MarytheKaytheBlog

A very full birthday weekend

 You know how sometimes all the hustle and bustle, and all the busy-ness can put a real damper on the holiday spirit?  Well, I am teetering dangerously close to that DAMPER.   Now, I hate to start off this post full of FUN EVENTS so negatively, but I would be dishonest if I didn't tell you that I am EXHAUSTED and CRANKY tonight.

Note to self:  This weekend was probably a little too full, a little too fun...  I know I won't remember this next year, and I'm sure I'll be saying the SAME THINGS after this same weekend of fun events next year.  But--think of this--next year you can say, "I told ya so!!"

So, now that we have all my crankiness and negativity out in the open, let's commence with the FUN WHIRLWIND that we got caught up in!

Our main event this weekend was celebrating Miss Sara Beth's 7th birthday!!  7???  Where is my little baby girl who loved to be snuggled all day long?  Where is my little pumpkin pie, my little snuggle bunny, my sugar bear?  I have to say...she is still all of those things--and so much more.  What a gift she is to our family!

Just like every birthday around our house, we started off the morning with presents and breakfast in bed.  I always love the bed-head birthday pictures.  

 

How about a little red and green sprinkle donut for breakfast?  Yummm.

After presents and breakfast, we got dressed and headed to Rebecca's voice concert.  Her sweet voice teacher had a little Christmas concert for her students.  Aren't they just the cutest singers ever?

 

Here are Rebecca and Madeline singing their duet.  Wow, these girls sure are growing up.   Would I be shameful if I told you that I think they both have beautiful voices?  Okay, then--I won't tell you...

Next, we grabbed some lunch and headed to Sara Beth's BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!  Woo Hoo!  Sara Beth's smart mama talked her into a bowling party!  I have to say--a bowling party is the EASIEST party we've had yet!!!  I feel like the kids all had a fun time, and--literally--the party ran itself.

Oh, and this picture?  That's Sara Beth being a stinker, and holding up every finger combination except 7. 

 

There's the birthday girl all ready to bowl some strikes! 

Seriously--these were a FUN group of kids! 

And here is the family!  I just love that BOTH sets of Sara Beth's grandparents were there.  (Don't know why Grandpa isn't in the picture...)  Also, my sister and brother-in-law being there just made me h-a-p-p-y!!

 

My new favorite party favor:  Decorated sugar cookies made by Kim Mitrenga!  If you don't live in Branson, you may not know about these sugar cookies...and I'm sorry for that...   These sugar cookies not only are PRETTY, but they TASTE AMAZING, and are VERY REASONABLY priced. 

Ah, good friends make a birthday party EVEN BETTER!!  I must be honest, though...these girls were in some serious bowling competition.  I do believe there was even some money wagered...and lost...  But, I won't mention any names...

 

And here are all the CUTIE PIE kids!!  Seriously--have you ever seen sweeter kids?  This picture was snapped right AFTER we made all the kids stop holding the 50-lb bowling balls OVER their heads.  We sure didn't need any head injuries...  That would have put a real cramp in the rest of our fun weekend plans, ya know.

 

And here is the whole group--including most of the adults.  I'm so glad Carissa is bossy and reminds me to take pictures like these!  Where would my scrapbook be without Carissa telling me to snap pictures...?

 

Now, right here you are going to have to use your IMAGINATION.  Because, for some reason, I did not take any pictures of the next TWO events.   We went to a very fun couples Christmas party Saturday night, and a very fun Sunday school party Sunday afternoon.  If I could sum up both events, I would say these words:  Yummy food + good friends + laughter = good for the soul.


And...one last event... We capped off the weekend with a birthay dinner for a dear friend. 

Whew!  Are you worn out yet?  I sure am!  But, my heart...and...my belly are full.

What made your heart and belly full this weekend?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...Linky Dinks

Mmm...A warm cup of cocoa with peppermint marshmallows.  Have you discovered peppermint marshmallows yet?  They really amp up the hot cocoa experience!  (Have I ever told you how MUCH I love sipping out of my red Fiesta mugs?  Love.)

 

Ooh!  Christmas Cheer: A Linky party full of appetizers!!!  My favorites?  Well, at least in the pictures--Jalapeno popper dip, Crack bread,  Emily's party bread, and cream cheese and crab wontons.  I'm seeing a theme here, and it's name is CHEESE.

And how about some more Christmas party inspiration?  A Linky party of desserts!!  Oh yes--come on, inspiration, show me what to make!   Life in Grace

 

Okay, STOP THE PRESSES.  This crockpot hot chocolate should be a mandatory accoutrement at all homes on Christmas day.  (Did I just say "accoutrement"?  Hmm, weird.)  Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to go into the kitchen all day on Christmas and just scoop upanother cup of homemade chocolatey goodness?  And wouldn't your kids think you were the best. mom. ever??    Mrs. Happy Homemaker

  

The Five Things I Learned from George Bailey made me smile, and sigh several times.  I mean, everything about It's a Wonderful Life makes me smile...but these 5 things make me smile even more.  Mark Spearman has begun writing for the Entertainment section of Pioneer Woman, and I have loved everything he has written.   The Pioneer Woman

 

BAM.  That's the sound of an AMAZING IDEA hitting me in the head.  Wow.  I realize this isn't Christmasy, but I just couldn't resist linking it up.  If you need a resume, READ THIS.  It makes me want to re-write my resume...even though the only job I'm hoping for right now is Oil Heiress.   Jon Acuff

 

This is such a cool idea for a live concert!  And--bonus!!!--Josh Wilson happens to be one of my FAVORITE musicians!

 

 

How about some Christmas present wrapping music?  No, no, no...not RAP music...WRAPPING music.

 

That's all, folks.  Now go hither and haveth a wonderful weekend...a wonderful life!  May your weekend days be merry and bright...May your Christmas party desserts turn out beautifully, may your once-a-year holiday outfits not feel too snug, and may your white elephant gifts be the HIT of the party!

Happy weekend, good people.  See you on Monday!

Speaking of white elephant gifts...what's the WORST/BEST one you've ever received??

It's a musical kind of week...

We're having a musical sort of week over here.  We've had voice concerts, band concerts, and choir concerts...with an upcoming church choir concert.  I thought I'd post just a few picture highlights.

These sweet friends take voice lessons together, and were asked to sing at a ladies' event this week.  I was just SO PROUD of them!  They got up on stage like they were old pros.  I especially loved watching our shy daughter chatting with some of the ladies after...   *sigh*   My sweet girl is growing up.

 

Here is our daughters' school choir all ready to sing!  Oh yes, I am shameless and marked our little cuties with white arrows.  If you will double-click on the picture, you'll see that Sara Beth is receiving a word from the Lord...  I think He was telling her she'd better behave up there on stage!

 

(Again--please double-click the picture to see it larger)  It's a proven fact:  The head tilt helps you sing better.

 

 And the choral girls' ensemble.  Aren't they pretty girls?  I may be a little biased...  These are all such sweet, sweet friends for Rebecca.  I can't tell you how grateful I am for that.

 

What's a concert without a BAND??  There's our little clarinet player! 

I need to know something, though:  Is it regulation or something that ALL bands must play Sleigh Ride at the Christmas concert?  I must admit--it did make me all smiley happy.  I played Sleigh Ride myself quite a few times...and quite a few years ago.  I was really wishing I had my flute with me--I would have happily joined right in!

Okay, that's it.  I won't subject you to the 49 other dimly-lit, badly-focused, too-far-away pictures...  However, if I had a way to upload the song Sleigh Ride...I might just make a Power Point presentation for ya.  But, since I don't...I'll just say:

Good night, good people.   Plus...The snow is falling...and friends are calling...yoo hoo...it's lovely weather...for a sleigh ride together with you...

Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up, let's go...

Oh, all right.  I'll stop.

But, please don't forget the birthday party, at the home of Farmer Gray.  I heard he'll have some chestnuts to pop.

pop pop pop.

Really...this time I mean it.

(Anybody want a peanut?)

 Have YOU been to your obligatory Christmas band and choir concert yet?  

You know--it's just not Christmas until you've sat through at least a children's concert or two...

A Wife's Primer on What NOT to Buy Her at Christmas

1.  Let's just get this one out of the way:  Do. Not. Ever. Buy. Me. A. Star.  I know some women are sentimental and romantic, and think a star is a lovely idea.  I'm much too practical for that hooey.  Diamonds that sparkle like stars will suit me just fine.

 2.  Even if I ask for them, please do not buy me kitchen appliances, or a fancy vacuum, or for that matter--any item that cleans spit-up, tinkle, and/or poop. 

3.  The only exception for #2 above is if there is a sparkly ring hiding in the bottom of the Salad Shooter, or a tennis bracelet wrapped around a vacuum attachment.  Then, those appliances are perfectly acceptable.

4.  Taxidermy is the gift that keeps on giving...  Giving your wife a good excuse to cook your least favorite meal over...and over again.  "Honey!  It's tuna casserole night again!!!"

5. Do not ever purchase a weight loss system or gym membership for me as a gift.  What are you, crazy???

6.  It is probably not a good idea to shop for me in the As Seen on TV store.   Plus, that's where I'm buying YOUR gift...so stay away!

7.   No matter how cool your friends will think you are, do not purchase me anything with the words Remington or Winchester. 

8.  While we're on the subject, just stay away from the Bass Pro Shop and Cabela's.  If in doubt, let me just go ahead and tell you--"NO.  Your wife will NOT want to snuggle under the thousand-dollar polar bear throw.  Nor will she think the more economical camo slippers are sexy."

9.  Speaking of sexy...do not buy me anything I cannot open in front of my mother.  No matter how funny you and my dad would think it is.

10.  Let me boil it all down to keep it simple: 

Jewelry store--yes, unless you stumble into one where lots of little girls seem to be shopping for Justin Bieber necklaces and such. 

Clothing store--yes, but keep all receipts, and ALWAYS buy a SIZE SMALLER no matter that I told you the size.  When I fuss that you bought the wrong size, please just say these words, "Oh, but honey, that size looked way too big for you." 

Home furnishing store--yes, but buy the exact opposite of what you think looks good. 

Victoria's Secret--don't you dare go into that store, and don't even look in the windows.  Those women in there are hussies, and would love nothing more than to snag a good man.  Stay far, far away from them. 

My favorite bookstore/coffee shop/lunch restaurant--yes, gift cards are lovely ideas...as long as they are wrapped in something nicer...like a steering wheel...or an iPad...or down inside a dark brown Frye Jane boot....

(Oh, and just so you know...my husband is a great gift-giver!  ESPECIALLY when he gives things like netbooks and/or Frye boots...I mean, not to get all specific or anything...I'm just speaking hypothetically, of course!)

What's the craziest gift you've ever received?

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Christmas Around the World Classes: Italy

Ya'll, I don't know if you have discovered this about me yet...but sometimes...I am a crazy woman.  Case in point:  The month of December.  Besides helping make Christmas happen for our family, as well as a birthday celebration for our youngest daughter, I teach 3 Christmas Around the World classes to a group of homeschool kids.

Oh, but please don't get me wrong.  I LOVE teaching these classes.  I love the different kids that come every year.  I love their enthusiasm in learning about different cultures.  I love the research into new countries and cultures involved in putting these new classes together every year.  And I just love the way the classes make me feel so FESTIVE and Christmas-y!!

(Read about some of our past Christmas Around the World classes!)

Just last week, 14 kids and I jumped over the ocean and learned all about the easiest country to locate on any map--the boot-shaped country!  Italy!!!  Buon Natale!

In case you'd like to incorporate this class into your own student's schedule, I am attaching many of the notes we used, in a booklet form.   I also used some fun coloring sheets from the Christmas Around the World coloring book. (which are not included here.)

Feel free to download this Christmas in Italy booklet

(Read here to find out the terrible thing I ALMOST DID with these booklets...SO THANKFUL I caught it before I handed them out to the kids.  Hint:  Check the "P.S." at the end.)

So...WHAT did our Christmas in Italy day look like?  Here are a few fun pics! Finding "the boot" on the globe!

 

This group of kids LOVED coloring in their booklets!  They are also coloring their white sacks--which kept everything they made safe and organized!

 

Sweet, sweet girls...

 

When in Italy...you make PASTA!!!  Of course!  The modern pasta maker makes it much easier than the old fashioned rolling out...

 

My older students were a GREAT help.

 

Lots and lots of noodles...

 

Making the glittering stars!  A reminder to our fun story Old Befana, but also tree ornaments to take home!

 

Sweet new friends working together

 

Look what I made, Mom!

 

Oh, we didn't just stay inside all day.  We had lots of outside play time!  Can you tell they're excited to be out?


What do all Kindergartners love to play? 

Duck....duck....rabbit!!!  Duck....duck....coyote!!  The older kids improvised on the old standby game.  I love it!

Want MORE Christmas Around the World / Christmas Past in America ideas?  Click HERE to read more!

Do you remember leaning about Christmas in other cultures when you were in school? 

What fun things do you remember?

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