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Our houses always look pitiful, but we press on each year and try again. This year was bad because the icing was much too thin, and I didn’t realize the problem until they were already into it, so we just went with trying for our most pitiful looking house yet. I think we achieved it! O’well, it’s all about making memories, right?
Oh how I love Wordle. I don’t know why, but it amuses me. It’s always interesting to plug in a speech given and see the prominent words.
So, instead of wrapping tonight, I’m wordle-ing my blog.
and then I wordled my good friend Amy’s blog
and my friend Jodie’s blog
Online shopping is the greatest for me. I love shopping in my jammies. It’s much easier to do price comparisons and I can read reviews. Best of all, I don’t have to find a parking spot, drag out the stroller, and try to keep whomever is along happy (and not asking to get something). For several years I have done my Christmas shopping online with great success. I expected this year to be like all the others. One of the perks of presents coming in shipping boxes is that they are sealed and shut from any peeking eyes. Thinking I am so smart, I keep them sealed. Including the box that contained the one and only thing Jonathan had written on his “need” list. Do you see where this is going?
I open said package in preparation for wrapping. Only to find not the special alarm clock on his list, but a High School Musical Tooth Tunes toothbrush. It is t-minus 3 days until Christmas! I don’t think I can convince him of his need for a HSM toothbrush… even if it DOES play music for the full 2 minutes required for adequate brushing.
Hasbrotoyshop.com was very apologetic (and said I could keep the toothbrush!), but they were OUT. OF. STOCK. of said alarm clock. Am I really going to have to get out in the holiday shopping madness now? Do I make a deal that he can get one as soon as they become in stock? I check other online sources who not only want DOUBLE the retail price, but also want to make it triple the price with the expedited shipping charges.
This would normally not be a big deal to me, but since I implemented the 4 gift deal I was feeling bad. So I look again at hasbrotoyshop.com and they do have the purple one in stock. So I totally had to blow any semblance of a surprise for Jonathan and see if the purple would be acceptable (and I’ll even throw in a HSM toothbrush, buddy!!). So we are all good to go, only if I would have found the error just 2 hours earlier, they could have guaranteed me Christmas delivery… they are pushing it through and we are keeping our fingers crossed, but he may end up waiting for the 26th for his clock…. the toothbrush should tide him over though, dontcha think?
and I am just about ready for Christmas. I’m determined not to do the late Christmas Eve wrapping. We’ve never been huge over-the-top at Christmas with the kids, but they have always gotten more than they need. So this year, we decided to scale back and focus less on the gifts. We had the kids make lists based on 4 categories and we picked one thing from each. Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. They had the BEST time with their lists this year. I worried they might be a little disappointed with the thought of just 4 things, but it’s completely the opposite.
Here’s Miss Gracie, so completely in the Christmas spirit:
One last note, if you are still looking for that perfect gift for that person on your list that has everything… I do offer gift certificates! Gift them a free session, or credit towards prints, or even a collection.
J came to visit today to mark turning 18 months. His Mommy is so good and so on the ball with keeping up to date with his photos. And it’s amazing to see how he’s changed each time I get to see him. I was all prepped for a work out session. 18 month olds are difficult and busy, I know, I have one of my own! But J couldn’t have been a more perfect angel! There are so many I could show you, but I really must finish up a couple other sessions before I can!
The bonus for me is I was able to get a couple of my own 18 month old, who loves to explore in my studio, but is completely over getting any photos (read: runs away telling me “no, no, no!”).
I usually try to do a little bit creative yet useful gifts for the teachers, so I saw this idea and it definitely fit in the budget this year. Hopefully they will love them!
Pampered Chef whisks filled with assorted Hershey Kisses. The tags read “We whisk you a merry kiss-mas”. I just used Mindy Terasawa’s Colorful Christmas digital tags from Designer Digitals. Mindy always makes holiday crafty projects super easy!
Two class parties this afternoon and then it is officially Christmas break!
It’s so hard to believe this little guy
is now this big guy:
I thought I’d just take a quick peek at a fun senior session today with a most beautiful girl… and then I couldn’t resist processing a few which means I can’t help but post a few!
It was so great to meet you today, N… and I’m totally going to make you do a fun outdoor session this spring!
And I couldn’t resist applying a few funky effects… my regular sessions don’t always lend themselves to fun & funky effects, so it’s always fun to try different things! Seniors are fun! I can see myself perhaps getting into the senior market on a regular basis!
Just a little sneak peek from Wednesday’s session with the M boys. Love when they come to visit and play. My Thomas & G really have a blast!
