Proof I love my children...

I LOVE all things food. I love to cook, to grocery shop at gourmet stores and gaze at the delicious offerings, and most of all I love to eat!

That is why it is particularly difficult for me to have a pantry that looks like THIS!

It's been like this since Christmas. I had it all neat before Christmas but it's been steadily declining since then. >sigh< I almost organized it today but realized I should really fold the laundry and clear it from the couch instead of creating another mess all over the breakfast table. :)

I desire my children to know how to cook, clean behind themselves- in other words, contribute to family life. And that's why my pantry looks like a tornado hit! It's more important to allow them to contribute than for everything to be perfect. And it's more important to snuggle as they wake up from naps than for me to be organizing the pantry.

So welcome to the chaotic side of GraceFull Mom! That basket will contain the tupperware it's intended to... and others will neatly corral napkins once again. I'll be able to step into my walk-in pantry as will my quite capable kitchen helpers who will then be able to reach the shelves to return things where they belong. :) Until then, I *try* to remind myself- this season of preparation is about the hearts of my littles, not the state of my beloved pantry.

p.s. I went to take a picture of my mess and found Ben cleaning out my pantry for me! Talk about providential timing! :)

Thoughts on Motherhood

I find myself so caught up in living out motherhood most days that I don't really think of the motives for what I do. I thank the Lord that He has ingrained in me core values to pass on to the kiddos!

So what exactly is mothering? Is it keeping laundry clean and faces washed and tummies full of nutritios food? Yes, of course... but it is so much more.

I'm thinking of writing my next article on mothering. It's an art that's largely lost in our fast-paced society. Or at least, it's changing it's face and not all for the better.

Do you have thoughts on mothering? I'd love your input as I develop my article. Be forewarned... If you comment, I may quote you. ;)

p.s. The photo is Mom holding Georgia Anne, so it's technically "Grandmothering" but seeing as how that's an extension of Mothering, and I learned Mothering from my Mom, I found it quite appropriate.

Gingerbread Houses Change...

We're all sick! So we're cancelling *our part* of the gingerbread houses. Everyone else is still going, we are just not so we won't be providing the houses. Ya'll bring your own or someone bring enough for everyone or just decorate graham crackers and have fun!

Sorry we'll miss you- our Merry Christmas is not getting you sick.

"Gingerbread" Houses

Most of you know my history with Gingerbread... it's shaky, at best. So this year, we're going to make Graham Cracker Houses instead. :)

Now, don't get your hopes up... even if we use graham crackers, the houses won't look like the one in the picture. :) But the kiddos will have a great time, cleanup will be a breeze, and we can all split the cost by bringing a contribution!

I'm going to assemble the houses the day before so they'll dry and the kiddos can decorate w/abandon. You RSVP # of children and pick what candy you'll bring from the below list (or be creative!) by leaving a comment here.

Losco Park, Friday Dec 18, 10:00. Bring a sack lunch, too. Merry Christmas!

**Candy Needs**
mini Candy Canes
Peppermints
Gumdrops
2 containers white frosting
M&Ms
Mini Red Hots
Chocolate Nonpariels (those chocolates w/little white candy dots on top)
Twizzlers (gross tasting, but they look cute!)
box of snack size ziploc bags
roll of paper towels, baby wipes, 1 grown up pair scissors, and a whole bunch of Publix bags to take the houses home in w/o gooing up the car

Thanksgiving Fun!

My intention was to upload a fun Thanksgiving Idea each day... but we've been so busy having a good time that I didn't get around to it. :)

Since it's a little late to share all of the fun crafts we did, I'll suggest some Thanksgiving Day Games you can play with the fam or to keep little ones from underfoot while the ladies are in the kitchen!

This year, I am bringing some things for the kiddos to play alone and others to do all together:
1) Draw with Sidewalk Chalk (Mayflower contest, anyone?)
2) Turkey Toss (Beanbag into a gobblin' turkey!)
3) Pilgrim Relay (Boys vs. Girls- grownups included!)
4) Bubbles! (No explanation necessary)
5) Indian Corn Hunt (like looking for a needle in a haystack...)

And another idea I had but didn't get to... pick up paint swatches and have the kiddos find something in nature to match the different hues. I thought it could be an adventure to look for bright red, oranges, pinks, grays, etc. Oh, and you could always collect fall leaves and make a collage or leaf rubbing.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving! Time with family is precious and this is a way to get the oldest laughing with your little ones!

Holiday Tip #1

Holiday Tip #1: Get Your Sitters Early!

I waited to post this until I had sitters secure for the two Christmas Parties we're attending... I have to practice what I preach!

We like to do most of our celebrating as a family, but for the evenings that are too late for the little ones or for grownups-only gatherings, plan early!

It's so easy to make a phone call to your favorite sitters, but just as easy to forget. :) Grab the phone (or shoot an email) and mark one thing off the list! Look how easy that was- this is going to be an easy-breezy Christmas.

Christmas Shopping

I have the itch. Today is a brrr... cold day. It's a fire day, a hot chocolate day, a prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas kind of day!

The children are choosing favorite game and craft ideas for Thanksgiving while I nurse Georgia Anne for her nap. I'm excited to go up and hear what they think of when we talk about Thanksgiving. Family, a trip to Tallahassee and food all come to my mind.

Oh, but my topic was Christmas Shopping! That's because I have a neat idea that I want to share. Even with a budget, moms are often subject to impulse buys. And $5 here and $20 there will blow a budget every time!

I've taken my Christmas list to a new level. As the catalogs start pouring in, I fold down everything I like. Then I go back through and cut out the items and glue into a folder, one page per person I'm shopping for. Sometimes I don't cut out something I folded down- that's impulse elimination phase 1. :) Phase 2 is gluing in... if there are 2 things that are similar, or if all of a sudden that remote control toy (and the 10 batteries it needs) doesn't seem so practical, I toss it.

Phase 3 is... (drum roll...) my Hubby! We look through my folder together (well, except for his pages) and he helps clarify our choices for the year. No return lines, no over-abundance of toys that will break in 3 days anyway... we pare it down to 3 gifts per kiddo and some stocking stuffers.

Freedom!! Now I have a purposeful list and when I hit the stores (or websites) if I see something I just "have to buy" I can look at the pictures we already chose and weigh my options wisely.

What do you do to keep expenses down?