All I Wanted for Christmas Was a Hot-Wheels-Bike...

There is something very special about your FIRST bike.

Could it be the complete and utter desire for solo INDEPENDENCE.

Could it be the feeling of going FAST.

Could it actually be the feeling of FEAR that you could fall at any moment.

Could it be the feeling of the WIND in your hair...

oh wait a moment, 

nevermind kids wear bike helmets nowadays-

I guess not on Christmas as evident in theses pictures. 

Or could it be the THRILL of racing your older cousin...

Or could it be ALL the extra attention you get...

Happy Trails To You...

Sweet Dreams

Merry Christmas!

Ornaments

When Andrew and I started dating, over ten years ago, I started collecting a few Christmas tree ornaments each year. It became a special tradition to find the perfect ornament that summed up the entire year. To remember each ornament's year, I simply write the date on the bottom with a sharpie. I've always had a dream of one day having a Christmas Tree filled with little figures that individually tell a story of years past. I value a personal "memory" tree around the holidays over a staged "don't touch", just-look tree. I love the beauty and magnitude of those "don't touch" trees and always think about how to go about creating one, but as soon as that thought enters my mind it leaves just as quickly as it entered. One day in the way distant future, when the year brings us an empty nest, but our children return for the holidays, I'll look forward to them putting up the ornaments and remembering the special memories that are attached to each and every one.

Here's a trip down memory lane with some old favorites and this years new additions...

Our first Christmas together-time capsule with memories from that year inside.

Our first married Christmas together.

Andrew's 30th birthday trip to Catalina Island with his family-unforgetable.

First year in Austin, Texas.

A special gift from a student.

Taylor's pick this year-he loves John Deere!

In memory of Reily.

In memory of Abby.

Another Taylor pick this year-1st airplane trip this year.

Our first school-made ornament!

*Note to readers...Taylor's first Christmas ornament is missing-I've looked up and down our tree and I can't find it anywhere. I know it couldn't have gone far...I know this because I did see it this year while we were decorating the tree together. It's either become a special treasure in our sons room somewhere or it accidentally fell off the tree and now resides under the mountain of presents that have continued to grow from beneath the tree...

Hopefully it will find it's way back home SOON!

Send a Message From Santa

Recently I've come across several fun Santa sites for kids and their parents...

The Portable North Pole site is one of the best.

You get to customize the message for your child and the Santa looks so authentic! 

Taylor was interested in what Santa was saying to him (via email-ha), 

but Taylor is still very cautious of this holiday stranger with the puffy white beard and red suit...

I can only imagine what next year will bring.

Will we ever get a picture on Santa's knee?

Merry Messaging!

ElfYourSelf

If you haven't seen this...then you need to.

If you haven't done this...then you need to.

If this doesn't make you laugh...then you need to see a therapist!

Happy Holidays from the Curtis-Wellings Elves.

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/hnuo6f0urSHYeZ8sOxeg

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/Cwjq76dxYGAnVuHMwvJW

Take A Look...

Simple...

Square pretzels

Peppermint Hershey Kisses

Christmas Colored M&M's

Assemble...

Warm pretzels and kisses at 200 degrees for 3-4 minutes

Remove promptly

Press one M&M on each slightly warmed kiss

Let cool completely 

Decorate...

Pint sized Mason Jar

Ribbon

Pretty wrapping paper (circle top of lid)

Homemade from the kitchen of the Curtis-Wellings Family

108 Sugar Cookies Later

Well, I've realized a few things from hosting my first cookie decorating party for 10 kids (all five years old and under) plus 5 mommies (no ages will be mentioned):

Let's start with the baking side of things...

I found these little diddys at the store recently and thought that I would buy some pre-made cookies (4 packages) as well as make some others. Well, for $2.50 a package you can't beat the price but I was disappointed with the size of the cookies. They were quite small and thin which made it difficult to cook them without drying them out. Also, there was so much left over dough from each package that I ended up rolling it out and cutting some myself. On a positive note, they were a great size for little hands to decorate and eat. 

These were perfect! So easy to whip up-just add butter and 1 egg. I hand rolled the dough out and cut them nice and thick. They came out tasty, and most importantly, soft and moist unlike the other ones. Plus they were regular size cookies so everyone big and small enjoyed eating these ones up.  

I haven't mastered the art of making homemade dough...tried that last year and they turned out too salty (my little sous chef didn't seem to notice after all the sugar was on top), plus this year I needed A LOT of cookies all at once.

So Taylor and I enjoyed baking, cutting, baking, and cutting in preparation for the party...

Now for the party side of things:

We had every color of holiday sprinkle, mimi m&m's, mini chocolate chips, and yummy icing in every color and flavor. The kids did SO well decorating a few and then eating them up just as quick! The sugar high afterwards was apparent as everyone moved outside for some HYPER playtime. Let's do it all again next year girls!

I got most of the gang in this picture.

mmmmmmmm....delicious!

Very serious about her cookie making...you have to choose just the right toppings!

I think I need a little more of that sugar stuff on top...

New friends joined us for the afternoon of fun!

Graham vs. Taylor and our sweet cheerleader!

Where am I and what's going on???

Tag you're it!

Even the little ones know how to party!

Can I EAT one now!?!

The few I managed to decorate before the party was over.

Happy Holiday Cookie Decorating!

VOTE FOR SARA!

I know this is TOTALLY going to embarrass Sara, 

but how often do you know someone who's in a photo contest!

Plus she was pregnant at the time the picture was taken 

and she looked beautiful, as all pregnant women do!

Vote for "mommy 2-B" here:

http://brandylewisphotography.wordpress.com/2010/12/08/photo-of-the-year-contest-2/ 

Of course all the cute baby pictures on the link are amazing too!

Happy Voting Everyone...

Public Announcement from the CDC...

SYMPTOMS-

screaming

crying

running off

fake crying

hitting

spitting

throwing things

breaking things

slamming things

anger

frustration

snot running from nose

tears streaming from eyes

verbal outbursts

defiant 

loss of all motor control

legs flailing 

arms flailing

moodiness

refusal to sleep in the afternoons

hunger (lack of or desire of)

lack of all rationalization 

DIAGNOSIS-

3 year old boy going through the WORST part about being THREE

TREATMENT-

Pray

Wait it out for 2 more months

Give child "chill" time in his room daily

Remove all breakable items from room

Remove all markers, crayons, and stamps from room 

Pray

Play outside A LOT

Pray some more

Get lots of sleep to keep you on your toes 

Take lots of Advil

Do some more praying

Breathe

Breathe some more

Take deep breaths

Count to 10

Walk away before everyone is in tears including yourself

Keep walking... 

Remain calm

Stay positive

Talk in the softest, sweetest, quietest voice (it throws them off THEIR game)

Continue to pray that it will all get better soon...

*Parents of child should drink a glass of wine nightly!!!!!!!!

FOLLOW-UP

Amid the sleep battles and tantrums, 

it's easy to miss the silver linings of life with a 3-year-old:

Your child is endlessly curious — maybe you'll learn something, too. Your child is so enthusiastic — maybe some of that energy will rub off on you. Your child is forgiving — no matter what happens today, you can count on a 3-year-old to start tomorrow with a fresh outlook and ready smile. Your child sees the world with wonder.

I'm going to go pray for my Silver-Lining now....

On second thought, I'm going to go pray for everyone elses' Silver-Lining too!

Yummy!

Andrew and I did the Thanksgiving Day cooking this year at our house for our families.
Hence the picture above, the table before all the craziness began, and not a picture of the whole family eating together. Eating a hot, flavorful meal took precedence over picture taking-all do better next year. 

We tried to update some old favorites with some new recipes.
Plus we were trying to test our new culinary abilities since cooking class.

All went very well and the timing of the food came together extremely well. 

Our Menu:

Smoked Turkey
(pre bought from Rudy's-I'm not Martha Stewart, although I did watch her on T.V prep one and cook it with a cheese cloth-sooooo Martha!!!!!!)

Ham
(brought to Austin from Houston-Thanks GeeGee)

Apple Sweet Potato Saute
(see recipe below)

French Bean Casserole with Toasted Almonds

Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Pumpkin Pie

Two of the new recipes we absolutely LOVED!
They will definitely be making an appearance throughout the year, not just on Thanksgiving.
If you don't know about "The Pioneer Woman" you need to visit her blog regularly. She did a Throwdown with Bobby Flay at her ranch in Oklahoma-that's where we learned of the cream cheese mashed potatoes. Her blog his hilarious on so many levels...plus she gives away free stuff from Kitchen Aid mixers to Nikon Cameras...I'm still waiting to be a WINNER!

In the meantime here is the Apple Sweet Potato Saute...

On a cold night this is a perfect side dish.

Serving Size (4)

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Golden Delicious Apples-Diced

1 Medium Onion-diced

2 (15oz) Cans of Sweet Potatoes-drained and diced

1/2 c. Apple Juice

1 1/2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp. Cider Vinegar

1/4 tsp. Kosher Salt

In a skillet melt butter over medium-high heat. Add apples and onions to skillet; cook and stir about 5 minutes, or until tender. Stir in diced sweet potatoes, apple juice, pumpkin pie spice, vinegar, and salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmer about 10 minutes.

Our Sweet Chip...

Chip lives in our house all year long (shhh, don't tell Taylor that),
He was named after a PokerChip (don't ask, that was 2 years ago),

He's about 12 inches long from his toes to the tip of his hat,

He's dressed in red and white,

He happens to be a very special house guest for the next month...

He traveled many long hours and a great distance to get to our house last night,

He was summoned by Santa,

And a little boy with a Christmas Wish List.

A list was written last night with close supervision from one very curious little boy,

And placed with great care in front of the fireplace (Taylor's idea),

With hopes and dreams that Santa would be by later that night.

Chip arrived on time the very next morning...with story book in hand.
A surprised look was given to the old friend who had returned.
After the story was told our little boy was ready to put it away until next year...
"Wait, I said, Chip can stay until Christmas Day",
"Okay Momma, but you don't have to read me the book again".
Strangely, I fear he knows his task at hand...
Naughty or Nice this holiday season?

If you don't have The Elf on the Shelf -start a new holiday tradition this year.
 You won't regret it!
Thanks Aunt Vikki for sharing it with us!

Taylor's Pop Quiz Christmas Wish List

Green Hot Wheels Bike
Car Ramp With Garage
Bubble Mower (based on the days earlier events at a friends Birthday Party)
Roller Skates (???)
Clock
Fake Turkey (we were watching Martha Stewart on T.V. stuff a real turkey at the time-very random I know)
Drum Set (a real one this time Momma-???)
Table & Chairs (my size but you can get that for my birthday not Christmas-oh, okay???)

Renewed BathTime!

Over the last several months Taylor has moved away from taking baths. He just became bored with the same-old toys in the tub, the same process he has been doing since he was old enough to sit in the tub, and more interested in showers (which go a lot faster anyways). Not to mention that he managed to break the bath faucet in our master bath because he would turn the water on-and-off constantly. 

So a trip to Home Depot to finally buy the new bath faucet also ended up with buying this new little addition.

Need I say more...

I'll let the video speak for Taylor's renewed excitement for ShowerTime. Excuse the "potty language" towards the end of the video. The rule in our house is that he can say those words in the bathroom...and well he's in the bathroom and totally hamming it up for the camera because he loves to watch himself on the playback.

The only down side we have found about this product is that it doesn't want to stick to our shower walls. It has two suction cups attached to the hose so that it doesn't move around, but they don't seem to work. Nonetheless, Taylor definitely doesn't mind at all-HE LOVES IT!

Another great product that I've recently found while Christmas shopping is this:

I can't wait to try this one out after Christmas! 

Then it truly will be a renewed BathTime!!!!