Trains!!

Today, we visited North Park Center in Dallas. The sole reason was to see The Trains! I saw a news story about the trains last year, and this year decided we should go. They charge $6 for adults and $4 for kids over two (making Snugglebug free!), but all the proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House.

The trains are a collection of model trains that run through cities, around landmarks, and past people involved in their own little worlds. It is so incredible! They had the Dallas and New York skylines, the Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore just to name a few. They had a winter wonderland that looked like you could just step into the snow and enjoy Christmas to the fullest. There was so much to see, we really could not take it all in! We were all three completely amazed!

Our amazing miniature train journey was followed by a children's choir singing in the mall foyer, a puppet Scrooge joking with the passersby in a hallway, and Santa reading a story to a passle of children in the courtyard. I had no idea a trip to the mall could be so entertaining!

As Scrooge the puppet pointed out, Snugglebug won't remember any of this, but hopefully this will be the first of many years to come (and those he will remember!)

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

This year I decided we were ready to establish a Christmas tradition as a family, and I thought going to a tree farm and choosing our own tree would be a great one. I was all excited! I found a great tree farm about an hour north of us called Elves Tree Farm. What a great name for a tree farm, right?

They had a hayride to the trees where you could cut your own tree or you could choose a pre-cut tree. They also had some great play equipment for Snugglebug to play on.

We decided to forgo cutting our own tree this year, but once Snugglebug had played some we chose what I thought was the most beautiful tree I had ever seen. My husband thought that it might be a bit too big for our living room, but I thought we could make it fit.

Make it fit we did! The tree definitely does not fit in our living room. It is without a doubt wayyyyyy too big. I would even say it is probably twice the size that we should have purchased. But it is still quite beautiful. This is the first time we have had a live tree with the exception of our first Christmas together when I purchased a tree in a pot then planted it in our front yard after Christmas.

I chose to leave off the lights and to decorate with non-breakable silk Poinsettias because I knew the tree would be a great attraction to not only Snugglebug but also our three cats. I used a gold metallic ribbon to catch the light and add some shine to the tree. My sweet husband said it was "understated elegance." He's such a sweetie!

I'm thrilled that we were able to start this new tradition with our family. Next year...I'll take a measuring tape with me.

Pantene Beatuful Lengths

For the last 6 months I have been letting my hair grow out. This was something I have been wanting to do for the longest time; but every time my hair gets within donation length, I can't stand it any longer, and I cut it.

So, two months ago, after having already been three or four months since my last trim and 6 months from my last major cut, I decided to wait another two months before I cut my hair. In those two months, my hair grew enough to cut and donate to Pantene Beautful Lengths. Pantene's program receives donations from individuals like me and creates wigs that are then given to cancer patients. This is such an awesome program, and finally, I got to be a part of it today.



My hair is a bit shorter than I had anticipated. The minimum length to donate is 8 inches. For about an hour last night, I considered waiting another month just so my hair wouldn't be that short. But, I decided to go ahead today! So, it's short, but it will grow again, and someone else will be wearing my hair at Christmas and enjoying my beautiful lengths!!

Reason #4 Why I Don't Have Time to Blog

#4 Daddy's Day Off

Mommy is napping so Snugglbug will do this post...

On Daddy's day off, we like to go to IHOP. I love to eat pancakes dipped in syrup. I also like to help Daddy with his puzzles. He couldn't do his puzzles without my help.


We also like to go places like the Pumpkin Patch! I liked splashing in the mud at the Pumpkin Patch!!

Reason #3 Why I Don't Have Time to Blog

#3 chores, chores, chores...

Chores are never ending and with a little one under foot, what used to take 10 minutes now takes all of an hour and sometimes more. I can't count the number of times I have folded a load of laundry more than twice! But, I have decided, if you can't beat them join them. So now, Snugglebug has his own chores!

Snugglebug's chores are feeding and watering the cats and cleaning out the dishwasher. (all with help of course)

Reason #2 Why I Don't Have Time to Blog

#2 Sometimes you just have one of those days....
























And you just need to veg with a good book or a good TV program....

Reason #1 Why I Don't Have Time to Blog

For your enjoyment...

Since I can't seem to find the time to blog, I thought I would share a few reasons why.

1. Because messes are constantly being made....