Teddy Elf is back, and he’s been bringing fun and cheer to share! He’s brought gift lists to shop for children who don’t have gifts, treats to share with teachers and classmates, cookies to bake for friends, cards to mail, thank you notes for thoughtful gestures, and so much more! I love hearing Baby Gray talk to him and talk about him. It keeps things fun and fresh throughout the Christmas season and keeps the focus off the gifts and getting.
Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? What does he do in your family?
I’m not a cat person, but I’m less of a mouse person, so we have four cats who are supposed to be keeping the pesky rodents away. We have found dead mice in the yard, in Baby Gray’s boots that got left on the porch too long, and in traps here and there.
A while back, we started to find evidence of a mouse in my car. Yes, my car. Later, as I tried to clean my back windshield and the washer fluid flooded my front floor board, it was safe to say the evidence was pretty well confirmed.
I took my car in, they said “rodents” had enjoyed the tubing, fixed it, and sent me on my merry way.
In the back of my mind, I knew there was a possibility that at any time, I could be greeted by my nemesis while I was driving. Any time. I suggested a new car. Mr. Gray wasn’t going for it.
Friday evening Annie, Baby Gray, and I enjoyed a lovely hay ride, some cocoa, and another Santa visit in a neighboring town.
As we headed to T-Paw’s for supper, any time occurred.
It started with a noise. Just a small noise. The shuffling of my mom’s shopping bag. I thought she kicked it. It kept going. Then she asked the question. She wasn’t doing it. I knew. She knew. I carefully turned on the overhead lights. Beady eyes stared back at me from the passenger floor board. I killed the lights. I hit the blinker and started slowing immediately to the shoulder. She thought I was swerving. I wasn’t, but I would be if I didn’t get the car stopped and that thing touched me.
I covered my eyes as we opened the doors and light flooded the car again. I didn’t want to see him again. They’re so creepy. So, so creepy. She took away my driving privileges, looked for the mouse, and did all sorts of resourceful things while I stood there shaking and tried not to cry.
We were too far from the ranch for me to walk, so I climbed into the back seat and rode the rest of the way with my feet off the ground, my purse hugged in my lap, and my child touching me in the dark trying to scare me. Annie drove 20 or 30 miles an hour the entire way (something about trying not to hit any deer) while I texted Mr. Gray about possible new vehicle options. (Again, that was a no-go.)
We finally go to the ranch, and I couldn’t get out of that car fast enough–I sent Mr. Gray and his flashlight to assess the situation, and declared I would be driving the truck home. I did. He stopped on his way home to get sticky traps. Mickey stepped right in it. I can only hope he doesn’t have a wife or any children.
After all the internal debate, which ended up being a weblog debate, we ended up visiting “new” Santa again this year. He’ll just be our Santa from now on. There. It’s been decided.
Teddy brought Baby Gray a craft to make and share with Santa before we went.
We worked on them together that morning then headed out [to the North Pole mall].
It was the best day. Lots of fun with my boy, cute photos, and the best ending at bedtime.
While we were at Aunt Cookie’s for Thanksgiving, Baby Gray spent his time building with Legos (I know, so surprising).
Of everything he built, though, one of his projects was my absolute favorite:
Can you tell what it is? It’s a nativity scene–complete with star, Baby Jesus, animals, Mary, and Joseph (played by Cat Woman and Batman). I loved his creativity and how he used what he had to create. That little brain is always working.
We’re off to see Santa today. I had to decide if I wanted to go with our original Santa or the “new” Santa who was so wonderful on our off year last year. I think we’re going forward with the new Santa. I don’t know why things like that are so important to me. Who even gives a second thougth to which Santa it is?
(It’s a never-before seen on the blog tiny Baby Gray exclusive! I blogged about Santa not being at Bass Pro Shop, but I never came back to show the super cute photo we did get! Side note: I love those early posts.)
Sometimes I wonder how my brain gets caught up in such things. Not just with Santa, but with so many minor details. In a year, will it matter? That’s how I try to frame up my mind battles, but it doesn’t always work. It’s not even necessarily that it’s worry. I don’t consider myself a worrier. It’s more of picky, OCD-type situation–neurosis is the word I used last year. I’m working on it, though–and of course, our kiddo is cute with any Santa!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Mondays have such a bad reputation. I just don’t like it. I think people should give Monday a second chance. Think of it as time to prepare yourself for the week. It’s a time to get started on the right foot. Do your meal planning, your grocery shopping, your fruit and veggie washing, and be on the right track for a good week. It all starts with Monday. It’s so productive. It makes me feel great. Reframe your thoughts a little and see what a difference it can make.
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Plus, on this Monday, I’ve got a giveaway for you. Go ahead, give it a look.
It’s the holiday season and we want to bless someone’s socks off!
We’ve teamed up to give away a $50 Visa gift card to one lucky winner!
Simply enter via the Rafflecopter below!
GOOD LUCK!
(All entries will be verified and the winner will be emailed after the giveaway is over)
After you’ve entered, stop by our blogs and say hello!
Stockings have almost always been one of my favorite parts of Christmas morning. “Santa” used to do a great job with mine growing up, and luckily, “he” still brings mine over when “he” comes for Christmas morning at our house.
Years ago, Mr. Gray and I implemented a stocking-only rule for our Christmas gifts to each other. It’s fun to have some constraints–it gets the creativity going. For the most part, our gifts are practical, but mostly they’re the little things that show we know each other. I’m always impressed with my husband’s insight.
I also try to carry on the fun stocking tradition with Baby Gray.
I’ve compiled some of my favorite stocking stuffers to give–and get!
For Dad:
Toothbrush
Toiletries
Socks
Boxers
Pocket knife
Favorite candy/gum
iTunes gift card
Flash drives
Headphones
For Kids:
Toothbrush
Johnson’s Buddy soap
Books
Bath crayons
Boogie Wipes
Character Band-Aids
Socks
Undies
For Mom:
Toothbrush
Nail polish
Nail files
Gift cards (think restaurant, spa, boutique)
Journals
Pens
Small leathergoods
Monogrammed paper products
Stamped spoons
We have a special day where we go to Target together to do stocking shopping. It finishes off anything else we’ve gathered along the way–the only rule? It all has to fit.
Yeah, I made that up. It’s not a thing. When my computer has been crashed, and I have a lot of catching up to do, it seems the best route to take, though. Hold on to your hats!
1. Thanksgiving. Lots of Thanksgiving. Turkey at tailgate. Football game that ended poorly. Birthday celebration rolled in the mix. More than enough to be thankful for.
2. Black Friday. I don’t usually do Black Friday. Sales are not enough to entice me out into the crowd. However, after Thursday’s game, we got back to the house, and I was wide awake. I didn’t need a thing, but I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing while everyone was asleep. I was already fully dressed, so it made the most sense to go see what the hub-bub was about.
When I walked in to Old Navy, they had an Angel Tree. It was perfect. I grabbed a child off the tree and knocked out her list. I loved it. I think I’ll make that my new tradition with myself.
3. More Thanksgiving. Family, food, fun, family photos complete with an over-under on time. Good times, good times. (And good photos).
4. Christmasday. After a crazy Christmas season last year filled with illness and missed traditions, we’re back. We cut down our tree, got as much decor up as will fit in the camphouse, and called it a day. I think we’re skipping our annual Christmas Shindig this year, but the rest is on track–except the stockings. They’re MIA. Nonna has some we can borrow. I think we’re going to have to go that route.
5. Crashed computer. I work from home. I need my computer. I finished up some work Sunday night, and my whole system crashed. Luckily, we were going to be in Houston Monday and Tuesday, so I set up a Genius Bar appointment. A new one will be here soon.
6. Justin Timberlake. Yep, the President of Pop himself was in Houston this week, so Annie and I took a little trip. I only have one word: incredible. I’m not actually a huge Justin Timberlake fan, but I’m always impressed with talent. He is super talented, and he puts on quite a show. People were screaming those ear-piercing screams I can only imagine went down when the Beatles were in town. It was that kind of fandom. I’ve been on the screaming end of a George Strait concert (multiple times), and it’s nothing compared to what goes down for JT. Incredible. If you have an opportunity to go see him live, do it. (Also, remember that 20 minute performance he had at an awards show a while back? That’s just a small sampling of a live show.)
7. Sights & Sounds. Our annual trip to Sights & Sounds is tonight. I can’t wait. It’s always so much fun. As the kids get older, it only gets more exciting! (Memories here and here.)
8. Elf on the Shelf. Teddy came back December 1st, and he has been bringing all sorts of assignments for Baby Gray. (More on that here.) I love using this method to help share love and kindness during Christmas because the boy gets to take ownership of the tasks and internalize it more than he would if I just suggested picking out an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or another organization.
In funny Teddy news, Mr. Gray took over Teddy duties while I was gone earlier this week. Here’s how it went down:
9. Christmas cards. I love, love, love Christmas cards. They go hand-in-hand with my love for mail, but everyone’s on board! I love it. I really loved our card this year, and even though cards went out December 1st (back on schedule–I told y’all last year was crazy), I don’t want to share them yet in case people haven’t gotten theirs. Do you mail Christmas cards?
11. Advent calendars. This year, Baby Gray has two advent calendars. I love that they are something he can do independently. They’re not spiritual or anything fancy, but they help him visualize the time to Christmas and get a fun little treat in the meantime. They’re also great practice for patience.
12. Bowl games. I sure hope we don’t play Texas in Houston for our bowl game. Yawn. I want to go somewhere fun.
13. Snow. Baby Gray is all about snow this year. We are soaking up all the opportunities for fake snow that we can, but we are also hoping to do a real trip to the snow after the first of the year. Any tips or favorite spots?
The shower. It’s where I go to retreat and think. No one disturbs me. I can pray, cry, laugh, sing, talk, reflect, whatever I need to do, and it’s time just for me.
Then comes the journal. I get it out, write until my hand hurts, cry, pray, what have you.
Some days, though, I just can’t. I can’t process yet. I can’t grab hold of the big idea God is laying out for me. I can know in my head His plans are the best plans, but sometimes I can’t get my heart to play along.
Sometimes I come here. I share. I get transparent but not too specific.
I miss date night. I miss church. I miss closets. I miss weeknights filled with friends, Heart Groups, and life.
I’m grateful for group texts. I’m grateful for lazy nights on the couch. I’m grateful for invitations, even if we have to decline (distance can be a meanie). I’m grateful for a roof over our heads. I’m grateful for heat and cool. I’m grateful for a husband who would do absolutely anything for the boy and I. I’m grateful for a son who amazes me everyday. I’m grateful for friends I’ve known all my life. I’m grateful for new friends who connect in an instant. I’m grateful for opportunities I never knew I’d have. I’m grateful for more things than I can even list. More things than I can fathom. Things that aren’t things at all–they’re life, love, and happiness. They’re the things that money can’t buy.
I’m grateful, just so grateful, in the midst of it all.
