Week of Christmas- Day 2... Ducks and Deliveries

It was unusually warm this morning so I got the idea to take the kids to feed ducks at a local lake. Lee said he thought it was supposed to rain later in the day, so I figured we had just enough time after breakfast. When we got to the lake, I *did* see the tiny sign that said not to feed the wildlife (wonder why??) but I ignored it. I was a rebel.

This guy ran right up to us, I guess he knew what was coming....

Then a few more joined in...

Then the masses swarmed.... the crazy thing was this was just a third of the ducks/geese! This was to the right of me and there was the same amount to the front and left!

I'm not sure Will knew what to think!

But he and Amy enjoyed them, of course! Amy did most of the bread throwing. Will tried to chase a few.

When we ran out of bread (which happened rather quickly) we decided to walk around the lake. This area is by the hospital and these are some other medical buildings around. Will had his MRI in one of them. The area around the lake has a nice paved walking trail, a bridge and some pretty stonework.

Amy was a little upset that I wouldn't let her play in the mud. "But I'm wearing my boots, Mom!" 

We even saw a hawk! Cool! And we were this close to it. It was neat.

At about this point, half way around the lake, it started to rain. Mostly heavy sprinkling... so we had to walk fast back to the car! Will was a little unwilling as he just wanted to run around, but we made it, just in time for the heavy rain to fall! Talk about perfect timing!!

This evening our family plan was to deliver all the goodies I made the other day. I made 9 brown bags, but we only had to deliver 7 of them. So there was a lot of driving around Murfreesboro! That's ok, it also gave us a chance to look at lights- which is always fun.

The goodies I made were: Aunt Lynn's cut out cookies, brownies, white bread and fudge.

We had to drop off most of the stuff, not many people were home. But it was fun to see the few that were. Will fell asleep in the car, and Amy was mostly well behaved. She got kind of tired of sitting towards the end. But that's ok.

It was a good Day 2. :)

Week of Christmas- Day 1... Gingerbread House

I thought a gingerbread house would be fun to decorate this year. However, I knew that making one would be a pain in the rear, so I opted to buy a kit instead. Seven dollars at Aldi's, I could handle that.

(Yes, she insisted on wearing her devil horns)

Amy and I got to work. Lee was the photographer and 'Will watcher.' Will was the candy beggar. Here are a few of our photos (Lee took a TON!) 

Amy felt the need to cover the house with frosting. Only this frosting was really gross- in taste and texture. It was so thick, like worse than toothpaste, despite me warming it in the microwave. Amy also wanted the house "covered in candy."

So here's our first attempt at a gingerbread house! (Next year I think I'll spend a few more bucks on a better kit) Oh, and Karen- you'd better gear up- she can't wait to eat it with you! I told her we could eat it on Christmas Eve.

Gingerbread House 2011

Random Nonsense

Excitement of all excitement happened on Saturday morning... I made puffed pastry! Like, from SCRATCH! And it WORKED. And it was yuuuuummmmy!!! I was SOOOOO excited!

We got our Secret Santa gift from the Ben Nagel's today. Thank you guys! 

We won't open until the 24th though, as per family tradition. :) 

I have been busy baking away. Lee and myself needed a few gifts to deliver. And for some reason I thought it would be fun/easy and economical. I need my head examined. Whenever I come up with this idea again, someone kick me and remind me of my children who are curious, want to be fed and overall uncooperative when Mommy is busy with other things.  

I didn't dare take a picture of the "before." Instead, when I got the table cleaned off- I took a picture. Just so Lee could remember what a cleared table looks like. Trust me it is rarely (rarely!!) ever like this!!

This was the pile of dishes I had to hand wash. The dish washer was full of the rest. 

It was nice to have everything clean. But I hate washing dishes!

I'll show case the treats on delivery date. But while they did take some time, they were yummy!

But what I love about this week is it's family week! A few years ago we started this tradition where we don't do anything the week before Christmas. Every night we do something fun, just as a family. Last year several people were upset we didn't make it to a party, but too bad, so sad. They lived.

We also started the tradition of NOT traveling over Christmas. This may make some people upset as well, but we don't care. You are welcome to come to us. But Christmas Eve/Christmas morning/day after will be spent at our house. We have a lovely little family and it's so fun to see their faces the big morning... in our own home. That makes this week less stressful as well. I hear of so many people going from here to there- all traveling on Christmas Day. INSANE!
The Wade's will not be a part of it.

We love each one of you and hope you have a wonderful, stress-free week as well!
There's so much hustle and bustle this time of year, sit back, relax and remember the season. :) 

Family Photos

I've been holding these hostage until our Christmas cards were mailed out. I don't know why, I guess I just like a "surprise" picture in our cards instead of something you've all seen a million times. We actually didn't send out many "cards" this year. Physical cards went to mostly family only. The rest were e-cards- just emails of the same letter and a picture attached. Something new I thought I'd try. Trying to save a little paper, a little postage and honestly, not that many people even bother sending cards anymore, so I didn't think they'd mind.

While in GA for Thanksgiving, we had Aunt Lauren take some pictures of us. We met at Acworth Beach and she clicked away. Will was a little restless- he was hungry and needed a nap, but Amy was cooperative- so that was good.

If Will had been looking, I would have used this as our Christmas card

I was making a weird face here

For the final one, we decided to make fun of pregnancy pictures. Nothing against anyone that gets these done (although I'm still amazed that people pay money to document this!) but it's not for me. But some of you love them, and more power to ya.

I actually don't like my own pregnancy pictures at ALL. My face is so puffy.... my double chin sticks out.... nothing fits right.... all the usual stuff. I know, I know, I look great, blah, blah, blah. I'm soooo over this pregnancy thing! But that's ok.... this is the last! :)

Anyway- a BIG thanks to Aunt Lauren for taking our pictures. She really didn't have to do it, and doubts her 'skill' as a photographer, but I think she's really good and I appreciate her doing it!! It's great to have a photographer in the family!!

Our Christmas Card Photo

So that's the Wade's, circa December 2011.

Candy Canes

A year or so ago, my friend Jennifer told me that when she was little, she'd make candy canes and hang them on the tree. Then, on Christmas night, Santa would trade them for real ones. I decided that'd be a fun thing to do with Amy. Except I told her Santa magically turned the paper ones into real ones.

Will didn't want to be left out of the craft

Will's canes

This was definitely a fun and easy tradition to start! Amy was in heaven. She even drew a really big one, in hopes that Santa would turn it into a big one! (smart girl)  Thanks Jen for telling me about it!!!