Gaggle of Guikemas

It was Christmas Day for the Guikemas today and we had a fun day of eating, family time, and gift giving. We were spoiled again this year with great presents ... but the best present continues to be the love and care Mom and Dad show for each one of us and our children. Thanks Mom & Dad.

All the Guikema Grandkids

(Two more on the way ... whoa baby! And no, I'm not pregnant.)

Me & Ziglet
Me & Piglet

Blue Ribbon for Mommy

The first day post Christmas festivities and we played our own version of Blue's Clue's (with homemade handprints), did sidewalk chalk out on the driveway, got out the messy Playdough (girls played with it for 2 hours), had smores by the neighbor's firepit, and just finished playing the game of Life. I think I scored some major mommy points today! I also think that the kids will be watching a DVD tomorrow! :)

No White Christmas, but lots of Love!

Here is one of the world's smallest snowmen (made the first week of December when we had snow) and the plate of cookies and glass of milk the kids put out for Santa. Paige also wrote a letter to Santa that reads:

Dear Santa,

I hope you give me a socking stuffer and some toys.

And could I have a sleigh bell? Rite a note back.

Love, Paige.

Have a very Merry Christmas blogging buddies. May you experience the wonder of the season through your children's eyes as you celebrate Jesus' birthday.

A Time to Give

I love this time of year because it is a time that you can show others just how much you appreciate them and all that they do for you or your kids. The Sunday school teachers, classroom teachers, bus driver, piano teacher, Bible study leaders, and extended family are just some of the folks on our list of people we "gift" this Christmas season. The only time I don't like giving is when I feel like I "have to" or am somehow guilted into giving. I will give you two examples.

Yesterday I had to run to the grocery store and pick up just a couple of things for my daughter's class party. I was rushing in and saw the Salvation Army bell ringer. I have given to just about every ringer I have seen this year (mostly because my kids are begging me for change to put in the bucket) and I am more than happy to do it. But today the ringer watched me from the door into the store and said, "Hello. How are you?" I said, "good," and then quickly ran to find the items I needed. Then as I walked out (five minutes later) he once again says, "Bye. And Merry Christmas." He seemed like a nice guy, he said all the normal greetings, and yet, somehow I felt guilty that I didn't put any change in his red bucket. Why did I feel like I needed to tell him I have given to many ringers this year and that I was in a rush?

The second instance of being "guilted into giving" was left in my mailbox and it reads:

'Twas weeks before Christmas and all through the 'hood
The weather was warm and the driving was good
The houses and yards were bedecked with good cheer
And I said to myself "Looks like my kind of year!"
But what to my wandering eye should appear
But an Artic cold front! And it soon would be here!!
It's blizzards and fat Sunday papers I fear!
It's a paperboys' Christmas ... oh but ... Happy New Year.

My paperboy is a 60 year old grown man who deserves points for his creative Christmas story but loses some for including his name & address on the bottom of this Holiday greeting in a shameless plug for a tip.

Mmmmmm - Chocolate

This is a face that only a mother could love.

I am married to Mr. Claus. My husband just LOVES Christmas. He loves to put up the outdoor lights, make homemade Chex Mix, wrap presents, and dip peanut butter balls. Every year his mom rolls out the peanut butter balls (also called Buckeyes) and brings them over for Jeff to dip. I am a somewhat reluctant dipper so Zach & I were "supervising" & bringing in the chilled peanut butter balls for Jeff and the girls. The girls were "dipping machines" and Zach did a great job too - eating the chocolate chips straight out of the bag!

Candy Houses

Here is Zoey and her candy house creation she made last week at school. She was so excited to make it and kept saying to me all week, "Tomorrow is candy house day." (Which proved to me once again that young kids have no concept of time!) I am paying for my busy week last week by being sick this week. I have strep throat and let me tell you, it is kicking my butt. Everyone kept telling me how easy it is to recover from once you get on the antibiotic. Well, I am on dose number three and the only thing I have recovered from is the body aches and fever. The unusual feeling of swallowing needles has persisted however. So, in honor of being sick I would just like to thank these people:

Mr. Tylenol and Miss Ibuprofen - you truly are good friends.

Nick Jr. and PBS Kids - thanks for watching my kids the past couple of days.

And last but not least, to my hubby who took off work at lunchtime yesterday and cleaned the house, watched the kids, and made a steak dinner for the family. You are the man. Now if I could just get you to baby me a bit more and not look at me like I have a leperosy. :) (Since my husband has worked in the medical field, he has become a bit of a germaphobe.)

Put a Fork in this Week - IT'S DONE!

Me & My Man

(Didn't want you to think that we only hung out with our friends all weekend!)

'Tis the season to be busy. Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. I think everyone had the same idea: Plan Christmas events in the first week of December to avoid the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Result: Stress everyone out and have them realize that they have no time to clean the house, do laundry, or even think about Christmas shopping. Here's a snapshot of my week: Dessert Gala set up and event, babysit neighbor's kiddo, Yearly Dr. appt. (fun,fun), Book Club, Advent Family Party at church, make a dinner for a neighborhood family, bake cookies for two different events, volunteer in Paige's class, design and create 4 bulletin boards at school, make 2 monkey breads for a PTO brunch, & make a gingerbread house with Zoey at school. If you need to find me during the holidays, I will be home with a glass of wine! :)

Chicago

New outfit: $150

Tickets to Wicked: $200

Weekend away without kids: priceless