garland went up. It was 8:30 at night, the kids were in bed, and there was no other good time, right? My husband looks at me from the couch and asks, “Are you ever going to stop and sit down?” Sit down? Sit down???? What in the world does that mean? I will admit that all I put up that night was the garland, but hey it was a start.

The garland went up, and in perfect me fashion I decided I wanted new decorations to go along with the garland on the mantel and I would make some. You will see those later.

Last Sunday after church we got our tree, and that night I put the lights on it. I guess I get my light craziness from my daddy. I’m very particular about how the lights go on the tree and the more the merrier. It’s funny because growing up my brother and I were never allowed in the living room while Daddy was putting the lights on the tree. I never understood why until now…it was so he could catch up on his cussin’. And I’m the same way. I like to put the lights on by myself…no one else. As of last Sunday night I was feeling jolly…the decorations had started going up and the lights were on the tree…great! All is good.

Bam, Monday came and jolly quickly became overwhelmed. How in the world was I going to get everything done? The decorations, the shopping, the lights, the parties, Santa visits, and Max the elf. Let’s not forget Max moving every night {which I have done a few times already}.

Oh and did I mention my husband was traveling last week???  Well, here it is another week later and I can say that throughout the week I felt it all: jolly, overwhelmed, merry, and busy…very, very busy. But, here it is another Sunday and I am merry and jolly about the season.

The decorations and lights are up. The tree is beautiful, some shopping has been completed, parties have been attended, Santa visits were made, and crafts were completed.

Here are just a few pictures to prove my merry and bright.

How’s your merry and bright coming along?

Baseball Birthday Party

Hey there friends!

I’m so excited to share the baseball themed party I just threw for my son last weekend.

I know, it’s been a long time coming, but it was so much fun.

There were countless hours of preparing, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I think I have a bit of an obsession with parties and go a little over-the-top, but I love it.

Anyway, here we go!

My little man turned 4 on December 1 and just loves baseball. So, we decided to go with the baseball theme.

I ordered his invitations from Etsy and they turned out so cute. I could not be happier.

After the invitations went out, I began to work like a mad woman {literally} on decorations for this party.

I was bound and determined to figure out and use my Silhouette to the best of our ability. I actually figured things out and used it a lot. I’m sure she’s happy to take a break from me {for the moment}.

Anyway, I made several banners for the “concessions”, “drinks”, and of course the “Happy Birthday Hunter”.

For party favors I decided to make all the kids baseball t-shirts to wear at the party. I used heat transfers and put “play ball” on the front corner; on the back put their name and I used their birthday for their number. I thought it would be a little personal but the 8 year old was the only one who caught on to my thinking.

Of course I used my favorite party site, Polka-dot Market.com, and ordered balloons and paper lanterns…can’t have a party without their balloons and paper lanterns.

In my dining room I set up on my old window frame a Welcome to Hunter Stadium station….it had the rest of the party favors which was a Hunter Stadium pennant I made with the Silhouette and Cracker Jacks. Can’t go to a baseball game without Cracker Jacks.

As I started setting up for the party I remembered all the 4th of July decorations I used this year and scored on after the holiday sales. I got so giddy with excitement because it was all red, white, and blue stuff…perfect colors for my party. So of course I used most of them.

For concessions we had hot dogs, nachos and cheese, Cheese Puffs, fruit, cheese cubes, and popcorn.

We served lemonade, Cokes {Dr. Pepper and Sprite}, and water. Of course I made the water bottle labels…it’s all about presentation, right. One just had a 4 and stars around it, and the other had the picture of a baseball field and said Hunter Stadium.

And the cake…can’t have a party without a good cake. My friend, and cake designer came through and made an awesome cake. I can’t describe it…pictures will do for this one.

With having a birthday in December in the South, you never know what kind of weather we’re going to have. Last year it snowed on party day. We have this standing joke around here that if we want it to snow, just have Shana throw a party. Well, I was due for a party with great weather, and you can’t have a baseball party without playing baseball outside. So, come hell or high water we were going outside. Let me just tell you, the weather was fantastic. 60 something and sunny…perfect for some baseball. Some kids played and some just played on the playset. I had purchased a couple of baseball type games from Oriental Trading but they weren’t that popular. I think the kids just loved being outside.

All-in-all the party was a hit. Hunter had a blast with his friends and of course loved playing baseball.