Sneaky Presents

This is one of my favorite Christmas moments.  I just love Christmas Vacation.

Do you have a place where you hide all of your presents?

Do you leave them out right under the tree?

Do you have to change up your spot every year?

Where is the craziest spot you've ever hidden a present?

My Favorite Things!

I've got a great list this year of things you can't live without...

These are Microloft Sheets from Sleep Number.

I got the Sleep Number flier in the mail the other day and it was filled with fluffy goodness on every page.  Since they were having a sale I decided to take advantage and try these babies out.  Pure HEAVEN!  The Mister love love LOVES fleece and I knew he would love these sheets.  I was a bit worried because I am a sweaty sleeper but they breath really well and we were both comfortable.  It was like sleeping in a giant fluffy cloud.  It was so soft and snuggly.  These are a must have!  They put flannel sheets to shame.  Right now at Sleep Number all bedding is buy one get one 50% off and free shipping or you can use this coupon code. 

To Save 30%* off your total purchase from Sleep Number® bedding collection, use coupon code HOLOWN30

I found these babies the other day at Target.  I'm obsessing over minty chocolate lately which you can read about HERE.  These are another must have for the season.  There is nothing like a little peppermint magic to get you in the spirit of Christmas.

For a little bit of stocking fun I found THIS at the Container Store.  I have quite a few art-sy fart-sy kids at my house and this is kickin' it up a notch.  If your kids love drawing then they will love 3-D drawing even more.  I saved the 3-D glasses we got at the last movie we went to so they would have some good glasses to wear while they doodle.  At $6.99-- it makes for a great stocking stuffer.  If you need more ideas The Container Store has lots of fun gadgets for everyone on your list.

The Mister has picked out his brother-in-law gift early this year.  He saw this at Tractor Supply (also available at Wal-Greens) and almost split a gut.  The saying on the top says, "Grandpa says, If ya got dry lips, put chicken poop on 'um so you don't lick 'um."  Charming right?  For the jokester in your life, try Chicken Poop Lip Balm.  When the Mister checked out, the lady told him in all seriousness that it was actually really good chap stick.  Good to know, but I doubt this will ever touch anyone's lips just because of the title.

I got my William Sonoma catalog in the mail yesterday and it has so many wonderful things.  This PIE MAKER caught my eye.  Yes, a pie maker!  Doesn't it look so cool?  I can think of about a gazillion things I would make with this.  As my mind wondered-- I started thinking about the potential to use it as a burrito maker.  OK, maybe not burritos but at least chicken pot pie-- right?  Oh the possibilites.  William Sonoma is just rediculously fun.
As for my Christmas list?  Well, I'm wishing for this...                 

NOT THIS...

It would be a dream come true.

Happy Shopping and Merry Christmas. 

If you'd like some ways to show your children the real spirit of Christmas head on over to I Am Momma for her week of CHRISTmas ideas.

Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?

You know your kid is smarter than you when she gives you her Christmas list in a power point presentation with pictures and reasons.  She even added fading and funky moves for her words. She was very serious about this list.  Lets just say it's a Christmas list I will never forget.  I grabbed the slides so you could enjoy it too.  Prepared to be wow-ed.

Circles Circles They're No Fun...

My children have a terrible habit of talking me in circles.  It drives me INSANE!  Let me explain.

Em:  The girl that I play with at recess everyday had on snow pants yesterday and it wasn't even snowy.

Me:  What was her name?

Em:  I don't know.

Me:  You play with this girl everyday and you don't even know her name?  I think it's time you start learning other people's names.

Em:  I don't play with her everyday!  She was wearing snow pants Mom!

Me:  You just said, "The girl I play with everyday came to school with snow pants on."

Em:  No I didn't!

Me:  OK, whatever.  So she was wearing snow pants huh?

Em:  Yeah, it was really weird that the girl I play with everyday was wearing snow pants and it wasn't even snowy.

(blink blink)

Me:  Yeah, really weird buddy....



The annoying part is, he's not the only one who does this to me.  They each do it to me on a consistent basis.  They don't even see that they are doing it.  What the heck?

Boys and Church

Today at church I look over and see that Rugby is drawing a picture of a shark with really big teeth.  I started thinking that it would be so much better if her were drawing a cute little peaceful picture-- you know, cause we're in church and all. 

 So I lean over and say, "You know, those teeth look just like points on a Christmas tree.  Why don't you draw a nice Christmas tree for me?"  He looks at me with a smirk on his face and says sure.  So this is what I got... 

When he saw the look on my face he decided to take it a step further...

Ah, the wonderment of boys and church.  It's a beautiful thing.

Jesus Bugs

A few days ago Zoey was telling me what she learned in school that day.  She told me that her class had watched a movie about different things you might find in the rain forest.  She said the one she remembered the most was about a bug who could walk on the water. 

She said, "They called it the Jesus bug in the movie.  Get it Mom?  You know, cause it could walk on the water just like Jesus." 

I assured her that I did in fact get it. 

Then she says, "But it doesn't look like Jesus at all.  The bug needed long hair, a beard and some robes and then they could call it the Jesus bug." 

I look at her as seriously as I can and say, "Come on Zoey, who would sew the tiny little robes for them?" 

She looks at me with equal seriousness and says, "The bug moms would."

I stand corrected.


Dear Jesus Bugs,

     Your title would be a lot more believable if you could grow some beards, long hair and get your bug mom's to sew you tiny little robes.  Just a thought.

Sincerely,

Zoey and her crazy Mom


OK, I feel a lot better getting that off my chest.  I hope they take that advice to heart.

Brain Barf

In an effort to catch up on several posts that have been swimming through my brain, I'm going to do a quick brain barf to bring you up to speed.

This week my parents officially picked up their things and moved to Utah.  Boo Whaa!  Utah is the black hole that keeps sucking in all of my loved ones.  Stupid Utah!

I have been consoling myself with these chocolaty rectangles of goodness.

I'm planning on giving them away as my holiday treats.  Some people spend all day baking.  Not me.  I prefer not to freak people out with the contents of my kitchen.  I figure it's more comforting to get a treat that is sealed properly in a wrapper than something that may or may not have dog hair in it.  I'm a weirdo-- I know.

Oh and yes, I'm officially a psycho dog owner.  I have been Christmas shopping online.  I'm stumped as far as my family members go.  Seriously.  I've got nothing.  So when I hit the wall, I start shopping for dog stuff.  I've found lots of fun stuff for my furry little friends.  My favorite thing is THIS.  I promise this toy is everything you think it is and more.  My dogs are in heaven.  If you don't believe me just watch this...

Big guy and little guy are highly entertained by this amazing invention.  It's a hands-free way to give your dog some exercise.  I'm a big fan of walking my dogs but sometimes they need a little extra something to work their mind and their bodies.  I used it the other night while I made dinner and they were so pooped-- it was awesome.  The laser show has several different pattern settings, speeds and timers to choose from.  It is super sweet and it goes for $35.  The hand held version is $20. 

My hidden talent is finding really great dog stuff.  Shhhh, don't tell anyone or I'll look like a bigger freak than I already appear to be.

I'll be back tomorrow with a few things you'll never believe my kids said.

Thanks for stopping by.