Day 12

December 12

What a stressful day Saturday was....we were up at Nana's...had to repack and get the kids to Grandma Jany's by (hopefully) 11am to celebrate the holidays with Pete's side of the family....only to find out I had left my coat at the tea house the day before and then we ended up leaving Morgan's tights at Nana's house....which she needed the next day for church. Normally this would not stress me out but I am not familiar with Grandma Jany's side of town and not knowing where I was going to find tights....we were rushed...I was cold....

Pete, luckily, is familiar with this side of town and he quickly found me a Sears department store so I could run in and buy some tights...and while at the register I saw my last day of giving right there. The 'Heroes at Home' fundraiser. We have a lot of military to say the least in our family so this organization fits us quite nicely.

Quick update to Day 8: The family has contacted me concerning my offer of assistance and we are in the process of figuring out how to get her the gift card.

Poor Santa...

Ahhhh...the annual trip to see the 'Real Santa', this year he was at the Children's Museum of Richmond. So we packed up on Thursday night and headed south. All the grandparents met us there to see Santa and watch the kids get their photo taken. Precious moments...right?

The Thompson family at the Children's Museum...
The kids with the Snow Queen.

Here he is...the Big Elf himself! Jolly Ol' St. Nick!

And...here is Morgan FREAKING out when placed in Santa's lap.

We should have known this was going to happen when she started saying 'scarrrry, scarrrry' when he came down the chimney....oh well...this one is going to the Ellen show next year for sure!

Day 11

December 11

Today I 'gave' to the important women in my life. From left to right (from me to the right) :

Janet (my mother in law),

Grandma Mary (Pete's grandmother)

and my mom!

The ladies had a great time together...shopping, looking at all the Christmas decorations and just spending time together without men and without children!....although we missed the children dearly...maybe in a couple of years I can trust Morgan to come to tea with us and not break half the items sitting on the table! (haha)

Morgan's First Haircut...

So...we are going to go and see Santa tomorrow in Richmond and I thought Morgan's hair could use a little neater look. It is sooo long and I would be in trouble with most of the men in my family if I cut her hair too much

(although I would love to go shorter as during meal times her hair becomes the buffet).

We went to my salon and she was a hit with all the ladies.

Getting started...
Just a trim....I promise...

Getting it all blown out and styled...

Beautiful Girl!

Day 10

December 10

Today was the 'Holiday Tea' for all of the teachers at Victory Elementary School. The PTO asked that parents bring in treats for the teachers to have during their party.

Davis loves Ms. Horowitz and Ms Esguerra so much. He talks about them all of the time and brags about what they say to him. I know it must be hard to remember to compliment each and every child on a daily basis but I really do think it makes a difference to the kids.

So..enjoy your treats all you hard working teachers at VES!

~~We will be in Richmond until Sunday so the '12 Days of Giving' will not be getting posted but believe me, they are being accomplished.~~

...and we I am still waiting on my family from 'wish upon a hero', I am giving them until Sunday when we return.

Day 9

December 9

I have been a crazy, baking lady this week

and now it is time to share with my friends and family...

Today I took cookies and 'trash' chex mix to my friend Bethany's house. They have two sick kids at their house and since we are the potential cause to their illness(es) I

felt goodies were in order!

Enjoy your treats Balsis family!

~~Day 8 is still in progress, I will update when I have news to share!~~

Day 8

December 8...Wish in Progress

I visited the 'Wish Upon a Hero' that my friend Bethany has had such good luck with for my 8th day of giving. However I haven't heard back from the family yet...I am still waiting. I do not want to grant a wish to another family until I am sure this family doesn't respond...

So...this is a 'Giving in Progress'...to be continued...