I accidently posted from my draft on the last post before I was finished.
Here is the scoop:
These are tooth tunes. They look like so much fun on the web page and it is a great idea to get kids to brush longer but . . . you have to push way too hard to bend the brush part against your teeth to hear the music. It has made brushing time more complicated. Did I mention that they cost $7.84 at Walmart? 
The girls are finally at the age where they are fun to take shopping. They have their own gift ideas for people and they have their opinions about what I've picked out as well. We decided to go to Target to look for some presents for Daddy. After ruling out that he didn't really need a boy Barbie or Cabbage Patch Doll we headed to the men's clothing department. Olivia spots the T-shirt section and yells let's get Daddy a shirt that says and I quote "My nuts are bigger than your nuts" and there is a cartoon of a squirrel lifting a barbell with acorns for weights. I thought the teenage boy next to us was going to pass out from trying to hold in his laughter. One reason why this particular T-shirt topic is so funny to my kids is that my sister bought them this Usborne book. It really is a cute book if you can look past the main topic. Kids love it because the little squirrel slips through slots in the pages as you read the story asking have you seen my nuts? My husband laughs every time the kids ask me to read it. Anyway, I think that is why the girls thought Daddy would like the squirrel T-shirt. Next, Olivia yells okay then lets get him the T-shirt that says "I love hot moms!" If it wasn't printed as a plural I'd buy it in an instant. I decided it was time to move away from the T-shirt section. After shopping for over an hour we finally agreed on some gifts for daddy.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I use both depending on the shape of the gift.
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial but one Christmas when I was 7 my whole family stayed at my grandparents' farm. We all went out in the woods to pick out the perfect tree, chop it down, and drag it home. It was very snowy and fun!
3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving
4.When do you take the tree down?After New Year's
5. Do you like eggnog? It is okay. My husband and daughter love it so we drink it every year!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Donny and Marie Osmond record player with a microphone. Think along the lines of an early karaoke machine. I got the Donny and Marie Barbie dolls that year also complete with purple socks.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, we have a few. My favorite is an advent nativity that is magnetic so the kids can add to the scene and lead up to Baby Jesus on Christmas Day!
8. Easiest person to buy for?My sister
9. Hardest person to buy for?My husband. His birthday is 3 days after Christmas! It is a challenge to make sure his birthday is not over shadowed by Christmas which adds more pressure to getting the "right gift" (see # 14).
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? One piece pajamas with a flap in the back. I was 18 years old.
11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail. There is just something special about sending cards the old fashion way. I also look forward to receiving mail around Christmas time.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually start in the fall. I have to use my time wisely without kids.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I honestly don't remember doing this. I genuinely enjoy gift giving. I usually try to get just the right gift for the person it is intended. This has caused some trouble for my husband and me because I sometimes stress over getting just the right gift.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom used to make the best breakfast casserole.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?Usually we travel to see my side of the family but we are staying home this year. My husband has wanted a Christmas morning at home since Olivia was born. I'm looking forward to sharing this year at home with him and the girls.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? No
20. Angel on the tree top, or a star? We have an angel from my childhood that my mother made.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? We've always waited for Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Out of town traffic!!! It really takes the fun out of shopping!
23. What I love most about Christmas? Time spent with my family and the tenderness of the Christmas story.
Feel free to join in on the meme fun!
To set up this story I need to explain that we live in a subdivision that is outside of town. It's not uncommon to see wildlife. We've had turkeys, deer, owls, groundhogs, raccoons, opossums, and skunks visit our yard a time or two. I've never lived outside of town so this animal thing is new to me. I've even started to enjoy seeing them and have been known to stop and watch for awhile but this morning's sighting was a little bizarre. I woke to find the strangest of wildlife grazing in our front yard just a few feet from our front window. I ran to get my camera because I knew it would make a fantastic photo for my post but it ran off before I could get the case open. You'll just have to take my word on this one......there stood a beautiful white and gray speckled horse. Elaina fell in love instantly and ask if we could keep it to help Daddy cut the lawn. If he comes to visit again I guess I'll have to brush up on some lasso skills.
