Hi,-Ho, Hi-Ho, it is BACK to work we go!

I felt like singing, 'Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, it is back to work we go', as we all dragged ourselves out of bed this Monday morning. We hit the ground running or slipping should I say on this blustery, icy start to the week. A few in our home were hoping for a 2 hour delay, but with no such luck.

Quick story on the snowman. Kennedy, who is constantly complaining about my picture taking and followed up with 'so you can blog it' laced thick with sarcasm, decides yesterday to bundle up and make a snowman. I am down stairs in my 'woman cave'. AKA scrap booking central, happy as can be, when suddenly I am bombarded with requests to take pictures of 'my snowman. you know, so you can blog it, mom'. This time may I add her request is filled with enthusiasm and excitement. Funny because, I think deep down, I do have an adoring fan!

We had a great Thanksgiving break with 'most of the to-do list complete'. I must say my home is adorned with my Christmas decor. However ran into some snow/ice problems with finishing up the outside. My take is if the weather man is NOT right with a 38 degree day on Tuesday, then it all gets packed back up and sent back down to the store room.

My mantra for the next three weeks...'peace and tranquility'. While I love the hub, bub of the season, I rather enjoy observing and not participating. I prefer to enjoy the sights, sounds, and meaning without the added stress. Hence, this year, if it didn't get done over Thanksgiving break, then it probably won't get completed. So if your name was on my Christmas list, you had better hoped you got checked off last week. :-)

Other than a possible 'baking day' (because Madison loves to cook) and wrapping of the gifts (relaxing with Christmas music playing in the back ground), my Christmas list IS complete.

My goal every year is to down size, down size, down size! Which by the way, I will be doing in January when I pack up the decorations, so if you want any, please holler!

Check out my NEW mantel display this year! Well, not really 'new', just mixed and matched some existing decor. I can't wait to light all the candles! AND I tried some sprigs in the tree. Milo's year for tree picking, which meant LONG needle, scotch pine. I prefer a Douglas fir. I do enjoy the soft feel of the needles as I decorate but then again ask me in January when I am sweeping up the LONG, dried up pine needles!

OK...well may be NOT all the things got checked off the Thanksgiving break list....

INVENTION CONVENTION!
That is on the agenda for after-school activities TODAY!
Madison said last night as she was logging an entry in her 'invention convention' log book, 'Mom, this invention stuff makes my head hurt.' I was shouting in agreement from the inside!

Stay tuned this week for the unveiling of our/her INVENTION!
Where is Cousin Carter when you need him?

Well, better run/slip! The phone is calling me back. It missed me this last week so I better give it some attention. Check in tomorrow for a birthday tribute to Madison. Can you believe, no one in our house is single digits? Kennedy is getting some teeth pulled this week, has a 'dance' on Friday night, and starts basketball.

Madison is preparing for HER big Saturday night BIRTHDAY BASH! Remember, she is the party girl and she turns into this crazed child when the party starts! Christmas program practice kicks off on Sunday and I am prepping this week for a open house on Saturday.

Remember.....to ENJOY the next 3 weeks AND it is OK to JUST SAY NO!