Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year. The kids helped me make cookies this year and did it all with exception of making the dough and icing. They absolutely LOVE projects like that! I only made the sugar cookies and chex mix this year out of need to not have so much in the house (I end up eating most of it, so I feel like I get to make the executive decision on that one)!

It was a very compressed few days of celebrating. We kicked it off going to our Christmas Eve service and then coming home and spreading reindeer food outside and setting cookies our for Santa. The kids really understood the concept of Santa this year, which made it fun. Once the kids were up in the morning, we all came downstairs to see what Santa brought. I then made breakfast and then we opened presents to each other Everyone got each person in the house presents this year. It's important to me for the kids to understand the art of giving, not just receiving.

We then went to Decatur for the rest of the day to celebrate with my family. Debbie's family was there too and it's been awhile since my side of the family has had a house full of people on Christmas! Lots of great food, people, and the kids were absolutely spoiled in gifts.

We went to Dan's mom's house the next day and celebrated with most of Dan's family. It was just immediate family and Debbie actually got to spend quite a bit of time sitting and enjoying the kids. It was such a nice day. We brought the kids pjs with us and left close to bed time so they could go to sleep in the car and go right to bed. It worked out perfectly!

After Christmas, the kids and I made the gingerbread train. It was harder than I anticipated, but it was fun to do. I'm thinking that food crafts just aren't my thing :)

Christmas 2011

Jacob's 4th Birthday Party

Jacob celebrated his 4th birthday in November with his first ever friend party. In order to keep it under control as far as numbers go, he invited a select group of friends from Rogy's. The problem is that he is so social, his close group of friends was 14! I was amazed that eight came and we ended up with a total of 12 kids including Jacob and Bailey and two of their cousins.

At the time, his favorite show was Jake and the Neverland Pirates, so a pirate theme it was! I worked on prepping for his party about two months prior and collected a million items for the party. The Internet is a beautiful thing and I got so many great ideas from other people who have been through the same party.

I had a craft/snack table set up for the kids when they arrived in order to help transition the kids as well as allow for late arrivals. The kids got eye patches, necklaces, pirate tattoos, and made spotting scopes. The kids LOVED it all and I made a rookie mistake by cutting this time short in order to move on to the next activity. I created a minute-by-minute schedule and I was bound and determined to stick to it!!

The next activity was a cannonball game set up in the basement. I divided the kids into two teams and had them try and sink the other's ship (bucket decorated as a ship) with their cannonballs. The losing team had to walk a plank that I made. I thought this game would be a hit.... nope. The game was probably too over their heads and they were more excited about playing with the other toys.

Next, the kids went on a treasure hunt that started inside, went outside, and then ended back inside. I made treasure maps with picture clues and told them which one was the first location. At each location, a picture of the next location was attached. Near the end, they found an empty treasure box with a note that Captain Hook stole their treasure and they had to follow his clues to where it was hidden. The final location was a toy box with a treasure box filled with treasure for each kid. This game was a HUGE HIT!!

The kids ate cupcakes next and then watched Jacob open his gifts. We actually had about 15 minutes to spare and the kids had a good time running around and playing. A few of the parents stayed to help and I was grateful for our family members who were able to help out too. It was definitely a team effort.

I made dinner for family afterwards and then Jacob opened family presents in a much calmer setting.

I was completely exhausted, but the party went really well and Jacob has a great time. I'm not sure I have it in me to do this each year for both kids, but we'll see.

Jacob's Pirate Party

Cake Fail

I decided that I wanted to make Jacob's birthday cake instead of get a store-bought one.... again. I did a lot of research and found one that I thought was doable. I wanted to make a treasure box that was four layers high. It looked easy! I made a practice cake two weeks prior and planned on using it for my dad's birthday cake. Hey, it's family and they don't judge! It was the worst thing I have ever done. I didn't know whether to cry or laugh and I did both. I was able to partially salvage part for my dad's cake and tried to make it work. Again, it's just family. The hilarious part is that my three aunts were in town (as a surprise) to visit my grandparents and so it had a bigger audience than anticipated. Truthfully, we all needed a laugh at the time during my grandma's failing health.

Well, it was a lesson learned and I will not make another cake anytime soon.