Party On

We had to have our Christmas Party a week early because someone decided to take the week of Christmas off. I won't mention any names! But Amanda started out the party by giving us all this really neat book, A Year of Hope, along with a sweet note that made me cry.  Then Stephanie decided that she wanted to be a reindeer and we all thought that was a great idea! 

Can you tell that it's been a long year?

 Now let's open some presents!!

 

Toilet Seat covers and a scrub pad? Who does that?

 Can't have a party without some awesome food!!

And some upside down Strawberry cupcakes!!

 We had the best time and we all got some awesome gifts. Amanda even got a DVD of Ice Castles!! She didn't know what she was missing until now! Just had to throw this in here. Susie was a model in her other life! Ha.

Sneaky Santa

That Sneaky Santa surprised us last night and dropped off a few gifts for Camden and Bentley. We didn't hear a thing! He is good!

Some fun things to play with!!

Nothing like waking up to some Santa! Pure bliss!

There were some gifts for Bentley even though he has been behaving badly for the past few days! Santa is forgiving!!

Merry and Bright

This is my decorating from last year. Of course this year I didn't go crazy as in years past because of limited time. I love to decorate for Christmas more than any other holiday. Everything is just so beautiful and we just love the lights. It's such a magical time. Daddy always puts up the tree and does the lights. Then I have the best helper in the world to hang the ornaments. My tree is filled with very special rocking horses. I have been collecting them for years. Each one of them is very special to me. I even have some from Germany from my sister and there are a few that my Grandma made.

 

 Each rocking horse is hung with care. We had a few casualties last year thanks to Bentley.

There is even a rocking horse tree in the kitchen!

My swag that I made a few years ago.

 

  The stockings are hung!

 I got a very special gift from my sweet friend SteffieJ this year. Some beautiful nativity candle holders!

There is so much more that I could write a book on decorating for Christmas, but I don't want to bore you. We didn't break out all of the decorations this year, but I am OK with less is more. Besides the only important thing we are missing this year is Daddy!

 

 

Proud of Daddy

I got this shirt for Camden off of a website that I found. I thought it was perfect for him. They also had another shirt that read, "Daddy deprived for your Freedom." That one would have been perfect too! We are both very proud of Daddy and we can't wait to get him home!!

 

Camden had to write a sentence with his spelling words. One of his spelling words was "peace". This was the sentence that he wrote, "Peace Mom and Dad." I didn't make him change it. I thought his teacher could use a chuckle, either that or she is going to think that we are a couple of hippies! Ha!

Also Camden told me, "Mommy, if you jump off a cliff in Heaven you will land on a big soft pillow!"

Crazy Dog

Bentley has just been hanging out waiting on Daddy to come home! He hasn't seen a lot of squirrel action. I think they have already gone into hibernation, but that hasn't stopped him from being on the look out! This little ball hanging from our ceiling is called a kissing ball. I had planned to put some ribbon on it in my spare time. For the time being I just hung it up there and Bentley happened to notice it one night. He climbed up on the couch and he was going to have that. He was going crazy. I finally had to take it down and let him smell of it and see that it was OK. He was just making sure that we were safe and it wasn't a meteor or something? I don't know about him, but he is a protector!

And this is last year. Bentley got a new coat from Grandma and he just loved sporting it around while he was scouting for squirrels. 

 

Christmas Party

Saturday night Camden and I went to the Foster Adoptive Christmas Party. Camden had so much fun playing with all of his friends. Here he is with precious Ashley. She is growing up so fast!

 

 Next thing we know Santa walks in. We were all so surprised to see that he had time to come and bring us a present! But, first Camden had to sit on his lap and tell him what he wanted. He brought Camden his very own art kit. He knows how much Camden likes to paint and draw!

Now Santa let me think what all I need to tell you.

  

And then there are just a few more little things. You know, Santa, I have been a really good boy this year!!

Panic face!! Did I remember everything that I needed to tell Santa. What if I forgot something??

I had told Camden to smile at me but I think he was too busy trying to remember if he told Santa everything. I am sure that old Santa will take care of him no matter what!!! I know I am just a little giddy over Santa, but this may be our last year for Santa magic so I am taking full advantage! 

Why You Shouldn't

The Number One reason why you should not take pictures of your child. First, the happy face and then the sad face. What is wrong with just being normal and smiling and pretending like you love having your picture taken????

Since Camden wants so many things for Christmas I told him that Jesus only received three gifts from the Wise Men on his birthday. He asked what they were and I told him Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold. He said, "Oh what did he buy with that?"  Such a silly boy!!