Inspired by Heidi

So my friend Heidi says I need my own blog so I can post things such as what is to follow. It was a comment I made on her blog. Apparently she did not know that I already have a blog - I just don't use it for much, other than entereing giveaways and some random thoughts.
here is a c&p from the comment I made on her blog about book boxes -

ok, so apparently you cannot c&p from a blog comment. hmm, unless I am doing somethign wrong. So here it is re-typed -

Now I feel bad, as I'm not sure if we are having a book box this year - I am so behind on my shopping. I have not done as much shopping for the last year, so I have not found the deals that I usually do. Plus the kids have so many books and I am unsure of which ones to buy. But, alas, I am sure I can get them to make me a list and I will be at B & N and Family Christian bookstore buying the week before CVhristmas so I can keep this fun family activity going.
Oh, for those who like this idea, I also do something similar with clothing and movies.

It all came from a shortage of tiem one Christmas eve- wrap 7x3=21 more gifts, or put them in one box, wrap it and let them 'guess' whose 'clothes, books, movies' is whose.

We spread out the opening of gifts like this-
-when the kids wake up they can open their stockings (but the yusually wait for all to be up)
-then we eat breakfast (usually a fun cereal that Santa left) and cin rolls/fruit
-then we open Santa gifts
-get ready and go to Church
-when we get home, we either have brunch or open gifts to each other
-in the afternoon we do the book or movie box and in the evening we do the other, or sometimes save it for another day
-the clothes box gets opened the night before (if it contains pjs); before church (if it has church clothes) or sometimes later

I have found that spreading the gift opening out really makes the kids appreciate the gifs more, makes them realize who they are from (Santa vs mom/dad, sibling, g-ma) and also makes all that hard work done in the months, (this year I mean days) before take a little longer to be done.

ok, heidi, there I made a post just for you!

Christmas card 2010

Cranberry Snowflakes Christmas 5x7 folded card

Shop Shutterfly for elegant custom Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Trains Trains Trains

I have had lots of thoughts of trains lately - My husband and I enjoyed a train trip recently to celebrate 25 years of marriage. We had a great trip to the Windy city.

My 4yo son loves trains, knows all the Thomas trains, and wants to drive by or over every track we see (and he spots them all!).

Raising Olives is a blog I enjoy reading - lots of fun ideas and just fun life too. She is giving away a train table from Constructive Playthings. If you would like to win this table check out this link -

A Chocolate Olive Give-a-way

Here's another give-away on Raising Olives blog - this one is for yummy Pillsbury brownies from Samsclub.
Plus, there is a beautiful new baby girl to see - something sweet to eat and to look at - what more can you ask for?

Wild Olive Give-away

Check out the Wild Olive blog - they are giving away free tees - I can't wait to win mine!

It's been a while since I even visited my blog - I forgot that I had changed it, and when I opened it, I wondered whose blog I was at! lol

Bag give-away

check out MckMama's giveaway blog for a great camera (diaper, book, stuff) bag give away

here is a link to make it easier for you to find it http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2010/02/kelly-moore-camera-bag-giveaway.html