What's on the list?

Every year as Christmas approaches, our family loads into our vehicle and drives about 30 minutes south to a local mall.  This isn't the closest mall to our house, but it's tradition.  This is the mall we have taken the kids to, to see Santa since Sassy's first Santa visit when she was 9 months old (13 years ago).

While a couple of our kiddos were definitely a bit reluctant (and perhaps thought I was crazy for having them do this), they smiled and had fun with the experience ~ for their little sister's sake!

Speaking of their little sister, Smiley was fun to watch.  She was filled with nervous excitement and couldn't wait to give Santa her list and tell him what she really wants for Christmas.

As she was waiting in line, you could simply "see" her little brain working as she was rehearsing what she was going to say.  While I couldn't hear what she was saying to herself as she waited in that line, I could see her little mouth moving as she was preparing for her minutes with Santa.

When at last, it was our turn, the kids sat around Santa and posed for a picture.  Then, they each had a  moment to tell him what was on their Christmas list.  Sassy expressed she wanted books and movies, Action: an iPad mini and Minecraft for our playstation.  And Smiley, well, after all of that mental preparation, she asked Santa for.........warm pajamas.  Her wish made me giggle a little bit.

Here is a pic of her list (front and back) before she gave it to Santa.

Curious, what are your kiddos asking for this year?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Friends!  

Cheers to a happy, healthy, prosperous, amazing 2013!

We were blessed to have 21 people to our home last night to ring in the new year!  It was a fabulous night filled with fun and laughter, food and noise!  I hope you had a wonderful evening ~ be it quiet, simple, loud or extravagant.  And even more, I wish you all the happiest New Year to come!

And in the words of Author Neil Gaiman:

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, 

trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.

You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, 

you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself.  

Make New Mistakes.  

Make glorious, amazing mistakes.  Make mistakes nobody's ever made before.  

Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

  

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

Visiting the Jolly old Man and Santa... if you're reading this:

Last week, I mentioned we took the kids to see Santa.

It seems 2 of 3 kids have some high expectations this year.

Sassy asked for a nice camera "with lenses that can be changed and zoom in and out.  Like my mom's."
FYI, "mom's" camera is a Nikon D90.

(source)

TO SANTA ~ if your not to busy to read this:

Santa, here is my word of advice.  Sassy loves to take pictures.  She wants to be a photographer when she grows up.  However, I think it's a bit risky to give such a nice camera to a 10 year old.  Not that she wouldn't take care of it, or doesn't deserve it, because for the most part ☺ she is a really great girl.  Respectful, hardworking, honest, helpful.  Don't get me wrong, I get the sass now and again ~ that is her nickname ~ and she does bother her brother and sister from time to time.  But anyway, I just think that that camera may be a bit fancy to take on school field trips, to the lake, camping and places like that, which I know is where she wants to use it.  A camera perhaps, maybe just not that one :)


Action.  Action looked at Santa with his baby blues and LONG eye lashes.  Flashed his charming, dimpled smile and told Santa he really wants a puppy.

(source)

TO SANTA ~ 

Santa, you were right to tell him that you would only bring him a puppy if it was ok with Dad and Mom.  Because quite honestly, one dog in the house is quite enough.  He certainly was bummed that night.  But I'm glad you were honest with him.  I appreciate that.   Especially after the time he asked for a punching bag and you asked him, "isn't that what your sister is for?" I still haven't gotten over that one!  Besides a puppy though, I'm not quite sure what he wants for Christmas.  I hope you or your elves have been watching.  If you come up with any ideas I could use, please let me know.... my email is ordinarymol@hotmail.com.  Thanks!


Smiley was excited and nervous to see Santa. She had really been thinking hard about what she was going to ask for when she got on his lap and had her opportunity.    Lipstick.  Lipstick is all she could come up with when her time came.

(source)

SANTA ~ 

So little Smiley climbed on your lap with the help of her sister, smiled for a picture and then it was time.  Time to tell you all of the things she was hoping for.  And what did she tell you?  Lipstick.  And she does want lipstick, let me tell you.  But, if you do decide to go with that, please stick to a flavored kiddy chapstick.  I don't need anything drawn on with real lipstick :)  But besides that, the rest of the things she had on her mind to tell you, but just couldn't get out were this:

* princess panties (she ~ along with her mom! ~ is very excited about being potty trained and loves checking out all of the fancy panties at Target ~ she is especially fond of the princess ones :)
* beds for her doll house
*shoes
*and dress up clothes.

THANK YOU SANTA!

And because, what's a post without a bunch of pictures?  Here are the kids and Santa through the years (and yes, these are pictures of pictures, so they aren't the best quality, but you'll get the idea):

2001

 our first experience with visiting Santa with our kids ~ Sassy was 9 months old

2002

My ABSOLUTE favorite Santa picture 

Sassy was so excited to see him, but was terrified when it was actually her turn

2003

2004

Actions first experience with Santa

2005

2006

2007

2008

Wow ~ hard to believe Smiley was this little :(

2009

Another one of my favorites ~ love love LOVE Smiley's expression!

2010

Sassy was home sick (super sick) with the flu ~ very bummed she couldn't go

2011

Everyone was all smiles ~ this was before the puppy got denied :(

So, what's on your (or your kid's) Christmas list this year?

Happiness

The other day, Sassy, her friend, and Action were outside playing.

I looked out the window and this is the sight I saw:

Dreaming, hoping, wishing they were in the neighbors pool splashing around.  

It was a good time to remember sometimes you don't get everything you want. 

I admit I am not perfect. I am guilty of desiring and craving the "things" other people have.  

When this happens, you have to decide to make the best what you do have.  And when you can finally let go of your (unnecessary) wants and desires by finding a way to enjoy the gifts you have been given, jealousy subsides and happiness intrudes!

  

"Happiness doesn't come as a result

of getting something we don't have, 

but rather of recognizing and 

appreciating what we do have."

~ Frederick Koenig

Warming up.

The thermometer shows this:

Instead of this:

With the sun streaming down, I feel like breaking this out:

Indulging in a drink:

Maybe a Stella (have I ever mentioned that I LOVE that name?  Hubby wasn't on board for that one :( so neither daughter has the name Stella):

Perhaps a Margarita (no salt):

Or a nice cold glass of Sangria:

Unfortunately, as I look around, I am reminded that it is STILL winter.

 Soon perhaps, very soon (I hope)!

 

Thanks

Quickly want to say thanks to everyone who left me a happy birthday message, on here, via e-mail, phone, facebook, everywhere!

I had a nice day. Since Action was feeling much better (thanks also for your thoughts for him), but still not quite himself we took it easy and hung out at home. Not quite what I had planned, but lovely as I was with some of the most important people in my life.

I had planned a little of this:

Mmmmm Hazelnut coffee to start the day

Along with some of this:

And then maybe a little of this:

Unfortunately not at this location, but a pool and some sun almost anywhere

~I love it!

And some more of this:

However, like I said before, with Action on the mend, we decided to hang out at home.

So I did LOTS of this:

I know, your jealous!

Made this ~ with Sassy and Actions's help

Got ready with my Sassy girl:

Ate here with our family and some friends:

And enjoyed my family!

For those of you who know us yes, an explanation is needed: On the way home from dinner, we stopped at a store to get my hubby some new sunglasses. We also found new jersey's for the kids. Action went against the grain of the family choice and decided on a new team. Poor boy ~ he will soon learn about loss and heartache.