~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! GF Gingerbread House set 5/20!!

[disneychic2]

Just a quick fly by since I have to get ready for a doctor appointment. But I saw this while searching for clipart and of course thought of you. Glad you had such a great Christmas.


How to Make Easy Donald Cupcakes

Ingredients

Batch of baked cupcakes
White frosting
Yellow Swedish Fish candies
Kitchen knife or scissors
Small black jellybeans
Tube of black decorating icing
Instructions

1. Frost the cupcakes, using the knife to pull the frosting up into a couple feathery peaks at the top of the head.

2. For a duck bill, slice a yellow Swedish Fish candy in half lengthwise. Then press the two halves into the frosting, separating them slightly, at the very edge of the cupcake top (opposite the feathery frosting peaks).

3. For eyes, press two black jellybeans into the frosting. Use the black decorating icing to pipe on curved eyebrowsabout 3/8 inch above the eyes.

Sorry the picture didn't come out. Here's the link: http://www.squidoo.com/disney-party-ideas You'll have to scroll down a little to find it.

[DMGeurts]

Originally Posted by ladylyons

Finally able to catch up!! Loved seeing how much fun you uys had over the Christmas Holiday. I will not be staying caught up since we leave for Disneyland in just 2 short days!!!! Hope your family has a safe and fun New Years!!

Thanks Sandra! I can't believe your trip is already here! I am so excited for you... Please stop by when you return and show us some pictures!

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Just a quick fly by since I have to get ready for a doctor appointment. But I saw this while searching for clipart and of course thought of you. Glad you had such a great Christmas.


How to Make Easy Donald Cupcakes

Ingredients

Batch of baked cupcakes
White frosting
Yellow Swedish Fish candies
Kitchen knife or scissors
Small black jellybeans
Tube of black decorating icing
Instructions

1. Frost the cupcakes, using the knife to pull the frosting up into a couple feathery peaks at the top of the head.

2. For a duck bill, slice a yellow Swedish Fish candy in half lengthwise. Then press the two halves into the frosting, separating them slightly, at the very edge of the cupcake top (opposite the feathery frosting peaks).

3. For eyes, press two black jellybeans into the frosting. Use the black decorating icing to pipe on curved eyebrowsabout 3/8 inch above the eyes.

Sorry the picture didn't come out. Here's the link: http://www.squidoo.com/disney-party-ideas You'll have to scroll down a little to find it.

These sound so cute! Thanks for thinking of me and sharing. Good luck at the Dr. today.

************************************************** ********

Good morning everyone!

I was a total sloth yesterday, and did nothing.

OK - take that back... I shortened Alli's camera strap, and I made one for our neighbor (the one the girls always babysit for)... It turned out really cute! Alli also put in a request for a zebra/hot pink camera strap - so I might get ambitious and make that for her this morning.

Then, I dressed a few AGs in their jammies - trying to make an attempt to keep up on changing them occasionally - and I like to get them out of their hoilday outfits right away.

No big plans for this weekend.

Sounds like both girls are going on seperate sleep overs tonight - so maybe Josh and I will take the opportunity to do something fun?

We are planning to take the tree and Christmas decorations down this weekend. I hate taking our tree down so early - but since we always put it up so early, it's pretty dry and needs to come down.

Josh also needs to get a new alternator and battery for his truck... And we need to go order his other set of glasses, since we have a bit more flex spending to spend.

Otherwise, it will be a boring day/weekend here.

I hope you all have a fantastic day!

D~

[KatMark]

Being a sloth every once in awhile is a good thing.

We will take our decorations down in New Year's Day because we are going to Dubuque this weekend to celebrate Christmas and my birthday with the kids.

Have a great weekend!

[kittylady1972]

GREAT Christmas celebration photos! Awesome gifts too! Sounds like a fabulous day.

You know, I got a new camera myself and I barely took ANY photos on Christmas day. Pretty sad huh?

Now get started planning out that trip!

[KatMark]

Forgot to say I live the Christmas celebration pictures!

[Corrine 1973]

So I am not even going to try to catch up on everything here, there is just to much chatter going on here. I promise to around more (I know I have made that promise before) and see what is going on with your trip. I am trying to figure out if I can afford another trip at the end of next year. If I do it will be either Sept. or Dec. Give the girls a hug for me, I was just think about them the other day when I came across some pics of us all. Talk to you soon.

[Chicago Mo]

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

D~

Did i ever tell you my FEAR of dolls???

[Chicago Mo]

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

The snow was very light and dusty, but under that was ice... It was a bit white knuckled for a little while, but I made it, and I had a good day at work. I am gonna miss all the high stress/business of the holiday season.

we still don't have snow... which is really irritating since i am waiting FOR awesome pictures!!!

Originally Posted by DMGeurts

And my girls.... Awww.. They are so cute today!

Alli has her "Ugly Christmas Sweater" day at school today...

And V has a holiday dress up day at school...

They are soooooo cute!

And this one is my favorite:

[/CENTER]

your girls are SO adorable!!!!! So pretty!!! great to hear you guys are close too

[Chicago Mo]

Originally Posted by solana131

I'm a nervous wreck today....we had a threat circulating around Facebook the past couple of days saying what happened in CT will happen in Southern Maine on the winter solstice. We all got messages yesterday saying they knew about the threat and were taking extra security measures. But I still had a really hard time deciding to let Bradey go to school today. And I jump every time the phone rings I can't wait until 2:00 when I can go get him!

Anyway....hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'm sure we will chat before the big day!

WHAT????
how did i NOT hear about this one??

D~ i hope your feeling better.. i'm sure i will get to that part soon....

[Chicago Mo]

Pictures came out awesome!!She needs lens now...
love the ipad case too!!!
hope your new doll doesn't come after you in your sleep...
so are you feeling better?!?!
i'm finally caught up! on to the next report!!!

[nannye]

Glad you had a good Christmas! We just gt the new AG magazine today. In a few more days v will have something to ogle over. I think she will like saige.

How awesome of v to give you an AG doll it certainly looked
Ike you were surprised. I love the ad case and camera straps!

I got a pattern to make a camera strap cover so I'll be getting on that soon. It is made with a felt lining. I really should learn how to quilt it would look so much nicer and comfier.

Happy new year!

[disneychic2]

Okay, I finally have some time to actually make comments. Such as loving the Christmas pics! Looks like everyone received great gifts. But was that Josh in the background weeping due to no tire cover???

Christmas with your extended family sounded fun. I always pray for people who have no family to share the holidays with. Seems Christmas would emphasize that fact and make people sad.

I don't think you qualify for slug status since you actually did accomplish a few things. That places you more in the sloth category IMO. See, a slug is someone who doesn't get dressed, goes to the bathroom and eats. Then sits around playing with the computer, iPad or watching copious amounts of movies on TV. I'm well versed in this category personally. Card carrying sloth here. You'll have to try harder if you want to join the best of the best. The elite. I wish you luck!

I understand about the doll collection and how much it means. So glad you got another one...what a great gift! Hope this isn't hijacking your thread, but when I was little, maybe 7 or so there was a doll out called the Revlon doll. She was 18" tall and wore a beautiful (to me) organza dress, white with red hearts flocked on it. We didn't have a lot of money, so I asked for it, but had no hopes of getting it. I actually dreamed about this doll. She just spoke to my child self. Christmas morning, my sister opened a present and it was a Revlon doll!!! She hadn't asked for it, nor did she play with dolls much, so I was sure I had one somewhere under the tree. We are only a year apart and often got the exact same things for gifts. I found a doll shaped box and tore into it only to discover it was a ballerina doll, not a Revlon doll. I couldn't hide my disappointment and that made my parents angry. I was not used to getting everything I wanted, far from it. But I had dreamt of owning that beautiful doll and the fact that my sister got one instead of me confused and hurt me. Then I was punished for "not appreciating" what I got. This incident came up when talking with my youngest daughter about why I tend to go overboard buying gifts. I don't ever want anyone to be disappointed and hadn't really understood my compulsion until relating that story and she thought the two were tied together. Okay, very long story just to tell you that my dear husband went on Ebay and found me an original Revlon doll and gave her to me for Christmas! He heard the story and determined to get one for me. Needless to say, I cried. (actually I'm tearing up just typing this) She didn't have the original dress, but the undergarments are original. I plan to make a pretty dress for her. If I can find the flocked hearts material I would be ecstatic. I was just sooo surprised! What a guy!

I'll be taking a picture of the Rapunzel dress later today and will post it to the Disboutique thread. Enough hijacking of your thread for me!

Could I ask you what type of batting you use for your bags? I'm going to make little tote bags for two of my granddaughters to carry their Tag books and Tag readers in, but I want to quilt the fabric myself. Something I've never done before. Any advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated. (I'll probably just cave in and buy the ready quilted fabric and pay an arm and a leg for it!)

Hope you are having a great weekend. It's snowing right now. Coming straight down and just sort of floating. Beautiful!

ETA: I would love to know when the next AG doll sale is in Wisconsin!! Thanks! (Great idea to get them one at a time at a certain age. Very doable.)

[DMGeurts]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Being a sloth every once in awhile is a good thing.

We will take our decorations down in New Year's Day because we are going to Dubuque this weekend to celebrate Christmas and my birthday with the kids.

Have a great weekend!

Yes, I have definately enjoyed being "sloth-like" for the last few days~!

Have a safe trip to Dubuque... So close - yet so far. I hope you have a great time and a great birthday.

Originally Posted by kittylady1972

GREAT Christmas celebration photos! Awesome gifts too! Sounds like a fabulous day.

You know, I got a new camera myself and I barely took ANY photos on Christmas day. Pretty sad huh?

Now get started planning out that trip!

Thank you - it was a lot of fun! You need to get that camera out and take some pictures.

Originally Posted by KatMark

Forgot to say I live the Christmas celebration pictures!

LOL Thanks Kathy!

Originally Posted by Corrine 1973

So I am not even going to try to catch up on everything here, there is just to much chatter going on here. I promise to around more (I know I have made that promise before) and see what is going on with your trip. I am trying to figure out if I can afford another trip at the end of next year. If I do it will be either Sept. or Dec. Give the girls a hug for me, I was just think about them the other day when I came across some pics of us all. Talk to you soon.

I can't believe you are not even going to try to catch up...

That would be awesome if you could do 2 trips in one year! I am not sure how we are going to afford ours if Disney doesn't start offering some better discounts.

Originally Posted by Chicago Mo

Did i ever tell you my FEAR of dolls???

No, you did not.

Originally Posted by Chicago Mo

we still don't have snow... which is really irritating since i am waiting FOR awesome pictures!!!
your girls are SO adorable!!!!! So pretty!!! great to hear you guys are close too

I can't believe that you don't have snow yet... I'd gladly mail you ours... I am almost at my snow/cold threshold for the year.

Thank you... I love them to death, and I am so very lucky that they are some of my best friends. Being a mom is one thing, and I am not sure when or how everything shifted, but these girls have also become great friends to me. I am so very lucky! One day, your kids will be a little older - and you will know exactly what I mean... Enjoy these moments though.

Originally Posted by Chicago Mo

WHAT????
how did i NOT hear about this one??

D~ i hope your feeling better.. i'm sure i will get to that part soon....

Thanks! I am feeling much better now.

Originally Posted by Chicago Mo

Pictures came out awesome!!She needs lens now...
love the ipad case too!!!
hope your new doll doesn't come after you in your sleep...
so are you feeling better?!?!
i'm finally caught up! on to the next report!!!

Yah - I have my eye on a lens for her birthday... Can't remember what lens it is, but I would know it if I saw it... It's a highly recommended lens on the Dis/Ken Rockwell site... I believe it's a 1.8mm or something like that. A small lens.

I have very nice dolls, they don't come after anyone - promise.

Thanks for taking the time to catch up - I know it can sometimes be a daunting task... Why do you think I make a point of checking in daily? LOL

Originally Posted by nannye

Glad you had a good Christmas! We just gt the new AG magazine today. In a few more days v will have something to ogle over. I think she will like saige.

How awesome of v to give you an AG doll it certainly looked
Ike you were surprised. I love the ad case and camera straps!

I got a pattern to make a camera strap cover so I'll be getting on that soon. It is made with a felt lining. I really should learn how to quilt it would look so much nicer and comfier.

Happy new year!

I always love when the new catalogs come out, and new items are released.

I was very surprised about the doll, I was not expecting to get one at all - and it's, perhaps, my favorite Christmas gift this year.

Cool about the camera strap cover.

Happy new year to you too!

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Okay, I finally have some time to actually make comments. Such as loving the Christmas pics! Looks like everyone received great gifts. But was that Josh in the background weeping due to no tire cover???

LOL Yup.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Christmas with your extended family sounded fun. I always pray for people who have no family to share the holidays with. Seems Christmas would emphasize that fact and make people sad.

I agree. I always feel so badly for those who don't have family near them during the holidays. The last 3 years, we have not had family - so this year was an amazing blessing to have everyone home.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

I don't think you qualify for slug status since you actually did accomplish a few things. That places you more in the sloth category IMO. See, a slug is someone who doesn't get dressed, goes to the bathroom and eats. Then sits around playing with the computer, iPad or watching copious amounts of movies on TV. I'm well versed in this category personally. Card carrying sloth here. You'll have to try harder if you want to join the best of the best. The elite. I wish you luck!

Thank you... This gives me another goal to aspire to. And now I know exactly who to go to for tips.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

I understand about the doll collection and how much it means. So glad you got another one...what a great gift! Hope this isn't hijacking your thread, but when I was little, maybe 7 or so there was a doll out called the Revlon doll. She was 18" tall and wore a beautiful (to me) organza dress, white with red hearts flocked on it. We didn't have a lot of money, so I asked for it, but had no hopes of getting it. I actually dreamed about this doll. She just spoke to my child self. Christmas morning, my sister opened a present and it was a Revlon doll!!! She hadn't asked for it, nor did she play with dolls much, so I was sure I had one somewhere under the tree. We are only a year apart and often got the exact same things for gifts. I found a doll shaped box and tore into it only to discover it was a ballerina doll, not a Revlon doll. I couldn't hide my disappointment and that made my parents angry. I was not used to getting everything I wanted, far from it. But I had dreamt of owning that beautiful doll and the fact that my sister got one instead of me confused and hurt me. Then I was punished for "not appreciating" what I got. This incident came up when talking with my youngest daughter about why I tend to go overboard buying gifts. I don't ever want anyone to be disappointed and hadn't really understood my compulsion until relating that story and she thought the two were tied together. Okay, very long story just to tell you that my dear husband went on Ebay and found me an original Revlon doll and gave her to me for Christmas! He heard the story and determined to get one for me. Needless to say, I cried. (actually I'm tearing up just typing this) She didn't have the original dress, but the undergarments are original. I plan to make a pretty dress for her. If I can find the flocked hearts material I would be ecstatic. I was just sooo surprised! What a guy!

Wow - this is an amazing story... What a wonderful DH you have. I really hope you will come back to hijack my thread, I would LOVE to see pictures of your Revlon doll. He was so sweet and thoughtful to think of such a gift that would have so much meaning for you.

My BFF and I talk a lot about why we feel the need to insure our girls have a good Christmas... We have several theories... First, and foremost... We both come from quite poor family backgrounds, and we both remember many Christmasses where there was nothing under the tree for us - and sometimes no tree at all. For me, if there was anything, I was so excited to get something - I begged and begged my parents to let me open it early... Then I was sooooo disappointed that I didn't have anything left to open on Christmas. It is very important, to me, that no one peeks and there are gifts under the tree at Christmas.

I also justify giving my girls a bit bigger gifts soley because we live so far away from everything. Because of this, there is no school activity bus, so they have never been able to participate in school sports. Gymnastics and dance are out of the question totally - as the closest gyms are a 45 min drive each way - and to do that in the winter is sometimes impossible. I feel horrible about this, as - up until we moved here - it was very important to me to let them participate in as many activities as possible. Once we got all settled in - I realized that the logistics were a nightmare. So, both Josh and I take the $$ that we would spend on activities like that, and we use it to (hopefully) give them a hobby/activity that they can build on at home. This is also how we justify some of our traveling (not that we travel all that often...)

So, I know it appears that we spend a lot on our girls (and we do), but there are other sacrafices they have had to make through out the years, and if they can't participate in extra curricular activities, we feel it's super important to provide them with a hobby they enjoy.

ETA: Lois, I don't want you to think this was aimed at you specificially - I was just replying to you... LOL And rambling at the same time.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

I'll be taking a picture of the Rapunzel dress later today and will post it to the Disboutique thread. Enough hijacking of your thread for me!

I guess I will have to go try to catch up over there... I've been avoiding it because I am soooo far behind.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Could I ask you what type of batting you use for your bags? I'm going to make little tote bags for two of my granddaughters to carry their Tag books and Tag readers in, but I want to quilt the fabric myself. Something I've never done before. Any advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated. (I'll probably just cave in and buy the ready quilted fabric and pay an arm and a leg for it!)

Well, I used to use just regular ol' quilt batting - which works perfectly fine. However, I recently found "Warm & Natural" - which I love working with, it's so much softer and nicer... Unfortunately - it's become very hard to find in my area. I've been debating on ordering a bolt of it on Amazon, but I just can't get myself to hit the "order" button - it's a bit spendy for a bolt.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

Hope you are having a great weekend. It's snowing right now. Coming straight down and just sort of floating. Beautiful!

We had snow yesterday. I hope you enjoy your picturesque day.

Originally Posted by disneychic2

ETA: I would love to know when the next AG doll sale is in Wisconsin!! Thanks! (Great idea to get them one at a time at a certain age. Very doable.)

Good, glad you like my idea... It's actually what my cousin Tonya does with her God-children... Each girl God Child gets a Bitty Baby on their 3rd birthday and an AG on their 7th. Usually, she purchases them uber-cheap/used on Ebay and restores them to give. If she can't find one there, she will then buy one at the MCM sale... With this year's $35 dolls - she stocked up. The MCM sale is in Wisconsin every July... If I go again this year - I will let you know... The last several years, it seems to be on a bi-yearly rotation, but I am always happy to shop for others when I go.

************************************************** ********

Yesterday, Josh and I were on a mission to spend all of our flex-spending $$, so we didn't lose it. Josh ended up getting a pair of sunglasses... And the remainder, I paid a bit more on our dental bill. We managed to spend it all down to the penny. We had so much excess, because I was supposed to get another pair of glasses last spring, and I never did. I just couldn't justify a second pair of glasses for myself, when I rarely wear the pair I own. I figured is was a better use of our $$ to let Josh get some prescription sunglasses.

We also grabbed a few groceries to get us through the week. I purchased a rotisserie chicken - so we had that for dinner... After dinner, I cleaned the rest of the meat off of it for soup later this week. I love rotisserie chicken in soup - it's so flavorful.

Josh, V and I sat down and watched Dances with Wolves last night... I haven't seen that movie in over a decade (maybe 2) - I forgot how greusome it was. Poor V was begging to go upstairs.

I am hoping to get a few more dolls changed today. And start/finish Allison's zebra & pink camera strap she requested.

We also plan to get our tree down, and our livingroom back to normal.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

D~

[mommy2mrb]

looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! your big family party sounds fun! love the quilts the girls got!
nice V gave you a new doll! the Ipod case is really cute!

[babynala]

What a fun Christmas eve. I love seeing all the big kids playing apples to apples and doing the dishes!!!!

The girls look so surprised and excited for their gifts. Alli has taken some great pictures already. I am sure V will get lots of use out of her iPad.

The other "girls" in your house must be happy to be out of their fancy clothes and in their PJs. ;-)

Don't free like you need to justify your Christmas spending. I never judge people on how they spend their money. Everyone makes sacrifices so they can do what is important / needed for their family. I know you are grateful that you are able to provide these things for your children.

I cannot believe that your V got you that doll and hid it all this time. She is so sly and sweet. What a fun Christmas. Can't wait to see the new camera strap.