Let’s not forget about the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us who live in freedom. That’s the real reason we have a day off from work and can get together on a Monday afternoon. And even though we did celebrate the day with friends and family, we did not forget.

Oh, and kudos to a local church for their fantastic flag display, which also afforded me the opportunity to talk about Memorial Day in detail with my kids while in route to Kroger. That was a much better use of time instead of watching a DVD, playing games on my phone, or goodness knows…BICKERING IN THE BACKSEAT!

But ya know what? All those things involve our freedom. The freedom to come and go as we please, to play games, work hard, relax, fish, swim or make the best BBQ in the neighborhood. Let’s just not forget the families who have and who ARE making such a tremendous sacrifice on behalf of this entire nation.

Look at those cuties! My mom got their Easter outfits this year and they both looked so nice. Savannah’s “Cinderella dress” (as she called it) passed the twirl test with flying colors and Emery was so handsome in his little clip on tie.

Just don’t focus too much on his hair. The boy wakes up with serious bed head and usually Jeremy is the one who gets it all back in place. But he was still getting ready for church when I wanted take their picture. A wet washcloth and a soft hair brush later…that’s the best I could do.

Savannah is choosing her own hair styles now. Usually it’s either a braid on one side or pig tails. Some days she prefers them high and in front and others, like this one, low in the back. I’m just glad it’s out of her eyes, which is where she wears it when we’re at home.

The kids had a huge surprise in their Easter baskets this year: Zhu Zhu pets! Here they are racing them down the sidewalk. But that wasn’t the only Easter morning surprise…

I woke up to the sight of 6 deer in our backyard! I don’t know what it is about deer, but I always get so excited when I see them in our yard. I could have sat and watched them all morning.

We actually had a weekend filled with nature! On Saturday we had gone to a friends house to see their new babies. Savannah took a particular liking to the baby chicks.

Emery liked this kid.

We also got to have breakfast that same morning with the Easter Bunny at Bear Hollow Wildlife Center. After eating and having pictures made we walked around the trails and got to see everything from a Bald Eagle to a woodchuck named Gus. It was a fun, busy weekend for sure!

So I am taking the kids to their first ever Valentine’s party on Friday through our homeschool group. I hadn’t put much thought into the cards I’d be getting until I saw an awesome idea on my friend Jodi’s site.

It seemed simple enough (at least until I found 66 kids were attending).

First, take a picture of your child with an outstretched fist. Feel free to mess with said picture in photo editing software if you forget to wipe the dried ravioli off his face before shooting, and then add some text. Print the pictures. Now make 2 little slivers, one above and one below the fist. Slide a lollipop in and secure it on the back with a piece of tape. Then VOILA ~

Cutest valentine’s day cards EVER!

Whoever “they” are. I hope “they’re” right!

Okay, so here it goes: I still have my Christmas decorations up.

Are you as horrified by this as I am??? I mentioned this on Facebook last week and when my sister came by on Monday she looked around my house and said, “I thought you were talking about just your tree. I didn’t realize you still had everything out.”

Yep, that’s right. Stockings still hung by the chimney with care. Tree fully decorated. Lights on the outdoor evergreens and a wreath on my front door. The words “Merry Christmas” spelled out across the mantle.

I haven’t taken down one single item and the wierd part is, I hardly notice it until one of the kids turns the tree on after dinner. But by then I’m too tired to do anything about it. Plus, it looks nice, so why ruin a good thing?

But then I saw this:

My favorite nativity fell victim to the antics of a 4 year old. See baby Jesus off to the left? Leaving the Magi offering gifts to a giant squeaky hamburger. So much for worshipping the new born King.

First, on Sunday was our annual Mother/Daughter Cookie Bake at my parents house. When we got there, my sister was sporting an apron that said “Santa likes my cookies best!”

Let the games begin!!!

While the girls baked, nuked, frosted, and designed our Christmas goodies, the taste-testers played baseball.

(I found Emery a ball bag this summer at a yard sale and he never leaves home without it. Apparently, it’s always a good time to play baseball.)

The next day we took Savannah to The American Girl store for her birthday and on Tuesday I covered my kitchen table with markers, glue glitter, and 24 little wooden ornaments for the kids to decorate and give as gifts.

While they got colored away, I made up several cookie trays to take to friends and family on Wednesday. One of our favorite stops was to see Jeremy’s Grandmother, and also her sister and brother in law. Here is Savannah with Uncle Gerald. It’s a shame we don’t stop by more often. Really. Somebody slap me.

Later on that same day we took a tray of goodies to Emery’s homeschool tutor, Mrs. Browne. He was thrilled to be in a house “WITH 3 BROTHERS MOMMY!” and so I let him play for a while. Well, at least until he came up to me with a bearded dragon and a twinkle in his eye.

Let me assure you, Son…you have a better chance of getting the 1,000 Buzz Lightyears you requested from Santa than one bearded dragon from me!

Microwave Fudge

2 (12 oz) packages MILK chocolate chips
1 can Eagle brand milk
1 stick margarine
chopped nuts (optional)

Mix first 3 ingredients and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir. Cook another 2-3 minutes. Stir until creamy. Add nuts if desired. Pour into buttered 9×9 pan and refrigerate until firm.

It doesn’t get any easier than that People!

You’re welcome!

(For an easy Lasagna recipe…that I can’t wait to try by the way…visit Fiddledeedee.)

Each one had a sheet of purple construction paper and a dark colored marker. Savannah wanted to know how to spell “Clause” and Emery needed me to write out “Buzz Lightyear” so he could copy it.

They were both so proud of their lists when they were finished, I just didn’t have the heart to stuff them into an envelope bound for the post office. So I asked if they’d like to take their lists to Santa in person.

Funny how a possible trip to see the man in red will prompt kids into such good behavior! After a bath and some lunch, we loaded into the car headed for Bass Pro Shop.

There were games to play, pictures to color, and race cars to drive while we waited to see Santa. When it was our turn, they read him their lists and then sat for their picture.

We had so much fun going up there, seeing the lights and listening to Christmas music. I think it’s official. I’m ready for the season to begin!

Thankfully we made it before there was bursting all over the inside of my car!

Savannah was also looking forward to this party with much anticipation. While she has grown up knowing Mary Catherine and Jaca since they were teeny tiny babies, we only see them about once a year. I think it’s cool that even with the distance between them (one lives in London), they just pick up where they left off the last time they saw each other.

And who am I kidding? Another perk of the day…the Easter Candy!!! It wrecked havoc on my diet but was oh-so-worth it! I decided to let my kids eat as much as they wanted instead of trying to monitor it and becoming a Candy Nazi. Besides, the sooner they eat it, the sooner it’s out of my house!

Tomorrow I weigh in for my weekly Shred update. I guess we’ll see how much of an impact Easter weekend had on me. Until then…Happy Birthday Mr. B. We sure enjoyed your party and hope you have a wonderful 65th year!!!!!

Last night was the Kids Choir Christmas performance. Savannah had been a nervous wreck ever since she found out she’d be singing on stage. With a little bribery, her attitude went from “I’m NOT getting up there and YOU can’t make me”, to “okay, all I have to do is try my best and not complain, then I get to spend the night at Nanny’s?”

She seemed fine once she got up in front of everybody with her class. She was kind of in the back, but that was okay. It left plenty of room for all the jumping and dancing she decided to do. (Maybe seeing The Nutcracker the night before had something to do with the impromptu dance moves.) Since she seemed so comfortable I decided to ask her how it was on the stage. “I thought I was going to throw up”, she said.

Emery was the complete opposite. I knew he would be. I just didn’t know the extent he would ham it up. He sang his little heart out, shouting “HI MOMMY!” and waving during the first song. Finishing up the second song grooving with hands on the hips, cue the laughter, which fueled him all the more. The general consensus I heard as we were leaving is “he really stole the show”.

(Those pictures are still on Nanny’s camera.)

Today we had our annual Christmas cookie bake at my mom’s house. After 8 hours, we produced pounds of fudge, decorated sugar cookies, and made candy, cookie bars, truffles, etc. This year Nanny felt Savannah was old enough to really participate in the event, beyond licking spoons and taste testing the final product. She got her very own set of cookie cutters, wooden spoon, and rolling pin.

Emery also got promoted this year. He was allowed to cut potato candy with a butter knife. And anything that involves the use of sharp objects is fun for him. He was on cloud nine!

Now, as bedtime approaches, we are all stuffed! Full of sugar, fat, and calories. Since this is the season of sharing, I think it’s only appropriate to give all our friends and neighbors that same euphoric feeling. I know…you wish you were my neighbor, don’t ya?