valentine's day

I'm skipping around all over the place, but I'm bound and determined to get this blog up to date.

I got my first Valentine a couple days earlier in the mail. Morgan went on a field trip to the post office with her class. I was super happy when this came in a special envelope.

I started Valentine morning by rolling out of bed at 5 a.m. for a workout. I had to make up for the wine and chocolate I would be having later. When I got home I had a sweet surprise from my little family. Cards, an orchid, and breakfast made just for me. The egg in the middle was cooked in a tiara shaped cookie cutter. Michael tried.

Then I had a few presents for the girls. Morgan pulled this lip pop out (think ring pop, but with lips) and just laughed and laughed. This was mid laugh.

I found this popcorn idea on Pinterest. It was super easy and cheap. The girls worked so hard on their Valentines, writing their names and their friend's names on each one. 

And since Addison had about 40 and a her own big box for collecting others, I drove her to school. She's just one of my special Valentine's.

I guess it was convenient for the school for Valentine's to be on a Friday so they could have the dance. Not so convenient for couples who might want to go to dinner. Addison was so excited for her first dance. I volunteered to take her since, you know, I love to cut a rug. 

Michael told Morgan he would take her to dinner anywhere she wanted to go for their special date. And all she wanted to do was go to Wendy's.

 Addison had a great time at the dance. I was shocked to see that the dance was packed and kids were actually dancing. Even Addison! She met up with her friend Riley and they danced the night away. Well, just the hour and half that was the dance. 

Then I posed for a picture with my date. 

Addison invited Riley and her dad to dinner with us. Yep. I had Valentine's dinner with another woman's husband and not my own. It was only awkward when we almost had to sit next to one another in the booth. From the looks of it, Morgan had a great time on her date with Michael. That's a girl happy to have her Wendy's.

Michael and I made up for it the next night when we went to dinner and did a little shopping without kids. I even did my hair.

christmas morning

Gone are the days where we could sleep in and then wake up or the kids. Or at least beat them to the living room. On Christmas morning they were up bright and early, standing at the side of our bed. They were ready to tear open some presents.

Neither one of them was shy this year. 

Addison opened this hair chalk and thought it was the coolest thing. Morgan is bound to love anything with princesses on it.

They tore into the presents so fast that they looked right over their stockings.

The cats got in on the action too. They loved their new toy and literally played with this thing for hours.

 Morgan and her Barbie jumbo jet from Santa. She filled it with her new fairies instead of Barbies.

This is the first year we were at home for Christmas. Meaning, we didn't do go anywhere. It was a little tough for me being the first year not visiting my family, but it was good. The kids got to play with all of their new stuff, we never got out of our pajamas, we cooked a small dinner for us and my dad, and then we all had hot chocolate before bed.

And it wasn't over yet. Tennessee Christmas to come.

cookies for santa

Christmas Eve did not go as planned. First there was the nail in my tire. Then I couldn't remember what time church started so we didn't make it. And since I'm the best mom ever we made cookies for Santa right out the fundraiser pack I bought from Addison's school. Addison totally called me out on it.

I explained to her that Santa just liked cookies. He didn't care how they were made.

That's right. I let the girls eat raw cookie dough. Told you. Best mom ever.

Things got a little crazy. This is what the holidays do to people.

I'm so glad that my Dad is able to be with us each year on Christmas Eve. You don't understand the craziness that goes on in our house until you get to experience it with us. After this cookie experience, I needed a beer as well.

Look at those cookies ready to go in the oven. I worked mighty hard to get those dough balls on the tray.

Addison went outside after bath to sprinkle her reindeer food that she made at school. She wanted to make sure that they found our house.

Then she wrote a note to Santa telling him how much they love him and already thanking him for the presents.

The usual spread for Santa and his helpers. Cookie and milk for the big guy, apples for the reindeer, and cheese for Santa mouse.

I had too super excited little girls who were all ready for bed.

 Santa worked hard that night to get everything ready. Let me just tell you that he was worn out.

what do you do?

What do you do when you load up your car to head home on Christmas Eve and you realize you have a nail in your tire? You get donuts. Donuts always make it better.

Then you share them with Aleyece. Because donuts should be enjoyed by everyone. Especially when they're Hot Now!

the fun(d) run

Addison has this fundraiser at school where they run laps for money. Personally, it's my favorite fundraiser. There is nothing to sell and it doesn't cost a ton of money. Her goal this year was to run 30 laps and raise $120. Just like last year, I made her make all of the phone calls to friends and family. She had to tell them what she was doing and ask them to sponsor her.

Here she is gearing up for the race.

This picture is blurry, but I love it! She was so excited and happy to be running.

 Here she is coming through the line to get her lap marked off.

Getting back into her lap after a water break.

I just love this face so much.

It was typical FL weather this past Thursday morning. The day before was sunny and 75 degrees. The morning of the race it was 48 degrees, windy and overcast. Every child had super red cheeks.

 She met her goal of 30 laps, marked off all 36, and still kept on running.

 I was so proud of her.

Thank you friends and family for sponsoring Addison. She raised a total of $240 and came home with a bunch of neat prizes. And now she's entered into a drawing for a new Kindle. She really does love this race and all of you.