12 Days of Christmas - Day 9: Polar Express Edition

I'm just about Polar Expressed out, and I just saw the movie for the first time on Sunday.  I picked it up at Target a few weeks ago for $10 thinking it would be fun to watch as a family.  So we started it on Sunday night and finished it on Monday night (we started the movie after dinner and bath time, so Izzy didn't last too long either night).  Our friends invited us to go with them to ride the "North Pole Express" last night.  It's pretty much a knock-off of the Polar Express, but I guess for legal reasons, that can't call it that.  We didn't get on the train until after 8:30, and Izzy usually goes to bed at 8, so that was fun.  She had a blast running around outside, and she was pretty good once we actually got on the train, but it's the sit-around-and-wait-part that she is not so good at.  I could probably use some work in that area, too, if I'm being honest.  Once we were on the train, the conductor came and punched our tickets, Santa came by and gave each kid a bell, and Mrs. Claus walked by to say hello to everyone.  In between all these cute visitors, we were "entertained" by three teenagers.  They sang Christmas carols, danced, and told bad jokes.  Super cheesy, but the kids loved it.

And today, my sister and I took our kids to the Polar Pajama Party at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.  They got to drink hot chocolate, watch some science demonstrations, make a bracelet at a little bead station, and then we watched the Polar Express in the Omni theather.  I was a little worried about how Izzy would do during the movie since this was only her second time to see one in a big theater (the first time was a complete bust), and her very first time at the Omni.  But she LOVED it!  She just sat back, with big eyes, shoving popcorn in her mouth, in awe.  She was precious!  And I would like to point out that I am all in for any event that my child can wear pajamas to.  It just makes life easier.

(pardon the crappy iPhone pics)

Lane and Izzy, waiting for the doors to open

My child would NOT look at the camera for a picture.   Little toot.

You sure about this, mom??

I had a great time making memories with my baby girl, but now I am officially in scramble mode to get everything ready for Christmas.  Can't believe it's only 2 days away.  Eek!!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 8: Christmas Home Tour

Okay, I was excited about showing off my house in all its Christmas glory.  Then I turned on HGTV and watched the White House Christmas special.  My house seems a little less impressive now, but come on in anyway. 

I totally forgot about this wreath I made - should have added it to yesterday's DIY post.  I did this in a rush.  I really like how the letter came out, but I wish I would have spent more time on the ribbon side.  Oh well, it's done.  No turning back now.  Until next year, that is.

View from the front door.

Entryway Table

Let's go in the living room, shall we?

The mantel - always my favorite thing to decorate

The tree!

How sweet is this?  Hoping to have a whole tree full of these sweet memories some day!

My festive little lantern houses (thanks, sis!) and figurines.

This kitchen decor - I only decorate this little section

These used to be full of chocolate.  And my pants used to fit.  Details...

Dining Room - my MIL's sweet friend made the table runner.

My little bookcase turned sideboard - I'm experimenting with the plates on the wall.  It's a work in progress - don't judge.

Somehow this vase has survived Izzy.  Sadly, some of the ornaments inside have not.

This adorable picture of my daddy as a little boy is one of my favorite things in the house. 

Hope you enjoyed the tour!  One of my favorite things about reading blogs is peeking into people's homes and seeing how they live - in a non-creepy, non-stalker kind of way, of course. 

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7: Christmas DIY

I'm doubling up today since I missed a day this weekend.  Can't say I didn't see that coming.

I thought I would share with you some of my crafty little Christmas decorations.  Thanks to Pinterest, there are a gazillion DIY ideas available.  And I'm convinced you can make just about anything with a glue gun, styrofoam, and ribbon, so run to your nearest craft store and get your craft on. 

I actually made this a few years ago with my mom and sister.  These frames come unfinished at Michaels for $1, and you can find the tree there as well.  We just painted it and added some bling and a ribbon.   Of course, the cutest thing about this frame is that sweet baby's picture.  I can't even talk about how fast she is growing.  She's going to be driving like tomorrow.  I just know it. 

This wreath was an after Christmas Garden Ridge steal from a few years ago and has been living in my attic.  The ornaments are from Target's after Christmas sale last year, and the snowflakes came in an ornament set from Costco that I got this year.  Ribbon from Hob Lob.  I just played around with the arrangement and let the glue gun do the rest of the work.  I'm not 100% sold, but it works for now. 

I got this idea from Pinterest, but the addition of the wooden base and finial was my idea - does that count for anything?  Didn't think so.  Original ideas are overrated. 



Supplies - styrofoam cone, wooden finial, straight pins (all from Hob Lob), lots of ribbon (I actually had all of that, plus LOTS more - I have a problem)



 

You just cut the ribbon into little strips, fold them, and pin them on the cone. See my little helper girl back there?

Repeat over and over, and when you get to the top, just fold the ribbon over and pin directly to the top of the cone. You will be gluing the finial to the top to cover this part anyway.

 

You also need some cheap paint for the finial.

There she is, in all her glory. I think this is my favorite decoration this year. It's so fun and festive.

I have all the supplies for this project, just haven't found the time for it yet.  It may have to wait for next year.  Find the tutorial here.

That's about as crafty as it gets around here.