We’ve had our tree up for a few weeks now, but didn’t finish putting all the ornaments up until late last week. I usually have some sort of color theme/scheme for our tree (duh…doesn’t everyone?).

We’ve had some kiddie craft sessions and so can you guess what our theme is this year? Why, YUP, it is Kiddie themed. We decorated it with their foam craft ornament creations and accented it using some old red ball ornaments, snowflakes and icicles I’ve used pretty much every year since I moved out of my parents’ house in 2002. You’ll also see their “first year” ornaments and some Dora and Rudolph ornaments. Couldn’t find Frosty ones

I present to you, our CHRISTMAS TREE v.2009

I, actually, really, really, really, REALLY like it It’s fun, festive and showcases the girls’ creativity! At first, I thought of getting a small tree for them and then still keep a more fancy-schmancy theme on our regular tree, but really? We have no room for a smaller tree and besides, I really like it (did I say that already?). I think this is the best tree we’ve ever had! Great job to my girls, cousin T and Auntie Chris from TX who was took some time out of her schedule to help craft w/the girls!

Here are some close-ups of their creations…Santa by Razz & Mommy; Rudolph by Beans & Mommy; Yellow ornament by Beans:

Red by Beans; Yellow by Razz; Green by Beans; Yellow Ball w/sequins by my 14 yo SD (and an old icicle that’s been with us forever):

Here’s the set-up. pDaddy actually did the putting up of the tree this year – by HIMSELF! BIG Round of APPLAUSE, please lol I was feeling exhausted so he actually done did it all by his lonesome…

LOVE this pic of Razz (and yes, she’s obsessed w/her tutu):

Putting up and then staring at their works of art:

Yes, my 1st round of decorators did an A-OK job :

And here’s just me w/the girls:

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To see more Wordful Wednesday entries, check out Angie’s Blog and 5 Minutes for Mom

I need one. Or maybe I should have titled this “A Lesson in Presentation” instead?

pDaddy’s really the chef around here and cooks most of our dinners during the week. Yes, I know I’m a lucky gal There are times when I get into a cooking whim and I go and make things I learned from Mommy Dearest or even venture out on new recipes I find via the internet or PDub’s Cookbook (which was given to me by the ever so thoughtful, MissZoot, for donating to her TnT efforts…go ahead go, read and donate, I’ll be here when you get back ).

So welcome back…Where was I? Oh yes, the food turns out great and it tastes yummy – as everyone says…Of course, they could just be being polite, but I digress. Anyway, they say it tastes great, but I need a lesson in presentation. The food is good once it’s eaten, but it doesn’t necessarily look yummy.

A couple of weekends ago, I cooked a feast fit for Thanksgiving – sans Turkey. Why? Well, my SIL and her fam were headed back to TX on Monday after a 3 week visit and it was their last weekend here. We were going to go out to eat, but forecast was snow and we decided it was best to stay in. On the menu? Siomai (pork & shrimp dumpling type things), Nilaga (filipino soup), Asian Beef in the crockpot and Baked Salmon w/mayo and tomatoes.

EVERYTHING turned out YUM! But again, not so appetizing looking…

These right here are the Steamed Pork & Shrimp Shumai. I must have steamed these puppies too long b/c the wrapper wasn’t sticking. Then again, I think I just realized that I doubled the recipe, but didn’t double the egg…hmmm…that could be it too. Maybe that missing egg was what I needed to hold everything in place.

Over here is the Baked Salmon w/mayo and tomatoes. I took the foil off too early so the mayo looks all burnt, but it was still YUM and was all gone (I had 2 trays of this, by the way).

This is Beef Nilaga w/beef bone marrow (so not healthy)…This is a staple Filipino soup and is even more yum during the cold winter months.

I also need to get nicer serving dishes, tablecloths, serving spoons, etc… I just don’t have the space to store it all (our basement isn’t finished and I would hate to have to go up and down to get what I need, but maybe that’s what it takes). Then again, we don’t have the spare cash to get nice ones anyway…ah such is life…Still, note to self: bigger kitchen w/lots of cabinets for our next house – whereever it may be.

On a separate day, but keeping with the subject, I made Prairie Moons (pDub’s cookbook calls them “Egg in a Hole”). I have been making these for years now, but still can’t make them look pretty. Maybe I have the burner on too high? Maybe I need new pans?

Well, hot damn, now I’m hungry. Think I want me some of that Beef Nilaga soup to warm up…Girls are a bit under the weather and soup is good for them…Too bad our freezer is looking pathetic. Do I even have all ingredients for this – namely the beef? lol Actually, I wish we still had leftovers! That was good food and I need to just remember to make it look good for next time

Perfect timing for this post b/c I finally am participating in the YOU CAPTURE challenge again. This week’s theme? TELL YOUR HAPPY STORY. The Holidays, of course, make me happy (for the most part), but I will not let Razz’ Potty Training get overshadowed any longer!

We got Razz a potty over the summer, but Razz was always scared to go potty for some reason or another. She would sit, but needed her diapie on. Then, there were days she just wouldn’t deal with it. Here was where I tried back on 10/21/2009 – short lived!

pDaddy started seriously potty training Razz on Saturday, November 7. He was downstairs with the girls while I continued the “Great Cleanup of 2009″ upstairs. He let Razz go around w/no diapies, no undies, no pants. He’s brave that hubby of mine! Good thing we have only rugs and hardwood floors (I think I would freak out if we had wall to wall carpeting).

She was a big ‘ol mess, as expected, the first day. A few more accidents on Day 2 and 3. But, by the 4th day, she was PERFECT!

She still has a few accidents here and there. I think she went 5 days with being perfect, then had a couple of mishaps. Then perfect again for a few more days and then another mishap. Still, she’s doing well and has to have been the earliest potty trained kid I know of. She was at 2 years and 2 months when she hit her first few days of perfection

Here she is on 11/14/2009 – 1 week after (sorry it’s blurry!):

The other night, she did have some accidents – mainly happens when she can’t get her pants down fast enough (and she won’t always ask for help – Lil Miss Independent that she is) or when she’s really distracted (aka EVERYONE around on Thanksgiving), but she’s done did good

So PROUD of my lil’ RAZZcal

PS – I’ve been meaning to post this for so long, but feared I might jinx her progress. I’m still scared it might, but whatevs, she deserves her recognition!

To see more Wordful Wednesday participants, check out Angie’s Blog.
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Not only did I pick up some new toys for myself while Black Friday shopping, I got some goodies for the girls too!

Here they are busy making some foam ornaments the past couple of days…I think we have some future scrapbookers in the making…

Monday night, their cousin and Aunt from Texas joined in on the fun:

While I wrapped some presents:

And here’s more from yesterday!

The NOT so fun part of craft time? Cleaning up the mess! But it’s all good I don’t mind…the girls get to be all creative and busy

Here are their finished works of art Glitter Glue is still drying on some…

These are going to be give aways to their Grandparents and Beans’ TKD Instructors…
Let me take this moment to share the fact that Razz (the 2 year old) doesn’t like being helped! Lil’ Miss Independent!!!

PS – Glitter Glue + Girls = Ginormous tubs of fun and mess! lol

PPS – Guess they got tired…They started playing “camping” under the table…heheh

PPPS – Scratch that, they got out from under the table and asked me to help them make more “decorations” (aka ornaments in their speak).

I used to LOVE scrapbooking! It got expensive and messy, but I loved it. Then, Beans became mobile and would try to get her hands into everything – paper, stamps, die cut tools, embossing gun, etc. I had to pack up all my scrapbooking stuff and vowed to return to it another day. pDaddy was a happy camper because it cleared up our dining room, but there was always that part of me which missed that crazy mess!

I held 2 scrap parties – 1 before Beans’ 1st Birthday and another before Razz’ 1st Birthday. Razz’ session was at my parents’ house since they had more room. I asked everyone to pick pictures from our piles and create pages for the girls. We showcased them at each of their 1st Birthday Parties. Razz’ party was in September of 2008…All my stuff is still @ my parents’ house and it has now been in their attic for a few months.

I want to revive my scrappy-self so I’m thinking of having a get together at their house at least once a month. With these new toys, I mean tools, I’m determined even moreso to get it going! Plus, I’m thinking of making our own Christmas cards this year, though I don’t think I’ll have the time to make them all. Maybe for our close family and friends?

Anyway, without further ado, let me introduce you to my new toys:

Cricut - was advertised on sale for $99.99 at Michael’s. You scrappers out there know it usually retails for over $150. It rang up for $69.99! I have to admit, I’m not all familiar with this, but have seen some demos online and just love all the endless possiblities it can bring to scrapbooking/cardmaking!

Xyron – 50% off at AC Moore. I think it ended up being around $27.99? Less than $30, I know that much! I’ve been wanting this for the longest time, but it was pricey and whenever it went on sale, I was on my scrapping hiatus. So, I kept pushing off buying it. How awesome to just have all those diecuts and make them into stickers! Saves so much time w/having to glue or glue dot or what have you! This model even lets you create magnets or laminate!

Sizzix Texture Boutique – $30 @ Michael’s plus a discount for Black Friday. I actually never heard of this until I saw the ad, but it was the first one out of the box and I already LOVE it!

Aren’t these beautiful??? And I haven’t even accentuated or embellished them yet!

So, my waking up before the crack of dawn for Black Friday shopping consisted more of stuff for me (and stuff for our house) instead of buying others’ Christmas presents. But, you know what? I think I’m ok with that. I’ve only started spoiling myself these past couple of months. I think I was overdue That’s it for awhile though…I need to really shop for others’ now. I did get my nieces and nephews all their presents so they’re set. It’s just our Secret Santa present, our parents’ presents, some friends and of course, pDaddy & the girls.