Painting with Santa

This year I decided to try something new with the kids.  Instead of waiting in long lines to sit on Santa's lap, we elected to go paint a new ornament and a plate for Santa's cookies at a local pottery store, who also had Santa there for photos.  It worked out great because the kids got to watch him with other children, and then they went right up to him without crying when I asked!

Unfortunately, I really needed Daddy there to help get them focused on me and the camera.  Though they really did smile and talk to him, the pictures don't really tell that story very well.

 Preston hopped on his lap first and sat quietly while I snapped a couple of photos.  Then Bennett jumped on his other knee and began to rattle off how she wanted a new baby doll and bicycle.  The kids told Santa about Bob (our elf), and how he "made a bad choice last night when he got into our candy jar and spilled candy everywhere."  He laughed and told them that he would have a talk with Bob about his behavior.  Santa looked very good, but unfortunately Mrs. Claus was under the weather and couldn't be there.

We'll be able to pick up our ornaments and plates next week (after they fire them), so they should be nice keepsakes.  I elected to have each child paint their ornament as they saw fit, and then we did handprints on each of their plates with the date on the back. 

Tis the Season

This is our busiest week before Christmas week itself with two Christmas "concerts" starring our daughter, three Christmas parties, one Christmas parade and lots of holiday shopping.  I say "concert" VERY loosely since her choir only performed three songs, and Bennett herself didn't sing anything, but it was still very cute. 

Since September, Bennett has been apart of the 3K choir at our church.  She has really enjoyed it, and comes home singing new songs each week.  However, when it came time to sing in front of a packed sanctuary, she froze.  As you can see in this photo, she spent the majority of her 6 minutes on stage either staring at the little boy next to her, or out at the audience (even though I had shown her where we were sitting earlier).  Oh well, it was her first show.  She looked adorable regardless, and was so happy to run to her family after the show!  Since her school Christmas concert is Wednesday, we're keeping our fingers crossed that she'll do better on the second go around.

Stay tuned for more updates on our busy week...

Santa's Watching...

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas season is here!  Sunday afternoon we put up our tree, hung the stocking and did a little decorating outside.  That night we read a new book: "The Elf on the Shelf."

For those unaware of this book, it is a story about an old tradition that one family had that has caught on with others now that they package it.  The book comes with an elf that descends upon your house around Christmas and hides in a spot for an entire day watching your behavior.  Then while you are asleep, he flies back to the North Pole to tell Santa if you have been naughty or nice.  The book tells you that he is unable to talk, but you can talk to him anytime, and tell him what you want from Santa.  The next morning he has chosen a new hiding spot, and you must find him!

The first morning he came to our home, he picked an easier spot, sitting on one of our lights in our kitchen (where we spend so much time).  It took a little while for the kids to find him, but when they did, they were so excited.  We then had to come up with a name for him.  Bennett initially wanted to name him her name, but then she finally chose "Bob."  Thankfully it is easy enough for Preston to recall, so both kids know who he is.

Unfortunately, I forgot Bob forgot to hide in a new spot the following morning.  So when Bennett awoke and went searching for him, she was surprised to find him in the exact same location.  She was slightly disappointed, saying "see Mom, I told you he doesn't go see Santa."  Thankfully Daddy returned that night and reminded Bob to hide in a new location (our Christmas tree).  Bennett and Pres walked all over the house the next morning, but gave up after not easily finding him.  I didn't want to give in, so I just waited.  That afternoon when we returned from errands, they were sitting on the sofa and saw him.  They were so excited to spot him, and came running to tell me.

We've heard these elves can be slightly mischievous, so who knows what the kids will find in the coming days, but I think Steve has been giving Bob suggestions...

Back to Reality...

What an action-packed few days we had when my family arrived last Tuesday afternoon.  However now we are getting the house back in order, caught up on our sleep and back in our routine.  Sadly, reality set in when Bennett awoke from her nap Saturday afternoon and all of her cousins were gone.  She asked when we were going to see them again, and I have had to explain more than a handful of times that it will be next summer at the beach. 

This Thanksgiving was a special one since all of my mom's side of the family (that we typically vacation with in Avalon, NJ during the summer) came to Birmingham for several days.  The trip was initiated because my aunt and uncle and cousins wanted to attend a SEC football game.  So over a year ago when Alabama was rolling all over the competition, we made the plans for everyone to come into town for the 75th Iron Bowl and Thanksgiving.

One of my cousins, Lisa, and her family stayed with us, while my parents bunked up at my brother's and everyone else stayed at A Loft.  Everyone arrived Tuesday afternoon, and we kicked off our weekend with dinner at one of my favorite places, Bottega Cafe.  Since none of them had ever been to Alabama before, we wanted to make sure they didn't think this was some backwards state with nothing to offer.  So we all enjoyed a delicious dinner by a nationally renown chef, Frank Stitt, and several signature martinis and wine.  Afterward, everyone came back to our house for more cocktails and to hang out.  Don't ask me why, but the final episode of "Dancing with the Stars" was on, so we watched that (again, don't ask me why...). 

Wednesday, Steve organized a tour of the Bryant-Denny Stadium, starting with lunch at the ever-popular dive place of Dreamland BBQ in Tuscaloosa. Everyone chowed on some ribs before taking in sites of the locker room, the press room, the field and the walk of champions! It seemed like everything was a photo opportunity, and they got some great ones!

Then we all headed to Brian and Shannon's house for a delicious beef tenderloin dinner.  We had some more beer and wine, and then the adults got into a big pool tournament, while the children entertained themselves with all of the toys.  After my father and John whipped up on every person at the pool table, we decided to call it a night.  We did have two more big days ahead of us, so it was welcomed by all.

Thursday, we (the Mizeranys and Hovans) got up early and got into the mimosas.  Then Kimo and Ku and the Forreys came over and we finished off the breakfast casseroles.  Once all of the Bantas got there, the day was half over and we were starting the rest of the Thanksgiving festivities.  My mother and I made several appetizers for everyone to snack on during the day, since dinner wasn't going to be served until 5-5:30.  While the kids played, the adults chatted and watched football.  Then it was time to deep fry those chickens and turkey!  Steve had it all planned out, and he did a phenomenal job!  The meat couldn't have been better, and it was done right when he said it would be.  Thankfully I had Debbie and Shannon helping me with sides, and between the three of us, we had everything timed perfectly too.

Steve did the blessing and then we all took our seats and cleaned our plates.  A sign that the meal was really good was that my Aunt Sue had seconds, something I have never seen her do!!  It was so nice to have everyone with us for a time of the year when we are to be thankful.  And though I never said it out loud that day (because I would have cried like a baby), I am so thankful for my family.  They have done nothing but offer me love and support throughout my life.  I have spoken to my cousins during challenging times in my life, and they were there during one of my happiest moments (when Steve proposed).  Aunt Sue and Uncle Jim are two of the most generous people I know, enough said.  Of course, I couldn't have done so much in my life without my parents, and for them I am so blessed.  But who would think that I could have such a close relationship with my brother after such a crazy childhood.  Now don't get me wrong, we really did love each other down deep, but we beat each other up and were so mean to each other for so many years, so it is nice to have it normal now.  And to top it off, he married a wonderful woman who I have grown so close to over the past five years.  So THANK YOU everyone for making the trip to Alabama to visit us (even if it was all for a football game).

Speaking of football, we got up nice and early and piled into a few cars and caravanned to Tuscaloosa for some tailgating in the cold weather before the biggest game of the season!  We knew it would be cold, and we knew there would be a chance of rain, but almost all of us forgot gloves.  So after being there for a short bit, we set out searching for anything to trap the heat.  Thankfully I found some stylish hounds tooth gloves and an Alabama stocking cap.  And then after a few bloody marys, I was feeling MUCH warmer.  Before the game, we walked down sorority row to the quad so we could check out the scene.  We caught a glimpse of some sports show airing (Steve would know what it was), and then decided to head into the stadium.  Of course, we all know how it started, and then how it ended...but it didn't change the experience for everyone else.  After some major traffic (due to a gas leak), we FINALLY made it back home after more than 2 hrs! 

The night ended with some tearful good-byes, and then some more good-byes the following morning before the Forreys and Blairs caught their flight.  We had a few more hours with the Hovans so we took a tour of the Vulcan and had a quick lunch, and then it was off to the airport.

What a WONDERFUL way to spend 4 days!  There is nothing better than family, and Steve and I are so lucky to have so many terrific members of our extended family.  So if you are reading this, know that we love you!

New Blogger Frustration!!!!!

I just want to express my dissatisfaction with the new blogger software.  For those of you not having any issues with the old one, you are lucky.  And if you have chosen to update your software to the "new and improved software" and you aren't having any problems, then you need to contact me!  I have been working on a blog post for 4 days, and when I say that I have wasted hours of my time trying to move photos, I mean it.  I have used every curse word in the book, and have been tempted to throw my laptop because of my lack of patience.  I wouldn't typically waste so much time, but I have grown to appreciate the printed version of our blog so I want it to be "right."

Anyway, I know this is something you don't want to hear, but I had to air my feelings because I am screaming in my living room as I work on my Thanksgiving post with photos.  PLEASE offer me tips if you have any!

Thanks for listening/reading.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the past, this time of the year has brought me more stress than happiness.  However, this year I am going into the holidays with a different frame of mind.  I have had an incredible year, and really have so much to be thankful for.

This year started off as many do, with goals of what I will do differently and how I will better myself.  But this year wasn't like the others because I had my walk to Emmaus in mid January.  So my year started off with a time of reflection and renewing my faith.  After I returned back to my reality, I spent the next several months meeting weekly with other Emmaus friends to pray for those around us.  Though summer proved a little tough to continue our weekly meetings, I now have a bond with two special ladies who I know I can count on for prayers, support and love.

I have also felt so lucky to be able to travel again.  I used to travel so much before I had my children, but with them being so little the past few years had made that a little difficult.  Now I wouldn't have traded these past three years for anything, but being able to get out of Birmingham for long weekends or longer, has helped me keep my sanity and make me feel more like myself.  I am thankful for spending 5 days alone with Steve in Park City, Utah skiing in March.  I am also thankful for my long weekend getaways with friends to Lake Oconee twice, to the beach once this summer and most recently to Houston to visit with college girlfriends.  But the trip that I look most forward to each year is my family reunion beach trip to Avalon, NJ with my immediate family including my parents, cousins and aunt and uncle.  This year I coupled it with a week long visit back to Peoria, so I was away for 2.5 weeks!

Now Steve and I are excited to entertain all of these family members here in Birmingham for Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl.  Everyone arrives tomorrow, and I will post stories and photos after everyone departs.  But know that I will be thanking God for all of my blessings on Thursday....big and small.  God is good!