Playdate

Two things happened over the past few days I don't want to forget.  When we are at the Jekyll and Hyde Club some actress that wanders around talking to diners came up to my littlest one.  My older two became shy as usual, but the little one put his hands on his hips and did a head swagger and said something that I am certain was all about putting her in her place.   I don't know what he said -- she said "oh he was just dancing".  I was like ok, if that's what you want to believe.  It was too funny!

Sunday I spent the day organizing my office and then went out with the gang to do some returns.  When we stopped for gas my middle one exclaimed VERY loudly about the curly-haired gas attendant "he looks like Buddy the Elf!" <will farrel>  and then yelled out the window "nice hair!!".  He totally meant it in a nice way I know, but it was just so embarrassingly hilarious.  Oh my goodness!

Last night we all went out with our friends for dinner.   Today I am hosting a playdate for my oldest -- a total of five 7-year old boys (plus the two little guys - until my husband got home from 1/2 day at work to get them out of here so I only have to entertain the big boys). 

We had lunch and I made cupcakes for them.

Kinda girly looking, but they didn't care!


We also did New Years Eve arts and crafts.  We made noisemakers which I do with my kids each year -- dried beans between two paper bowls wrapped in aluminum and decorated -- shake 'em like a tambourine.  We also made masks.

They are all running around now playing hide and seek. My house looks like a bomb hit it, but they are happy so that's all that matters. :)

NYC

Had such a fun day in the city with my boys.  My middle guy was saying that he must have been on the naughty list since his brothers got bigger presents than he did. Made me so sad, so yesterday on a whim I decided to book tickets to Gazillion Bubble Show and make it a day to celebrate him. :) 

The show was awesome!  I must have received 30 kisses from the littlest guy during the show. Highly recommend it.

We then went to see the Rockefeller Center tree.  

The kids were starving so I didn't get the reaction to the tree I was hoping to see.   We then went to Jekyll & Hyde Club for lunch.  The kids had a blast.

Everyone is now bathed, in their pajamas and getting ready to watch a movie. I have sugar cookies with crunched up candy canes baking in the oven as a special treat and then off to bed!



Recap!

The kids had a BLAST!  Started Sunday with some friends over for our annual holiday dinner.  I made prime rib, roasted lemon asparagus, Christmas caprese wreath and these potatoes that everyone went nuts over.  We ended with a chocolate cake with fresh buttercream frosting decorated with homemade chocolate trees. 

Tuesday I had off so took the kids to a play date at a friends house where we made Christmas cookies.  Went out that night with two friends for a quick drink.

Christmas Eve I took my big boy to 4 pm mass where he was dressed as a wise man.  The church was standing room only by the time I walked in so told my husband to stay home with the little two.  Luckily a Dad I know from school saw me standing in back and came back to invite me to sit with his family so I lucked out.

Then we all went off to my parents for dinner -- my mom made all the amazing usual items - lobster, crab legs, etc.  She asked what we should make for my middle one who is the only fuss pot in the group.  I decided to make him something with pasta but in theme so made scallop shrimp lasagna.  He didn't like it, but everyone else raved about it. :)

We got home late and after we got them to bed I set to work putting together the ice cream truck tent I bought for them.  After 45 minutes my husband finally came downstairs and insisted it was way too big and we should return it.  He was right -- it was tremendous, so another 30 minutes taking it down.  I made an overnight Christmas Egg and Sausage Casserole (which everyone loved) at the request of my big boy, so I could pop it in the oven without any extra effort when we woke up.  I then went to bed while my husband set up the monorail toy for my big boy. 

1:30 in the morning my big boy came into our room to ask if he could see if santa came - we said no and he went back to bed.  5:45 the two big ones showed up asking again.  I told them to give us 20 more minutes and they were sooo good and played quietly in their room.  After 6 I went to their room and we looked out their window just as a plane with a red blinking light went by in the distance. I told them it was santa and Rudolph and that meant he just left -- they flipped out. :)

In the afternoon we went to my inlaws and had another great dinner.  Today is a low-key day -- I am whipping the house back into order.  Believe it or not I already heard "I'm bored" from one of these kids who is sitting surrounded by new toys. Dear lord.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookies

Another whirlwind few days.  Thursday I took off to attend Christmas concerts for all 3 kids.  They were sooo cute.

One of my bffs came up Friday night for our annual Christmas cookie making with the kids.  We made:

White Chocolate Oatmeal Lace Cookies

Cinnamon Polar Bear Cookies


 

The kids had so much baking!

 

Today I took my big boy to a birthday party.  I bailed on an evening holiday party and am now snuggled on the couch with my little men watching Elf. :)



The New Trophy Wife

Someone just posted this article on facebook about the new trophy wife.  Love it.

Career Choices You Will Regret In 20 Years

Had a nice weekend with my little men.  Yesterday we celebrated my nephew's christening (I am the proud godmother :)). 

Hopefully this week will be quick and painless as we near vacation time for me and the kids. I really can't believe there are only 16 more days left to the year.

In other news I just read this article about Career Choices You Will Regret in 20 Years.  I think this article is spot on to apply to all aspects of your life.  Life is short - live without regret and make every day a happy one. :)

NYC Holiday Window Displays

Looking for something to do with the kids in NYC this weekend? Here is a list of 8 must see holiday window displays.  Fun!

32 Impossibly Fun Gifts for Kids

Just found this list of cool toy ideas for kids.  I just bought the ice cream play truck tent for the kids for Christmas. They are going to FLIP!!!  SO excited to suprise them with it!

That Darn Elf

Forgot to move your Elf on the Shelf?  Here are a list of exceptional excuses to give your child. 

You're welcome.

Had fun Friday at my company holiday party, which had a Vegas theme.  We had a local party Saturday night. I told the babysitter I was tired so would be home in an hour.  I apparently got a second wind because four hours later...whoopsie.  ;) 

Hope everyone has a great week!

Amazon Hot Holiday Toy List

Found a listing of Amazon's hot holiday toys - check it out here. 

Chocolate Pecan Pie

I made this chocolate pecan pie and fresh whipped cream on Saturday and everyone loved it.  The recipe is a keeper.

The house is in order for the most part for the holidays.  I made a gingerbread house with the kids yesterday. 



Yes, he is licking it.  I pick and choose my battles.

We have a lot of fun activities this week/weekend -- holiday parties, tree lighting among other fun events.  Hard to believe it's only 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas and then 2014 is over!

Hope everyone found some amazing Cyber Monday deals.  My kids are so annoyingly specific with their gift requests for example "a remote control plane that charges quick and stays fully charged for several hours and has all the windows and doors open".  Um yeah, no such thing, but I did my best scouring Amazon to look for it!! :)