Storybook Island--The Christmas Edition

We like to tell the girls we are going on a surprise, and then, um, surprise them.

This year, our Indian Princess was pretty quick to catch on where we were going when we told them to dress warmly. Because we've done this every year for four years now. It makes my heart big to think of the family traditions we get to create with our girls.

The trip there.

My Indian Princess had a cold, and was wiped out from a long week at school.

She took a little nap.

My Littlest Girl tried her hardest not to be naughty.

How do you think she did?

The girls and I in front of a tricked out gazebo.

Dad in his cool hat. I mean, ultra warm hat.

Did you know if you put the ear flaps down you can't hear?

I'm thinking I may borrow this when the girls are watching the Magic Flute Dora episode for the 15th time.

A train ride.

In the dark.

With 20 degree temps.

Seems logical.

This was the first year she wanted to sit on Santa's lap.

My Littlest Girl wasn't so sure.

We had a fantastic night.

I can't wait to do it again next year.

Not Me Monday 12/12/11

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

But while you're here, check out what I happened to NOT do this week:

I did NOT lead a workout group at church at 9:00 am in the morning, then play three hours of volleyball that night, only to NOT(really) be able to walk the next day. I am always in shape and because I have a bad back I am always diligent to do strength training.

I did NOT giggle at my Indian Princess when she said her class was playing "Caramel Faithful" at the school Christmas program this week.

I did NOT finally clean my desk off, after three months. Putting everything in piles so I could file it easily. Only to be called away to something, and coming back to my daughter watching TV on my computer. At my desk. With the piles scattered like the leaves in the fall.

I did NOT fall off the wagon within 24 hours when I told myself I would only use the computer when the girls are sleeping. At night. (sigh)

And with that reminder, I am signing off!

Christmas House

I thought it was made from a chocolate cookie.

I was wrong.

Straight up chocolate baking chips.

Melted down into one giant house.

Before:

Before:

Before:

After:

For the first time in their lives, I gave them all access to the candy with no restrictions.

They did really well.

I think they even fell asleep at bedtime.

I don't hear anyone bouncing off the walls...

Separated at Birth

Does anybody else see the resemblance?

Relevance

I am using a recipe website to make a hot buttered rum mix.

The ads on the sidebar are:

4 signs of a heart attack

and

Medifast diet plan.

On the other side is an advertisement for Morton's salt.

Huh?

5 months?

Do you ever have a week where you can't get enough to eat?

Like your stomach is a bottomless pit and no matter how much you eat you feel like you will never be full?

Like you ate it but then it disappeared?

You try drinking more water or milk or eggnog and hope the food will somehow expand in your stomach, but it doesn't.

And then you look down one day and don't recall being 5 months pregnant.

You try to remember the two pink lines and the morning sickness.

But the whole memory just escapes you.

The high school girls call it a food baby.

I call it my hibernation diet.

(I call it some other things, too, but I don't think you need to hear those.)

Because although I don't believe in evolution, I tend to do this when the weather gets cold.

Unfortunately, based on my prior's years experience,

I will not fall asleep for the next 4 months.

Bummer.

Today's Activities So Far...

Include my Littlest Girl telling me a story that has elements of Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, and Noah all wrapped into one neat package. No small feat.

We have moved on to playing baseball using a big rubber ball and an Ariel Barbie as a bat.

Stay tuned for more...