Christmas Review

I've been super lazy about blogging this week after Christmas, but figured I better put my memories down now before they're forgotten...I'm not getting any younger, you know!

We went outside Christmas Eve (in the freezing weather) to put out our Reindeer food lest they forget which yard to wait for Santa in.

We let Reese sleep with us on Christmas Eve so we wouldn't miss her reaction when seeing what Santa brought
 (or because we were too lazy to carry her up to her room)
- you decide.

I was up early thinking about all the cooking in store for me that day and how much I had to do before I went to pick Grammy up at noon.  T got up shortly thereafter and Reese slept in till 9:00.  I guess she hasn't quite figured out the whole "get up at the crack of dawn" Christmas morning thing.  We were both in the kitchen when she sleepily walked in, so our whole "not missing her reaction to the Santa gift" idea could have been totally blown out of the water had she gone to the tree rather than look for us first.

I quickly got my camera while T grabbed the video camera.  I took her upstairs and made her walk down so we could get the whole staged thing on film.  She didn't think we were too crazy and played along.

Santa brings an itouch!!

She was so excited to see what Santa brought that she didn't even ask to start opening other presents.  I put our breakfast casserole in the oven, baked it and we ate all before I mentioned the other presents.

Then the fun really began. 

There were several outfit changes throughout the morning, but the one constant (and her favorite gift besides the one from Santa) was the one I bought on clearance for $6.00 last summer and put away for Christmas...

The Merliah wig (from Barbie in a Mermaid Tale)

We had an absolutely fantastic day!  I had forgotten (until Reese was born), just how much fun opening gifts on Christmas morning could be.  Hope your family had just as much fun as ours did.



Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Morning!



Merry Christmas!



O (Little) Christmas Tree



I bought Reese her own Christmas tree last year.  It only stands 3 feet tall, but she loves that she can call it her own. 

I let her help decorate the big tree, but she can do whatever she wants to this one and can go back and mess with it as much as she wants.  I bought miniature bulbs and T bought a bunch of Princess ornaments.  She takes great pride in the decorating and is very careful. 

This tree was up DAYS before the big one on account of my laziness because I've been so darn busy.  But we're all decorated now and ready for the big celebration.  Ready that is, as soon as the elves finish the baking and clean the house!

Wordless Wednesday

On our way to see the Nutcracker!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas



I started a new tradition last year with Reese (well, actually I stole it from my sister, but pretend I was genius enough to think of it myself).  We go to the Dollar store and she picks out gifts for each family member: 

Daddy, Grammy, Uncle, Aunt and cousins.

It was really exciting this year because she had a list in her head of what she was wanted to buy for each person before we got to the store.  For J, I'm getting a headband, for T I'm getting markers, etc.  I thought it was cool that she was actually thinking of things that were useful and relevant to their lives.  In reality, every kid her age may do that and she may not actually be ahead of the curve, but in my mind, I considered her miles ahead of anyone else...like all us Mom's do I'm sure.

Anyway, she picked out her gifts and even convinced me that we had to have the princess paper to wrap them in lest our Christmas be incomplete.  The 5,673 other papers we already have just wouldn't do...so princess paper made the cut.

We took the gifts home and got ready for all the fun

I let her do it all...including the cutting!

Never have packages been taped so securely :)

She needed a little help with spelling, but got all names on their respective packages

No gift wrapping experience would be complete without the obligatory "silly face" picture



So what fun traditions do you have that I can steal, I mean totally think up on my own?

Out of the Mouths of Babes

We are not a very political family, so I have no strong feelings one way or another regarding Obama's presidency.

So, I found what happened at our house last night/this morning very interesting.  Reese wanted to watch a Christmas show (How the Grinch Stole Christmas to be exact), but I couldn't find anything on except coverage of the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.  So, that's what we settled in to watch.  I thought there would be lots of Christmas carrolls for us to enjoy...and who knows, maybe even a celebrity or two singing them.  It began with a song I'd never heard before and then people got up and started making speeches.  At this point, Reese informed me that she didn't really like this "Christmas show" and would like to watch something else.  I assured her that it would get better and then, I promptly fell asleep.  Did it get better or not?  Fast forward to our ride to the babysitter this morning where this conversation ensued:

Me:  "Hey Reese, did you watch the rest of that Christmas show last night?"
Reese:  "Yes, but I didn't like the bald guy."
Me:  "What bald guy?"
Reese:  "I'm talking about the guy who had a dark face and black hair"
Me:  "Are you talking about the one they introduced like this:  Now, ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States?"
Reese:  "Yes"
Me:  "Why didn't you like him?"
Reese: "I think he's sneaky."

Now, I don't know anyone else's view on what's happening in this Presidential term, but I've heard lots of murmuring of things getting passed with something else hidden deep in the bill...sounds sneaky to me.  I don't agree with healthcare reform the way I've heard it discussed - lots of hidden agendas.  I read on the internet that 53% of voters disapprove of the president's performance.  We don't talk about any of this at our home, so I found it very interesting that Reese would have come to this conclusion on her own.  Insight or coincidence?  I think her statement has been echoed many times throughout our nation.  Out of the mouths of babes indeed.

Wordless Wednesday

Winter sunrise!

Christmas Cookies



Last weekend, Grammy had all the grandkids over to make Christmas cookies.  It's something she does every year, but this was Reese's first time to participate.

When we were on our way there, Reese told me that I could just drop her off and leave because she'd be fine without me.  *stab* straight to the heart...my little girl doesn't want me around already!  After thinking about it a few minutes, I decided that leaving would be ideal.  I'd have a couple hours to run errands and she could have fun without Mommy.

We walked in Grammy's and Reese immediately asked when I was leaving.  Grammy thwarted  her efforts though because she wanted me to help with the baking and organizing of cookies,  icing and kids.  She made a bunch of cookies ahead of time and then an additional batch of dough so the kids could cut some out too.  

She rolled, they cut, I baked. 

They had a great time even though Grammy was exhausted by the time we were done.  Reese said next time we go to Grammy's, I can't stay for sure!  Where oh where did my Mommy girl go?

Cooking Class 101

I made a new recipe last night.  It's been earmarked in one of my cookbooks for a long time (about 7 years, I think).  The ingredients were appealing, but I guess I let the name of the recipe put me offf.  It's called "Spicy Southwest Corn Cheese Soup".  Sounds yucky, right?  Well, I finally made it since hubby was out of town and it didn't call for any type of meat (he's a BIG meat guy).

I'm going to rename it "Cheesy Corn Soup" so it sounds a little more appetizing.  It was delicious!  Even approved by my 3 year old, so it must be good.  Have you ever wanted to lick the sides of the rotel bowl but stopped short because it wasn't "lady like?"  If so, you'll love this recipe - not only does it remind me of rotel dip, it also allows me to look super sophisticated 'cause I don't have to lick the bowl.  Here it is:

The players

First, put 10oz frozen corn (I used a 14.5 oz can instead of frozen), garlic and butter in large saucepan on medium-high heat until tender.  Reduce heat to medium (I began the second step just as soon as I had these 3 things in the sauce pan since my corn wasn't frozen). 

Second:  Stir in remaining ingredients;  cook until Velveeta is melted and soup is thorougly heated.  Top with crushed tortilla chips if desired.

I kept looking back at the recipe thinking I'd missed something, but it was truly as simple as I first believed it to be.  Beware, this recipe makes a super rich soup...I couldn't eat that much (score on my weight loss challenge), even though it was delicous!  Reese thought so too!!

Ingredients:
1 package (10 ounces) frozen seet corn, thawed, drained
1 clove garlic
1 tablespooon margarine
3/4 pound (12 ounces) Velveeta cheese
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilis
3/4 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup milk

Wordless Wednesday

Where are all the squirrels?

Lose 10 pounds by Christmas challenge

Last week I signed up for a "Lose 10 pounds by Christmas challenge" - then I ate a brownie...GO ME!

I wasn't super motivated, but did actually get on the treadmill once for a total distance of 1 mile and 100 calories.  So, I was super surprised to weigh in yesterday morning at a measly .8 pounds down.  I mean, come on, shouldn't that treadmill workout cancel out the brownie(s) and excess sugar cookies consumed at Grammy's on Saturday?

Then, yesterday afternoon it began.  The first Christmas gifts delivered to work.  It's a huge tin of popcorn...plain, cheese and caramel.  No telling what's next.

I did get on the treadmill again last night (1 mile, 130 calories) and the hubby is out of town all week (no cooking), so maybe I'll do a little better this week.  If not, I'll try to pass off my orange stained fingers as a new fashion trend.

Christmas Traditions

I bought this book the first year Reese was born.  I love starting family traditions and I thought this would be a good one.  So, I've faithfully taken it out from the depths of my closet, dusted it off and read it to her each Christmas season. 

The book is super cute and explains that the elf is in your house to watch the kids daily actions.  Each night he flies off to the North Pole to report whether they've been naughty or nice then (because of magic) is able to make it back to your house before they wake up the next morning.  He "hides" in a new place every day and the kids have to look for him when they get out of bed.  

It also encourages the kids to name their elf the first time they read the book.  Since we started reading it before Reese was 1, she didn't name him in 2007.  In 2008, she named our elf  "A boy" and last year she named him "Elf boy".  I've got nothing if not a creative genius daughter when it comes to namin' elves. 

If you're looking for a cute Christmas tradition, this one's great.  We've even used "Elf Boy" to stop a tantrum or two.

All I ask is that you refrain from stealing either of our elf names if you choose to get one of these books for yourselves!!!

Book Review

I just finished reading this book and couldn't let it go without talking about how incredible I thought it was.

I became a Portia fan when she joined Ally McBeal, but lost track of her after the show ended.  I remember being surprised to find out about her relationship with Ellen because I never new she was gay, which, come to find out, is exactly the way she wanted it. 

She wrote this book to chronicle her struggles with her sexual orientation and anorexia in hopes that it will help anyone who's ever struggled with self acceptance.  It's beautifully written and I could not put it down (I even had it cracked open on my desk at work so I could "peek" at it here and there). 

I don't know about anyone else, but I know I've never been 100% happy with my body regardless of what I weighed.  I look back at pictures and the first thing I notice is whether I was fat or thin at that time.  I weighed 105 pounds when I graduated from high school, but never considered myself "thin".  I can easily look back in time and say "now, back then, you were skinny," but that thought never enters my conscience in the present tense.  I'm always thinking, if I could just lose xxxx pounds, I'd be happy with how I look - it's a vicious cycle that never ends. 

Here are a few statements from Portia's book that I thought were worthy of mentioning:

• Restriction generates yearning.  You want what you can't have.
• I really hope that my self-exploration can help not only people who are suffering from anorexia and bulimia, but also the perpetual dieters.  You don't have to be emaciated or vomiting to be suffering.  All people who live their lives on a diet are suffering.
• If you can accept your natural body weight - the weight that is easy for you to maintain, or your "set point" - and not force it to be beneath your body's natural, healthy weight, then you can live your life free of dieting, of restriction, of feeling guilty every time you eat a slice of your kid's birthday cake.  But the key is to accept your body just as it is.

Wow!  What an eye opener for me!  If I don't deprive myself of a little goody here and there, maybe I won't cave in and eat 10 (or more) at one time.  I know what my natural body weight is!  I've been there many times, but it never seemed to be good enough.  I just have to readjust my habits (i.e. eating and exercising) to get back there.  I can't put into words exactly what I'm trying to say, so I'm going to end by simply saying,

If you're looking for an open and honest well written book, you won't be sorry reading this one.

Fat girl out :)

Mistake - my stake

I think I may have made a mistake.  I read a post at http://www.fatcyclist.com/ challenging readers to lose 10 pounds by December 23 and erroneously began to think that I could accomplish it.  I mean, hello, did I forget it's December and that December brings holiday parties and homemade goodies at work?  Or how about the fact that I haven't regulary exercised for MONTHS?  How in the world did I think I'd stand a shot at losing weight when all I've done lately is gain?

Fatty lured me in with his "no entry fee required"  and a chance to win some goodies.  Now, I'll admit that there are a few things he's giving away that I wouldn't mind having, but IF I reach my goal, I don't even get to choose what I'd get.  I must be losing my marbles...

But, on the other hand...I dread getting ready for work every morning because I'm sick and tired of changing my clothes 10 times when the pants I picked don't button or are cinched so tightly around my waist that I'm afraid to sit down.  This madness must end :)

So, I bit the bullet and am going to give it a try.  So what's my stake?  The chance to lose some extra poundage during the time of year that most people gain.  I read a stat the other day that said the average person gains 10-12 pounds during the holiday season - and let me tell you, I'm anything but average!!  So, even if my quest allows me to maintain my current weight, in essence I've lost 10 pounds, right?

We weigh in once a week - I'll let you know how it goes.  Think the brownies sitting on my stovetop will still be good December 24th? 

Me neither *sigh*

Dora DOES help me look a little better, but really?


Here's my "before" shot.  Disgusting that I actually went on a cruise in this condition!

Wordless Wednesday