17 Dec ~ the North Pole Candy Factory

Welcome to Santa's North Pole Candy Factory....

Today was Sailer's class party at Reading Friends. Krista and I have been working our little tushes off in preparation. I think it turned out super cute, and the kids LOVED it! My hubby, though indulgent to my party planning obsession, doesn't "get it." But today, he actually said "now I see why." A huge stride for him. As Sailer walked into the party room, she turned around to me, and said, "mommy, thank you, my party is beautiful!" Seriously, melt my heart. I know a lot of my mom friends think I'm insane, but man, it's days like today that make me so happy. One just the party itself... I love a good party. But mostly, because I adore seeing the sheer glee on my baby's face... especially since I helped put it there. (=

This is what started the candy factory.. these precious little gum ball machines from the dollar store (coupled with the gigantic peppermints I already had). We then, made these cute little peppermint plates for them to coordinate.
The tablescape.
And our little favors.
The food table (pre-food).
And these God-forbidden chair covers. I look tired in all the pictures because of these cute little things. I was up til the wee hours in the morning finishing them up... but I think they were worth it. (=
Not a flattering pic of Sailer but the only one I have of her party outfit.
Now much happier since she got her Santa apron... ready to make her own Christmas candy! (=
Little sass.
We have started getting them dressed in their classroom and then, taking them to the "party room" (an empty classroom we've recquisitioned). This was the entrance into the party. Two Christmas trees hung with each child's personalized stocking.
Here they come!
There's Miss. Sailer!

Time to eat!




Besides Pierce, this is Sailer's very best friend at school, Mina. Sailer talks about her non-stop, which is rather sad b/c she never gets to play with her outside of school. Both of her parents are crazy busy so playdates are next to impossible to set up. Doesn't seem to put a damper in their friendship...they're crazy together!

the whole gang!
Performing their Christmas carols for the parents... there's a party where they act like they're going to sleep. Aren't they so cute?
Now Pierce and Miss. S are taking their gifts to all their teachers and head mistress.

Finally, the party ended with a book exchange... something sailer loved! This girl loves to read like her mama.
Let us not forget my other cutie pie. He was quite a ladies man that day. There is one little girl in Sailer's class that LOVES Linc...with a capital "L"! He could do much worse given that her daddy is a famous MLB player. LOL.

Sailer and her sweet teacher, Ms. Sherry.
Making a train...
A family pic.Afterwards, Krista and I took the kiddos up to Vaquero so we could grab a celebratory drink. The kids were absolutely hilarious- they made their own pallet out of the outdoor cushions in the middle of the grass. Then, they proceeded to cover each other up with the dinner napkins.

16 Dec ~ My little stud muffin

Can I please tell you how much I am in love with this little guy? Especially when he gives me this half grin that shows THE most scrumptious little dimple on the planet...Seriously, is he not gonna be a heartbreaker?? My little James Dean.
Miss. S unwilling to smile AT me as she did not want to miss a mili-second of Cinderella (though we've watched it now every day all day for weeks now. I USED to adore this particular movie, but right now, I'd like to string poor little Gus Gus up by his sweet little toes...
And my sweet little man enduring it all. I'm fairly certain his first phrase (behind "feed me" of course) will be...."please help me..."

15 Dec ~ the holiday wear continues...

One of my sweet friends, Vicki, reps an awesome line of clothes called Basic Couture. It's just fun cotton clothes that can all be personalized. This is where most of the shirts that have Lincoln and Sailer's name on them come from. Anywho, I had this shirt made for Miss. S in preparation for the holiday craziness. I love it because it's clearly holiday wear but not RED! Don't get me wrong, I love red, but sometimes in the midst of the holiday season, I am a little done with it. (=This is her showing off her shirt. She kept trying to read the letters to me....

I had to run Sailer in today to get snapshots of all the kiddos in preparation for the upcoming class party, so Linc got a little extra loving today from all of Sailer's friends.
Today we pretty much lived at the O'Neals house.... thank goodness they love each other b/c they got to spend A LOT of quality time together this week while their mommys party planned.

Polar Expess 2009

This is somewhat out of order, but I took Sailer to the Polar Express on Friday so she could take the ride with her girl pals, Ella Claire, Hope and Hope. I love that they recreate the sweet story for our babes, and they they encourage the kiddos to dress in their pjs. I think it's beyond cute! Here is Miss. Priss heading out...
Meeting up with Miss. Hope and acting silly...

Once we got into the tent, the mamas sat down and the girls decided to have a little dance party by themselves. This was one of my favorite memories from that day. As I looked over the other girls were shakin' their booties, and my little princess was doing full out pirouettes.



As part of the program, they have all the kiddos get up on stage to sing Christmas carols. The girl mc-ing gave the mike to Sailer a couple of times to belt out. (=

Heading to the train.

SNOW!


Goofing around in the train...
Fighting for the window seat...
Meeting the big man.
And watching him all the way down the train.
I love this picture, just because she's so amazed with the moving train (albeit the train is going grandma speed).
Attempting to get a group photo!
Being Silly with mommy.
Sailer passing out her candy canes.

And this is just a flashback to last year. (Didn't realize her pjs were pretty much the same...lol). My how she's grown.....)=

the girls last year...

14 Dec ~ T-rouble

Doesn't she just look like trouble???

And then, my little angel.