Family Room Christmas Tree

I am slowing going to show you Christmas at my house and yes, probably bore you.  This is more for me to remember how I decorated.  I will start with the family room tree.  It is a small tree, stands about 6 1/2 feet tall.  This is the tree with all the ornaments that mean something to me and the family.  I love the peppermint lights and candy canes.  This year I added the red and white ribbon.  I am enjoying the pop it brings to the tree.  So get ready for lots of tree pictures.

Tree at night

 I have done this tree topper for the last few years and I absolutely love it.  Most of the items I bought in Texas.  It just adds some whimsy to the tree.  The little wood ornament was made for me by the kids I babysat back in 1984.  I love that I can tell a story with some of the ornaments on my tree.  It was fun to tell the kids this year where some of the old ornaments came from and what they mean to me.

This little house was made by my brother Ross 30+ years ago.  I still love it and would like to have more.  It has a hole so a light from the tree can go in it.

 

The tree skirt is something I will keep forever.  My mom made it many years ago and I have always loved it but now I hold it a little more dear to my heart.  It will be fun to give it to my kids one day.

 

This last picture is just a little snippet of decorating on the t.v. console.  Love the picture that says 'At Christmas all roads lead home'.

So there you have a little glimpse of Christmas.  I have come to realize this year, that less is more and I will be getting rid of the stuff that holds no meaning and I have no space for.  I probably have 3 bins that I did not put out this year and it will be leaving my house.  Getting ready to purge a little.

Evan's 1st day of Kindergarten

My mind is confused, I feel lost.  My little buddy started kindergarten today.  I need to figure out my new normal.  I am excited for him to start school but I am sad that my little buddy isn't home with me.  He kept me company and was my companion on so many errands and other fun things.  I will miss him  (and Emma too).  But I know he is so eager to learn and I am eager for him to continue to grow.  He is so smart and I know he will have a great year.

Nervous for school, sister is coming to check on him

I am a little scared, Mom.

A little happier and showing off his new backpack.  

I worry, for him, because he was so nervous and scared to start.  He woke up at midnight screaming and crying.  It broke my heart.  He even got a little teary at the bus stop.  I know he will miss me too.  But it is time for him to spread his wings just a little more.  I am already anxiously waiting for 4:15 when my kiddos will come home.

Waiting for the bus, a little nervous.

 Well it is time to figure out what to do with myself.  Watch out house, here I come.

1st day of school

Emma is off to school today.  She was very excited!!  She will be going to 1st grade for one more year and it will be fabulous.  She has the same teacher and para-professional.  I must say that I love those 2 ladies.  They are the biggest cheerleaders Emma has had to date.  They are excited to see her grow this year and with them I know she will.  Here is to a great year, sweet Emma.

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World Down Syndrome Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Day and it is a day we celebrate our sweet little girl!!  We will honor her with cake and balloons and a small little gift.  We feel honored to raise a child with Down syndrome.  Our little girl has opened our eyes to so many things and for that, we are forever grateful.  

Yes, I know these pictures are from December, but it is the most current I have down loaded.  But this just shows my girl and all her silliness and how she loves.  

Last day of Kindergarten

 Last Thursday was Emma's last day of kindergarten.  I cannot believe how fast the year has gone.  She has grown is so many ways this past year and we are so proud of all her accomplishments.  These are a few photos before she got on the bus.  She was happy and so good all week.  I am not sure if she realized it was the last week of school or not, but we loved it (and so did her bus driver!).

Love my vintage chalkboard that I purchased with my sister in some small town in Wisconsin.  It will be used a lot over the next 14 years.  As you can see she loved holding the sign about her head.  Silly girl!!  I hope to post more pictures of her last day and our welcome to summer celebration.

North Pole Breakfast and Frosty Scooby Doo

We started a new tradition this year. We had our first North Pole Breakfast and elf visit. It was a success. Our theme for the part was winter wonderland ( I thought since we live in the land of winter for about 6 months of the year, why not). I found these cute printables on Etsy.

Lots of cute printable but I decided on this theme all because of the fabric I had purchased.

The elf was busy decorating from the lights. Hmmmm, how did he do that. {one thing this breakfast lacked was pictures of my kids. They were present but I only got one good one of Evan and no good ones of Emma = ( }

That little elf made marshmallow dips. He brought snowballs from the North Pole too. Santa even threw in some Santa mix ( you can kind of see it on the left side.) Strangely my kids didn't like the Santa mix (it is Captain Crunch Christmas mix and I bought 2 boxes.)

The elf was reading the Elf on the Shelf. So we read it too to introduce Mr. Elf. We also had muffins.

Here is a view of the table.

The elf also left a little gift. His shoe had snowman stickers and a giant pencil. We had milk in the jars.

The elf left a note letting the kids know who he is and what they needed to do.

Here is Evan enjoying the morning. He is more into it than Emma but they do look for it every day and they both talk about their elf too.

So yes, his name is officially Frosty Scooby Doo!