Christmas Recap

I have to hand it to all you fabulous bloggers that were able to scribble out some thoughts and get posts up during this holiday season. I just couldn't. Between baby kicks, Toddler tantrums, gift wrapping and family visits any extra second I grabbed involved my bed and my pillow. But that is just one pregnant gals way to cope with the hustle and bustle of the holiday! I did enjoy reading your posts between naps.



Now that 2011 has sped its way in to our lives, I thought I would just give you an update to what a wonderful Christmas season we had, between naps of course! Baby DIVA warmly welcomed Santa claus into her life this year. She was ever so thrilled to learn that her great behavior in 2010 rewarded her with a small toy store under her Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

After Santa dropped by!

After opening everything from Santa!

It really is an AMAZING feeling being a parent of Christmas morning. Far much better than being the child. I am still glowing at watching my child live the magic and knowing how excited she feels. I LOVE IT!!!!

H4L and Baby DIVA on Christmas morning

Momma, Critter2 and Baby DIVA on Christmas morning

Saying Farewell to the (chocolate) advent.

Case of the missing cookies

What does one do when they bake 2 dozen sugar cookies to use when making melted snowman cookies for Christmas, only to discover this when returning to fetch said cookies for decorating???

Ooops. Guess I should have decorated immediately instead of waiting a day. H4L and Baby DIVA found my stash!

So instead I made Oreo Truffles and Peanut Butter Balls. YUM!!

Step one: Balls are formed

Step 2: Dunk balls in chocolate and harden in fridge

Step 3: Admire and consume!

Merry Christmas Eve! Enjoy spending SWEET time with you loved ones while stuffing yourself with SWEETS!!

Christmas crafting...again

We are still at it. Christmas Crafting some more with Baby DIVA. Nothing fancy. Just fun stuff. And if you have ever crafted with a tot, you know it's a fun experience just in itself!

Here we have a handprint/footprint reindeer. Took us a while. Baby DIVA kind of ADD'd on me. First we traced her hands and feet. She thought it was cool but lost interest during the cutting phase. But was back and ready to rock and roll when she spied the glue and momma letting her use it.

Some more ADD moments can be seen here in this Santa. We started it and Yep Baby DIVA has showed no interest in finsihing. That is okay though. That is the fun of crafting with toddler right? Maybe we will finish it next year! LOL

And this one I can not take credit for. But I really wanted to share it with you. My friend Jamie of Love to Shop Mom, surprised Baby DIVA with this adorable Chritmas crafting shirt. Too dang cute huh?

Santa's Wonderland

This last weekend we took Baby DIVA on an adventure to a local holiday hot spot. Santa's Wonderland is a multi acre drive thru Christmas light spectacular coupled with a festival like atmosphere. Not only are there lights galore, but a cute little Santa town with all kinds of snacks and a few gift shops. There is even a fabulous little cook-your-own hot dogs and smores area for the kiddos, of all ages of course. And all of this is done while listening to live music, really bringing the magical season to life.

You can captivate your childs imagination by engaging them via hayride or Carriage ride through the amazing lighted drive across the park. Leaping reindeer, rivers of blue water, nativity scenes, santa, chipmunks, you-name-it, can be found in this forrest of lights. It really is an amazing spectacle.

Baby DIVA was not too impressed with waiting in the line to board our fabulous hayride. However, once we started on our adventure through the rainbow arch of thousands of lights, she woke up, smiled and the magic of the seaon caught her. A hit to be repeated for years to come!

12 days of Christmas

In hopes to keep Baby DIVA entertained during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season as well as to keep her from noticing we don't hit the park too often because it is a tad chilly, I have been trying to come up with fun crafty things to do indoors to peak her attention. Now we all know a 2 year old is going to have the attention span of OH about 30 seconds, so these are quick projects, nonetheless I find myself finishing them alone while she runs off to get into something she is not supposed to. AHH the life of a mom with a toddler.

Yesterday we completed our 12 days of Christmas project for this year. Simple really. I traced Baby DIVA's hand onto green paper and then cut out a bunch of her prints. We then took her hands and constructed a Christmas tree from them. I also cut out a few pink and blue ball ornaments and red candy canes and a single large yellow star from construction paper for the tree topper. Simple. Easy. She was entertained for a whole 2 minutes. It was grand!

We hung our masterpiece by the fireplace. It looks quite cute. Now come December 13, we will begin to place a construction paper present under the tree, one each day, for the 12 days of Christmas. An advent calendar of sorts. A craft that keeps on going. A little something fun for my Baby DIVA to do every day between now and Christmas.

Local Christmas Bash

Map of the shindig!

This last weekend H4l, Baby DIVA, and myself (and Critter 2) had the privilege of attending an invitation only Christmas party. OHHHHH, aren't we fancy. Its the hair I tell you! Pink Hair makes cool things happen.

But seriously, we attended the annual Christmas party of a local lawyer , Mr. Lanier. Every year this gentleman throws a family friendly event that is catered at bringing joy and laughter to kids. And this year was no exception. It was amazing. We joined a few thousand of Mr. Laniers closest friends ( see we ain't that fancy) and enjoyed riding a carousel, Ferris wheel, a petting zoo, a bazillion different bounce houses, eating cotton candy, multiple train rides and so much more. Unbelievable. All at no cost and all on the personal property of Mr. Lanier.

Baby DIVA playing games

One goofy kid!

From the moment we entered the gates of Mr. Laniers property until the special shuttle bus drove us away, we had nothing but fun. Baby DIVA had so much fun she stumbled her way back to the bus. Literally the girl was so tired and giggly she tripped over her own feet time and time again. But she was not going to let go of her giant lollipop. (see below)

And yes we are now the proud owners of a pink giantic lollipop!

Oh and did I mention STING was the guest performer and we enjoyed a free concert up close and personal? (okay we fancy again!) Looking quite forward to receiving my invite next year!!

H4L and Baby DIVA and the spiffy Ferris Wheel

Bouncin'

Momma and Baby DIVA (looking over my shoulder at something fun!)

Santa video and Santa letter for FREE

I am sure you have heard about the Free video letter from Santa Claus. It has been all over the blogosphere the last week or so. And let me tell it it is adorable. I made one for Baby DIVA and one for her bestie and they both just fell in love with the old dude and watched the video over and over. But true to any novelty my 2 year old lost interest and moved on leaving me to watch the video over and over again all alone.

And that is when I found a website offering Free letters from Santa Claus. Yeppers. A personalized letter from The jolly old Santa himself just for my kiddo. The website offers you a choice of printing the letter out at home, or having one mailed to you. I opted for the print option myself and have an adorable letter from Santa for Baby DIVA. There are multiple styles to choose from as well. And several different wording options too. I had a blast personalizing this letter for Baby DIVA and although she can not read right now, I am quite sure she will enjoy looking back on this letter and reading it to herself in years to come just as much has she enjoys hearing me read it to her now.

So if you want to add it alittle extra fun to the holidays for your kiddos, scoot over there and design them a Santa video and/or Santa letter! Too cute! And best of all FREE!!!!

Fabulous gift finds

JC Penny is having a fabulous sale and there are several codes out there that make this marvelous sale that much better. I just had to share my good fortune with my readers in hopes they too can snag some goodies for all those tots in our lives.

I managed to get a play kitchen, Shopping cart with food, play laundry center , child's desktop computer, and a 10-1 activity learning cart (a gift for KDude), all shipped to me for a total of $60!!! That is it. Baby DIVA is going to wake up Christmas morning to a fabulous find under her tree!!

And with the savings I just might get to have a little comething from Santa for me this year too!

Here is the code I used 4RELVES. Good luck!

Holiday MAGIC

Thanksgiving came and went. And we all know what that means! Despite the retail industry trying to force us to accept some Holiday cheer 4 months before the old jolly guy comes down for a visit; it is NOW officially time to get our Christmas on!

For me, I simply must deck the house in Christmas the weekend following Thanksgiving. I do not care what my plans are. What is on our schedule. It WILL happen. Even if it means decorations go up at 3 in the morning. Christmas will magically appear the weekend after Turkey Day Dammit!

And I did. H4L was kind enough to scamper up the attic ladder and bring down my zillion boxes of Christmas décor. I emphasize the number here, as H4L noticeably mentioned to me how he carried each box down. Love yah Hun! Sorry but the belly prevents me from doing any strenuous activity. (Side note: Someone toss me an excuse for next year). Once the boxes were down, I began to rummage through them finding all sorts of treasures that I forgot about over the last 11 months. Ahhh it was just like Christmas. HA!

While Baby DIVA napped ever so sweetly, I turned her castle into Christmas wonderland. The tree went up and was adorned with numerous ornaments that we have collected as a family. Mementoes from previous vacations, Baby first Christmas, Wedding memories, and even little hand and footprint ornaments from Baby DIVA made right after she was born. Yes hormones kicked in and I had myself a little cry while hanging ornaments. Isn’t that why we have these ornaments?

After the tree went up I carried on the Christmas magic to all other areas of the house. The mantle now houses the old familiar Christmas frogs, the kitchen is covered in gingerbread men and nutcrackers, and the guest bathroom screams winter as it is decked out in snowmen galore. Gorgeous. Wonderful. Christmas!

Now in, oh about 3 ½ weeks I will be itching to put up as this “clutter”. Funny how that happens huh?

Baby DIVA broke my camera so you will have to settle for a camera phone pic. Enjoy. HINT TO SANTA!!! I need a camera!

Must do's for December

December is almost here. It is time to race around like the world is coming to and end and get everything done. Never mind we have spent the last 12 months sitting on our asses watching re runs of House all weekend. NOW though, we are just so busy and must get things done. No more butt sitting. Must be jammed packed from this point on!

Okay so perhaps I am over exaggerating a bit. But seriously, have you ever noticed how "busy" we all become during the month of December? Each year I feel that no matter how prepared we are there is still the hustle and bustle and constant "stress" of the month to get everything done. Make sure all the sights are seen and pcitures taken to document the season. I recently was checking out our family calendar while trying to schedule lunch with a friend and caught myself saying, "Well you know I am really booked up, What do you have available in January"". REALLY?? How the heck did that happen? I am a SAHM, and don't get me wrong it is a double full time gig, but really how did my schedule get so backed up.

Then I looked into this problem a little deeper. What exactly is it that we are so" busy" doing? Here is the rundown. Now take notes locals, you might need to fill your calender too! Some of these things are just too good not to stuff on your schedule!!

City of Katy Tree lighting
December 2 at 5pm Katy Heritage park.

Lanier Xmas party December 5: and invitation only bash thrown by a local lawyer. Complete with an invitation that came via Ferris wheel! This will be our first attendance to the bash and I am actually looking forward to it. An alcohol free family event with guest performer Sting. Sounds fun to me!

The Cottage Charm A wonderful little spectacle we discovered last year. Local christian ministries team up and provide a wonderful display of dancing lights themed to wonderful music all while running a food drive to help those in need. WE took many cans of food last year and enjoyed the show so much. It is free, just if you can spare it please donate some can goods and take your family out to see spectacular dancing lights. Runs 6pm to 11pm every night throughout the holiday season

La Centerra offers visits and pictures with Santa every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of December. Cost is free. But remember to bring your own camera if you want those pictures. We took Baby DIVA last year and were delighted to find out Santa also provided breakfast prepared by Mrs. Claus who also makes her appearance. We look forward to visiting again this year.

Houston Area Mommies in addition to our regularly scheduled play dates and mom events, HAM will also be hosting some fabulous Holiday events/parties for the moms, tots, and family. Such a great community to be involved in.

Other things we have going on this month include Baby DIVA's 2 year checkup! WOWSERS. Numerous Birthday parties, Uncle Diamonds Graduation: complete with a trip to Paris!, and of course TONS of holiday baking! It is a very busy month but I am looking quite forward to it all! Maybe not all MUST HAVE to do's but majority of it is fun anyway. Maybe a nice hot cocoa and a snuggle with Baby DIVA on the couch watching Backyardigan re runs instead of House re runs might need to be added to schedule too!

What are your plans this season?

I will send out (Free) Christmas cards! And YOU can too!

Christmas is right around the corner. *insert panicked scream here* Are you ready? We are here in Pink Haired momma land, for the most part. Gifts have been carefully selected throughout the year and discounted prices, of course, and tucked away for this grand event we all look so forward to each year.

The last couple of years H4L and I have not done Christmas cards. shame on us. But here is why. The first year Baby DIVA was due to make her grand entrance into the world on Christmas day, but surprised us by dropping in early on Thanksgiving. Between unplanned contractions and learning to change diapers our Christmas cards got lost in the diaper genie shuffle. Then we move on to last year. We got married on Halloween in Las Vegas, had a hometown reception 7 days later, Baby DIVA's FIRST birthday party was 2 weeks after that and POOF I got the swine flu. Again Christmas cards got lost in the tissue and Nettie pot shuffle.

So this year, before we grow from a family of 3 to a Family of 4, I am desperate to send out Christmas Cards , to get us back on track to spreading some holiday cheer to our friends and family. Enter Shutterfly . Right now they are offering a fabulous little gig for bloggers. Spread the word about how great they are, because you know they are, we all use them, and you get 50 free Christmas cards! How awesome is that? So here I am spreading the word and waiting on my 50 free Christmas cards! With the amazing variety that Shutterfly offers in Photo greeting Cards and the ability to Upload my own pictures, I am quite sure I will knock the socks off all my friends and family this year, not only because I am actually getting my Christmas cards mailed, but because they are absolutely FABULOUS!

Holiday Recap

So how did your Christmas holiday stack up? Was it everything you expected? More? Less? Any surprises?

Well our first Christmas as a married couple with the most beautiful Baby DIVA ever turned out fabulous and seemed to have been pulled off without a hitch. I cooked like a mad crazy elf all night Wednesday night and Thursday morning. In between spins on the kitchen aid mixer and bursts of heat from the opening of the oven, I whirled around the house with the vacuum and scrub brush. By 4pm Christmas Eve the house was sparkling, (my floors are white tile, who'd thunk it? SURPRISE) and filled with the aroma of freshly baked Pear bread, green bean casserole and kids full of Santa anticipation. Our Family and friends trickled in with an abundance of warmth and giggles and a few treasured boxes adorned in fabulous paper with that precious name of BABY DIVA sprinkled all over the great wrapping, and dined on some yummy foods and treats and Sweet Tea Vodka and a bit of Egg nog, tainted of course. Sweet Tea Vodka and tainted Nog, Man LIFE IS SWEET!!! Laughter and love radiated throughout our home. Baby DIVA entertained us all with her fabulous new speed walking skills and her alpha personality over the "big" kids. Exhausted and tipsy and sweating like a pig, I loved every second of our family togetherness.

The day of course whipped by in the blink of an eye. Before I knew it Baby DIVA was fussy pants and ready to take her FEA BEA and call it a night. An attempt to interest her in the Christmas tree and a few opening of gifts were attempted and squashed. She was DONE, and off she went to lala land, I assume because she knew SANTA was arriving with the quickness. With Baby DIVA lulabyed and tucked under her blanket snuggled up close to FEA BEA, the rest of us exchanged gifts. H4L presented me with the GIANT Cupcake pan I have been lusting after for some time, but refused to buy myself. Could it be that my butt was telling that pan to stay clear of the buggy while i strolled through target, possibly, because 1 large cupcake will end up on 1 large ass cheek of mine in no time. Nonetheless I am thrilled to pieces to finally have this fabulous Kitchen essential and as soon as someone gets in my kitchen and makes it sparkly and clean again after this Christmas event, I just might make a GIANT cupcake. And possibly share it with Baby DIVA and H4L.

Baby DIVA scored very nice this year with Santa and her fan club. Grandma's and Grandpa's galore provided her with a fabulous and lush Christmas collection. We definately need a new bbigger home to accomadate the "entertainment" collection we now have for Baby DIVA. Playroom needed STAT!!

Christmas morning found this Pink Haired Momma a tad bit exhausted and unable to make beautiful fantastic treats from the kitchen. A mug of Nog in hand and H4L and I relished in the thrill of Baby DIVA experiencing her first "real" Christmas. (Last year at 4 weeks old she could have cared less about her wrapped goodies) Baby DIVA took a moment to warm up and then she was OFF, tearing and ripping and looking to find what Santa and Grandma had brought for her to enjoy. **Beware sentimental thought coming** Being a parent and watching your child at Christmas is the most amazing feeling in the world. I have NEVER had such a wonderful Christmas as I had this year watching the happiness in my child. Breathtaking!

Christmas Day afternoon found the Pink Haired Momma clan loaded up in their new ride and cruising over to some more family Christmas time! With a brief hunt for an open store for a Red Bull stop of course!! One thing about parenthood that I learned this year is that all the assembly of goodies from Santa's visit, late after all your guests have left and then followed by an early morning wake-up isn't the greatest fun! This kind of exhaustion must be combated by more than a cup of coffee and Nog! This second day of family visits brought Pink Haired Momma and 3 of her brothers back under the same roof for the first time in many, many, many years. It is quite amazing what age and babies can do for a family! Baby DIVA even had the opportunity to take a ride on the same swing that I used to swing on when I was about her age. It was a priceless and beautiful day!!

So I am now off to enjoy the company of my happy family of 3. The kitchen will stay yucky, the laundry will not get folded and I am okay with that. I am totally digging the warm and happy family time in the Pink Haired Momma house!!! Oh and in just a few days, 6 to be exact, I will be advancing in age. Leaving the fabulous year of 30 and entering the scary year of 31. What a grand way to start out the New Year! Enjoy the rest of your holiday!

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

We are hosting Christmas Eve at our Casa this year, the first time EVER for our two families to celebrate the season together. Nerve Racking. Nah! Just going bald over here and sweating myself thin!
Anyway I have been a cleaning, cooking, Christmas Elf of a fool the last few days. And not to give away too many secrets for my guests who shall start arriving on...well TOMORROW, a preview...

The cutest SCREAMING Baby DIVA with Santa EVER will greet you at the door

And that same Baby DIVA will show you to her first EVER Gingerbread house, Baby DIVA spread the white icing on the pan!!!

*Please note songbook in background. Dysfunctional Family Christmas Songbook, to be sung in great harmony after many bottles of egg nog or something!

After the Gingerbread tour you will be led by Baby DIVA to the fun and exciting first course of appetizers, Penguin Cream Cheese Wonderland!!!

Now if that doesn't just make you wanna rush on over to Pink Haired Momma's for Christmas, nothing will!!

Oh and Look what my H4L got US for Christmas!!! SURPRISE!!!

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! I hope your days are blessed and full of love and laughter and lots of the NOG!!! Happy Chistmakwanzakuh!!!

Christmas Breakfast

Last year on Christmas morning, H4L and shared the joy and magic of gazing at our beautiful bundle of joy, Baby DIVA and her fabulous exactly 4 week old little self. We basked in the glory and happiness that she was healthy and thriving despite being born exactly a month before she was due, Yep you read that correct. Baby DIVA was in fact scheduled to make her big debut on Christmas Day, however she arrived in the nick of time for turkey day instead.

Christmas morning brought us 3 hour feedings, lots of dirty diapers, and two stumbling adults still trying to piece together how parenting a newborn works. This year things are quite different. We have a toddler, not a newborn infant. The tree is up and the house has been thrown up upon by all the crazy Christmas decor. The gifts are all wrapped and snug under the tree. The stockings are hung and ready to be filled. Santa has made contact and assured us that the assembled toys (got to love that frustration free packing) will be nestled precisely under the tree upon the waking of Baby DIVA on Christmas morning. There is just one little tid bit of final formalities we need to firm up.

H4L and I are trying to pick out a traditional food we will devour on Christmas morning. H4L is quite partial to French Toast, so I have found several routes for this feat. Here are the 3 choices:

Haitian French Toast
Overnight French Toast
Overnight Apple French Toast

I now ask for your opinion on which route we should go. I would also love to hear about you. Do you eat a certain something special on Christmas morning? Why do you eat it? Is there a story behind your yummies or are you like H4L and I, and you and your family just chose something delicious to devour on this magical morning?

Boppin into Christmas

One of the great things about planning ahead and being on a budget, is that by December all your Christmas shopping is complete. All the gifts are wrapped under the tree. No crazy running around needs to be done. You can just sit back and enjoy the weekends as Christmas approaches and savor the fabulous family moments. These, before Christmas weekends can be spent doing FUN family stuff instead of crazed madness to prepare for the upcoming holiday. I am thrilled about this. Being around my H4L and Baby DIVA and experiencing fun, exciting and Christmasy outings and events and spirit boosters is so much better than Christmas panic!

So, last night H4L and I loaded up in the old family car with our bundled up Baby DIVA (because yes even though we are in the hottest state in the country, we are still quite cold from our mini blizzard on Friday. Still in shock and awe from this festive event!). 4 layers on Baby DIVA and a hot heater blowing in the car, 15 minute car ride and some screams of pure heat exhaustion later, we pulled up to the Cottage Charm. Cottage Charm is a fabulous dancing lights display. I know you have all seen the wondrous house that has swept the nation over the last few years with its dancing lights to the musical sensation of trans Siberian orchestra. Well the Cottage charm is the same idea, on a slightly smaller scale. The Cottage Charm is a free event and runs every 15 minutes from 6pm to 11pm 7 days a week during the holiday season. They invite you to bring non perishable canned goods that can be utilized in the local food bank. So that's what we did. We packed up some cans of baby formula and other canned goods along with our 4 layers of clothes on Baby DIVA, and went out to enjoy the light show. It was so cool. Not very crowded. Quiet. Beautiful lights. We turned on our radio to the requested channel and could hear the music that accompanied the dancing lights! Highly enjoyable family outing!

I am going to share with you some video of the Fabulous Cottage Charm. Just bear in mind that I am a mom, so some Baby screeches blend in well with the cool Christmas sing along music! Oh and a Baby arm or head might pop in the way every now and again. Just adds the fabulous cool factor! You know how it goes!

Christmas barfed on my house

I love the holiday season. I love the warmth that a glowing tree fills our living room with. I love all the snazzy decorations all around town. I love that my entire house looks like Christmas barfed all over it! It is awesome. It is fun. I love that by living in Texas you can often find me shopping about town in flip flops and shorts for those last few stocking stuffers. It is the holiday season! We won't even think or talk about that in just about 3 weeks I will be begging for it to be all over. Come on you know it is true, you will too!

I don't love that the holiday season is pushed upon us WAY to early. I like to wait until after thanksgiving to even think about decorating. Unfortunately I have been looking at Christmas decor in the consumer world for nearly a month now. We also have implemented a very strict "No Christmas" policy until after thanksgiving because of Baby DIVA's birthday. I do not want her to ever feel she has to compete with thanksgiving or Christmas to have her birthday honored. I myself know how it feels to be a holiday baby! I am a New Years Day babe. Therefore the house that was barfed on by Christmas is all packed up and removed before New Years Day in order to separate my birthday from the holiday. I am thankful for my mom for doing this for me and now I will do the same for my daughter.

That being said, thanksgiving is history and we have climbed our way all the way in to December...

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ...

our Christmas tree is up

and the house is covered with holiday cheer!! It is time to crank up the holiday tunes and dance around after a spiked cup of nog to my favorite Christmas jam Run Run Rudolph while we allow Christmas to barf all over the house!!

I have a wee bit of an obsession with these Christmas Frogs! I absolutely Love them. H4L thinks they are a tad bit creepy!

Even our toilet is excited it is Christmas!!