Okay, so I can't figure out how to put a YouTube video on my blog so you'll just have to follow the link. These are two songs I am enjoying during this Christmas season. I hope you do, too.
Wow, do I have alot to update. I guess this is going to be my thing now...bi-monthly updates. I will strive to do better but this may be my reality for now. On to the update...
On the Monday before Thanksgiving the boys and I along with my step-sister, Emily and nephew, Graham, went to my Sugie's house to make treats. She loves to have us out before the holidays to make Cornflake Wreaths. My brother and I made these with Sugie when we were little and now she is passing that tradition on to the next generation. They are my favorite!!! Emily with Hayden and Graham.
We actually had a great Thanksgiving but I don't have the first picture of it. Yeah, I know. Hopefully some of our family got some great pictures.
I did go shopping on Black Friday with my friend, Jinnie. We had a great time even though it rained and can't wait to do it again next year. I got alot of deals and just had a fun time. My most favorite purchase was my new camera...YIPPEE!
My old camera was having a few problems and it was time to get a new camera. It is fun to have a new toy and I am using it alot.
Last Tuesday I got to go with my girlfriends on our Christmas outing. We had a yummy dinner at Carrabba's, went to Lifeway and then to Starbucks. It was a great time!
Candy and Autumn
Chrissy and Michelle...the festive girls in their Santa hats!
For Christmas the girls all got these. I took a picture of a few to show. I got the idea from here and it is one of her "under $5 projects", which is even better. Especially since it doesn't look like it was under $5. They loved them!
Ughhh! On the way home after my outing with my girls I was driving through downtown Shreveport and passed nearby this place. No, I don't typically take pictures of the Hustler Club but since Hayden is starting to read I knew it wouldn't be long before he would be asking me about the lap dances being $10 and this was blog-worthy. I am going to have to find a new way to go home. Fortunately, there are other ways.
Parker thinks this is the movie theater...sad, huh? Oh, if you were wondering, Little Lacy was there December 4-6. Apparently she is a 4 foot tall stripper...I hate that you missed that :)
The next day Hayden's class went on a field trip to Sci-Port Discovery Center. We always go along on their field trips and have a great time with the kids. It is so funny to see Parker with the big kids. I just make him fall in line with all the other kids in class. It is good practice for next year.
Doesn't Parker look adorable in this picture? He had a bruise on his forehead. I have no idea how he got it but I would be a millionaire if I had a dollar for everyone who asked.
We happened to be in the reptile area for feeding time. You can imagine how things worked out for his poor mouse. He walked right into it. (WARNING...Possibly graphic picture ahead)Apparently, the snake wraps around it (which literally took less than two seconds to get all wrapped up like this) and suffocates the mouse so he can eat it. It was kind of sad but hey, that is what a snake eats. To my surprise, we were in line to go into the IMAX when I saw three of the Rockettes. They were signing pictures and handing out candy canes to promote their upcoming show in Bossier City. It was so neat to see them.
After Hayden's teacher got her picture made with the Rockettes I got brave and asked for my picture to be made too. Don't they look like Amazon Women? Seriously. They had probably 4 inch heels on.I also wanted to mention...this year we started the Elf on the Shelf. We are having so much fun with this and the kids look forward to finding where "Zach" is positioned every morning.
A few mornings ago we found Zach in the plant!
On Saturday, DiGi and Granddad took Hayden to see Songs of the Season at The Strand Theatre. This is his second time going to something like this and he had a great time. He looked so handsome in his button down shirt that I made him do a photo shoot by the tree.
Grandad, Hayden and DiGi
One more thing, if you've stayed with me through this long post you deserve this. I have been checking out the blog My Shopping Addiction. This girl finds the deals on Amazon and then posts them. You have to check quite often because the deals change often, sometimes hourly. It is mostly for toys but there are other things too. Go check it out and I hope you enjoy this season of our Lord's birth as much as we will.
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING! Another very long update ahead!!!! I have been busy!
Let me just tell you...remember how I was making those plates in my last update. Well I have over ninety orders (yes, you read that correctly 9-0 orders). My friend and my mom both took them to work and they were selling like crazy. It is a good thing I like doing it, huh?
On to the update...
Hayden's class during trunk or treating at school. This is a huge fundraiser for the kindergarten.
Hayden and his friend, Tyler.
Halloween night I made this recipe from one of my favorite blogs. You make a Mummy out of frozen bread dough and it turns out so cute. I won't give you all the details since you can go to Joy's and read. While you are there I highly recommend looking around. She can do all kinds of fun things with spray paint.I had to post this picture of the bread dough used to make the mummy. I have never even seen this stuff in the store before. When it was frozen and before it rose it was about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. You can see that these two loaves are almost busting out of my 11x13 inch pan. It was hilarious to see how quickly it got big.
Hayden's cake...once again, precious. Made by our favorite local cake lady.
Mr. Earl dressed up like a clown for our party. When he was a bit younger he was a Christian clown. He made LOTS of balloon animals at Hayden's party.
My grandmother, Sugie, with her clown nose on.
A few weeks my friend, Melissa, who is a school nurse tested Hayden's vision at school and told me that he could see out of his right eye but that his left eye was 20/40. Chad took him to an optometrist and not only did we find out he couldn't see well out of his left eye but that he has amblyopia (aka lazy eye). We ended up taking him to an ophthalmologist the next week to just go over everything with him. Fortunately, it was caught when it was. After about the age of 7 there is not much room for improvement. He has to wear an eye patch 4-6 hours everyday on his good eye to strengthen his bad eye. We are hoping that when we go back in February there will be improvement.
I encourage you to get your children's eyes tested. Amblyopia affects 1 in every 40 kids but I personally know 4. The picture below is not the best of Hayden in his glasses but he looks so cute in them.
We went to the Corn Maze earlier this week with Hayden's school and it was so much fun. This was us in the middle of the maze trying to find our way out.
Parker was tired and his little legs couldn't keep up so one of the teachers aides gave him a ride.There was this big, huge thing of corn that the kids could play in so they took turns getting buried.
They also had a tractor pulling the kids on a cow train. The boys about to watch... pigs race. What else?
Mrs. Ivins, Tyler and Hayden on the trail ride to go pick a pumpkin.
Hayden picking his pumpkin. Parker picking out his pumpkin. It was one of the biggest ones left. He really tried to pick it up a couple of times when I heard a couple of kids running towards him saying, "Parker we'll help!" These kids love Parker. I think he is somewhat like every kids little brother so they all like to help him.
Just a picture of a cute little cowboy I know.
Look at what I'm making for small Thanksgiving gifts for my family. I totally stole this idea, too, from Executive Homemaker (aka Tip Junkie). Apparently I'm really good at copying things but not very original. Oh well, it will be original to the people who receive them.
Aren't they cute? It's sliced lemons, oranges and cranberries with whole cloves and a cinnamon stick tied to the outside. You pour everything into a pot to simmer and it will smell up your whole house. You can keep adding water until they loose there smell. I know my family will enjoy them.
Postage stamp canceled out form North Pole, Alaska (clearly the closest post office to NP)
Message from Santa about Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas
Sent on decorative paper (varies depending upon suppliers stock)
Price breaks for multiple letters!! $8 for first 2, $6 for next 2, and $5 for each thereafter!
Orders will not be accepted after Dec. 13th! Sooner you get yours in, the sooner you'll watch the expression on your kiddos face when they open their letter from Santa sent from the North Pole.
From now until next Monday, November 22, all letters will be $5. This is a fellow blogger and mom trying to pay of $40,000 in adoption fees and you can go read her blog at Pretty Organized Palace.
I actually won free letters for my boys and am trying to help her spread the word about her business so go check her out!
We have had a super week and it's not over yet. Hayden's birthday was on Wednesday and we have been celebrating all week.
Monday night Chad was out of town and Hayden was the king of the house. He wore Chad's robe and made him some special kings hat. We layed around and took it easy that evening. I let the kids sleep with me that night...HUGE MISTAKE...Hayden is a horrible bed partner. I had feet in my ribs most of the night. I probably won't be doing that very often.
Tuesday my friend, Jinnie, came over and we crafted all day long. She brought her little girl, Piper, and she was so good we hardly even knew she was here. We did several things but I'll only show what I'm NOT giving to you who read my blog.
I'm making these for gifts for the kids Sunday school teachers and church staff. It is a 9x9 inch plate that I etched the last name on the bottom and then put a fleur de lis at the top. I've done some with crosses, too. I'm putting cookies on them, wrapping some cellophane around them and tying a pretty ribbon. Ta-da! I'm actually selling them, too. I have them in the teachers lounge at school so we'll see if any sell. It's 1 for $12, 2 for $22 or 3 for $30. If you are interested I can mail them or if you are local I can deliver.
When Parker got home from Mom's Day Out that day Piper was SO happy. They are crazy about each other. You should have seen him outside swinging her. It was so cute!
Wednesday morning was Hayden's birthday and it was a very busy day for us, too. I got a few pictures of the 6 year old before school. He is such a cutie... and funny...
...and cool.
That day we went to the Louisiana State Fair with Hayden's school. I haven't been in years because it is not in the best neighborhood and I was really nervous about taking my kids but we had THE BEST time! For you local girls, I highly recommend taking your kiddos during the day. It is free to get in and $10 for an all-you-can-ride pass from 10am-3pm.
This is Hayden with his friends Keegan and Jalen. They all wore blue shirts over their real shirts to help us know which kids were ours. What a good idea because there were LOTS of school kids there!
There is a free zoo once you get in the fair. You can feed the llamas, goats, lambs and some other things. There are also tigers, elephants and Parker's favorite...the giraffe. God did good when he made that animal. It is so unique and beautiful. The kids fed him carrots and he was loving them.
Unfortunately, this little beauty (sound like crocodile hunter, don't I?) got one of the kids paper cups that had the food for the goats in it. It was like it was in slow motion. We all saw the giraffe grab the cup, one of the adults tried to grab it out of it's mouth while his long neck was going up, he chewed on the cup a few times while all the adults were saying no, no, no, then it was gone and everyone sighed...ohhhhhhhh!!!
They also have a free circus most every day and it was great. They had a girl who could do all sorts of crazy things with hoola-hoops, people doing flips on poles, a crazy clown, the motorcycles in the steel cage and a tightrope walker (that was making me a nervous wreck). Here he is:
Parker looking at the tight rope walker...
Hayden looking at the tightrope walker...
My mom met us at the fair in time for the circus and after that I checked Hayden out of school and we took the kids to ride rides. The boys had no fear about riding anything. I see lots of roller coasters in there future!
My mom got an arm band and rode with them. I get motion sickness. Me and amusement park rides don't get along well.
This was on a roller coaster. I know Mom and Parker are not in focus but I can't even believe I got this picture.
They enjoyed riding the ferris wheel!
There favorite thing was the bumper cars. They each did this twice. Something about boys running into people with cars is just perfect!
Parker patiently waiting his turn to go on the bumper cars.
Mommy taking pictures. I'm not sure why he looks so confused? I have three pictures that are similar to this and he looks similar in all of them. Maybe he was confused by me taking so many pictures.
Both kids fell asleep on our ride home but Parker woke up before I could get his picture. Here is Hayden worn out from our day of fun. It wasn't over yet!!!!
We had Trunk-or-Treat that night at church. We had a great time and had lot of people come by.
Wouldn't you want to go to church with these people???Hayden really liked passing out candy to all of the kids.Parker, Hayden and their friend Braden.
We are going Trick-or-Treating tonight to our church members houses. Tomorrow is Hayden's birthday party and we are having a clown! We are excited!
Emily with Hayden and Graham.
We actually had a great Thanksgiving but I don't have the first picture of it. Yeah, I know. Hopefully some of our family got some great pictures.
Chrissy and Michelle...the festive girls in their Santa hats!
For Christmas the girls all got these. I took a picture of a few to show. I got the idea from here and it is one of her "under $5 projects", which is even better. Especially since it doesn't look like it was under $5. They loved them! 
Ughhh! On the way home after my outing with my girls I was driving through downtown Shreveport and passed nearby this place. No, I don't typically take pictures of the Hustler Club but since Hayden is starting to read I knew it wouldn't be long before he would be asking me about the lap dances being $10 and this was blog-worthy. I am going to have to find a new way to go home. Fortunately, there are other ways.
The next day Hayden's class went on a field trip to Sci-Port Discovery Center. We always go along on their field trips and have a great time with the kids. It is so funny to see Parker with the big kids. I just make him fall in line with all the other kids in class. It is good practice for next year.
Doesn't Parker look adorable in this picture? He had a bruise on his forehead. I have no idea how he got it but I would be a millionaire if I had a dollar for everyone who asked.
We happened to be in the reptile area for feeding time. You can imagine how things worked out for his poor mouse. He walked right into it. (WARNING...Possibly graphic picture ahead)
Apparently, the snake wraps around it (which literally took less than two seconds to get all wrapped up like this) and suffocates the mouse so he can eat it. It was kind of sad but hey, that is what a snake eats. 
To my surprise, we were in line to go into the IMAX when I saw three of the Rockettes. They were signing pictures and handing out candy canes to promote their upcoming show in Bossier City. It was so neat to see them.
I also wanted to mention...this year we started the Elf on the Shelf. We are having so much fun with this and the kids look forward to finding where "Zach" is positioned every morning.
A few mornings ago we found Zach in the plant!
On Saturday, DiGi and Granddad took Hayden to see Songs of the Season at The Strand Theatre. This is his second time going to something like this and he had a great time. He looked so handsome in his button down shirt that I made him do a photo shoot by the tree.
Grandad, Hayden and DiGi
Hayden and his friend, Tyler.
I had to post this picture of the bread dough used to make the mummy. I have never even seen this stuff in the store before. When it was frozen and before it rose it was about 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. You can see that these two loaves are almost busting out of my 11x13 inch pan. It was hilarious to see how quickly it got big.
Hayden's cake...once again, precious. Made by our favorite local cake lady.
Mr. Earl dressed up like a clown for our party. When he was a bit younger he was a Christian clown. He made LOTS of balloon animals at Hayden's party.
My grandmother, Sugie, with her clown nose on.
A few weeks my friend, Melissa, who is a school nurse tested Hayden's vision at school and told me that he could see out of his right eye but that his left eye was 20/40. Chad took him to an optometrist and not only did we find out he couldn't see well out of his left eye but that he has amblyopia (aka lazy eye). We ended up taking him to an ophthalmologist the next week to just go over everything with him. Fortunately, it was caught when it was. After about the age of 7 there is not much room for improvement. He has to wear an eye patch 4-6 hours everyday on his good eye to strengthen his bad eye. We are hoping that when we go back in February there will be improvement.
We went to the Corn Maze earlier this week with Hayden's school and it was so much fun. This was us in the middle of the maze trying to find our way out.
Parker was tired and his little legs couldn't keep up so one of the teachers aides gave him a ride.
There was this big, huge thing of corn that the kids could play in so they took turns getting buried.
They also had a tractor pulling the kids on a cow train.
The boys about to watch...
pigs race. What else?
Hayden picking his pumpkin.
Parker picking out his pumpkin. It was one of the biggest ones left. 
He really tried to pick it up a couple of times when I heard a couple of kids running towards him saying, "Parker we'll help!"
These kids love Parker. I think he is somewhat like every kids little brother so they all like to help him.
Look at what I'm making for small Thanksgiving gifts for my family. I totally stole this idea, too, from Executive Homemaker (aka Tip Junkie). Apparently I'm really good at copying things but not very original. Oh well, it will be original to the people who receive them.
Aren't they cute? It's sliced lemons, oranges and cranberries with whole cloves and a cinnamon stick tied to the outside. You pour everything into a pot to simmer and it will smell up your whole house. You can keep adding water until they loose there smell. I know my family will enjoy them.
Tuesday my friend, Jinnie, came over and we crafted all day long. She brought her little girl, Piper, and she was so good we hardly even knew she was here. We did several things but I'll only show what I'm NOT giving to you who read my blog.
When Parker got home from Mom's Day Out that day Piper was SO happy. They are crazy about each other. You should have seen him outside swinging her. It was so cute!
Wednesday morning was Hayden's birthday and it was a very busy day for us, too. I got a few pictures of the 6 year old before school. He is such a cutie...
and funny...
...and cool.
That day we went to the Louisiana State Fair with Hayden's school. I haven't been in years because it is not in the best neighborhood and I was really nervous about taking my kids but we had THE BEST time! For you local girls, I highly recommend taking your kiddos during the day. It is free to get in and $10 for an all-you-can-ride pass from 10am-3pm.
There is a free zoo once you get in the fair. You can feed the llamas, goats, lambs and some other things. There are also tigers, elephants and Parker's favorite...the giraffe. God did good when he made that animal. It is so unique and beautiful. The kids fed him carrots and he was loving them.
Unfortunately, this little beauty (sound like crocodile hunter, don't I?) got one of the kids paper cups that had the food for the goats in it. It was like it was in slow motion. We all saw the giraffe grab the cup, one of the adults tried to grab it out of it's mouth while his long neck was going up, he chewed on the cup a few times while all the adults were saying no, no, no, then it was gone and everyone sighed...ohhhhhhhh!!!
They also have a free circus most every day and it was great. They had a girl who could do all sorts of crazy things with hoola-hoops, people doing flips on poles, a crazy clown, the motorcycles in the steel cage and a tightrope walker (that was making me a nervous wreck). Here he is:
Parker looking at the tight rope walker...
Hayden looking at the tightrope walker...
My mom met us at the fair in time for the circus and after that I checked Hayden out of school and we took the kids to ride rides. The boys had no fear about riding anything. I see lots of roller coasters in there future!
My mom got an arm band and rode with them. I get motion sickness. Me and amusement park rides don't get along well.
This was on a roller coaster. I know Mom and Parker are not in focus but I can't even believe I got this picture.
They enjoyed riding the ferris wheel!
There favorite thing was the bumper cars. They each did this twice. Something about boys running into people with cars is just perfect!
Parker patiently waiting his turn to go on the bumper cars.
Mommy taking pictures. I'm not sure why he looks so confused? I have three pictures that are similar to this and he looks similar in all of them. Maybe he was confused by me taking so many pictures.
Both kids fell asleep on our ride home but Parker woke up before I could get his picture. Here is Hayden worn out from our day of fun. It wasn't over yet!!!!
We had Trunk-or-Treat that night at church. We had a great time and had lot of people come by.
Wouldn't you want to go to church with these people???
Hayden really liked passing out candy to all of the kids.
Parker, Hayden and their friend Braden.
