Busy days and sleepless nights

I am so sorry for my lack of posting. It has been a busy long while. I can't even count the amount of time it has been since I last blogged. I'm sure I could if I looked at the date of my last post, but I'm too lazy today. 

So, since my last post I have been busy with being a proud Momma to some AWESOME littles, running an amazing book fair with some equally amazing ladies that helped oh so much, and so much more.

First off, my little man won an academic achievement award! YAY! I am one proud Mommy! He has been working so hard. He really wanted to get that award and he did what he needed to do to get it.  I could not be more happy with his amazing achievement.  I saw him put forth the effort and he did a great job and stuck to it.  Now, if only he could put the same amount of effort into keeping his room clean. *sigh*

A friend of mine who is the chairperson for Book Fair on the PTO was offered a position to work as a Substitute while one of the Pre-K teachers was on maternity leave.  Of course she said, "Yes!"  She is a kind woman with a heart of gold and even with her husband soon to deploy, she still accepted the job. So, while she was out of commission when it came to handling the Book Fair, she had asked if I would take over for her.  Like any awesome friend would do... I said yes!  I love the book fair and I was happy to help her.  

So I took on the responsibility, and oh my goodness! It was crazy. From decorations to restocking, taking care of getting enough volunteers, to being they early every morning and late every day, I was exhausted by the time I got home.  Thankfully I had a fantastic group of ladies that helped make the Book Fair a spectacular event! The kids loved it and that is what counts. 

Now that that is over and done with (at least until April), now we are moving into a new place.  My parents are coming to stay with us for a while and we are in the process of finding a new place. By golly, it is difficult to get a rental management person to call you back. Lordy!  

After two long weeks of scouting, we may have found the perfect place.  3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath, eat in kitchen, CARPET!!! (I'll tell you how excited I am about that in a minute) There is a finished basement, a two car garage and a fenced back yard. Not to mention, it is very close to post! Woot!  I am so thankful that we found this place.  Tomorrow I will be going to check it out.  If we do end up getting it, I cannot wait to start decorating.  That is always the best part. 

I'm looking forward to the adventures to come. It's going to be quite an adventure at that, but fun none-the-less. Can't wait to fill you all in. 

When Christmas Comes to Town

Before I get into anything regarding Christmas, first I must reflect on Thanksgiving.  At first the littles and I were a little sad because Daddy wasn't here for yet another holiday.  But, we have the BEST friends here and the day before Thanksgiving we got a phone call from our BEST friends asking if we would like to join them.   Immediately, my eyes welt up with tears, but I held back a sob and graciously accepted the invitation.

The littles and I were so excited to be going over to our friends to spend the holiday with them, laughing, playing, and eating some darn good food. And boy was the food GOOD!

If it was not for friends like these, we would have been home alone, moping about Daddy not being here again.  We truly do have some of the best friends anyone could ask for.  They opened their hearts and home to us and I could not be more appreciative. Thank you very much!


NOW... on to the next holiday!  Someone stopped by in the middle of the night and greeted the kids this morning.  Can you guess who?

The Elf on the Shelf has made an appearance people!  The littles and I decided to name him Elfred! Get it!  It's like Alfred, but since he's an Elf... HA HA HA!  Okay, sorry.  I guess I got a little carried away with the name. But I just think it's too darn cute!

The littles have already told them what they want for Christmas and have filled out their Letter to Santa.  I made these up last night on Microsoft PowerPoint.  I told them that they came with the Elf and that Santa wanted each of them to fill it out and Elfred would bring it back to Santa tonight when he goes back to the North Pole to give his Daily Report.

I love how they turned out.  So super cute! I love reading what they wrote down.  Here is what Little Man wrote down for what his Christmas Wishes are...

He just wants Daddy to come home.  I have to admit, I cried like a baby just out of the womb.  Hard sobs.  This kid knows how to make the flood gates open.

I'm going to let you all in on a little secret.  The kids do not know when exactly he is coming home... but I do!  We are not telling them because we want to surprise them either at school or however we can.  They know he is coming back in Dec, but not the date.  Tee Hee.. I'm so mean.  I LOVE IT!

Do not worry though fellow friendlies, I will post pictures of the awesomely, tearful reunion.  None of you will be left out of knowing how it all turned out.

Lastly, tomorrow is the last day of my 24-Day Challenge!! WOOT!  So far I have lost 5 pounds and 7 inches!! Mostly from my thighs and hips.  On an even MORE awesome note,  I have dropped a pant size!! YAY!  Instead of being in a size 6 I am now in a 4!! WOO HOO!  For the last 6 years I was in a size 7 and while that was all fine and dandy ( I started off at a size 0 before having kids), I am just so pleased as punch to be in a 4!!!

If any of you would like to see results like mine or better, please contact me and we can get you started on a 24-Day Challenge as well.  Those who do the Challenge will be entered to win a Coach Purse!  WOOT! COACH! Who doesn't want a Coach Purse?  This lady does, but I already completed (or just about to complete) my challenge.

Well, that is all for my verbalage (is that a word, oh well I'm making it one) for today.  I hope you all had a wonderful and full of Thanks-giving! Ha, see what I did there? Yea, I'm pretty cool like that.  I also hope you all have a magical and festive holiday!

Planning for Little Man's 7th Birthday!

I am sorry it has been a while since I have posted. I have been busy with PTO, Kid's Schoolwork, My Schoolwork, Volunteering, Cooking, Cleaning, Being a Mom, and... Planning for Little Man's 7th Birthday Party!!

I am extremely excited for his birthday this year. We have both agreed on a pretty nifty party theme. This year the theme is.... Superhero Theme!!

I have had so much fun scouring the internet to find ideas for invitations, party favors, decorations, and other awe-inspiring ideas. All of my work has paid off and I have been slaving over the details like a workhorse. (I may have to enlist the help of my PTO lady friends to help out with some decorations. We will just see when I end up burning out.)

So far I have bountiful amounts of ideas. Masks, capes, comic book fighting word decorations, and SUPER cool invitations.

The invitations I found on etsy are absolutely amazing looking. However, at $30 for a set of 12, and me needing 24 invites... I decided to make my own for half the price. There is no way I am shelling out $60 for invitations.

The Etsy Invitation

My Invitation

Though mine may not be as perfect looking as the etsy invite, I love how the ones I made turned out. I still have about 18 more to make. Lord help me! My hands are going to feel dead by the end of the weekend. 

The capes will be made out of tablecloths. Little Man's will be black and he will have a black mask. The boys at the party will have blue masks and capes, the girls will have pink masks and capes. EEP! I'm so excited to see them run around the playground in masks and capes!

I found a good tutorial here ---> How To Create Superhero Capes

Next was the fun part... I got to use spray paint!!! I bought white masks from Hobby Lobby to use for the boy and girl masks. Then I spray painted them Hot Pink and Ocean Blue. I got the spray paint from Hobby Lobby as well. I love that place.

The next idea I came across was fabulous! Onomatopoeia words with jagged bubbles staked into cupcakes! No need to mess with fondant! This idea I got from Cupcake Decorating Ideas.

I am also going to make those into larger cutouts to hang around the party area! This is going to be one AWESOME party!!!!

I can't wait until March 30th. Little Man will be turning 7 and I will be turning 82! Not really, but it sure feels like it. I will make sure to take a ton of pictures of the exciting events.