End of the Year 2010 Festivities and 2011 Goals

Once again time has gotten away from me so I am going to close out December's blog with a variety of activities that have happened the past couple of months. I have several New Year's Resolutions but one is to write on my blog at least once a month in the year 2011, another is to write in my children's journals once a month and the third one is to continue organizing my "stuff." Notice there isn't the typical still-try-to-lose-weight one or eat better one...well, that's because I'm not talking about it anymore. I turn 40 on January 5th and yes, I still have weight on and yes I will still try to lose it but I think I finally figured out that my time is of the essence and I need to focus more on things I want to do and have done for my children. Not that I'm not important but time keeps flying and I'm not getting younger and there is still so much to do.

I have boxes of things for them, souvenirs, photos, special memorabilia, clothing that they wore as babies etc... the list goes on and I need to sort and put in their own special box. I have school projects, writings, drawings too. Plus, I want to scrapbook their lives for graduation and haven't even started that whopping project. The organizing projects are huge, I even need to organize photos and recipes and they really are things that I want done and can't put off anymore. So, 2011 for me is making over my "stuff", not having piles, boxes and containers of things but projects to show, keep and treasure and eventually share and pass on to my children.

Now, for the conclusion of 2010, we have had a year full of fun and the photo books I made for the grandparents and myself turned out awesome and really showcased our adventures, fun and memories. Here are some photos of projects in the last several months:



Thank you cards I made after Vanessa's birthday party



First attempt at homemade pie dough



Christmas card I made in Photoshop, it's not an original idea but I took an example I liked and changed a few things and made it my own




More thank you cards




second attempt at homemade pie dough, turned out yummy!



Inside of Vanessa's Thanksgiving card to her teacher

Outside of the Thanksgiving card Vanessa made her teacher.

Outside of Thanksgiving card Hayden made for his teacher

Inside of card made by Hayden

One of five different cookies I made with a great friend. We had a wonderful time baking and chatting and can't wait to do it again next year! These are Fudgy Mint Cookies.

Another cookie I made, Lemon Wreath Cookies

Another, Pecan Lace Cookies

And another, Tropical Chewies. Number 5 cookie, I never got a photo of because they were gone in a flash. They were a chocolate and vanilla bark made with oreos...so yummy!

I delivered pies to the police station from my husband and made up these tags to go on the gifts. They had a cute Christmas poem and I just loved playing Mrs. Claus!

Snowflakes Vanessa and I made

on the window

Vanessa, Hayden and our babysitter Paige made these while my husband and I were out at a Christmas party, how cute!

The kids and I made rice krispie treats for the postal man and the newspaper gal, Vanessa decorated with sprinkles and Hayden put them in the tins.

This is by far one of my children's favorite things to do the month of December...advent calendars! Can you say 6 a.m. is never too early for chocolate...hehehe!

Santa's note to the kids. They really got a kick out of that!

That wraps up some of the fun things we have done lately. The year is coming to an end tomorrow and I'm looking forward to 2011. I hope it brings lots of happiness, good health and blessings. Cheers!