Elf on the Shelf - "Sneaky"

Today, November 30, 2011, we welcomed a new member to our family... our own Elf on the Shelf.  I have been wanting to do this for a couple of years now and felt the kids were very ready for "him" this year.  So I bought the set at Barnes and Nobles and created little personalized letters for the kids.

I built "him" up all week long and boy were the kids excited.  They kept talking about how they were going to find him, what crazy things he was going to do, how good they were going to behave... yes, let's see how long that one lasts.

So tonight, the doorbell rang and on our doorstep was the book:

*props to Mr. Crazy for running around the house so quickly*

I opened the door and told the kids that there was a "special guest" at our door... they knew right away and came hurdling down the stairs screaming with excitement.  I told them the book meant that he was in the house somewhere and they needed to find him!  So the search began under beds, in the bathrooms, on a shelf (ha ha get it?)... but alas, he was hiding with the Christmas presents:

I can't even begin to tell you how hard it was for them not to touch him.  It was quite hilarious if you ask me.  They grabbed their letters and treats and read them aloud.  Their little faces... I can't get over them.  Filled with so much joy and excitement.  I could barely take pictures.

So Mr. Crazy sat down with them and read them the Elf on the Shelf story so that they would understand he reports to Santa every night while they're sleeping and that if they touch him, his magic goes away.

Welcome to our family, Sneaky.  I plan on having lots of fun moving you around and helping the kids find you in the mornings.  Hopefully, you'll be quite an incentive for my children to behave a bit more...  I will be forever grateful.

I hope you Mommies out there try this, too.  I really love how much fun my kids are already having with it... and when they're happy, I'm happy.

Linking up at:
Sunday Showcase

XOXO

Did you miss me?

I've missed blogging so I'm back at it again.  Go figure.  Hopefully, I can stick with it this time, because I did in fact, miss it.  I think I was seriously delusional to believe working full time, 3 kids and their activities, tending to Mr. Crazy, plus being crafty enough to take pictures and post tutorials each and every time, was a good idea.  So here's the new story:

I was working full time.  Have you ever seen the movie "Devil Wears Prada"?  Yeah, I worked for the male version of Miranda.  Setting my alarm clock for 2am to make phone calls internationally for him.  Always at his wife's beck and call.  Running around like crazy.  Not to mention, being blamed for everything under the sun.  I not only assisted him, but also the CFO and I took on the accounting for all aircraft located at our jet center.  I wasn't busy or anything.  However, what started out as lower back pain turned into hospitalization for symptoms of a heart attack... I'm 28 people.  h.e.a.r.t.  a.t.t.a.c.k.  Seeing my kids in tears over seeing me hooked up to machines pretty much did me in on that one.  Luckily, the company conveniently "dissolved" my position after my bed rest was over so now I'm one happy stay at home mommy and completely off all medications used to get me through my days.

So I'm back and motivated more than ever... can we say thank you, Pinterest?  I used to think surfing blog world was an obsession... hello glass of wine and what's like 100 blogs on one page!  I have so many ideas for this Christmas season, plus the Holidays are just so much fun to post about.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.  We sure did.  Gobble Gobble.

XOXO

"What I LOVE Wednesday"

After a crazy morning of getting myself and two children out the door, I get to hear two little voices sing this song from the backseat:

Then, to have my four year pinkie promise me that he would stay four forever (and I could stay 28 forever) melted my heart.  GREAT start to my morning.

American Idol top 24 have been announced and now the performances have begun.  Lauren Alaina is going to win this season... just sayin.

My husband knows just how to make my day better.  Yes, these funfetti fudge brownies are an evil goodness.  

Finally, the best ending to my day:  reading with my son.  I can't wait to finish dinner and plop down on the couch next to him. (Obviously not him and I in the picture below.) He's grown so much and is one step away from being bumped up to 2nd grade Accelerated Reading.  So.Very.Proud.

Those are this week's Wednesday loves... what are yours?

XOXO

Mingling, Cupcakes and My First Feature!

Happy Monday Blogland!  Wow has it been a very crazy and hectic day at work for me.  Went by fast so I definitely can't complain.
I woke up this morning and checked my dashboard before work to discover that I had been featured at none other than the fabulous 504 Main!

What an honor!  She featured my chalkboard vases project, so if you need any inspiration, you can check it out here:  Chalkboard Vase Project
Definitely a great way to start my day.  Thanks so much Holly!

I wanted to share that I made Pink Champagne Cupcakes the other day - totally delish.  Except very sweet and you can definitely taste the champagne... so if you're good with that, you should try them.

The frosting also has champagne in it so beware... it's quite so addictive you can't put them down yummy.

You can find the recipe here:  Betty Crocker Pink Champagne Cupcakes

Well kids' homework is complete, dinner is consumed, so you can now find me snuggled on the couch and blog hopping over at:


Hope to see you there!  Mingle away!

XOXO

Disneyland Surprise

Please forgive the delay in posting... that flu bug I got hit with a couple of weeks ago came back with a true vengeance on Tuesday of this week.  Hey, at least it waited until after Disneyland.  :)  Regardless, I had 103 degree fever, a cough that won't stop, body aches, chills, yada yada yada.  So much fun!

But here it is... the Disneyland surprise post.
....................................................

I brought the boys into my room Monday morning and gave them this card:

It says: Landon and Cameron, I can't wait to see you today at Disneyland.  Love, Mickey Mouse

Their reaction on video isn't working on here, but let's just say, NOT the one I was expecting.  No jumping up and down excitement until they realized (and after much explanation from me) that we were going right then.  Cameron thought the surprise was McDonald's!  And then wanted to play Wii instead!  Seriously, McDonald's and Wii take priority over a surprise trip to Disneyland?  Shoot me now.  But it definitely didn't ruin the day.  We had such a blast!

We started off at California Adventure: went on Tower of Terror (yes, all three of us... Cameron didn't really know what was going to happen and he met the height requirement), then saw Ms. Cassie in Aladdin.  She plays Jasmine.  She even had us do a "meet and greet" after the show!  So awesome!

Then we made our way over to Disneyland and spent the rest of the day there.  It started to get really crowded because of it being a Monday Holiday, but that didn't stop us from having a great time.  We ended the day with Space Mountain, and boy do I have the BEST picture from the ride.  It's the one that the ride takes as you're on it, and since the roller coaster is completely pitch dark, I couldn't see Cameron's face while sitting next to me.  But when I saw the snapshot on the screen after we were finished, I could not stop laughing.  It is poster child terrified!  LOL  But they did great, and I was so proud of how brave they were.  It's currently on my desk at work, so check back in a couple days when I can post it.

Here are some things I learned on our date day:
1) I loathe the chains or ropes that make up the lines.  No matter what, your child will ALWAYS play with them paying no attention to who's butt, leg, or child they are hitting.
2) Even if you are obviously by yourself with two children pushing a double stroller, PEOPLE WILL NOT MOVE FOR YOU.  I could be pushing the kids up a hill and yet I, get that I, had to move out of the way for teenagers and/or other people coming down.  About the third or fourth time of my stroller wheels getting caught in the parade tracks, I stopped moving and just started running into people.  I even told Cameron to stick his feet out.  Yup, I did that.  Can you blame me?
3) The healthy food stands in the park cost 50% less than all the junk food stands!  What the heck?!?!  I'm so lucky that I packed lunches and snacks, but I'm even luckier that I have kids that choose apples and bananas over churros and cotton candy.
4) People in line like to become your best friend.  Sorry, but I don't feel like learning your life story while I'm trying to stop my children from hitting people with the chains.
5) Walking past the bakery on Main Street on your way out is a must.  Going inside and waiting in the long line to get a baked good is a must.  Keeping your children in the stroller while you're waiting is a must.  Mmmmmm I can still taste the snickerdoodle.

All in all, best.day.ever.  I will never forget that day of craziness, excitement and pure joy.  A big thank you to our dear friend, Ms. Cassie for making the day possible.  It will be a day I cherish forever.

Happy Sunday to you all.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and happy blogging!

XOXO

One Insane Week

This week in one word: INSANE.  Undeniably insane.
Work has been overwhelming.  And even though I've been able to sit down after the kids go to sleep and work on some crafts (aka blanket, jewelry, headbands and bows), I just haven't had the energy to lay them out, make them look presentable, take pictures and link up to parties.  So I am so very sorry.  But I'll catch my breath soon.

Couple of fun things:

The hubby, Mr. Crazy, upgraded my wedding band set for Valentine's Day.  I was shocked!  It's on my finger now and I can't stop looking at it:

Ummm yeah, I'm in love.  :)

Landon has a dance competition at the Disneyland Hotel this weekend and we're so excited for him.  I love seeing my little man up on stage... and he loves it when people cheer for him.  Especially in hip hop.

Then on Monday, for some reason my work decided to honor the President's Holiday.  Not complaining, just shocked. So....
A friend is blessing me and my two little boys by signing us into Disneyland!!!!  I made them a poster to open on Monday morning that reads:  Landon and Cameron, Can't wait to see you today at Disneyland!  Love, Mickey Mouse.  They have absolutely no clue and I cannot wait to surprise them!  A video will be coming for sure, you can count on it!  I get to have a Mommy-boys date day and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I'll be taking pictures like crazy.  :)

Hope everyone has a fantastic-incredible-exciting-crazy weekend!
I'll be blog hopping at:

Come join the hopping-commenting fun!

XOXO

Valentines Fudge Squares

Whether you love Valentine's Day or not, one thing is always good... CHOCOLATE.  And I'm talking fudge.... made from scratch.  Mmmmmm.  Best part, it's the easiest thing in the world to make!  No baking, just microwaving.  Seriously.

Here is what you will need:
1 1/4 cup semi sweet morsels
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

1 1/4 cup white chocolate morsels
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
Dash of salt

Mix the semisweet morsels with the milk and salt, melt in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between each.  This only took me two 30 second go arounds in the microwave before it was smooth.  Spread into an 8x8 dish lined with foil.

Repeat with the white chocolate morsels, but melt at 20 second intervals instead of 30.  Again, this only took two 20 second go arounds.  Spread on top of chocolate.  Cut squares with a knife while the fudge is still warm and top off with a conversation heart candy.  Refrigerate uncovered for at least 2 hours.

Remove the fudge by pulling the foil completely out.  Re-cut gently to remove fudge from foil.  And ta-da!  You've got adorable fudge squares for Valentine's Day!  I put them in heart cupcake liners and Valentine's bag just because I can.  ;)

They're to die for.  And to give away so I don't gain 15 pounds.  Hope you enjoy!
This week's projects consist of all things blue and green to represent Cutting Edge Dance Center... next competition is this coming Sunday at the Disneyland hotel.  I'm making jewelry, bows, blankets... it's an obsession and I can't help myself.  Yup, it's one of those moments where I'm definitely "That Crazy Mom Over There".  What can I say, I'll always support my kids loudly and proudly.  Can you blame me?  They're crazy adorable!
Happy Sunday everyone... and Happy Blogging!

XOXO