{elf on a shelf}

We started a new tradition at our house this year.  Not sure I was going to like the Elf thing.  But it has been hysterical.  If you are not familiar with it... There is a small stuffed elf that has some serious magic.  He moves all over the house, watching the Divas and then reports back to Santa every night to tell him if they have been good.  The Divas named our elf "Buddy".  Buddy is very mischievous.  Their favorite place so far was this morning - he was hanging from the chandelier over the kitchen table. Their squeals were priceless.  I absolutely loved listening to the Littlest Diva with her one-way conversation this morning at breakfast:

Okay, here's the thing Buddy.  You can't fall in my cereal.  I'm not sure how you got there.  But if you fall in my cereal mom will think she needs to wash you.  She's kind of a freak that way.  So please stay there.  How was your trip to the North Pole?  It was?  That's good.  I am glad you were safe.  Did you tell Santa that I want a phone?  It's just for emergencies only.  It's not like I will text all my friends and stuff.  But in case I get lost then I can call home.  That's a good reason right?  I know!  I keep telling her that but she won't listen.  She says Santa always asks for permission for stuff like that.  But you could just tell him its important.  Well, I love you Buddy.  Have a good day and be careful.  Tomorrow you might want to pick somewhere else safer.  


I love how she has important reasons of why she needs a phone.  She has done her research and has valid points.  And just so you know, permission wasn't granted.

{thankful last 8}

I almost made it to the end.  8 left.  It doesn't mean I am not thankful.  It just means that with Thanksgiving and a week of some nasty virus that included a trip to the ER that I just didn't have it in me.  But here we go...

Day 23:

The Littlest Diva's Birthday.  This child of mine absolutely makes me happy.  She brings so much joy (and drama) to our home.  She is hilarious, spunky, opinionated, competitive, sweet, thoughtful, drama-filled and beautiful.  She is creative and super smart.  She is messy and obsessive and I wouldn't change a thing about her. Okay, maybe the whole "I know where everything is in my messy room so please don't touch it" is a little much.  I will take it.  I love that girl.

Day 24:

I am thankful for family, friends, football and food.  Absolutely necessary things to get me through life.  And not one is more important than the other.  Yes, MH is the luckiest man alive.

Day 25 - Day 30:

I'm including all 5 days together.  Don't judge.  3 Divas that take care of their mommy.  I don't remember the last time I was this sick.  But the Divas and MH took such great care of me.  They were so worried every time I puked. (Which happened to be almost every 15-30 minutes over a 24 hour period) I could hear Diva#2 "Dad!  Mom is puking again.".  Definitely the best part about being a mom is watching them nurture others.  And their ability to make fun of me when I am fully recovered.

{thankful day 22}

Thankful for the ability to disgust my Divas by kissing MH in front of them.  Who says mom's can't have fun?

{thankful day 20-21}

Day 20:

Celebrated the Littlest Diva's birthday with the whole family.  She was able to share her birthday party with Grandpa H.  They have such a special relationship.  I especially loved when she opened up her present from us.  I wish I had it on video.  She was so excited!  She screamed, ran across the room and jumped in my arms - she was on the verge of tears.  It was worth every penny.  This is what she was so excited about.  Very thankful for her enthusiasm.

Day 21:

Super thankful for a dad that gives me something to chuckle about:

Dad:  I am so sick of spam on my website (aka his email)
Me:  Yes, it gets pretty bad this time of year.
Dad:  Not to mention the spam I get from my donuts.
Me:  Donuts?
Dad:  Yes, donuts.  You know, how your computer reads the donuts?
Me:  Do you mean cookies? (crying from laughing so hard)
Dad:  Yes!  Cookies!  What's so funny?

{thankful day 19}

Today I am thankful MH knows how to use a snow shovel.  And that I can support his efforts by watching him through the window.

{sigh}

I am in a depression.  Not because it's going to snow a lot this weekend.  I mean, yes that does make me sad but I have recently realized that I can't change it so I am going to embrace it.  Maybe even take the girls skiing, snowboarding, sledding.  Well, let's be honest.  I will go with them and let MH take them on the hills while I sit by the fire.  Someone has to keep it going.  The sacrifices I make for my offspring.

Oh, back to my depression.  Kim and Kris didn't even make it 3 months.(gasp!)  Demi and Ashton made it official - they are done.(gasp!)  I thought for sure KK would make it.  I mean, their foundation was so solid.  He is such a mature, hard working guy.  And she is a giver.  Never expects anything in return.  And Demi and Ashton were just meant to be together.  Man, I never saw that coming.  What cougar ever ends up with her spouse cheating on her?  That never happens in Hollywood.  What is this world coming to?

I'll tell you what it's coming to.  In this cute little state of Zion, the Breaking Dawn premier is INSANE.  On our news tonight, they showed a local hotel that was giving a Bella/Edward pre-wedding party.  Women (okay and some very attractive gay men) were lined up to get "updo's" for the wedding.  They were dressed in wedding attire, red contacts and fangs.   Even having their make-up done.  All to sit in a theater.  Don't get me wrong - I am a Twilight fan.  Read the books, loved them.  I will even see the movie next week.  I just think maybe we are going a tad overboard.  Maybe.  Just a little.

And let me just say this... don't think I won't be getting in line for Katniss.  Because I will.  I will even sleep outside to get tickets if I have to.  In fact, if you don't know what I am talking about check it out....here.
Am I going overboard?  Maybe.  I have a lot of competition to keep up with...

{thankful day 18}

I am posting a day early because I know I won't have time tomorrow.  I get to do Fairytale Friday at the Littlest Diva's class and then it's her friend birthday party.  We invited her entire class of 24 (plus several other friends not in her class) to make sure no one's feelings get hurt.  Also thinking that there is no way everyone would come.  Only 3 kids aren't coming.  Luckily, it's not at our house.  But whew!  It will be a long day tomorrow.

Anyway... back to what I am thankful for.  Which today it is sleep.  I have been sick the last few days.  My body knows when I am doing too much.  So then I get sick.  And then I have to slow down and get some sleep.   Sleep is a beautiful thing.  I am not sure why my Divas haven't figured this out yet.  I can't get them to go to bed. I am begging them several times a night.  Even bribing them.  Okay, and yelling.  And then as soon as they are teenagers I will be beating them to get out of bed.  And when they are mom's they will be so excited to have all the kids in school so they can take an afternoon nap if they feel so inclined.  Not that I do that...