Date Night {OUT}: Christmas Quotations (our anniversary randomness)

Matt and I celebrated our anniversary Wednesday night {whoot whoot}

This year it was my turn to plan the event and I really wrangled with what to do.  We just got back from Las Vegas on Sunday so going to a great hotel or bed-n-breakfast was out.  We ate at Alize and trust me, nothing in Wyoming or Colorado compares with Alize ... so all the typical "romantical" anniversary stuff was ... well, not gonna cut it.

So I decided to go a route that SO isn't me.  I mean, dinner was NOT the main event.  I didn't wear a dress, skirt, or any fancy jewelry.  The whole date was activity based, free-flowing, and didn't involve a single reservation.  Oh, and did I mention that is was totally based of quotations from Christmas movies?  I swear my brain is 53% song lyrics, 37% movie quotations and the rest is just junk.

What you need for the date:

• 8 cards (I made mine from scrapbook paper.  You can just buy a holiday pack of cards at the dollar store if you aren't feeling the craftiness). 7 activity cards; 1 invitation card
• A gift for your partner (wrapped with a bow ... this will make sense I promise)
• 7 activities
• A babysitter
• 4 + hours
• 8 Christmas movie quotations

Okay, so what I basically did here was put the Christmas movie quotation on the front of the card (or the envelope if you go the pre-made card route).  This served as the "clue."  Before we went to our activity, my husband had to read the quotation/clue and try to decipher what we were doing.  When he was ready, he opened the card to find out what was going on!

Invitation

The morning of your date, give your partner a card with this quotation from Scrooged on it.  "If I can't work late, I can't work late!"  Inside write: Tonight you can't work late because we've got some lovin' to celebrate.  Be ready to leave for a Christmas-themed dating extravaganza at _____ o'clock"

Quotes and Activities

Here's what the rest of our cards said!

#1--"It is a crappy cup of coffee!"

Go get a hot drink.

#2--"You'll shoot your eye out, kid."

You taught me to drive a motor cycle; now teach me to shoot a hand gun.

That's right. We went to a shooting range and shot a 9mm Glock.  We did several different games--like who could get the highest points from the target (R=90; M=72) or who could make the highest poker hand with the card target (M=four of a kind; R=full house).

#3--"Keep the change you filthy animal!"

Well it doesn't have to be a cheese pizza and you don't get it all to yourself but let's head to our favorite pizza spot for some pizza and a game.

Matt decided he'd rather do 5 Guys Burger and Fries over pizza so we went that route.  Our justification is that Kevin in Home Alone is eating rubbish while watching "Angels with Filthy Souls" and burgers are junk food so ... there's a connection there.

For our dinner game we played "Would you rather .... the Christmas Movie edition."  No, you can't buy it; you have to make it up.  For example, would you rather hug the raccoon from Elf or the ghost of Christmas present?  Would you rather see your future or see what life would be like if you were never born? Would you rather eat a cotton ball or chew a piece of gum you found in a NY subway? Would you rather have your head burned with a blow torch or step bare foot onto a nail?  You get it ...

#4--"Is your house on fire, Clark?"

Let's drive around and find the best house "on fire"

We decided to go to the Garden of Lights instead of looking at house lights :)  Fun either way.

#5--"Well you look about the kind of angel I'd get.  Kind of a fallen angel, aren't you?  Where are your wings?"

Let's go to a place where "Angels" sell naughty things that are nice to look at.  You pick something out for me to wear tonight.  

This one was the hardest for Matt to figure out (he didn't get the Victoria's Secret Angels connection).  That being said, I get the distinct feeling this was his favorite activity of the night ... and we shot hand guns!  

Lingerie--the ultimate Homer gift!

Source

#6--"We elves like to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup."

Let go grab a sweet treat!

Here's something funny.  In "big" cities people go out to eat late (well, not all people but it's an option.  A 10 0'clock reservation isn't unheard of in Vegas, Rome, New York ...).  Unfortunately the restaurants we tried all closed at 9.  So we ended up getting pie from Perkins.  Awesome.

#7--"There's always time for a bow."

Let's go home and unwrap your gift! (please note the double entendre) 

Some other activities/ideas:

• Fa ra ra ra ra--Go eat Chinese food
• And if you see a sign that says 'peep show' it doesn't mean that they are letting you look at the new toys before Christmas--a little dance in that new lingerie
• God bless us, everyone--Spend some time praying together
• I took a shower washing every body part with actual soap including all my major crevices--including in between my toes and in my belly button which I never did before but sort of enjoyed--take a steamy shower together

If you can't leave the house or need to do this date on a dime, you could: make cocoa, shoot nerf guns, eat a homemade pizza, look at the lights on your own tree, wrap (and then unwrap) lingerie you already own, eat ice cream, etc.  You are only as limited as your imagination. :)

It really is a wonderful life.

Things I Love: Flash Mobs

I love the flash mob craze (hence, the name of this post).

Need a little cheer today?  Feast your eyes on these Christmas flash mobs!

Carol of the Bell as conducted by Darth Vadar (great way to ease final exam stress)



A bit of a {cheesey} tear jerker



Singing and dancing ...



A little treat from the university I attend (and work at). Go Pokes!

What I Think About: Firsts and 21sts

For Randean and Jina who know exactly what I'm talking about but mostly for Matt because he loves me most when I deserve it least.

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

First day of September. October.  November. December.
First day of school.
First day of fall.
First Halloween.
First snow.
First Thanksgiving.

Firsts.

Everyone says the firsts are the hardest after death.  I assumed people meant the "biggies" like Christmas or birthdays but it's more than that. It's the firsts of everything coming and going--how they make me ache.  The first of each month heaving a sigh--the first month of its kind without her.

That first snowfall remembering how we'd hunker down with black tea with cream and sugar and play cards.  Remembering how we'd never hunker down like that again.

That first Halloween  without her.  No sending photos of Tinkerbell and David Beckham.  No recounting how Paxton ran from door to door yelling "Mo' Candy!"  A silent holiday.

That first Thanksgiving.  Making her stuffing by myself.  Looking at the empty chair near my father.  A lonely holiday.

But it goes beyond--so far beyond.  I'm nearly overwhelmed by their infinite number and how firsts won't end--even when the first year does.  Mom will miss Pax's first loose tooth.  She'll miss M.E.'s first broken heart.  She'll miss his graduation.  She'll miss her wedding.  She'll miss Matt making partner. She'll miss me getting my Ph. D.  And I know with all of these firsts I'll be haunted with that thought--that nagging, gut-wrenching feeling that "Mom would have loved this."

21sts are no better.  Today is the 21st.  I generally love to celebrate this day because it's my wedding anniversary to a man my Mom regarded more highly than most men on earth (my mom and I both have impeccable taste).  Now 21sts come like a tick-tock of a clock counting off the months since she died.  Four months now.  Four.

People keep saying it will get easier--the firsts, the twenty-firsts.  A part of me hopes so.

But a part of me hopes they don't because I never want to forget those little things she would have loved.  Never want to take for granted each first because I never know when it will be my last.

What I think is firsts and 21sts haunt me--and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you to Shell at Things I Can't Say for letting me vent my sometimes depressing thoughts.

Days of Play: Gingerbread Nativity

I found this on Pinterest.  You're shocked--I know.

But hello--cutest Christmas craft project ever!

And to think, all I need is graham crackers, marshmallows, gum drops, licorice, coconut flakes, frosting, and a candy bar.

Phot from AOKCorral

 Today, I am going to make this nativity scene with my children and then read them the Christmas Story straight out of Luke.  Fun.  Inspiration.  The real reason for the season.

Want to make one too?  Head to AOKcorral for directions (that link will take you).

Music Monday: THE Christmas Edition

Well, I'm going to do it.  I'm going to break down and fess up to my favorite holiday tunes.  My husband's uncle will start listening to Christmas music in October.  I need it to be post-Thanksgiving. But once it starts, it's hard to stop and if you saw me in my car, you can be certain that I'm singing along to Santa FM.

So here are my three favorite Christmas songs.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by the Smithereens (my apologies to the family in this video but that's what you get for randomly posting this on YouTube.)



Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland (nothing makes me miss my mom more ...)



And finally, my all time favorite ...

The River (excellent by Joni but so much better by Robert Downey, Jr.) Anyone else just love Ally McBeal???

Fashion Friday: New Year's Eve Ideas

It's probably time to start planning your New Year's outfit.

Too soon for you?  Well, it's not for me.

Anyhow, last year I encouraged you to simply shop your closet to put together outfits using what you've already got.  This year, I recommend the same thing {but with a twist.  Because I like twists}

Be inspired (and remember, these formulas are easy peasy steps to fashion success! You can do it!)

For the Casual Night (out or in)

One sweater + one BOLD necklace or scarf + skinny jeans/cords + boots + bag= ready to go (or stay--your call).

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

For the Edgy Night Out

Embellished top + vest/blazer + necklace/scarf + skinny pants + heels=ready to party--like a rock star

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

For the Sophisticated Night

Little Black Dress + notice-me-necklace/bracelet + pop of color heels + clutch + outerwear = On your way!

OR

Color dress + statement jewelry piece + black/neutral heels + clutch + outerwear+ On your way!

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Source: dailylook.com via Carol on Pinterest

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Some signature ideas to consider:

It's a bling thing!  Sequins are everywhere from purses and tank tops to scarves and leggings--this season there's nothing that sequins can't cover.  Add a little drama (and sparkle) to your life with sequins!

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Source: goodlifeforless.blogspot.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Scarves are a hot way to look cool:

Wrapped, draped, knotted ... scarves are a simple way to add serious drama to any outfit.

Source: Uploaded by user via Reagan on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Fur

But do me a favor and make it FAUX fur

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Whitli on Pinterest

Source: jeanetteangel.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

Remember, New Years does NOT have to equal New Wardrobe! Go shop your closet with a formula in mind and get creative with what you've got.

Things I Love: Arthur Christmas

The first time I saw a preview for Arthur Christmas, I wasn't convinced.  I wasn't convinced even though Arthur's voice is that of one James McAvoy.

If you've never been on this blog before--or if it has been a long time--you might not know that James McAvoy is one of my top two favorite actors.

Still, I wasn't even sure James could save a Christmas movie.  As much as I like him,  I still didn't think gNomeo and Juliet was brilliant so I didn't go to Arthur Christmas with much hope.

Now I rarely say this, mainly because it hardly ever happens, but I was wrong.

WRONG.

Arthur Christmas was about the most delightful Christmas movie I've seen in a long time--maybe even since ELF came out.

Here's what I loved about this movie:

• There is like ZERO potty humor.  Yes yes, I know five year olds love to talk about poop but I get enough of that talk at the dinner table, I don't need it at the movies, too.  I was so delighted that there are no references to: poop, pee, diarrhea, farting, etc. 
• The English accents.  I'm one of those gals who loves a good English (or Scottish. Or Irish. Or Kiwi) accent.  Imagine how thrilled I was when M.E. left the theater speaking in a King's English accent.  I'm still dying at the cuteness.
• Arthur is not magical.  He isn't super smart.  He isn't "cool." He's the guy the elves make fun of.  But even though he's a bit on the strange side, he is good.  A movie that advertises that it's GOODNESS and KINDNESS and COMPASSION that matters?  What a novel idea ...
• Though this movie is directed towards Santa believers (or those questioning Santa) and spiritual cynics, there is an incredible spiritual truth to this movie: every one matters.  As a good shepherd will leave 99 sheep to save one, so Arthur Christmas will stop at nothing to help one child.  And isn't that what it's all about?
• My personal favorite line from the movie is this "There's always time for a bow."  Seriously, we get so wrapped up in the "stuff" of Christmas that it's easy to overlook the simple details that make this time of year so lovely--freshly fallen snow.  A smile from a stranger.  An extra day off work.  A baby in a manger.  There is always time for joy!

Here's what I didn't like about this movie:

• There is some nuances of drinking in the family.
• The grand-santa puts his family members down.  I realize this is a reality for many families and might help kids know that their family is "normal" but I don't think we should laugh at hurtful "normal" lest we "normalize" put downs and make kids feel like jabs and hurtful words are okay.

Overall, I loved this movie.  My kids loved this movie.  Matt loved this movie.  We'll own it for sure!

{On a totally unrelated note, today is my daughter's SIXTH birthday!  I'm tearing up just thinking about it.  What a privilege to mother and love such a wonderful child of God!}

What I Think About: Big Birthdays

If you read my post yesterday, you know that I've very recently threw my daughter a Taylor Swift birthday party.

Every year I prepare for birthday parties I get the distinct feeling that my husband thinks I'm going overboard.  Maybe he's right.

When I was a kid we got one party (and I use "party" here loosely), not a family party and a friend party.  One party.

The party mostly consisted of the birthday boy or girl picking the dinner meal (hello macaroni and cheese with hot dog chunks!) and cake and ice cream.  The kids might have run around and played hide-n-seek or kick the can but there were no organized games or crafts.

We invited family friends and their kids so there were generally four or five kids, aside from immediate family members (for some reason my folks always made me invite my sister.  {Sigh}).

I never got to invite my whole class.
I never had my birthday at a venue (like a skating rink, bounce house, swimming pool, or laser tag field).
I never had a designer or store bought cake.
I never gave "parting gifts" to guests.

I always had a good time!

Nowadays birthday parties are major events.  They are held at venues that cost hundreds of dollars.  They involve detailed games and crafts.  They include upwards of twenty kids.  They have expensive store-bought cakes, over-priced character plates and napkins, parting gifts, and helium balloons for all attendees

Sometimes birthday parties come in the plural sense.  For instance, our children have at least two parties (one for family and one for friends--presents at BOTH).

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with these kinds of parties, per se, but I do wonder if parents are going a bit overboard?  Does a child really need his closest twenty friends at a party?  Would the child feel any less special at a home party instead of one held at the local ice skating rink?  Would the kids have less fun if they just had to "play" rather than line dance and make a craft?  Would feelings really be hurt if attendees left without a bag of junk goodies?

One side of me hates the idea of giving up elaborate party planning (in fact, I'm trying to convince my nephew to have a SPY party because man-oh-man do I have some ideas ...) but the other part of me misses the simplicity of celebrating in the home with family and a few friends.

What I think about big birthday is that they are totally fun ... but totally unnecessary.  I'm considering an every-other-year idea.  Elaborate party on even year birthdays; simply parties on odd years.  That's a good compromise, right?

Your thoughts?  How do you do birthdays at your house?

Thank you to Shell at Things I Can't Say for supporting my random thoughts.

Days of Play: Taylor Swift Birthday Party

I have a love affair with music which sadly omits Taylor Swift.  My {oh my gosh I can hardly believe she's almost} six year old disagrees.  She loves Taylor Swift.  So much so that for this year's birthday extravaganza, all she wanted was a Taylor Swift Party.

I had no idea what to do for a Taylor Swift birthday party so I did what any educated person would do.  I googled it.  You know what?  Unless you want to buy incredibly over-priced plates with her celeb photo on it, there's not much in the way of what to do for a Taylor Swift party--especially for a 4-6 year old crowd.

So I'm here to tell you what I did.  I'm not gonna lie--this was NOT the best party I've ever thrown.  The good news is the kindergartners didn't seem to mind.

The Invitations:

Okay, I'm in Wyoming where we {mostly} all love Garth Brooks and cowboys, and all things country so I played with that for the invitations.

I took a Taylor Swift image off the internet and pasted it into word.  The invitation read: "Because of your roots, we hope you show up in boots to M.E.'s Taylor Swift Birthday affair"  I then listed the what, when, where, why info, and sent them out.

Just so you know, all the kids came decked out in western wear complete with skirts, boots, and cowgirl hats.  Cutest thing ever!

The Decorations:

I'm totally opposed to the aforementioned over-priced paper products so I just decorated in ALL white (which, google taught me, is Taylor's favorite color.  BTW, I do feel like I've earned the right to be on a first name basis with Taylor.).

White table clothes, white plates, white forks, white balloons, white streamers ... if it was standing still at my house, it was covered in white (except for the Christmas tree--that got a free-pass).

Adding to the ambiance was low-playing Taylor Swift music.

This was the grand entrance.  The kids loved it!

The Cake:

I'm NOT a cake decorator so while I found amazing cakes on google images of guitars and frosting -painted Taylor faces, I knew that was NOT going to be my route.  Seriously, a girl has to know her limits.  My limit is cake.  So what I did was take a boxed (gasp!) cake and baked it in a 9x9 square pan.  When it was baked and cooled I frosted in in white frosting and piped it in hot pink.  I then put the Taylor Swift Christmas album on the cake and piped in "Taylor's" John Hancock and her signature heart.  Did it REALLY look like her signature?  Not at all.  Did the kids notice?  Not at all.

Ya, that's about as good as you'll get from this mom!

The Activities:

If you've had a birthday party with a lot of little kids that wasn't at a venue (roller rink, bounce house, etc.) then you know you've gotta keep those kiddos constantly moving.  So we did!

• Apparently Taylor loves bracelets so the kids all made a bracelet.  I used leather bands and pop beads but string with beads would work well.
• Music and dancing were really the main focus--ergo, for the first game we gave every kid a balloon and they had to try to keep it afloat for a whole Taylor Swift song (we used MEAN).
• Game two was a relay (again to Taylor music).  Kids had to put a balloon in between their knees and hop around a course in our living rooms.  I loved watching this.  So funny!
• Game three was Taylor, Taylor, Goose.  Like Duck, Duck, Goose (but a bit cooler).
• Game four was line dancing.  That's right folks, I taught 8 little kids how to do the electric shuffle to "Belong with Me."  I deserve a medal.  Or maybe a margarita.  Okay, I'll take both.
• Game five was the kids' favorite.  FREEZE DANCE.  We (and when I say we I mean Matt) played Taylor Swift songs and the kids would boogie.  Then Matt would turn the music off and the kids would freeze.  Anyone who didn't freeze was "out".
• Finally we played musical pillows (like musical chairs but with pillows because no one ever got hurt falling off a pillow)

The Menu

We did choose to serve the kids a meal.  We went as "county fair" as possible with hot dogs, cucumbers and ranch, applesauce, and Cheetos.  Oh, cake and ice cream, obviously.

Don't Forget


To take a souvenir photo of all the kids doing Taylor's signature "heart"!

Music Monday: Music for My Man

Okay, this is NOT a band name BUT these are songs my man loves.  And even though it's Christmas and you might think I should highlight something from the Michael Buble Christmas album, I'm not going to.  I'm going to share Matt favorite songs (at least right now because like me, his faves vary which just adds to the reasons I totally heart this man!).

All The Angels--By The Dead Confederate




From Yesterday--30 Seconds to Mars



Restless by Switchfoot



Castaways by Beat Noir (they should get their own Music Monday ... maybe next week ...)



Outtathaway by The Vines



Happy Monday, Matt!  Wahoo for finishing your first semester of the LLM program and congrats on being a firm partner in TWO weeks!

Fashion Friday: Gift from a Fashion Victim

My dad is the sort of guy who wears black socks pulled up to his knees with Teva sandals all summer long.  But don't worry because he'll pair it with too-short shorts and a button down western shirt.  You laugh but I'm serious.  So serious I'm not laughing (much).

Suffice it to say, my dad is not fashion conscious.  I mean the man was still getting perms--yes you read that right--perms well into the early 90s (oh those lingering '70s!).  And just a few years ago we finally talked him into giving up his rust and pink suit (was there chest hair showing with this hot number?  You know it!).

Imagine my surprise in the winter of 1999 when I opened up a Christmas gift from the man fashion hates and found an amazing surprise--a red leather jacket.  It was awesome and fit like a glove.  I know this jacket wasn't overly expensive but I can tell you this, in the past 12 years this jacket has gotten some play!

That's me wearing it below in the outfit one person thought made me look like a pirate. I'm still not over that.

Uber cute--no?

Anyhow, leather is one of those statement pieces that kind of comes and goes.  And guess what?

LEATHER IS BACK.  BIG!

Yes that's right.  Leather jackets made a splashing comeback this fall and I'd plan on having them stick around for a while.  From camel to black to mustard to red, leather adds oompf to any outfit.  And since you can find leather jackets anywhere from $30-$12,000, there's one well within your budget.  If my red leather jacket is an indication, than leather is one of those trend pieces that is never really out of style.

So if you are looking for a little trend item for your wish list, might I suggest of leather jacket?  Oh, but make sure it is fitted.

Want some style ideas?  Check out these sweet outfits I found on Pinterest.  Did you know I have a style board called NOW WEAR THIS on Pinterest?  True.  It's amazing I get any school work done.

Wear leather to work

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Really. Work it (in a non-prostitute way).

Source: polyvore.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Hot layers for cold days.

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Chic when paired with a classic scarf

Source: glamorouslounge.tumblr.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Fun for around town

Source: us.mg4.mail.yahoo.com via Reagan on Pinterest

If I was going to buy a leather coat today, this would be it!

Source: wanelo.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Things I Love: Elf on the Shelf

Since we knew it was bound to be a tough holiday season, my sister and I have undertaken a search for new traditions to celebrate the season.  Not because we want to forget our mom but because we need to take this time of year, our mom's favorite time of year, and make it even more special.

Thus, we decided to do Elf on the Shelf.  Last year I shared that we don't do the whole Santa Claus thing at our house (you can read our reasoning here) but I decided to roll with Elf on the Shelf.

The skinny on Elf on the Shelf is this: an elf comes to your home and then watches children and gives Santa naught/nice reports on the kids in the family.

We are NOT doing this with our elf.

We explained to our children that our elf, Brownie, is here to add some humor and adventure to our days.  Like many people, our elf gets into trouble while we are sleeping and that's what the kids like--finding what "Brownie" has gotten into during the night.  It is pretty funny and I must say that Matt and I are having a blast finding "things" for our elf to get into.

So far our elf has:

• made a mess in the craft closet in order to get crayons to color
• gotten toothpaste all over the bathroom while trying to brush her teeth
• spilled cocoa and marshmallows everywhere

I've been scouring Pinterest for other fun ideas.  Here are some of my favorites!

Baking:

Source: flickr.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Zip line (side note: my husband makes zip lines in our garage. So fun!)

Source: raeoflight-photography.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Snowman:

Source: Uploaded by user via Reagan on Pinterest

Snow Angels:

Source: flickr.com via Reagan on Pinterest

TPing the Christmas Tree (my personal favorite!):

Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via Reagan on Pinterest

M.E. knows this elf is not real and still knows there is no Santa but my goodness is she having fun with this elf thing.  And for some reason, it's making things around here--without mom--just a tad bit easier.

What I Think About: Christmas at School?

Every year more and more schools are pulling Christmas out of the classroom.

No Christmas units.  No Christmas parties.  No Christmas.

Admittedly, I worked in one of these schools and I LOVED it.  I was so glad I didn't have to forgo curriculum time for sugar-coma induced parties and I didn't have to listen to kids who were upset that they got a "lame" book from "Tommy" when they wanted the "cool" book from Seth.  As a teacher, I loved not having Christmas in the classroom.

Now that my daughter is in school I'm geared up for a different environment.  Christmas parties with gift exchanges, Christmas programs, and stories of Santa abound.  Harmless, really.  Really?

Here's the thing.  My child knows Santa isn't real (if you just read that and didn't know, my apologies) and she has been instructed not to "ruin" it for other kids.  In school, however, even when she has let her teachers know that she's in on the secret, her teachers keep saying, "oh, of course Santa is real."  So now my six year old is confused.  Does she trust mom and dad or Mrs. So and So?

I was trying to think about this from another perspective--perhaps a Jewish child or Jehovah's Witness--and I bet this time of year is downright confusing and isolating.  I feel like people get so caught up in "not ruining it for our kids" that we aren't recognizing how we are ruining for other people's kids.

I'm not a crazy liberal (unless you are a hyper-conservative).  I'm not on a politically correct bandwagon.  But this year, when my little girl asks for the seventeenth time, "Are you sure Santa isn't real because my music teacher says he is?" I wonder if this "harmless" Christmas fun really is harmless.  And I wonder if Christmas should be at school.

We've taken the Christ aspect of Christmas.  I wonder if it's time for Santa Christmas to get out of classrooms, too.

What I think is that it is time to start having serious conversations about whether Santa should be in classrooms.

I still don't know which way I lean, but I'm ready to hear opinions.  So sway me.

Christmas at school? YAY or NAY?  The comment line is open!

Thank you to Shell at Things I Can't Say for supporting my random thoughts.

Days of Play: Ornaments

Tis about that time of year when you decorate the tree.

Or, you decorate it Novemeber 3rd. Whatever.

Regardless of whether you are a before Thanksgiving or after Thanksgiving tree decorator, there is no time better than NOW to make a sweet and nostalgic ornament with your kiddos.

Little Blots of Faith has a great manger ornament idea that is easy peasy. Click the links for step-by-step directions with photos!

Photo from Little Blots of Faith

Of course if you want to go super simple with your little one, you could try this reindeer ornament from Crafts for All Seasons.  Does anyone else wonder what we'd do without popsicle sticks?

Photo from Crafts for all seasons

Want a little challenge?  Yes, I consider working with children and glass a challenge BUT Full of Great Ideas posted a link to make a handprint snowman ornament.  Sooo adorkable!

Photo Source: Full of Great Ideas

Finally, if you are brave.  And I mean the kind of brave that will work with light bulbs and glitter with little kids, then you HAVE to make this ornament craft.  It's my favorite one this year.  Kelsey Bang has instructions posted so follow the link to that blog and make one of these (and then mail it to me.  Just a suggestion).

Photo Source Kelsey Bang

Music Monday: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Don't you just love a band with an eclectic name?   Deep down when bands name themselves things like Everything Absent or Distorted: A Love Story or Theory of a Deadman, I just can't help but love them.  It's a strange attraction--the weirder the name, the more I love them.  Maybe this is what I can't stand Katy Perry, Ke$ha, or Justin Bieber ... no, it's pretty much their craptacular music that makes me dislike them ...

I knew I'd love Red Jumpsuit Apparatus the first time I heard their name.  Good thing their American Rock music is as awesome as their name.

Give 'em a listen.

Face Down (my fave RJA song)



False Pretense (who hates those? I do!)



Your Guardian Angel (so Rockin' sweet!)



So now that you've given them a listen, what do you think of RJA?

Date Night In: If You're Happy and You Glow It ...

I was completely wasting time when I should have been writing a paper for my GLTBQ literature class browsing around Pinterest a few weeks ago and found some crazy fun ideas using

Yes.  Glow sticks.

Anyhow, I complied several of the ideas into a fun date :)  I never dish details (okay, I do but not this time) but I will say, the bath idea was a hit.  Like a hit out of the park.

What you will need:

• glass juice glasses, votive holders, glass jars, etc. (4-8)
• 2 glasses you'll use to drink out of
• either a special dessert OR a game (think Uno, black jack, etc.)
• 10 empty water bottles without labels
• ball (heavier kind of ball)
• robes, towels, smelly-good bath stuff
• glow sticks (I bought 3 packages of 15 bracelets from Target for $1 each)
• some fun mood music
• wine or sparkling cider

What To Do:

Invitation
The morning of your date, leave your partner a note that says this "You make my heart glow.  Plan on spending the evening with me.  The fun starts at ___________."

Prepare (this took me roughly 5 minutes--you won't want to do it too far in advance.  Although you can get the bath area prepped ahead of time and just wait to fill up the tub)

1. Get your jars/glasses out and clean.
2. Fill 10 water bottles with water
3. Break glow sticks (I love that part).
4. Put 10 glow sticks in water bottles and seal them.
5. Cut open two glow sticks (yes, this will get everywhere if you aren't careful.  No it's not toxic). Shake the glow stick juice into your jars/juice glasses.
6. Take two glow sticks and wrap them around your drinking glasses.
7. Get the bathroom set up for a bath for two--have towels and robes handy (and maybe a bottle water each in case it gets hot--literally and figuratively speaking).
8. Make your special dessert (or get it ready to serve) or get out the game you are going to play.

Date Time:

• Put the kids to bed while your partner relaxes.  
• Set the scene--turn off the lights, get out all the glowy stuff, get the food/drinks out, etc.
• Invite your partner into the date space and start the fun.

Glowling

Glow + bowling = glowling

First up, go glowling.  Set up your glowing water bottles into a triangle shape (in a kitchen?  hallway?) and bowl.  I don't know how to keep score with bowling--if you don't know either, just add up how many "pins" get knocked down.  Goading and trash-talk encouraged.  

Source: parents.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Dessert (or games) with the Stars


First off, I love the idea of "stars in jars!"

Source: lilblueboo.com via Reagan on Pinterest

After your friendly game of glowling, go sit down and either share dessert and wine/cider or a game/cider with your "stars in a jar".  The light from your glow sticks on cups and the stars in the jar should be enough.  If you are sharing dessert, find some good conversation topics so you don't end up talking about the kids or bills or something un-dateish.  If all else fails, play "I've never"

Here what your glasses could look like (of course it depends on the glass ...)

Source: buy.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Romanti-glow bath


When your game/dessert is finished, invite your partner to go get ready for a bath (which is code for naked but it's creepy for me to say--tell your partner to go get naked.  Although I just said it so I guess it's not that weird).

While your partner gets ready, grab the stars in jars and go draw a bath.  Put the stars in jars all around your bathroom to set a romantic glow.  When you draw your bath, you can add great scents, oils, or fizzy thingies to really make it spa like.  To finish off the bath, throw in the remaining glow sticks.

The glow stick light is oddly seductive.  Plus, we had so much fun playing with the glow sticks while we soaked and chatted.

Source: i-love-baby-feet.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Now here is a true confession: baths actually make me feel dirty.  So when we were done with our bath, I gathered up the glow sticks and lined the shower with them.  We then took a hot shower by glow-light.  Quirky but it works ;)

P.S.  If you really want to go all out, you can:

Make drinks and foods that glow by using tonic water and black lights.  Amazing, right?

Source: ourbestbites.com via Reagan on Pinterest

Make a glow stick sign

Source: smileandwave.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest

Draw a glow stick bubble bath for your kids

Source: playathomemom3.blogspot.com via T on Pinterest

Who knew you could have this much fun with $3 of glow sticks?  Just the geniuses on Pinterest!