And Then My Name Was MAMA: Another Weekend Come and GONE Stationery CardView the entire collection of cards.

First and Foremost ---8 Days and counting--- Happy Holidays! Our photos were taken by Lindsay @ You Are The Roots... a Young Woman with many talents, and a welcomed new friend! The cards were by Shutterfly, which I use every year and for everything, mugs, photo books, invites, etc. because I really like their product.

Weekend whirled past us faster than a Tornado took Dorothy to OZ!

Friday afternoon G-Man had his Holiday show at school which was promising because he came into the room with his bell and hat all smiles. He saw Mommy and bolted toward me. I gave a warm reassuring hug and told him to follow his teacher. As soon as he reached the stage he cried. No songs from him. Although, he wasn't the only child in his class to not sing, he was the only one who cried and had to be removed from the stage. Though I am not disappointed or sad, unlike some who may have been just that or even angry. I am fortunate and blessed that he is in tune with his own feelings and will not tolerate or adjust to a situation that he may not be comfortable with. At least that is how I choose to perceive his actions that afternoon. I have hopes that he never will mold himself for a situation or others to fit in or make them happy. My hopes are that he stays in tune with who he is and if he doesn't feel comfortable he gets out of the situation or makes it known he isn't comfortable. I am perfectly happy having a son who is in tuned to his feelings!

Hmm...Don't know whose camera I was looking at!

Friday night was my husbands Holiday Party for work. It was at the Hyatt Pier 66, BUT not in the much anticipated top Spinning Tower part of the hotel because his company is larger than that room could accommodate. Instead the party was held at the Panorama Ballroom, which was very large and had a nice outdoor balcony area where Bartenders and starters happily awaited guests. With 2 drinks complimentary per guest, I was, well let's just say...my husband saw me and then I was gone. The sweet warm lovely feeling of a buzz filled me faster than an "Exotic Dancer" gets filled with ...uh...hmm....dollar bills...??!

My husband was ever so kind to give me his tokens and happily I trotted over to the same bartender reminding him sweetly that, "I am a Mother of two." "A very stressed Mother of Two."
I like to think my statement helped in receiving just a wee little bit more Cabernet in my glass but by my second glass I wasn't keeping track! Having a babysitter was such a relief, and by the end of the night, just 2 1/2 large glasses of Cabernet.....I was warm and giggly and ready to hit the town. Reality of the situation was the only town I was hitting that late evening/early AM was Mom Town!

Overall, despite an ankle blister AND almost breaking my neck tripping twice in my heels! The evening was a nice break from Mommy hood. The dinner was good. Starters were bread with a iceberg wedge salad. Main dish, my choice, Filet, but was a little rare for my liking, served with a yummy rice pilaf...? Yummy Alfredo rice concoction and broccoli. David had the Mahi with some type of rice alternative..little balls, and carrots. His Mahi was delish. Dessert was best, a trio sampler with chocolate mousse cake, cheesecake with some unidentifiable topping, (passion fruit or grapefruit was my bet...? I ate it anyway) and an amazing banana topped Crème brûlée!

Here is what I wore:

Dress, animal print stockings (to hide my pasty bruised legs and add a little spunk) and shoes were all bought at Kohl's

Yummy Dessert

Centerpieces

Grooving to the beat

Night Out = Happy Wife! Happy Wife = Happy Life!

Saturday morning we met a friend for brunch, before heading over to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. We went last year also and seems this will be our traditional go to for a few reasons: 1) Santa looks authentic 2) Photo is Free and 3) we get a photo in Santa's sleigh with reindeer and huge Tree as back drop...Bonus!

****Side Note*** (Santa's came up underlined for spell check and no word Santa in Spell check list but Satan and Satan's was.........CREEPY!!!)

After a cat nap Saturday...well my husband and Grayson cat napped; we headed out to the Park for a Movie in the park......which got cancelled! Bummer as it was our first time attending. However, that did not stop Grayson and his buddy Ethan from playing and making the most of the open field!
We ended our night taking a drive to a house in Parkland with Christmas lights that out shined neighbors to the extreme! The kids admired and ran around the magical lighted display taking in Santa's workshop, equipped with Ferris wheel, ginger bread men jumping, a choo choo train, nativity set, Santa in hot air balloon, candy canes, and music etc. It really brings out the spirit of Christmas. That is until you have to chase your little one whose pants are filled with quite the aromatic poopy diaper and owner of home pulls into driveway with not so Joly look on face. So what is expected when you practically Magic Kingdom your house Christmas light style???? Do you not want anyone to stop and look? Do you not want little dream filled eyes wondering around your driveway in pure amazement and excitement? Maybe, you just had a bad day? Either which way I'd like to say from my Family, especially my little G-Man, to yours..Thank You for such a beautiful Holiday Light Display!

Grayson and Ethan playing in the field

Christmas Lights

Sunday crept up so quick I barely had time to think of what was on the agenda. First was cleaning our apartment. Though very very small, still quite the task as I haven't cleaned in weeks! After the kids napped we FINALLY went to get our Tree! With only 8 days left until Christmas it is better late than never! We ended our evening last night by going to Re-visit Bethlehem. It was a live reenactment of Bethlehem City. There were the three Wise Men, Mary , King David, Roman Guards, peasants, different shops inside the city, and finale was the messiah, baby Jesus surrounded by Angels. It will be the beginning of yet another Holiday Tradition for us. Along with making Ornaments, Bass pro Shop Santa photos, Cookies and fruit snacks for Santa, Christmas PJ's and a Birthday cake for Jesus! (requested by Grayson)