Is it Cool to Look this Bored?

After the mess of pictures I took at poor Bubba's Christmas Program earlier this month, I took the time to figure out how to take better pictures at Sis's.  And I did....

At our school, when you are a 4th or 5th grader, you have the opportunity to audition for the Choir and perform in the Holiday Show.

Sis did last year and loved it, so she decided to try again this year.  Did she love it?

By the looks of the following pictures I took during the performance, what do you think?

Yup.  She was bored.

At least she had her own speaking role that she nailed.

And she was involved in giving flowers to her Choir Director too.

Just another event in her Elementary School years that she has been a part of.

These events are coming at us fast.....all taking us one step closer to Middle School!!

As hard as it is to have my little girl growing up, it is moments like these that make me incredibly proud of the confident young woman she is becoming.

Go Sissy Go!

My Kind of Christmas Tree

After finding so many fun Christmas ideas on Pinterest the last few weeks, I decided to try my hand (no pun intended) at one of them.

I bring you, the handprint Christmas tree that I am just giddy about......

First you grab a stinkin'-cute 2 year old who loves to have his hand painted.....

And start pressing that hand down - the messier the better - I love nothing more than those cubby fingers!!

Get the older two involved. We went by hand size to shape the tree.

And Brody has the biggest hands - he formed the base.

Once it dried fully, we used our fingers to "decorate" the tree.

Matt & I even added our fingerprints down on the bottom.

I hid the kids names by writing them in very discreetly under their hands.  And now I have a keepsake that was incredibly easy to make and even a little fun.  Maybe I can do this crafty stuff after all..... nah, let's not push it.

A Glowing Party

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love me a good party.....even more, I love hosting a great party AND earning great gifts while doing it.

I recently heard about PartyLite - A direct sales company that brings amazing scents to your home.  In fact, PartyLite is the world's #1 direct seller of premium candles and home fragrances.  Their products are mainly sold through direct sales - home parties!  I am extremely supportive of Direct Sales and hosting parties.  And it sounds like candles and home fragrances would be a win-win!

There is nothing easier than hosting a party for PartyLite. All you need is a plate of crackers and cheese, a pitcher of lemonade, and a group of good friends. They are all there to shop, and there is no place more relaxing to shop than at home with good friends. Plus, you can earn FREE PartyLite products by hosting too!

PartyLite party

PartyLite has some beautiful candles and amazing scents.  I love the Whole Enchanted Collection.  And I really like the idea of being able to "redecorate" my entire home with candles and new scents to change out with each new season.  I was excited to look through the PartyLite 2012 Winter/Spring Catalog that just came out December 16.  PartyLite also offers fun sweepstakes like the Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes where you could have won a $500 gift certificate!  That sweepstakes is over, but there is sure to be more just like it!

PartyLite Simple Pleasures Holiday Sweepstakes

And I just LOVE this hurricane:

You can find out more about PartyLite by "liking" their PartyLite Facebook.

Santa Said What?

Every holiday season, we look forward to Santa coming to our 'hood.

He takes the time out of his very busy schedule to visit all the adorable kiddos in the perfect setting.....the neighborhood pool.

Cause nothing says "Christmas in Texas" better than Santa sittin by the pool.  All we needed was a sunnier day.

And this year, Bubba has taken a particular liking to "Ho, Ho, Ho" (as he calls him).  He will sit on the big guys lap as long as we let him.

And tell him exactly what he wants for Christmas.

Santa may not understand his garbled 2-year-old-speak, but he did his best.

Brody of course reminded Santa of his 3-year request for a go-cart.

Bubba is taking good notes on how this is done.

And then Sis gets her turn, not holding back, tells him she wants an iPad 2.

He leans close to her, beckons her to get closer.....

and whispers, "If you believe in Santa....and Santa believes in you....he will bring you an iPad."

What?????  Thanks Santa.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like a Pinterest Christmas....

Pinterest.  Ah, what a time suck you are....but wow, have I been inspired!  Cookies, crafts, decorating ideas, dinner.....you had me at hello.  The hours & hours I have spent pouring over your boards and pinning all these great ideas...oy!

And when I actually followed through with the stuff I pinned, I was amazed.  Maybe you can make a "susie-homemaker" out of me yet.

Here are a few of the inspirations that got me going this holiday season..... Instagram style (another fun fun app that I love!)

 My kids and I put this together last weekend - I HUGE PUFFY HEART love it.  I found a way to incorporate everyone in the family.  The bottom 2 fingerprints are mine & Matt's. Inspiration found here.

 I have always wanted to hang wreaths up in my windows, so this year I did - and you know what?  It wasn't that hard or that time consuming like I had assumed it would be.

 Inspired by this.  I have used "Joy" all over my home this year.  I love the way it turned out - again, so easy to make.

 I loved the look of these wrapped french doors seen here. Mine didn't quite turn out as I had hoped, but it adds a fun element of color & Christmas to my front entry way.

 All the inspiration got me to think on my own too - what??  How ya like my Christmas balls I found at the Christmas Affair?  They are hanging from my entry way chandelier.

And in my dining room, I actually put this together on my own.  Vivienne will be proud.  Better be proud....

On top of all the fun decorating, I have been trying a few dinner recipes I have found - all getting the big thumbs up from my hubby.  2 really yummy ones:

Mexican Stuffed Shells found here:

 and Hawaiian BBQ Chicken found here:

And there are some amazing cookies & desserts I am trying this week.  SO much good stuff!

So the verdict on Pinterest? If you don't want to get sucked into something of hours at a time, don't sign up.

But if you want creative ways to store hot wheels cars, dinner inspiration, how to tie your scarves a new way, an easy discipline method, and so on.....dive right in head first!  I'll even invite ya to join! And if I am not yet following your boards, let me know - I want to see what is inspiring you!

I'm sharing this post over at Shawn & Impulsive Addict's Talk to us Tuesday.  JOin in the fun with a post about ANYTHING you want to talk about - look at me, I wrote an entire post on Pinterest and y'all read it!! :))

Guess What's At the Top of My Christmas List this Year?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of LG DoublePlay™ for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Santa pictures. North Pole Train rides.  Christmas Caroling.  School Holiday Programs.  So many fun events that everyone in my social network needs to know that I am doing!! kidding.....

I have had so many moments this past season where i wanted to share something with my family in New York or my friends in Oklahoma, only to have my junky phone take a crummy picture or it took forever to upload.  Not anymore.  This past weekend I played with the LG  Doubleplay and it is on the top of my Christmas List!

LG DoublePlay™

The LG Doubleplay has two touch screens and a slide out QWERTY keyboard.  It also has a 5 mega-pixel camera with an HD video camera for all those Christmas moments you want to share.  And you can upload a picture on Facebook and text your hubby to pick up milk on his way home.  As a busy Momma of 3, I am loving the multi-tasking the LG Doubleplay allows me!

Available only at T-Mobile, one of my favorite features are the Cloud Text and Group Text - I can text a picture of my baby singing at his school program to all 7 Aunts & Uncles at the same time.  With more than a 1000 texts a month, I will love this fun way to communicate with everyone.  What?  Don't judge - how many texts do you go through in a month???

And don't get me started on the Facebook - this phone would make it so much easier to play around on my Social Networks - I am seriously looking forward to updating my status and emailing my grandma at the same time!  How much more fun could you have with the LG Doubleplay?

Go try it out - I am betting it will be at the top of your Christmas List too!!

George's 2nd Week at the Darlings

George had some fun this week....making messes and playing each night.  Good thing he always cleans up after himself!!

 Even the kids are not allowed to get into my Christmas Candy display!!  

 Every little Elf has a whole lot of Joy, right??

 He really enjoyed hanging around this day.

 We were all amazed that we didn't hear George going for a spin around the tree - this train whistles!!

 Elf Fuel!!  One of the 4 main food groups, right?

 Tuesday found George keeping an eye on the kid's playroom.  What does the sign say?

Surprise, Surprise...the kids all helped clean it up that afternoon!  Thanks George!

 George hung out with Stella today - a gentle reminder to Sis that her cage needed cleaning.  George was on a roll!!

 George gathered all his Christmas friends for a good & long discussion.

What a fun week with George.  He's helping to keep the kids in line and making them smile each morning!