Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

When I was a child, we opened one gift from my parents on Christmas Eve after all of our company left.  Then all the rest of the gifts from Santa on Christmas Day.  As we got older, knew the truth, all the gifts were opened on Christmas Eve and one big gift from "Santa" was opened on Christmas Day.

For my children, everything from us & "Santa" is opened on Christmas Day.  We exchange gifts with Grandma and Grandpa ahead of time, so they get to open those early.

Less is BEST!

Shopping is done...wrapping is a whole different thing....I haven't wrapped anything yet.  I fell asleep on the couch last night and didn't get anything done.  Right now, I am cooking a turkey breast for tomorrow's dinner.  We are having Cold Turkey Sandwiches, so I wanted to get it done ahead of time.  I have tons of other dishes that need to be cooked tomorrow and I only have one oven. 

We will be going to my parents house tonight, so whatever isn't finished before we leave, we will have to do when we get home and put our children to bed.  It is so much harder now that we have a high schooler and she knows the truth and goes to bed later than the other kids....

Less is BEST!

I love watching my childrens' faces when they open their gifts.  I too, do not believe that they need to be given the world to be happy.  My hubby on the other hand, believes that they have to have everything, but actually doesn't want to have to spend the money to buy the items they want. LOL!  I am not sure where he thinks the gifts are going to come from. LOL!

This year was slightly different....we gave one family gift and two smaller gifts to each of the younger children.  Our eldest daughter got something special, but only because it was a deal that came our way that couldn't be passed up.  I was worried that she wouldn't appreciate the gift, but she was so grateful and surprised.  It made it all worth it! 

I guess I have pretty good kids!  Who knew?!

Less is BEST!

I went to Las Vegas years ago, I had a 102 degree fever and felt miserable.  I did enjoy the couple of shows that we went to, but that was about it.  Hubby gambles away the money like we have tons, which we don't, so I find it frustrating. 

Here's just one example...the year I was pregnant with our second child, we went to Laughlin.  Hubby went to get the car for me since we were ready to leave, he didn't come back for over an hour.  Lost every last dime that he had.  We had barely enough gas money to get home.  I think that was the year he lost almost $600.  I cried, alot! It is funny now, but it wasn't very funny back then.  I like to gamble when the money isn't real, I guess that really isn't gambling though, huh?! LOL!

Less is BEST!

 Hubby couldn't get time off of work, so we went up north for a weekend.

We went to Forest Lakes Lodge and went cross country skiing.  It was a blast!  

Less is BEST!

1.  Hubby and I celebrate our 17 year wedding anniversary in January.

2.  In April it has been 8 years since our eldest son was diagnosed with brain cancer...and he has been 5 years cancer free!  I think they call that remission?  Woo Hoo!

3.  Eldest daughter turns 16 in May.  Can we be that old?! LOL!

4.  Summer is coming!  I can't wait for my kids to be out of school for 3 months. Of course, by August I am sure that I will be ready for them to go back. HeHe!

5.  2008 will be my first full year back in the work force.  I am looking forward to it!

Less is BEST!

I feel fortunate that I haven't had to deal with this situation.  Although being on a deserted island with nobody but myself to worry about would be great for about a week and then I would start missing my family. LOL!

My hubby has taken several vacations without us, but the children didn't really seem to miss him all that much.  He works alot anyway, besides  when he is home he isn't really spending any time with them so they spend the majority of their time with me, so after about the 3rd day they asked where he was at...sad I know. 

 My 5 year old now seems to be noticing that he is gone more than any of the other kids.  As long as she gets her kiss good morning and her kiss good night from daddy, she is perfectly happy.

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

First baby stayed in the crib until she was 2 and then we moved her to a big girl bed with rails.  I was already pregnant, so I wanted her to think she was just getting bigger so she could move up to a bed instead of feeling like her bed was being taken away for the new baby.

There are 5 1/2 years between babies 2 & 3, so this wasn't an issue.  I had to buy all brand new furniture....I had already given everything else away.  For baby 4, we were in the transition of moving into a new home, while staying with my parents, so the crib wouldn't fit into the space we were all sharing.  Baby 3 moved to a cot, baby 4 was in a carrier.  When we moved into our new home, baby 3 got a new bed which he totally loved (he was almost 3) and baby 4 got the crib when it came out of storage.

Fifteen months seems so young to be in a bed already, but your son might do really great.   I would probably get a second crib, but pass down the other furniture.  Just me 2 cents....

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

This recipe looks good and easy to make.  I have some leftover turkey I was wondering what to do with.  We are getting tired of sandwiches. 

Ummm, I won't be using the breastmilk/formula though...kids are way too old for that! LOL!

Less is BEST!

I remember one incident with my eldest son when he was around 2 or 3 years old.  Bare with me, my memory isn't the greatest, but that was over 10 years ago. LOL!  The actual tantrum started just before we got into the grocery store.  I gave him the..."You need to be on your best behavior" speech, but at that age, it just went in one ear and out the other.  He continued to scream and cry, for what, I don't remember, I gave him the warning that we were going to leave, but he just wasn't listening.  I was at the end of my rope and struggling to not lose my temper.  I ended up asking a grocery store employee to hold my groceries in the refigerator section while I took my screaming child home.  They were happy to help...either that or they were happy I was taking my misbehaved child home, LOL!  My son was devastated when we were walking out to the car without the food and he knew he was being taken home for not being on his best behavior.  He still continued to cry saying he would be good, but I stuck with it and took him home....hubby watched him while I went back and finished getting the groceries.  I believe that being firm and following through worked well for me.  I haven't had an incident like that ever again. 

 I don't often take all four children to the store anymore....it is easier and less expensive that way.

Less is BEST!

I can hardly believe that the new year is already here.  Where did 2007 go?!

We will be enjoying a fun evening having a game night with some of our neighbors.  It should be a blast!

Best part...we can wear our pj's and no driving is required, just a short walk across the street.  Love it!

Less is BEST!