A Toddler Holiday!

Oh boy I am so excited for this Christmas with JoJo. He will be two in February so this is the first year he really gets to dig into his presents and is really aware of what is going on. I did my best to plan everything out so that I wouldnt be stressed out and could make it a magical time for him. I did a lot of my shopping early so I wouldnt be running around like a crazy person and I love that he is still young enough that I can even buy his presents with him present and he forgets about them so i can go home and wrap them while he is sleeping.
Some things I have found to make Christmas easier with a toddler is.......

-Dont even attempt to wrap presents while they are awake......just dont do it to yourself!

-Split up the visits with friends and family members if you can so that your child isnt overwhelemed by presents and company. I know it can be hard when you have a big family. However for the friends that we bought for and visa versa, I made a date with each of them to come over on seperate days so JoJo could spend some time with them and exchange gifts. That way he also understood better who the presents came from.

-If your cooking, try and make a dish or two that you can prepare a day ahead.


-When its time to meet Santa it can go one of two ways so make sure your child has already had their nap and is fed so you can bribe them with candy if need be, LOL. When we got to Santa's workshop we hung back for a minute so JoJo could see what was going on and that Santa wasnt eating children. I then gave Sante a candy cane and asked JoJo if he wanted to go sit with Santa and get a candy. It went rather well.....even if he didnt smile!


-DONT FORGET BATTERIES for any toys you bought. Nothing stinks more then opening a present that can't be played with because mommy and daddy forgot batteries.

-I am planning on assembling any toys the night before so that JoJo dosnt have to wait for us to pull them out of the box. I know patience is a virtue but he's only two.

-Lastly....my favorite quote for the holidays is "Christmas should be a feeling, not a season". Take time to make Christmas magical and to share traditions. I want his childhood Christmas memories to be full of lovely smells, bright colors, and quality family time. Kids need our time more then they need our dimes!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!

Bring on the rain!

We are getting our first good week of rain this season. It has drizzled a bit here and there but its is supposed to rain for the next 5 days or so. It typically dosnt rain in December for us but since I am 99% done with my Christmas shopping it dosnt bother me! And for those who saved their shopping for the last minute all I have to say is.......HA HA! LOL, I'm kidding but time is running out.

Being stuck indoors does however give us parents the chance to slow down and engage in winter slumber, spend quality time with the family and hopefully continue or start some winter traditions.
I have a sore throat from HELL so I found myself searching for some warm drink recipes that go beyond the boring cup of tea to soothe me. I found some pretty cool ones! There are quite a few for kids.....and some for after the kids go to bed, LOL!

Don't overlook a classic cup of hot apple cider or cocoa (don't forget the marshmellows, they make it so much more magical). Instead of a processed pack of the above mentioned get a little creative. Trader Joe's makes  a great apple cider and mullings spices to add to it!


Egg Nog Chai
Wether you use chair powder or a tea bag.....milk or water, try mixing your chai with egg nog, it has a festive and unique flavor!

Now I dont care for it but a lot of people love some.....

Hot Buttered Rum

Usually served at Christmas, this hot sipper tastes great all winter long.
To make hot buttered rum drinks, you will need:
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup margarine or butter, softened
¼ teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Rum
Boiling water
In a small mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, margarine or butter, lemon peel, cinnamon, and allspice. Beat until well combined. Use immediately or cover and chill up to 1 month. Makes about 1 cup or enough 10, with approximately 6-ounce servings.
For 1 serving, place 1 rounded tablespoon of the butter mixture in a mug. Add 3 tablespoons rum and ½ cup of boiling water. Stir well.

Candy Cane Cocoa

 

Ingredients

• 4 cups milk
• 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 4 small peppermint candy canes

Directions

In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs, and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring sticks

 

Hot Toddy 

Hot Toddy
1 ounces Whiskey      1 ounce Honey       ounce Lemon Juice      3 ounces Water (Hot) If you have a microwave, the easiest way to make this drink is to warm the honey and lemon juice for about half a minute and then to add hot water and the whiskey. Otherwise, we recommend that you stir the honey and lemon juice into extremely warm water, allow it to cool slightly, and add the whiskey.

 

New Pics and Camera Reviews

So as I mentioned before I got a new camera. It is the Canon Rebel T2I, 18.1 mega pixel and just about the bets present I have ever gotten. I take pictures everywhere I go and had previously spent a bit of money on portraits for JoJo that mu husband thought it wise to buy me my own good quality camera. In my opinion it is a fantastic investment that is fun for me and will provide years of memories. i am still learning how to use it but here are some more pictures I took with it just yesterday. I quickly learned to shoot toddlers in sports mode all teh time, LOL.

Wild Angel Quote of the Week

Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.
Plato

M.I.A.

Yes Yes, I have been M.I.A lately. Tis the Season I guess. I have been busy knitting, getting ready for Christmas AND.....with my new camera my loving husband bought me for Christmas.....and my birthday.....and Christmas again, LOL. Anyhoo I knit my first beanie ever.....what do ya think?

Its not perfect but JoJo dosnt seem to mind!
He does however mind my new camera. He sees me pull it out and tucks is chin, my poor little baby model has had it with the camera. Here are some pics I took with it anyways, I am still learning how to use it!

I hope you all have a merry holiday and I promise to keep up with my blog!