How Does Santa Do It?

Do you ever wonder how Santa Claus does it? How in the world he is able to prepare all those gifts for all those children and deliver them on Christmas Eve? I do. And sometimes I imagine a possible scenario of how it actually could happen.

I think that perhaps Santa and his elves listen all year long to each child in a family, and when they hear something that a child may like or want, they get busy making it in the workshop. I think that somewhere around the North Pole, the elves store gifts that are finished. Maybe they have individual boxes or shelves for each child, and all year long, they add to each child's pile.

I think that perhaps one of the elves must have a special, secret notebook in which she keeps track of each item for each child. She may even keep track of how much it cost for the elves to build each gift. I'm sure the elves try to keep things equal, don't you think?

Of course, as Christmas gets closer, things get much more hectic at The North Pole. I imagine the elves work very hard during October and November so that by December, all the major work is completed. Once all the gifts are made, the wrapping elves takeover and most likely spend an evening wrapping and storing each child's gifts in a box or bag. They probably put the boxes in a safe place so that on Christmas Eve, they are all ready to load in Santa's sleigh! The elves only need to tie up loose ends during the month of December, and therefore they have more time for enjoying their favorite time of year! I think the elves and Santa probably watch Christmas movies, listen to Christmas music, bake lots of Christmas cookies, and maybe even simply sit by the tree relaxing, knowing that they are all ready for Christmas Day. I am sure they also spend time thinking about the true meaning of Christmas too, don't you think?

When the big night finally arrives, the elves only have to load up the sleigh, and watch as Santa does his magic, placing presents, filling stockings, and eating cookies. Then, I imagine, when he is all finished, Santa takes some time to sit in front of his own tree with Mrs. Clause, and enjoys the quiet, calm night that is the holiest night of the year. And then...he goes to sleep, safe in the knowledge that he and his elves have made each and every child very happy on Christmas Day.

Of course, these are only my thoughts on how Santa and his elves prepare for Christmas. No-one really knows for sure. : )

Pinterest for the precious image. : )

A Day In The Life...Bitmoji Style

My day begins anywhere between 7:30 and 8:30...

No explanation needed...

Meditation. Yep. Everyday. (But I don't really sit like that.) Just sayin'...

Breakfast!

Then the kids and I watch one program together.

Ok...sometimes two...

The school bell rings, and we work together until...

Lunch!

After lunch, we all take the puppies for a walk...

Then we go back to finish our school day!

After we finish, I tackle some laundry/cleaning/phone calls...

Before my afternoon nap.

Total disclosure here.

Afternoon coffee...

Then Peyton and I start dinner.

After dinner, we tidy up the family room, light a candle, and get ready to enjoy our evening together.

Television...

And evening tea.

I always unplug and read a little too long...

Before I say my prayers...

And fall into dreamland.

P.S. If you want to make your own Bitmoji to text with...just download the Bitmoji app!

And in case you are thinking I might be a little too old for this stuff...you are probably right! : )

But it is kinda fun!!!!

A Bunch Of Really Random Photos Friday

Ok. This post is filled with random photos from the past few weeks I found on my camera and on my phone. Like my mind sometimes, this post has really no rhyme nor reason!  Before we begin, however, I want to thank you all once again for all the love, kind words, cards, and prayers you offered on the passing of Steve's mother, Mum. It was a very difficult week, but one thing I can say for certain...Mum's legacy was clearly evident during the days following her death. Her children are seven of the most amazing people I have ever known. They all worked together, without one disagreement, to plan and implement the most beautiful celebration of Mum's life. It is an honor to be part of that family that Mum began. Mum is now at rest next to Steve's Dad, and after twenty- five years, they are together once more.

Now...a few random photos of our life the past few weeks...

October became November!!!!

We said goodbye the jack-o-lantern dresses, and hello to the pumpkin dresses.

Our backyard looks like this now.

As much as I love October and Halloween, I have a special spot for the bare trees, crisp wind, and early evenings that November brings. It is almost like an intermission between the Halloween fun and the Christmas joy. We snuggle in earlier in the evenings. We slow down and do less. We plan for a turkey dinner to come, and we begin to organize ideas in our heads for surprises for our loved ones.

November is cozy in the schoolroom...

And full of fun science activities with pumpkins and cranberries!

Just a random photo of my precious little shadow

Because. Cuteness.

One of my very favorite things to do in November is switch out Flynn's pajamas from Halloween to Christmas. I do this early because they are just too darn cute and cozy to wear only one month!

During the colder months when we don't go out as much, Flynn basically lives in pajamas. I love the jammies from Gymboree. They are very soft and cozy and fit true to size. They also wash up well.

Another place I like to order from is Carters. I know I am almost done with these precious stores that have been a part of my life for over 20 years, so I am soaking it all in.

Look who is home!!!!!!!

My Madison was planning on coming with Nicolas in a few weeks, but when she heard about Mum, she wanted to come home. And Nicolas made it happen. We are blessed. 

And lastly, I came across this beautiful photo of Steve's Mum when she was young.

If you closely at her beautiful face, you might see a resemblance to someone else you know.

Any guesses?

I will give you a hint...Mum is holding a plate of cupcakes. ; )

Have a cozy weekend, my friends.

Thank you for visiting!!!

Halloween 2017

We were blessed with the perfect day to celebrate Halloween. It was overcast...not sunny, chilly...not cold, and dry...no rain or snow. This is how we celebrated Halloween this year...

Surprise Halloween breakfast...

And a fun afternoon treat...

My baby chose an adorable Little Red Riding Hood costume this year.

And her smile says it all.

Big sister Peyton dressed as a beautiful cat to take Flynn Trick-or-Treating.

And Rhett even found an old mask lying around so he could go too.

This little lady was waiting to go with us.

And so we headed out to Trick-or Treat together.

As we drove through neighborhoods and watched the kids go door to door, I became emotional. Again. I realized that this was Steve and my twentieth year of dressing up our kids and taking them door to door. I watched and wondered how many more Halloween nights I would spend in our car, listening to Halloween music, and stopping at houses to watch my kids walk up together and return with huge smiles on their faces. How many more times will I see my little Flynn smile and give me a thumbs up as she returns to the car? How many more times will I watch Peyton and Rhett make sure that Flynn has a wonderful time as they go with her from house to house? And in addition...I missed my Madison.

By the time we got home, and dumped out the pumpkins onto our wooden farmhouse table yet again, I was ok. I realized that while I would miss this stage when it was over, another would follow. And I am certain it will be just as wonderful as this one.

We finished the night in Halloween jammies with pizza and a Halloween show.

And then it was over.

For this year.

Before I had a chance to clear the extra candy off the table, my Flynn reminded me that Christmas is not far behind. She smiled and said, "Tomorrow I'm pulling out my Hot Cocoa Pajamas and Santa hat!"

She is her mother's daughter, after all. : )