Excited yet?

My kiddies are.

Exhibit A:
the whiteboard.


But, let's take a look at the bigger picture.

That's right, the BIG countdown is for
our trip back to the old stomping grounds.

I think we're all pretty excited.
Sunny St. G --- here we come!
:o)

It's that Special time of Year again...

That time of year that makes me smile like this....

And dress like this....

(same amazing outfit 4 days straight)

And teach the newbies how to get in touch
with their chocolate center.
Like this....

(sorry Emma, your secret is out. playing hookie has a price.)

And watch the pro.
Like this...

And hang with a few of my family besties.
Like this...
(unfortunately i did not get photo documentation of my SIL's)

And this...

(oh, wait...we hang together every day)
;O)

And this...

(my bestest little sis that brings out the very strangest within me)

Mmmm...Chocolates 2011.

Four FULL days.
Over 2000 Chocolates
amongst the bunch of us.

And to think...we actually considered canceling this year.
Might as well Cancel Christmas all together
if Chocolates aren't a part of it.

The thing about Chocolates...and running.

Yesterday marked the beginning of Chocolates 2011.
(cutting back in quantity this year, by a lot.
in this case no friends is really working out for me)
Anyhoo, I couldn't help but notice as I was dressing for the occasion the similarities of my attire for Chocolate-ing in the cold and Running in the cold.

*heavy duty footless tights? check
*comfy pants? check
*multiple layers of shirts? check
*favorite warm hoodie? check
*fancy, not to mention mucho attractive, bandana? check

Really, the only difference is a sports bra and foot wear.
I opted for the super warm comfy boots instead of my trusty asics.
Not that I've done any running in the cold, or the hot, or anything else lately...
just saying I had a moment of
"Hey, I remember these clothes."

That's all.

Thank You, School District.

Have I mentioned our 4 day school week? I have?? Well, I quite like it.
School 7:15-4:30, Monday-Thursday is a busy crunch to get everything in, but well worth the trade off.
I have said more than once that we have Monday-Thursday, 2 Saturdays & Sunday.
It's kind of handy when I start to panic about Sunday church stuff on Saturday to I realize it's just Friday and I still have one more day to get my junk in order. I like that.

However,
sometimes by Sunday evening I am ready to send the troops a packin'.
That feeling has intensified as the Holiday Season has drawn out.
Excitement is in the air. And we are feeling it.
As we speak the children are making a chart of
'How many hours 'til Christmas'.
Please tell me we are not planning on crossing it off hourly. Please.
It would seem the excitement is making some of us lose our minds.
Some of us are either running around like banshees, yelling, fighting or laughing hysterically.
Mind losing. It's a common theme here in farmgirl land.

And so, this is the part where I would like to publicly thank the school district for keeping my children all nestled in their desks until the afternoon of December 22.

Thank You, School District.
Much appreciated.

Clever, clever Toilet lever.

Before we talk about 'Clever, clever Toilet lever' let's talk about 'Rainbows and Unicorns'--which my life is not. Really, who's is? I spent a few days in a 'funk', as my beloved calls it. And, well, I'm feeling a bit better now. Thanks for asking.
And now, on with the show!

Clever, clever Toilet lever.

What's so clever, clever toilet lever--you ask? Something so clever and cute you are sure to be amazed. Okay, I know the suspense is killing you so I'll just show you!

Tah-Dah!!
Stocking holder thingy extraordinaire!!
Is that not just fan-diddly-tastic!?!
Want to see it from another angle?? Well, Okay.


I, of course, cannot take credit for this fabulous idea. Amanda passed it along to me. She found it on pinterest. Pinterest intrigues me....but I vow to have my life a wee bit more in order before I plunge into the massive time suck I'm afraid pinterest would be.

Anyhoo, there ya be. Clever, clever toilet lever-- right?