Shake Like You Paid For It

I got a birthday comin' up....like in eleven days.

 And I find that the older I get, the more I think about days gone by....anyone with me on this?

 I think about things I'm glad I did, things I wish I hadn't done, and things I wish I'd gotten a chance to do.

And as much as I love my babies and my life as a mom in suburbia, there are still a few things I can't help but miss.

One in particular calls to me in the night.

Hi, my name is McCall, and I miss dancing.

 By this I mean, I miss those nights when the girls and I would get all dolled up and head out to nowhere in particular, but you can bet that wherever we'd end up would have speakers that keep the cops in business and music so good that you can feel the beat in your sleep.

There's just something about those moments when the music is so loud that dancing is really non optional.

Had I known at twenty-one that my dancin' days were limited, I would have made sure to have more of them, and I would have blinked less, because while it feels like this picture was taken not too long ago, it was actually taken ten years ago this month.

And should the birthday fairy visit me, I know exactly what I'll ask for....

I just want just one more college night on the town with my girls....

...one more night with no bedtime.....

....and no automatic alarm clock....

....and no worries or stress waiting on me when I wake up.

Just one more night to shake it like I bought it....

...and I should be all set to go another ten years shake free.

So birthday fairy, I've got my dancin' shoes all dusted off and ready....

and I'll leave the light on for ya.

Christmas: A Follow-Up Visit

The good news is we survived another Christmas.

It used to be that I believed Christmas was a world of its own,

free from drama and the troubles of every day life.

 However, now that I no longer live in La La Land, I see that that's just not the case.

There was crying; there was fit pitching; there was many a time-out; there was worst allergic reaction of my adult life and two lonely hours spent in the car while my family celebrated without me.

However, there was also this stinkin' cute baby.....

...the one who gave more hugs and kisses than one could count.

There was another Christmas spent with my precious grandmother.

There was a fun visit with my super cute nieces.

There was one happy girl with a new doll house.

There was a baby who learned how to unwrap presents.

There was time spent hanging out with her diaper out.

There were cookies baked for the Jolly Guy...and yes, he happens to love slice and bake.

There was our first Christmas Eve spent at home.... just the four of us.

There was the baby who kissed each and every one of her presents.

And there was one very happy birthday celebration.

So, even though our Christmas wasn't quite drama free, it was wonderful, and we obviously have a lot to be thankful for; here's hoping you can say the same.

Oh, and get excited-- in T-minus twenty hours, the hair is history. And it's a good thing too, because I seriously am about ready to just chop it off all by my lonesome rather than attempt to fix it even one more time. However, seeing as how I'm road-trippin' tomorrow, fix it I shall.

But come back soon; there shall be some good posts this week.

And I promise not to take another blogging break for some time to come, deal?

A Very Merry Just For You

A very merry Christmas wish from our family to yours.

Here's hoping the reason for the season is remembered by one and all.

I hope you enjoy all the goodness and cheer that Christmas has to offer, and I'll be back soon with lots of pictures, some traditions, and maybe something funny if the mood strikes.

They Came In Shifts (and a winner)

***Congrats to comment #3, CRYSTAL! You won the Poster Pop giveaway! Please send me which design and what color you'd like, as well as your mailing info, so I can get it to the shop owner. ***

Yesterday was one of those days when I wasn't sure whether to laugh hysterically or run and hide....or both. Libby had a play date. Her super adorable friend was WONDERFUL; the Libster-- well, let's just say it wasn't one of her better days.
I also might have tried to get way too much done whilst watching three kiddos.
So, I did what any resourceful girl would do on a day such as this; I called for reinforcements.

Shift one: LENZIE

While Lenzie was on duty, I made one of my all-time favorite holiday treats: peppermint bark.

Yes, I know, I'm a mint chocolate addict. Sue me. I love the combo, and this is hands down one of the easiest, tastiest treats out there. Three ingredients. No cooking. What more could you want?

All you need is four cups of rice krispies, a package of almond bark (or another version of white melting chocolate), and some peppermint pieces. I swear I'll marry the man who packages peppermint in sprinkle form. It's so not fun crushing peppermint. To get this, I crushed eight candy canes (aka beat them shamelessly until they were in itty bitty pieces). This is by far the hardest part.

You then melt the chocolate in the microwave for two minutes at first and then in one minute intervals until it stirs easily (I think mine took five minutes total). Be sure to attempt to stir it after each minute though....chocolate is tricky stuff and will make you think it's still solid when actually it's way more melted than it appears.

Once it's melted all the way, slowly add the four cups or rice krispies. Stir until the krispies are well-coated.

You'll then want to pour the chocolate coated rice krispies onto a sheet of wax paper. You can put this directly on your counter or onto a cookie sheet, whichever you prefer. Once you've poured it onto the sheet, spread it the best you can using a spatula and then pour the peppermint pieces on top. You'll then take another sheet of wax paper, lay it on top of the mix, and use the paper to press the mix flat. You'll then remove the paper on top and let the mix cool.

Once it cools, you can break it apart and enjoy the heck out of it.

Note: while mine was cooling, Libby was picking out her first day of college outfit.

Ummmm...Mom's thinking not so much.

Ok, so once it cools and you break it, it will look something like this:

Like I said, easiest treat ever. And it sure is yummy.

After we treated, we enjoyed a stimulating game of Scrabble Junior with our guests. Let me just say that I highly recommend this game if you have a little one in your life. One side of the board (the side you see here), has words already printed on it, but the other side is blank like a traditional scrabble board so that the game can grow with your little one.

Told ya Lib's friend is adorable. I so wanted to keep her, but seeing as it's Christmas and all, I found it in my heart to return her at the end of the day.

Shift two: MOLLY

When Molly arrived, she was greeted by two hiding little girls.

Obviously hiding discreetly is not one of the Libster's many gifts.

And here's what the neighbors saw.

It's only a matter of time until they vote us off the island, folks.

And let me just say, Molly deserves hazard pay for her time here yesterday. The girl is a champ. She so got the short end of the stick with the middle shift. The poor girl had to deal with lunch time drama, no nap fiascoes, and a very grumpy Libby. I hope we can still be friends, Molly.

Shift three: RACHEL

Oh, I love Rachel. I swear our visits are NEVER long enough. And no, she doesn't always look like this....but it sure is funny when she does.

Well, while Rachel was here helping with Hollyn and corralling the kindergartners, I attempted to make homemade marshmallows.

The recipe came from here. Contrary to what the hubby will tell you, they really weren't all that difficult to make. And they have a minty flavor that I'm thinking would be pretty darn tasty in a cup of hot chocolate. However, by themselves....well, let's just say you might want to stick to the peppermint bark, alrighty?

So, with only two more days until Christmas Eve and with us preparing to tackle tomorrow night out of town, I have a never-ending to-do list.

Here's hoping you are WAY more on top of things than I am this year.

A Few of My Favorite Things: The Christmas Version

There are obviously so many things to love about Christmas

....and this year the list just seems to keep on growin'.

For starters, this year I'm loving cute little  babies in cute little hats.

Seriously, sometimes it's all I can do not to just eat her up...she's just so stinkin' adorable.

I'm also loving babies trying new things...like cookies with their Pappaws.

It's very safe to say she loved every nibble.

This book is also on the love list this holiday season.

The pictures are so beautiful and fun.

It's by far my favorite version of this classic tale.

And, if you're gonna be on the road this holiday season, might I recommend the audio version?

It's read by Jim Dale, who happens to be HANDS DOWN the MOST amazing book reader EVER. Seriously-- he read all seven of the Harry Potters and has won pretty much every award offered for audio books.

Oops....my nerd was just showing, wasn't it?

I'll try to keep it under cover from here on out.

Moving on.....

Have you ever tried one of these?

They are off-the-chart amazing, and I highly recommend.

Oh, you know what else I'm loving?

All these fabulous Christmas cards we've gotten this year:

We are so loved.

Of course, I also love the way our cards turned out:

The cards, yes.

The blurry, not so great picture, not so much.

How's about you use your imagination a little here, mkay?

And I have to ask, what are YOU lovin' this holiday season?

I know one thing I'm certainly NOT lovin' right now, and that's my holiday to-do list.

I swear that thing is gonna just rise up and consume me if I don't attempt to tame it here shortly.

And tomorrow the Libster has a friend coming over to play. She'll be here at 7:30, and I can pretty much put money on the fact that tomorrow there will be some fun having taking place at my house.  And you know fun having equals fun blogging, so sit tight and come back soon.

Oh, and don't forget-- my last giveaway of 2010 ends tomorrow night.

Have you entered it yet?

If not, you can find it here.

Ok, I'm off to tame the list. Wish me luck, and pray I make it out alive.

Poster Pop Giveaway: December 17-21

It's finally here: my last giveaway of 2010.

 And it's a good one.

I'm super excited and overly jealous of the soon-to-be winner.

Bloggers, meet Poster Pop.

This super cute Etsy shop offers the CUTEST prints of the Keep Calm and Carry On variety

......and I love them.

What I love about this shop is that they literally offer something for everyone.

For example, they offer this for those of you who are like me:

AND, once you select your design, you can also choose your color. How cool is that?!?

They also offer a variety of sizes, so your piece can be in a little frame by your bed or a centerpiece above your mantel.

Love the variety. Love the flexibility. Love the coolness that is Poster Pop.

Well, the owner of Poster Pop would like to offer ANY one 8X10 print in her shop

in any color to one of you!

Are you excited yet?

Thought so.

So, here's how you can enter to win:

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Visit Poster Pop. Look around, gawk at the cuteness, and then come back here and leave a comment telling me which print you'll choose if you win.

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

(Please be sure to leave a separate comment for every thing you do.)

*Heart Poster Pop via your Etsy account and leave a comment telling me you did this.

*Purchase something from Poster Pop and leave a comment telling me what you chose.

*Become a follower of my blog or remind me that you already are one; leave a comment either way.

*Seeing as how it's the end of the year, I'm curious: what is the title of your favorite Lee, Me, and the Girls post from 2010?

The winner will be chosen using random.org on the morning of December 22.

Happy commenting, and here's hoping your Christmas shopping is complete;

I pity the poor soul who ventures out to brave the crowds this weekend.