Opening Presents

Sean couldn't get through his presents fast enough. However, once everything was open the opening of the packages to get the toys out began. Then he had to play every game, have every Lego set put together, and where or use every sword and/or gun.

Soon Sean employed the help of every grown up to put together his Legos.

Santa's Village

We finally got to see Santa at Santa's Village in Richardson. We went the last day and when we got in line to see Santa we were at the 90 minute wait marker. Fortunately I waited in line while Michael took Sean to the other houses. The line moved pretty quickly and we didn't end up waiting the 90 minutes. Once Sean got into Santa's lap he didn't want to tell him what he wanted. At least we got a picture.

Our Christmas Tree

When I described our tree to my friend Debbie she had a hard time with my color scheme, because she couldn't see having a tree without Santa ornaments. I told her I had a beautiful Santa ornament that had only a little bit of read so it didn't clash with my blue, silver, and white themed tree. He had just enough red to make him stand out.


Last year Sean saw a blue Christmas tree and I promised him I'd get him one this year. I planned on buying him one of the 3 foot ones, but he saw this one at Target and begged me to get it. Mission accomplished... and it was WAY less expensive than the original one I planned to get him. This is also his Nutcracker collection. Sean gets a new one every year. He'd get more if Mommy would buy them, but it's hard to find ones that are in good shape or of good quality. You can't see them, but he even has Nutcracker ornaments on his tree. There is a Nutcracker at Garden Ridge that's taller than him... another one he is begging me to get for him.



And here is our family tree... I used to have a beautiful mauve, pink, and burgandy scheme til I had a son. I didn't think it would be fair to Sean if he grew up having a girly tree. However, to make me feel better I made froo froo Christmas balls by adding little bits of white feathery boa to the tops of them.

Baking for the Holidays

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

I asked Michael what he wanted for Christmas and he told me he wanted me to bake some goodies for him... I think I got off easy ;)

I made these Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies (Recipe Below) this evening and Sean promptly asked me to pack him 2 to take to daycare in the morning.

I have 3-4 more different cookie recipes I'll be baking tomorrow. Dad bring your appetite Thursday, I know you liked my baking when I was a child.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

2-1/4c flour

1tsp salt

1tsp baking soda

2 sticks butter, softened

1c granulated sugar

1c packed brown sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

1tbsp vanilla

1/2c unsweetened cocoa (I used Ghirardelli)

2c chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl stir together flour, salt, and baking soda. In another large bowl stir together butter, both sugars, eggs, vanilla and cocoa. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture and mix until combined. Stir chocolate chips and walnuts, if using, and stir to distribute evenly. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets and bake about 10 minutes. Cool on a baking rack.

Instead of mixing the chocolate chips in the batter I made my drops on the cookie sheet then flattened them a little. Afterwards I placed the chocolate chips on the cookies and pressed them in a little. I did it purely for looks.

5 Year Olds and Christmas Shopping

I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. Michael has been up to no good which can only mean I'm getting spoiled this year. He had been asking me to email him stuff I wanted for Christmas as I thought of it. Friday I mentioned to Michael that I could really use a gift card to Victoria's Secret, because I didn't think he would want to actually shop there for me. Sean looked up from his coloring and said, "We already got you one." Michael was a little disappointed and had to reiterate that what they shopped for was a secret from mommy til Christmas.

Yesterday Michael decided to shop by himself given the "incident" over the gift card.

Today we were on our way home from Santa Village and as we got closer to Firewheel Mall, Sean commented, "We haven't shopped at Kohl's in a long time." I didn't understand the word Kohl's because he was mispronouncing it, so I kept asking "What?" Then he said "Kohl's, the place we bought you socks." Another item I had asked for for Christmas.

Lesson learned... Sean WILL NOT be shopping with me tomorrow when I get Michael's presents.