Tuesday, December 15, 2009

What mom wants for Christmas...

Neils has shared the story that when he was a little boy that anytime he'd ask his dad what he wanted for Christmas, his birthday, etc. his answer was always, "obedient children."  As a child I can imagine that was probably a sad, not so exciting answer to hear from a dad.  As a mother, I think it's funny.  Yesterday, I was sitting in my chair talking on the phone with my friend Suzanne.  Sky came over and asked me, "Mom, what do you want for Christmas?"  Without a thought, my answer was... "Obedient children."  Sky rolled her eyes and walked off without another word.  A few minutes later, I was handed this piece of paper...

Later that day, and even better I was in doing laundry.  I came out and none of the kids were downstairs.  I called for them, Sky, Jett, Brooke... what are you doing?  I didn't hear anything.  I went upstairs to find all three of them had worked to make my bed and Sky had taped this picture up on my bedroom wall.  I think I've got exactly what I want for Christmas this year, "Obedient children!" 
At least for the moment! :)


Monday, December 7, 2009

All I want for Christmas...

This year, like every year, we went to The Festival of Trees with the Smart side of the family.  I look forward to this day like no other.  There is something magical about this place.  It gets me into Christmas like nothing else (okay well, maybe my snowberry Scentsy does quite a bit).  I love that the money goes to help Primary Children's Hospital.  I love the lights, the trees, the Kids Korner, seeing Santa and taking a family picture with him, the cinnamon rolls, the scones, and most of all, that it's a family tradition!  I have always made sure I had shirts for my kids to wear in Christmas colors and that my girls had bright, big bows to wear.  This year, at the last second, I decided to make my girls their shirts.  I decided at 11:00pm on Friday night.  I stayed up til 2:30am sewing them together and Saturday morning I put the elastic in them.  I was so excited and for me it was worth staying up late and getting little sleep to make them.
So, I took lots of pictures, but this one is my favorite.  It's my three kids extremely happy to see Santa, sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas.  In years past, there has always been one of the kids deathly afraid of him, but not this year.  That's all they could talk about all week was what they were going to tell Santa.
Sky: wants a Hello Kitty gumball machine
Jett: wants a PRETEND PSP cause he's not old enough to have a REAL one, so just get him a PRETEND one.
Brooke: just nods yes if you ask her if she wants something.  A baby doll?  She nods.  But when I asked her what she asked Santa for, she said, "candy."  :)
It's going to be a fun Christmas.  I love being Santa.
Click HERE to see the gallery of pictures from The Festival of Trees.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

YEAH!!! I did it this year!!!

No wonder I didn't do this last year, it was an entire process.  First I had to buy outfits, then I had to figure out when and where we'd do our family pictures, then I had to design my card, order it and now it's time to mail them.  I'm pretty excited.  Can you tell?  I don't know if I have everyone's current address.  If you have moved recently, will you please email me your current address so I can be sure to send you one.  Here's a sneak peak without revealing them completely!!!  Gosh, I'm sick.  I'm a little too excited about this.  Maybe, it's because like sewing dresses with a pattern a week ago, I've never done this, I've never "designed" a card.  In the past I did the standard order from Costco!  So this is new and super fun!