Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas {2014 Part II}

Part II party people.
Well, you can't celebrate Christmas without pretty nails!
I fell in love with these Jamberry nails and decided to have an online party so I could get a set for free...well, my party did way better than I ever dreamed and I will have a few sets to show for months and months to come and so shall Leighton! {Which was the original reason I did the party!}

I mentioned our church is big on sets. We like to go big or go home. Some may think it is over the top for a church, but as someone who likes details to match everything I think it is worth it. This month the theme was Generosity and it was set to the Frozen theme. The kids LOVED this cutout and the next week they brought out a puppet named "sno"laf. IT was a hit.

Leighton and I decided to get crafty one Sunday afternoon.  Homemade ornament from a milk carton.

So one day it snowed. I must live under a rock  because I was taken by complete surprise! Of course the kids had to go play in it. I don't care for the cold...so being the awesome mom I am we went out and I hunkered down in the back of my pilot and "watched" them play. Hey, I made hot cocoa so I am still a rock star in their eyes. :)

My kids are nuts. She is dressed like summer no matter what the temp...

Doesn't everyone wear snow goggles inside?!

Today I was running around trying to get all the last minute Christmas shopping done as Christmas was less than a week away and we were leaving for KC in 3 days! So I sucked it up and took my little elf. He was a great help...for once. Also I was so happy to finally be able to wear my head wrap a sweet gymnastic mom made me. I have wanted one of these FOR-EVER!

Not buying this for a second... ;)

A quick photo at Lo's Grinch/Christmas party at school. I mean why on earth would we want to combine the Gingerbread party with the Christmas party?! That is just crazy! These Kindy kids need at least 1 par-tay a week. 

So my hubby is a teacher. And he came home with this as a gift. I nearly cried. A diffuser and EO?! This was so nice. I have been dying for one since I started my EO kick last year. And so far we have been diffusing On Guard like crazy and we have survived Christmas sans yuckies...even post vacay! Now here's to staying that way! I am a STRONG believer in this stuff.

Then on Friday before Christmas my mom and sister gave me the best gift yet. Taking my kids  so I could FINALLY wrap gifts, finish up Santa projects and get organized for the trip without waiting until 10p when a little boy named MW FINALLY goes to bed. {That is a whole post all by itself}.
Bliss. Empty rooms.

Saturday {Dec 20th} My MIL took us to see a Lunch Theater show. We did this last year and really enjoyed it. I think it may be a start of a great tradition.

Micah is going through a weird photo taking phase. Meaning he either takes totally awkward photos, or he refuses to take them at all. We are working on this. I told him photos are for the person taking them not him! HA! So far it is helping...

MW refused to be near these people! HA!

After church we took an impromptu tour of lights around the city. We went to chick fil a and had dinner in the car and looked at lights. It was a fun night.
I love candy cane lane. They  really out do themselves.

Sunday {Dec 21st} Cookie day!!
It just felt like this year everything just got slammed into one weekend. We just ran out of time to do some of the things we love, but in the end we still had a great Christmas and a little change never hurt anyone.
Cutest Betty Crocker ever.

Auntie Meg is in charge of the cookies. Grammy is in charge of movie watching with MW and mommy just drinks coffee. We are a great team. ;)

MEG-AN!

We ended Sunday evening with Daddy's birthday at Sumo. They cook for you and I thought the kids might enjoy it...not so much. Lo was terrified of the fire and nearly cried 3 different times.

Micah liked it well enough...of course I had to bring PBJ for his dinner...

Scared to death.

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

And that shall conclude Part II.
Part III Christmas in KC.

First Day of School {Pt.1}

The time for kindergarten has come. I am in denial. Where did the last 5 years go?!

Leighton has been super excited for Kindergarten, she even made a countdown chain.

Here she is on Meet the Teacher Night.

This was a nice opportunity to meet her teacher, obviously, and drop off her "so heavy" backpack.

Her cubbie!! Ah, she has a cubbie. And I may be overly excited about all these things. I have a school kid now. 

 A classroom hunt.
It took her awhile to find her name on the table. She would walk around see and "L" and stop "reading." I am excited to see what she learns and how quickly. First stop reading her own name. HA!

 Unloading of the loot.

 Today {August 13th 2014}
First quasi day of school.
Today was a stagger start and pre-screen day for some of the kindergartners.
SO EXCITED!! Is it time yet?!

 Daddy running behind as usual. HA!

 I told her now that school is here she must set her alarm, get up, get dressed, make her bed, eat breakfast, brush teeth and get around to go. This morning I was pleasantly surprised to walk in her room and see her room picked up and bed made without reminding her 200x!

I love those chalkboard things, but I don't have artsy handwriting. What I DO have is photoshop and that I am good at. Unfortunately the photo print was glossy. Next year I will do better. ;)

{blocking out the teacher and school name for privacy}

 Some days {and I know I am bias} I think about looking into child modeling. She just has this sparkle. May it never dim!

 Her BFF across the street both embarking on Kindergarten--just in different schools.

 Showing off her stuff.

 When we pulled in. Uber excited...

Daddy forgot his lunch on his first day...so we walked it down, but it made for a good photo op.

 Classroom!

 3 hours went quick and she was full of stories to tell. Showing me her work.

 2013

someone was a tad upset this morning. He really wants to go to school and instead is stuck at home with stinky mommy. I am looking forward though to having some special mommy son time. Now it's his turn get special one on one time like Lo got for 2 years.

Here's to a wonderful school year. I pray she will be a light to all those around her.