Need Help Shopping??

So we are thinking Christmas gifts over here and I want to share some fun ideas - AND it also prompts you to remember that if you plan to shop online and want to use Amazon - anytime you click there from our blog - even if you purchase a different item than you clicked on - it counts toward our account and helps toward our next adoption!!


(We just got one of these and LOVE it!!!) You can get the refill cartridges from Amazon as well.)



Not sure what I EVER did before this little gem - I LOVE my Cricut machine.  You can cut out letters, shapes and much more with this great tool.   I use it for scrapbooking the most, but I also love it for bulletin board letters, shapes - ok, I could go on and on on this one!!  There are TONS of cartridges for it as well - WAY too fun!!


Shhh - don't tell Chloe - she's getting this for Christmas!  I saw them on another blog and that mom also thought they would be fun for her daughter.  Chloe is ALL about cooking in her little kitchen - wish that would rub off on me!!!



Don't forget about this goodie coming out just in time for Christmas.  Our boys LOVED this and are hoping it shows up under our tree!


These books by Wayne Thomas Batson are LOVED by all three of my boys!!  Keep them in mind for those middle readers - upper elementary/junior high age.  They are written by a Christian author and are very boy-oriented.  They are a hit at our house!


I was just given this purse as a gift.  I just love it - it is roomy and classy.  I have never had a fabric purse before, but LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one.  I have a different fabric but wanted to link to these as they would be SUPER Christmas gifts!  It was a wonderful gift that I just LOVE!


One of my favorite Christmas scents out there!!!  It is wonderful and only available during the holiday season!


WONDERFUL Christmas album - I have never been disappointed with an album by Enya yet, but this one is magnificent!!!


This game is WONDERFUL!!! I am not kidding - it is a game that ANY age can play, play together, and enjoy! We played it with adults, teens AND Chloe and ALL had a blast! Fun family game.


One of Chloe's favorite games right now! And I must say a "plug" for Eeboo Games - we lost a piece - I emailed them and they sent me another RIGHT away!!! That is SO helpful with a four-year-old!!


We received one of these DVD's to review for my book blog and Chloe REALLY liked it. They have catchy songs, fun animation, and are a great way to learn about other cultures. AND - in a month or two - they are coming out with one on China - can't wait to see that one too!

Happy Thanksgiving

We wanted to share some of our Thanksgiving with you!!

The boys wrote these poems last week:

What makes a Good Thanksgiving

What makes a good Thanksgiving?

Golden Corn inviting someone to take a nibble

Stuffed turkey waiting to be gobbled

Smashed potatoes making you very lustful

That makes a good thanksgiving.

What makes a perfect Thanksgiving?

Candles' aroma surfing on waves of air.

Cookies, tasteful, makes you not want to share

Family celebrating like they are at a fair

That makes a perfect Thanksgiving.
~Aaron (age 10)

Scents of Thanksgiving

The smell of turkey roasting,

filling the house with joy.

Bright fall candles burning,

silently.

Ginger and crimson leaves

Blowing calmly in the air.

Assortments of flavors

Tiptoeing on my tongue.

Sometimes I smell perfume

that my mom wears.

But my favorite smell of thanksgiving

is the great tasting food.
~Caleb (Age 12)




The Traits of a Certain Holiday
Mouth watering, irresistible aroma,

elegant and beautiful.

The cornucopia of flavors,
Turkey,
Mashed potatoes,
Green beans,
Corn,
All on the table.
These are the Traits of a certain Holiday.
~Micah (Age 13)

We do hope that not just this day, but that everyday finds you thankful for your many gifts. We have been blessed and it is nice to have a day that reminds us of that. Thinking of you all -

Gingerbread Saga Continues

So after seeing Jan Brett - of course we had to make our own gingerbread cookies.  We had a fun night - and it didn't take hours - that's nice!  We used the recipe in the book, Gingerbread Friends, and they were SO yummy!

Enjoying a bite after a bath....

The gingerbread army!!

A Fun Day!!

We got to see one of our favorite authors/illustrators today - we drove to see Jan Brett!!  What a treat - she read to us from her new book, Gingerbread Friends.  Then she drew a picture to show us how she illustrates her books, and she ended with signing books and letting us take pictures with her - I am telling you what - we had such a FUN time!!  And Chloe's words tonight??  "I know I am going to be an artist - just like Jan Brett."

Fluffy White Stuff

Could that be snow that I see outside??  Yes, I do believe it is!  BRING IT ON!!!!  Oh why can't I live in the Black Hills - 30 inches!?!?!?  Now that's some snow!!

Election Day

Ask our kids anytime about politics and THEY KNOW!  (Blame it on their VERY political father!)  So today, we aren't even surprised when Chloe (remember, she's 4) says at lunch, "Mom, I know that Obama's helper is Biden and McCain's helper is Sarah Palin.  And we need to vote for Sarah 'cuz she has the BEST glasses."  'Nuf said!!

Halloween Princess

Yes, Chloe wanted to be a princess this year, surprise, surprise.  Dad went all out and even curled her hair for the big event!  We took her out trick or treating - we were ready to be done after a dozen houses, but no way, Chloe was in to hit every house in our town!!!  She woke up Nov. 1 and asked, "When is Halloween coming again?"  **sigh**