Christmas Day

The kids were so spoiled for Christmas.  Santa gave Laurana a Barbie house & Liam a tricycle and a Thomas the Train playhut w/ tunnel.  I made them felt food, got them toy dishes (including a frying pan, rolling pin, and whisk). I made Laurana a red & white tutu, which she loves!  They got too many things to mention & really like everything they got.   I got some cookie sheets, round cake pans, a very nice blender, glue dots, and truffles.  Scott got 3 pr. of jeans, an electric toothbrush, and gift cards to Quiznos & Game Stop.  The kids got many more things than I mentioned.  We make sure to read about Jesus' birth to the kids all throughout the Christmas season, as well.  We want to make sure they understand it is not all about Santa & the gifts they can get.  I didn't get any good pics of Scott's family - they always hid from the camera & no good pics of my mom, step dad, brother or grandpa.  The kids were always in the way, or they were helping the kids get something out of a box.  I will see all of my family again today.  Hoping for better pics.  At least, I got video of them.

My Tiny Dancer

Laurana is the one in all pink.    Isn't she adorable?  I just melt seeing her wear the tutu I made for her. 

Liam's Grover Birthday Party

You know how hard it is to get a good picture of a 2 yr. old at his birthday party?  I had a few family members over in our house - all crammed into the living room.  My husband was catching up with his step brother in the kitchen, while I was trying to get pics & help him unwrap.  He unwraps one gifts & just wants to play with it, instead of move on to the next present.   He absolutely loves Grover, so I ordered the hat you see him wearing off of etsy & I got him the Sesame Street play house w/ a Grover & Oscar in addition to Elmo & Big Bird that came with it. He got Elmo books (including a potty book), a Chuck the Talking Truck, a Colts outfit, a tractor w/ cute little animals & a farmer, and money.  He had a blast & would not be still for a single picture.   I made this cake to look like Grover.  He loved it & it was cheaper than buying one from the bakery. 

Gingerbread Houses

We made gingerbread houses w/ marshmallow trees, marshmallow snowmen, candies, graham crackers, & icing.  Scott's & Laurana's held up better than mine & Liam's.  They had more icing & the roof had a long overhang.  Liam was delighted when I told him he could knock it down & eat some of it!

My First Muffin Tin Meal

This is my first muffin tin meal that I blogged about.  Took me out of hiatus!

Muffin Tin Monday - on Wednesday for us!

Stop by this blog to see more Muffin Tin Monday ideas!

The theme this week was Christmas, so I had to do The Night Before Christmas.  My kids really like doing this,

so we will have to continue this!  They squeal w/ delight when I tell them we are doing a muffin tin meal.

Today's meal had the following.
Cottage cheese to resemble the snow
a stocking (piece of buttered bread that I cut into shape sans a cookie cutter)
a reindeer made of a pear half, raisins for eyes, pretzels for antlers, and a dried cranberry for the nose
cherries for Santa's nose & cheeks
marshmallows for Santa's white beard
carrots for the reindeer to eat
rolled up chicken lunch meat for logs in the fireplace
Not pictured is jello for Santa's belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

I read the book while I prepared it.  They didn't want to wait on the jello to set up to start eating.

Both kids ate on the meat first!  I figured they'd go straight for the marshmallows!

I am going to do another muffin tin meal this weekend to talk about Jesus.  I thought that would be harder to come up with food ideas, based on what I had in my kitchen.

Merry Christmas!  Jesus is the reason for this season!!