Monthly Archives: November 2011

Holiday Book Countdown to Christmas

Holiday Book Countdown to Christmas

A lot of families have recently had a guest move into their home since Thanksgiving has come and gone…the Elf on the Shelf.  Well, bah-humbug at our house.  We do not succumb to the Elf because I do not need more to do this month!  Very cute idea, but (in my opinion) a lot of work for the parents if you do-it-up like I would.  So for now, no Elf.

However, I did like the Pinterest idea I found about unwrapping a holiday book each day in December.  Not a brand new book, but one you already had.  And whatcha might not know is that I cannot stand to read children’s books out of season.  For real.  Halloween book in January?  No way.  It was always torture for me to read a Santa book during the summer to the kids I watched while in college.  Truly pained me.  Odd, I know.

So each season I put the kids’ themed books away with other decor.  Which keeps them new and exciting every time they return the next season.  And we get lots of books as gifts.  So I dug into my holiday/kids’ bin and counted the books…perfect amount.  So then I spent an hour in front of the TV and wrapped up about 25-30 books.  All different shapes and sizes.

Last night I introduced the basket to the girls with the “rules”.  The books would only be unwrapped and read on nights of good behavior.  So last night bath time and the entire get-ready-for-bed process went pretty smoothly!  To kick it off each of them picked one book, but we’ll probably switch between 1-2 books depending on their behavior and the length of the book chosen.  I LOVE that it will keep me from reading the same Princess holiday book over and over each night this month.

Below are some pictures of our own book basket.

Holiday Happenings – Downtown Dazzle

Holiday Happenings – Downtown Dazzle

A couple of years ago we discovered a newer holiday attraction in Cincinnati, Macy’s Downtown Dazzle.  It occurs downtown (duh) every Saturday night in December up until Christmas weekend.  It was so great we returned last year and brought friends with us.  The main attraction is the 6:30 event.  Santa rappels off of a building.  For

Holiday Happenings – Snow White

Holiday Happenings – Snow White

Ok, so this isn’t really a holiday-themed event.  However, Snow White is playing locally at the Ensemble Theater downtown on Vine starting this Wednesday through December.  So it’s during the holiday season.  It would be a great gift!  And is perfect for all ages. I had never been to the Ensemble Theater.  It was quaint. 

Whatcha Might Not Know…Christmas Decorating

Whatcha Might Not Know…Christmas Decorating

My little turkeys shown below wanted to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone.  And Stella was super excited to wear her turkey hair bow to school.  Today is the 3 & 4-year old’s Thanksgiving lunch at daycare.  This year she gets to be a Native American and she is thrilled.  Last night during prayers Stella was

Top 10 Humorous Ways I Keep the Weight Off

Top 10 Humorous Ways I Keep the Weight Off

Yes, I did a good job losing my baby weight.  Yes, I’ve kept it off.  No, I’m not following Weight Watchers exactly anymore.  Yes, I always let myself eat whatever I want between Halloween and New Year’s because the holidays are just too tempting and why focus on failure after failure as I shove chocolate

Holiday Happenings – Sharon Woods

Holiday Happenings – Sharon Woods

Over the next couple of weeks I plan to post a few of our favorite things to do during the holiday season locally.  Keep in mind we are focused on things to do with our kids who are now 1, 2.5 and 4.  First up…Sharon Woods Holiday in Lights.     For those of you

Friday’s Random Thoughts

Friday’s Random Thoughts

  This is all going to be very random and all over the place! First, the local GOTR 5K is tomorrow morning!  I cannot wait to see all of the girls complete the 5K.  It’s such an amazing thing to view.  I always get teary-eyed. One of my favorite blogs Not to Brag had taken

Embrace the Camera – Dad’s 60th

Embrace the Camera – Dad’s 60th

Over the summer my dad turned 60.  So the question was…where do we go? See, he’s a total kid at heart. For his 50th? We went to Disney. Me, Andy & him. Pre-kids. So I expected a return trip with the grandkids. But all he wanted was to go the mountains in the fall. I

Whatcha Might Not Know…Social Planner

Whatcha Might Not Know…Social Planner

    So what many of you already know very well (because you are a victim to my ways), some of you might not know.  I cannot live without enjoy social gatherings.  To the extent that I’m always planning them.  Constantly.  And my dear patient husband puts up with this.  Constantly.   As if our

The Ship Has Sailed Back

The Ship Has Sailed Back

  At our house November 1st is not only the end of the Halloween decorations.  It’s also the return of the fall seasonal toys.  For Stella’s first and second Christmas she had plenty of gifts from others.  So we decided that one item from us would be this cool Little People Thanksgiving set.  Made extra

Fall Decor – Acorns and Spiders

Fall Decor – Acorns and Spiders

Earlier in October I happened upon Thrifty Decor Chick’s They’re Baaaack! post and loved what she did to her staircase.  So I pinned it!  And then I headed to Meijer to get some wooden acorns (50% off!) and then to Michael’s to see what Martha Stewart items were left.  No mice cut-outs, but spiders.  And have