Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Is It Christmas Time AL-Yeti?

For thanksgiving, I wanted to give Mrs. Green a fun, yet practical gift that she could definitely USE.  I know teachers love gift cards and the time will come for me to give Mrs. Green a gift card, but Thanksgiving gifts aren't NORMAL, so I gave her something I wanted to give her.  I'm pretty sure she didn't complain about this gift.  LOL!

Yeti products are so popular.  I recall last Christmas, it was virtually impossible to find a yeti item unless it was price gauged. This year, they are still really popular, but they actually exist on the shelves, in abundance, now! I bought Mrs. Green a 20 ounce yeti tumbler, but the yeti cup itself is very manly and just blah as far as presenting it as a gift.  So... check out the transformation of this yeti cup from that went from drab to fab.
Here's what you need:
1.  A yeti item of your choice.
2. A box of LED lights from the DOLLAR TREE.
3. Batteries.
4. A cute tag, such as the one I created. (See below).
I created the tag below which reads, 
"I can't believe it's Christmas Time Al-Yeti!"

I wrapped the lights around the cup and adhered them with two pieces of scotch tape.  I placed the batter pack INSIDE the cup!
 TADA!!!!
 I tied my tag onto the cup using some rope or twine.
I filled the cup with some Ferrero Rocher chocolates and a little hint of Thanksgiving... pumpkin pie chapstick.
I truly can't believe it is Christmas time already.  There are only 24 days until Christmas and honestly, I am not happy about it! That's just too soon! Enjoy one more look below.  It's hard to capture Christmas lights on camera, so I also took a video.

They're Baaaack! ~ Elf On The Shelf 2016

It's probably ONE of our TOP 5 Christmas traditions... the Elf On The Shelf.  If you are new to following us, then you definitely need to read some old posts on the mischievous things our elves on the shelf have gotten into.  Just type "Elf On The Shelf" into the subject box.  If you aren't new to BollingWith5 then you know exactly what this means for us.  Each of our children have an elf.  Lilah actually has TWO because her original elf caught on fire, and lost a leg.  

Pinterest has pretty much taken a simple, yet fun Christmas tradition to an entirely new level.  Over the years, instead of just hiding our elves in a new spot, we have had to incorporate some pretty creative Christmas scenes and shenanigans into the mix.  I try really hard to create my OWN original ideas.  By like day 22, I give... and use Pinterest for sure.
Yesterday, I finished decorating our 5th and FINAL Christmas tree, so it was time for our elves to arrive.  Usually, the first night, they just land on the Christmas Tree, but I did want to do a little something fun.  While Christmas shopping at Michael's Crafts. I spotted a 1 foot, decorative, wooden Christmas door, with a wreath on it. AS SOON AS I SPOTTED IT, I HAD to have it!! I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. The cost was $12.99, but I used a 40% off coupon.  Score!!! 
Isn't it adorable?
I created a rhyming note for Napoleon, Chippey, Ariel, and Rosie to give to the kids, "installed" the wooden door using velcro, and placed the elves on the tree.
I just love the way it looks.  If it wasn't red and Christmasy, I would consider just keeping in there.  LOL! 
The first words out of Lilah and Jax's mouth this morning were, "Did the elves arrive?"  I am so glad that they still believe. Ty just pretends to believe to help prolong the magic and fun for his brother and sister.

I have created a general letter that you can use for your child's elf!  If you would like to use it and fill in the blanks, click here.  

Friday, November 25, 2016

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving 2016 was pretty eventful!!!
Typically, over the last three years especially, we haven't had a very consistent agenda.  Each year has looked slightly different as to WHO we eat with AND WHAT we eat. However, we have definitely maintained two traditions. 1) Thanksgiving Breakfast and 2) The Drumstick Dash! Above, you can see our breakfast.  
The kids love the jumbo muffins.
And I usually do fluffy, scrambled eggs...
Fresh fruit (this year it was just bananas) and applewood Bacon...
This year, I also added mimosas.  I love that the kids anticipate this simple, yet memorable breakfast.
I even had a small feast for our favorite fur kids. I love our local pet store and the "tail bangers" they offer.
After breakfast, we got all decked out in our Drumstick Dash T-shirts.  I always love these shirts. This year's shirt was designed/colored by a 5 year old little girl named Lyla.   
Even the dogs received a little dash gear to wear.
We have really enjoyed this tradition over the years.  This was our 3rd annual drumstick dash. We don't care about running and passing the finish line in some sort of world record. Honestly, we are just happy to do this as a family.  We are also glad that this race is more about others, thank others.  We love the fact that we are "moving our feet so others can eat!"
Why do I look so tired? Could it be the 4:00 a.m. wake time?
Sadie and Simon were all decked out in their "dash" gear. We also bought Simon a puffer vest because they weather forecast was calling for rain.  Thankfully, the weather was PERFECT.
We followed many of our church members to the Roanoke Higher Education Center.  It was nice to meet up with them and fellowship for a few minutes before everyone pretty much parted ways.
"On your marks! Get set! GO!!!!!!!!!!"
I tried to capture Lilah, at least, at every mile.  The boys were NOT interested in pausing for photos.
Along the way, I captured some pretty buildings that downtown Roanoke is known for!
 
Check out the bridge of walkers!
We crossed the finish line 14 minutes sooner than last year.  Again, we are NOT focused on any time frame.  We are simply doing this to fulfill our tradition and to help those in need.
Lilah got a picture with the famous turkey man aka Kevin! He was so sweet. He thanked her over and over for being such a helper to the needy.
We came home and ate AGAIN. LOL! We reheated and ate the same breakfast from earlier that morning.  It was that yummy.  We also watched the Macy's Day Parade.  
We also watched a little bit of the dog show.  We cheered on the Rhodesian Ridgeback who won 3rd place in the hound family.  
 
This handsome man went up to shower and then came downstairs and said, "Well, I'm ready for Thanksgiving!"  Darren and I busted out laughing and simultaneously said, "All dressed up and no where to go!" It was so cute, but I was a tad bummed that he was looking so handsome.  I was relieved I could just be comfy.  I wound up NEVER changing and matched the rest of my family. Darren was the only fancy, smancy one.  
Our Thanksgiving feast consisted of garlic and herbed roast beef, dressing stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, candied yams, green beans casserole, and cranberry sauce.  
After dinner, of course comes dessert, right?!?!
Dessert was made by my mini me and I.  
We made a homemade tiramisu.  MY FAVORITE!
And we turned a store bought pumpkin pie, from Sam's Club, into cute little individual sized pies. 
Tyson, especially, was so excited about the pumpkin pie. I seriously think the twins just ate the candy pumpkin and cool whip (insert emoji rolling eyes here.).
After dinner/dessert, we went out just for fun, to see what all the shopping hype was like! It was insanity.  We went to both Target and Best Buy.  The line in Target was backed up all the way to the produce department. We didn't buy a thing.   
It was a wonderful day, FILLED with loads of special and important things to do. Sometimes I regret not having 100 places to go and people to see, but after being together, as a family of 5, it was really peaceful, relaxing, and stress-free, which is nice. I think our kids will look back on their childhood Thanksgiving and LOVE all of the memories and traditions we made/had together. There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: Christ, family, church, fur kids, friends, laughter, food, health, joy, Donald Trump (haha), rest, loyalty, trust and so much more...