We're #2!

Last night was our annual Cub Scout Father/Son Cake Bake.  The competition was even more fierce than last year, and all the dads (and scouts, but mostly the dads) brought their A game. 

You can see all the cakes (and you really should go look at them) on the scout blog.

For the 2nd year in a row, JR won 2nd! (And we'll take it!)

Themes could be Christmas or Cub Scouts, and JR was desperate to combine them. 

His little sign says "A Cub Scout Christmas Breakfast"

An aerial view

A close up of their "hot, burning coals".

Awaiting results

(We have outside judges and cakes are judged by numbers for fairness.)

The pastry chefs and their winnings!

(JR's trophy is blending in with his shirt.) 

Elf Highlights

We've been doing our version of Elf on a Shelf for a week now. 

(We don't have the "official" $40 elf,  just an antique one I already had.)

The boys named their elf, Sam, and besides Kyle wrestling with him,

(and being furious Sam won't talk to him), things are going great.

Sam the elf goes to the North Pole each night to give a behavior report to Santa, and comes home to a mischievous location each morning.

Here are some of Sam's highlights:

Playing Candy Land with Blue, Wolfie, and a sombrero wearing Tom.

Coloring at "Reed's" desk.  (This was my desk as a little girl.)

Sam puts himself in Bethlehem.

Toward the end of the day the boys asked me to take Baby Jesus out of Sam's arms. 

I don't think they could handle THAT much pressure to be good.

Sam helps himself to a snack.

The funniest part of this was when the boys found him.  Kyle jerked the cookie out of his Sam's lap and ate it as fast as he could.

JR and Reed are still talking about it.  They're certain Kyle's on the naughty list for sure!

I'll have more Sam highlights soon!

New!

So I thought I'd show you what I did new this year in the Christmas department.

This is my favorite tree. 

My mom loaded me down with gingerbread men, and then I added the yard ornament candy canes.  Kyle is my Christmas tree light turner on-er, and he tells me every night, "Mommy, this is my favorite tree."

And though Kyle hasn't tried to eat the giant candy canes, he has engaged in quite a few "sword fights" with Reed.

This bookshelfy thing usually sits behind my couch, but I moved it into my kitchen this year.  It's been a perfect place to display all my smaller trees. 

 Soooo glad my DELI sign is red.  It goes perfect with Christmas decorations!

I call this my Snow Baby Tree.  I picked these blue ornaments up at Pier 1 after Christmas and had no idea what I'd do with them.  I love how they look with the icicles.

I surprised JR with a Cub Scout tree for his room.  He squealed when he saw it, so I guess that means he likes it.

And finally, though it's not a new tree, it's in a new location. 

Jason had to move the mountain lion to our room so we could put up our big tree in the living room.

I figured the lion wouldn't mind wearing a Texas cowboy hat, even though he's a New Mexican.

Christmas Photo Booth

We had our annual Christmas Open House this weekend.

We did it a little different from past years, and only invited our close friends.

I set up my camera on the tripod for a makeshift photo both since I never seem to get pictures of the party.

 And I'm so glad I did!

JR was my tester. I figured if an 8 year old could do it, we adults could figure it out!

The 3 Amigos

(I've told you before Kylie is 6 ft tall, but this might be the first time you could see it.

And you can be sure Cassidy and I are wearing heels!)

Brad and Jason

(Of course I had a selection of hats to choose from for props.)

Shelly and Mark 

You can see all Shelly's pics from the party over at her blog.

Niki and Coy

  I'm still so confused why the Tech graduates didn't want to wear the UT and A&M Santa hats.  Hummmm.....

Liz and Melissa

more Liz with Steven

We didn't get a picture of everybody (we had 19 guests), but I got waayyy more than I have other years!  (Especially since I've never taken any before.)

Serious Situation

Jason's office had their annual kids Christmas party at Big Bounce this weekend.

The kids were having a great time, and were loving bouncing, golfing, eating pizza/popcorn/slushies

UNTIL.....

Santa walked in.

I said, "Kyle, Look! Santa's here!"

And that's when Kyle hit the deck.

And when I say "hit the deck", I literally mean he dove under a chair and assumed the Texas tornado drill position.

But come to find out, Kyle's not really that scared of Santa.

He was just embarrassed to see him since he's on the naughty list.

You see, we've been doing Elf on the Shelf, and if you touch the elf you're automatically on the naughty list.

JR and Reed wouldn't touch that elf with a ten foot pole.

Of course, not only has Kyle touched it, he actually body slammed it to the floor and had a full on wrestling match with it.

 

 

We finally convinced Kyle we could get him off the naughty list, and Kyle decided the embarrassment of facing Santa was totally worth it if he could get a candy cane out of the deal.

(Mr. and Mrs. Claus are actual Exterran employees. 

Santa dyes his beard just for this party!)

Fashion Fabulous Friday

Only a child of mine would think a decorative Christmas tree doubles as a festive hat.

Loves It!

December 1st.

Loves it!

Today we officially started our advent calendar, Elf on a Shelf, and Kyle and Reed's school had Polar Express day.

Yes!

I think I'm going to try and have all my December posts be Christmas themed, we'll see.

Kyle and Reed wore their pajamas for Polar Express day. They were slightly confused when they changed out of their night time pajamas into different pajamas, but since they're my children, were thrilled when I brought out of the bag of Christmas themed headwear.

The kids were asked to decorate a stocking "as a family" (you know what that means) and bring it to school today.

How did I do? 

(I'm pretty impressed with myself for letting Reed write his name on a "mom" project.)