It's starting to look like Christmas

Don't you just love the cold crisp air? Rain boots, umbrellas, jackets and scarves?! I am loving the cool weather in Southern California. Reminds me of the weather in Europe (we traveled there in late October through November in 2009). 

I am ready for Christmas, well mentally I am! I have a fun 24 days of Elf on the shelf planned out and I think I am more excited than Kaden will be. I have pre purchased our 8 foot noble fir tree which I am thrilled to decorate. Along with a fresh tree we also have two "fake" trees. One will go in Kaden's room which I will let him decorate it on his own (hope all goes well). 

Drum roll please... Here is my latest addition to our annual Christmas decor...

Isn't it super cute? I am debating on whether or not to place "goodies" in each pouch. I love that it is large and it will be personalized. The quality I am sure is perfect which will last for years to come. Silver bells are ringing... Have a holly jolly Christmas! Are you making any additions to your Christmas decor? Is anyone ready? 

These heels are meant for celebrating

Yes I am crazy! I spotted a beautiful pair of heels a few months ago at Nordstrom. I was ready to get them but at the time my ankle was in a poor condition. I could not think of walking, let alone purchasing them at the time. The sale began last week and I took the plunge on these beauties! So I have the shoes, dress, new purse and accessories. The only thing left is figuring out where we will ring in the New Year! 

We have not celebrated in a big way because it seems like every holiday my hubby has to work. BUT this year he is off!!! We will be kiddo free and I am determined to find a fun place to dress up and be with my honey. If you know of any great places that are in California- Southern California to be exact, please let me know!!! 

Help! I am a parent

Help! Help! Yes those can be cries of a parent. I have attended a few parenting classes at church and begun reading a great book.

A must read!

 

 My hubby and I started reading this book yesterday. I could not get through the introduction without some tears. We have reached more obstacles in the past few weeks with our son. Yesterday he threw sand at a boy at the park (the boy did nothing wrong- from what I could see). My son and I immediately left the scene. I power walked back to our home with a screaming toddler strapped into the stroller and I was determined that not only was his punishment not getting to play at the park but also sitting on time out. After his two minutes were up my son apologized to me and he also said that he wanted to apologize to the boy. Mind you I briefly said sorry and removed my child as quickly as I could.

I'm pretty sure every parent has faced difficulties with their child at one point or another but recently I have been breaking down. Exactly when does this parenting thing get easier? Oh right, N-E-V-E-R! There will be good days and on the bad days I need to learn to be calm and not stress over it. Easier said than done! Being a mom of a little boy has some challenges- his activity level is on 10 all the time even when I wish it would mellow down to a level 3. Since the weather is still nice in Southern California I have let him run around in the backyard to burn off some energy.

Any great parenting tips? What has worked and what has not?

11 Days of birthday giving!

My birthday is in exactly one month and a wonderful idea came to mind. Starting on December 1st I am taking on a new joyful idea called "11 days of birthday giving!" I enjoy getting gifts but what I love the most is giving to others. I have begun jotting down ideas of what I want to do each day prior to my birthday.

* Baking and giving cookies to my local fire station
* Food donations to a local homeless shelter
* Send little notes of encouragement to family/friends
* Take a friend a cup of hot cocoa (Starbucks red festive cups)
* Give candy canes to neighbors with story of the candy cane
* The joy of Disneyland during Christmas season

So far I only have six ideas which only means that I need more!!! If you have some great ideas please send them over to me. I am looking into making this a yearly tradition and each year I can come up with new things to do.

Ready for the Holidays?!

Thanksgiving is around the corner which only means one thing- Christmas will be here very fast. My hubby is ready to pull out all of the holiday decor and I am still enjoying my pumpkins! Now that my son is two and a half I am ready to start two new traditions in our home. I will share one and the other will be saved for the next blog. In order to start one tradition I need an Advent Calendar. I have to say that I am very particular about this calendar and I want it to be of good quality so that it will last me for years. The one that my parents have I remember it since I was ten I think. Every year my mom brings it out and on occasion I add a piece or two to the tree. It is really cute and I have not seen one like it recently. So the search is on and if you come across a super cute Advent Calendar please let me know. Oh and I am trying to stay under $100 on one (there has to be a budget for this). I don't have time to make it because with all honesty there is less than a month left till December 1st. Are you starting any new traditions?