Happy Holidays!

I feel like I still haven't joined the real word and I'm a bit lazy with the whole family on vacation.  I'll get there soon...I promise. 

 

 

Our favorite gifts were a karaoke machine which I see getting a lot of use and will have me wondering what I was thinking when I hearing Call me Maybe for the millionth time.  I'm kidding, well kind of.  I love and that it makes them happy.  I also have to admit that I may have belted out a tune or two with them even though I can't sing.  Now that I teach kindergarten I've left that at the door.  I sing everything now.

The other was our magic kit.  They are both amazed by their own skills.  I love that they are so proud when they get the trick right.

These two are the best gifts I've ever received.  I can't imagine life without them...even when they're making me crazy.  It was a perfect holiday full of family visits and wonderful memories. 

 

 

Next up we will be ringing in the New Year with the kids.  I don't even remember what going out to celebrate the new year is like.  We'll be eating pizza bagels and toasting with sparkling cider long before midnight but I would not have it any other way.  I also found this super cute printable for the kids and it has been updated for 2013.

Kids New Year’s Resolution Printable

26 acts of kindness

I'm trying so hard to get into the holiday spirit.  The tragic events in Newtown have really made me reflect on life.  I know once my girls wake up things are going to move quickly and I wanted to take these few quiet moments I have to think about how lucky I am and how grateful I am for all that I have. I know like a lot of people this tragedy tore me apart inside and I am changed forever.  As a mother, teacher and just a person in general life is different.  I've decided I'm joining in on the 26 acts of kindness a movement started by Ann Curry.  I can't think of a better way to honor the beautiful lives that were lost than by spreading kindness.

   

https://www.facebook.com/26acts

Hi again!

I'm back!  This is going to be one of my resolutions for the year.  I loved having a online photo journal for myself of all the memories from the year and looking back at the fun things that my girls and I had done.  I was also missing all my blogging friends.  Hopefully some of you are still here and are willing to take me back.  I thought I'd start by sharing one of our attempts at a Christmas card.  I promise we eventually got a better one but it's really hard to get two kids and a dog to get a decent picture.  I have to be honest, Sonny (my dog) was probably the most uncooperative one in this photo shoot.  He is still cute though even with his tongue out.   

 Also for big news my baby brother graduated from the police academy in NJ.  We all went to go support him at his graduation and apparently we all wore our green coats.  I'm so proud of him and now he goes on to become a game warden.

My middle brother is newly engaged and we will be celebrating that wedding on July 3rd.  It's sure to be a beautiful day that I am very much looking forward to and so are my girls.  They will be flower girls.

And for those who are predicting along with the Mayan  I just saw a good one...People are making Apocalypse jokes like there's no tomorrow.