CBA: Day 2: Christmas Tree!

Today was day 2 of the Christmas Book Advent. Landry woke up and remembered the elf from last night! He also remembered his bucket of books and wanted to open one.

Today's book...

During his nap I decorated the house and set-up the Christmas tree. When he woke up I told him I had a surprise for him in the living room. He ran out and said, "Whoa...is a Chismas tee, Mommy!" Since the story of the day was about a Christmas tree...what better way to connect the story than to decorate the tree?!?

Here's my eager helper!

I showed him how to hold the hook and hang it on a branch...he caught on quickly and couldn't get enough ornaments!

The type A, OCD me really wanted to tell him where to put his ornaments...but fortunately the mommy in me kicked in, sat back, and watched him put all of his ornaments wherever he wanted! He has his own method...the method of "how many ornaments can I get on one branch?" :)

He even hung ornaments on ornaments!

When we were all done he wanted to read the book again!

He turned each page telling us what was happening...

and pointing out his favorite parts. :)

When he was drinking his milk and getting ready for bed he told me, "Mommy, dat Chismas tee is pitty. We get more nornaments tomorrow. We has to go to Tarbucks and get more." When I asked him why we needed to get more ornaments his answer was, "Because I yike dem...cause we need more!" Boy oh boy...you are a child after my own heart! :)

Christmas Book Advent {CBA} Day 1: Elf on the Shelf

So, I have to start with a confession...I'm a bit "Christmas Crazy" this year. Yup. It is true. I like to blame it on my child. Really...it is his fault. I am sooooooooooo excited to experience what I am calling "Landry's First Christmas." I say this because let's be real, his 1st Christmas he was only 7 months old. He had no idea what was going on. Last year...not much better. But this year, oh this year is so much different. We're only 2 days into December and it is already AH-MAZ-ING!

Back to the purpose of this post. Another reason for my craziness...PINTEREST! Seriously. It is all because of my darling child...and Pinterest. Enough pointing fingers...back to the topic...Christmas Book Advent calendar. I saw the idea on Pinterest and LOVED it! The 1st/2nd grade teacher in me loved the fact that I would be sharing a new story with my little one each day. Then the "crazy" kicked in...and as I started to collect books...I started to plan some activities to go with them. Yup. It. Is. True. I was able to hold back a little and only planned activities for the books that Landry would open on a weekend. Unfortantely the weekdays are just too crazy.

Last night, after we got home from Christmas Tree Lane, I had his basket of books waiting for him on the fireplace hearth.

Silly boy! He was so excited about his basket of books and immediately wanted to open them. I told him he could open one of them. Side note...no, he isn't blinking...this is his new smile...a scrunched up face. :)

He knew exactly what to do!

What was inside? Elf on the Shelf!!!!! He surprised me by being rather excited about the book and elf. I was a little worried that he might be scared of the elf...but he loves him! We read the story and talked about how he can't touch him...only Mommy and Daddy...or he will lose his magic. We told him that the elf would tell Santa if he had been good or not. If he is good, then Santa will bring him toys. He quickly said, "Santa has vacuums???" Yes sweet thing, Santa has vacuums! :)

We asked him what he wanted to name his elf and he said, "ABCs"...so, as of now he remains nameless...but he might be named "ABCs" because when we asked him about it today...he gave the same answer in a matter of fact, don't you remember, kinda way. :)

So, here he is...ABCs!

Monster Bash!

Last night we hosted a "Spooktacular Halloween Monster Bash" at our house. Now you know that I love to plan a good party...it's true...I love creating a theme, the decor, the food...all of it. I have never really done a lot of decorating for Halloween in the past. This year I had a blast decorating...and thanks to the "Dollar Spot" at Target, Dollar Tree, and Michael's I was able to find lots of fun, glittery, festive decor items!

Scary and Boo signs came from the "Dollar Spot" at Target...the adorable black cat was from Dollar Tree...the glittery pumpkins and boa came from Michael's

The dining room table...

The mantle...



Tulle wrapped pumpkins...inspired by Pinterest

Bam Bam wanted to get in on the pictures, too!



By now you know that I love to come up with clever little names for yummy snacks and food...

Graveyard Guacamole

Zombie Hearts...aka cream cheese and chili sauce

Mummy Cupcakes...another Pinterest inspiration

Frankenstein Fruit...yup, thanks Pinterest



Mummy Dogs

Skeleton Bones...yet again...Pinterest to the rescue :o)

Pretzels with mini marshmallows covered in candy coating...DELICIOUS!

And it isn't fall without caramel apples!

Create your own caramel apple bar...caramel, apples, nuts, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate chips...yummy! I forgot to get a picture of the entire set-up...it was pretty cute. :o)

As you can see...the cupcakes were a hit!

 

Happy Halloween...from "The Rubbles!"

 

 

From Our Gnome to Yours...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

As you can see...by his shades...he's a California gnome!

Hope you have fun "trick-or-treating!"

It is yet to be determined whether we will be a gnome or tree frog...wish us luck!

Just Batty: Halloween Costume

Here is a look at Landry's first Halloween costume!

Isn't he the cutest bat you have ever seen? :)