the litter police...

i took these pics a few weeks ago (u can tell by Corinn's lack of sleeves ~lol~)...but i had to share them here...she's just the cutest thing ever!

about a month ago, she commented on how much litter shows up on the back road that runs by our house...i walk the dog back this road 2-3 times a day...& usually, the kiddos come along at least once a day...

Corinn then declared herself the "litter police" and started bringing along a grocery bag on all of our walks - to collect any litter we find...

of course, she's fighting a never ending battle...jerks are constantly throwing crap out their windows...but she's definitely making a difference - the roadside looks a lot nicer these days...she's pretty proud of herself!

i'm pretty darn proud of her too!
:0)

1st snow day of the year...

i took this pic this morning...school was canceled for today - even tho the snow didn't start until around 8am...the kiddos came out to play in the flakes, before heading off to daycare

the forecast originally said 1-3", but we're already at about 2"...it's supposed to stop this afternoon, but now the forecast says 3-5"...we'll see what we end up with

wordless Wednesday...Santa is coming to town...

2nd visit to WHSV...

yesterday, i was given the opportunity to appear on TV3 Daybreak again! u might remember, i was just there in October, to show how to make some fall & Halloween goodies...this time, i was invited back to show folks how to make some holiday treats!

i was on for 3 quick (2 minute) segments this time...first, i demoed how to make my cake truffles...



for the 2nd spot, i gave a how-to for my ornament cupcakes...since time is always such a factor when i go to visit, i try to hurry thru things - so we don't run out of time...but on this one, i did the opposite...i made it hard on Tom - i finished too quickly, then gave him a whole minute of time to fill! ~lol~



& for the last 2-minute spot, i brought the kiddos along! that was the most fun...they've been counting down to their appearance for WEEKS!

they weren't mic'd, but you can tell from the video - Jaden wanted to talk on camera SO BAD...especially when he needed to correct Yuna...she called the "cap" he was making for his snowman, a "hat" ~lol~ it was cute...& they did a great job...i was pretty proud!



that evening, Curtis & the kiddos were in the grocery store...a strange woman stopped them to say she'd watched them on TV that morning, & that they did a great job...boy, they think they're total celebrities now! :0)

{this moment} babysitting my nephews on a Saturday morn

{this moment}

"Photos - no words - capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

inspired by SouleMama - a Friday ritual

the tree is up & Santa letters have been sent!

i made sure to take advantage of our down time over the Thanksgiving break, & put our tree up...cause u see, we put it off so long last year - busy with everything else, then issues with the lights - it ended up that we didn't get ornaments on until Christmas eve! which was actually kinda fun at the time...but we want to be able to enjoy the lights & the magic of having a decorated tree in the house for a while before the big day gets here...so this year, we got it done early! ;0)

i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that our tree is full of mostly handmade-by-the-kiddos ornaments! that's full of the awesome!

we also got another big holiday-to-do done...the letters to Santa!

(click the photos to enlarge & read the kiddos' wishes)

the envelope has been addressed, stamped, & is on its way!

i have a feeling that the kiddos will not only be getting a return letter...but in that letter, there may or may not be mention of Santa videos sent to Mama's email inbox (u have to check this out! 3 videos have already been made & sent...& they are VERY cool!)

so...are u ready for Christmas yet? what about the shopping? i still have a good bit to do there...but the important wishes have already been taken care of - i know better than to wait til last minute to get those ;0)

happy holidays!

wordless Wednesday...my uncle is Santa!

(my dad's brother in the New Market Christmas parade 12/4/10)

the North Pole Express...

have u seen The Polar Express?

we took the kiddos to Moorefield WVa on Saturday for their version of The Polar Express...called The North Pole Express

it's a ride on the Potomac Eagle scenic railroad...the kiddos wore their PJs & we boarded just after dinner time...heading towards the "North Pole", just like in the book/movie!

they handed out copies of the book & read the story as we headed "north"

the train stopped at one point...from what we understood, there were caribou on the tracks! ;0) then, the conductor came thru & punched all the kiddos' tickets!

it was pretty neat...i caught a video of him stopping by our seats...



once we arrived at the North Pole, the lights inside the train went off so we could see better...it was a little village across the river, full of lights...quite magical!

the train slowed down so we could take a good, long look...then stopped, & backed up, so we could head home...on the way back, the kiddos got to color

there was live music & we sang Christmas carols

& they brought around hot cocoa & cookies to everyone

then, Santa showed up! he must have jumped on the train when we stopped at the North Pole ;0)

it was pretty fun...the kiddos definitely want to go again next year!