O Christmas Tree

Decorating the house for Christmas was challenging (I lack decor), but the one thing I nailed was the tree.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
How lovely are thy branches
 

Christmas Tree 2018

Happy Camper!

Downtown!

I took the "girls" my mom collected for me as a child and turned them into ornaments.

Super cute Ugly Sweater ornaments from Pottery Barn!

My mom bought me this angel when I was a teenager. It used to have a really cute poem about the mother daughter relationship. I wish I could remember it because it always made me cry.

Mr. Harry!

My aunt gave me this ornament on my 1st Communion.

I bought this ornament for Harry in 2017. You can buy yours on Etsy!

This year, I turned my old nativity scene into an ornament. It's broken numerous times over the years, but it's way too special to ever throw out.

Gingerbread Houses!

So I made a Gingerbread House with a 1 and 3 year old. It looked liked this... 

I let them do everything and I think that is pretty obvious. ;-) My sister and I bought a kit for 70% at Michael's. It came with a lot more but it was a pain in the butt! The frosting didn't work so the stupid thing kept falling apart. I came up with a pretty incredible hack though...

Dixie Cups to the rescue! I know, I'm a genius! :-D We let the house dry overnight and then we finished it the next day. It turned out awesome but it is obvious my sister and I have different tastes in style. 

I can't say decorating Ginger Bread Houses will be a tradition in my house but I had fun with it this year!

Elf on the Shelf 2013

Last year, our elf pretty much stuck to the shelf. Skylar did have some adventures though and you can see what mischief she got into here.  This year, our elf only moved a few times but when she moved she was left there for days at a time. Yes, I know, we are bad elf owners. Anyway, below are some photos of Elfie's adventures this year.

Elfie was caught sitting on a candle. Leah was yelling, "The elf is on fire!" I actually believed her but no worries, he's okay! Just warming up his butt. ;-)

Elfie decided to spend the day outside making snow angels.

Elfie was nice and cozy in this doll chair from Pottery Barn Kids.

Elfie is apparently a bookworm like the rest of our family. 

Something incredibly exciting happened to me this December, the author of Elf on the Shelf, Carol Aebersold signed my book! She wrote, 

"Ms. S's Class, Be sure your elf has only good reports for Santa. Always believe!"

 
**I know the elf's name is different from last year and I know the elf is technically a boy but dressed as a girl. #technicalities

Elf on the Shelf

Our elf made quite the mess!

Skylar got into the makeup! She is wearing eye shadow, blush, and lip gloss. 

Skylar is one messy eater!

This elf gets into everything!

Hungry? Want a cookie?

Uh oh! Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? 

On Skylar's last night with us she decided to tepee our tree!

Elf on the Shelf is a new tradition in our house this year and it has been a lot of fun. Many times, Skylar stayed on the shelf, edge of the laundry basket, and in a lamp, but on occasion she got motivation to do something naughty!

Here's a link to a hilarious blog about overachieving elves: http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2011/12/over-achieving-elf-on-shelf-mommies.html