Picture of the Day, Week 49

I usually have Christmas music playing shortly after Halloween. I just got my CDs out today. What's wrong with me?!?

(Of note: Yes, CDs. No iPod here. And it's been awhile since I've picked up a new album. Clay Aiken??? Hell-o!)

Drew got sick while sleeping on Saturday night, and because he had no fever or mood problems, we figured it was a fluke. Uh, guess not. He started having "bathroom problems" today after nap, and it continued through the night. These are the approximate times we were up during the night. Considering the situation, Drew did really great. Got himself out of bed and into the potty and very quietly washed his hands and went back to sleep.

We got our iMac back today after being in the shop since Friday. A new hard drive later (thank you, Apple warranty) and we're back in business!

XBOX 360 Live allows Brad to play in real time with other real people, versus just playing the computer. He's been playing an old high school buddy of his that lives out in Sacramento, and with these new headphones/microphone, they can talk, too.

(By the way, he totally hates me for taking this picture...)

Christmas 2010 greeting cards mailed out today!

Well this was a first. I don't think we've ever actually won something out of a cereal box before. Brad opened his box of Pop Tarts this morning to see this little beauty inside. Upon logging on to Kelloggs.com, he discovered he won a game for XBOX Kinect. Too bad he doesn't have a Kinect yet. Ah well. At least he won something, right?

This is the third, if not the fourth, 30% off coupon Kohls has given me this year. Brad insists that it doesn't mean I have to actually go shopping. But I tell him that would be like wasting money if I didn't...right?!?

Picture of the Day, Week 48

I'm playing catch up a little bit. I was unable to post last Sunday because our computer was in the shop. And today I feel like mud, so I have pictures from two weeks ago here, and I hope to get last week's posted soon, too.

Without further ado...

Picking up the last of the fall leaves. (Nope, no snow yet. Boo.)

Brad and I decided last week to downgrade to basic cable, so we had to explain to Drew that he wouldn't be able to watch "his Disney shows" any more. He was confused, but he took it pretty well, especially since we told him he could watch them on the computer. {Since downgrading, though, we're still getting Disney on two of our TVs...Brad checked with Comcast and they assured us we're getting the channels we should be. We'll keep our Disney-satisfied kid as long as we can!}

I've been sitting at my sewing machine the last couple nights, making pillowcases for Drew for Christmas. He's getting a new pillow, and I didn't want it to be just a boring ol' pillow, so I'm jazzing them up with some Lightening McQueen and friends (of course) pillowcases. I gotta say, I'm pretty proud of my handy work. :)

We began the countdown to Christmas today with our own take on an action-oriented Advent. I made these ornaments, which hang on a small tree on our kitchen table. Drew picks the appropriate ornament off each day, and we read what our "assignment" is for the day. (See the blog archives in the sidebar for what we've done so far.)

Reed's crazy about pots and pans right now. He's usually milling about in the cupboards as I'm making dinner. I can't wait until he's actually able to lend a helping hand!

I think I've done more online ordering this year for Christmas than I ever have before. It's so fun when the packages arrive on the front step!

Our Advent assignment today was to empty our panty and take the goods to a local food pantry. Read about our experience here.

{Advent Action} Day 14

14 Days Until Christmas

Today's activity: POSTPONED

Mom didn't feel good today.

Boys were whiny.

We took a bye.

I think I'm still shy a couple activities so we'll fit it back in before Christmas arrives.

{Advent Action} Day 15

15 Days Until Christmas

Today's activity: "camp out under the Christmas tree"

Well....this one had potential. And that's about all it had.

I set up the boys' tent next to the tree, with tons of blankets and stuffed animals and pillows. Then I blew up the air mattress for Brad and I, and set it beside the tent. We did our normal bedtime routine, but when it came to actually laying down and falling asleep...umm, not so much. I had figured Reed wouldn't last; which just begs the question: what am I going to do when he's ready to move out of his crib?!?! That kiddo was everywhere, so he quickly got whisked away up to his crib. That left Drew, Brad and myself, and I had given Brad the ok to sleep upstairs since Reed would be up there. For some reason he showed no hesitation in doing so. Huh.

So Drew and I remained...

He did well, but he couldn't sit still. He tossed and turned and wanted up on the mattress then back in his tent. Then he was hot. Then cold.

And then I tucked him in his bed - upstairs.

We'll try again next year. Looks like fun anyway, doesn't it?? :)

{Advent Action} Day 16

16 Days Until Christmas

Today's activity: "watch a Christmas movie"

Thank you, ABC, for showing just the movies we wanted to see on the exact day we wanted to see them!

First up, Shrek the Halls. Not our favorite, but OK.

Next, Prep and Landing. Loved it when we saw it last year. Loved it this year, too. My new favorite holiday movie. LOVE Lanny and Wayne!

Drew was into it.

Reed was busy doing other things.

One out of two ain't bad. :)

{Advent Action} Day 17

17 Days Until Christmas

Today's activity: "put money in the Salvation Army buckets"

We went to Walmart this morning, and upon arriving, Drew pulled the one dollar bill from his jacket pocket and put it in the bucket.

When we got home and told Brad about it, Drew starting asking some really good questions, like "What do they do with the money?" and "How do they get it out of the bucket?"

Another simple, do-able way to bless someone else this Christmas.

{Advent Action} Day 18

18 Days Until Christmas

Today's activity: "send cards to our soldiers"

(thanks for the idea, Jenny!)

This activity was picked specifically for today as Drew has had a stomach bug for a few days, and he was in pretty bad shape last night. So, something low-key and simple was in the works for today's project.

It took a bit to explain to Drew who soldiers were, and why we were sending them cards. I don't think he got it. But that's okay.

I picked up a package of six Toy Story (had to make it interesting for the boys somehow) Christmas cards at the dollar store.

Drew went to work signing all six.

I then signed for the rest of us and included a short note of gratitude. I'll pop them in the mail tomorrow.

NOTE: If you're interested in sending a card to our soldiers, there's more info HERE. You don't have much time, however. They need to be postmarked by this Friday the 10th in order to make it to our troops on time.