Random Stuff

 Last Friday I had a doctor's appointment so my mom kept the kids for me. 

I've been meaning to upload this video for a while now and I tried while I was bored out of my mind waiting on the doctor, to only realize I can't upload videos on my mobile.

 It's from last week when Jaycelyn spontaneously brought to my attention that she knows how to spell her name. She is such a smart girl and eager to learn anything and everything! 

She does have some funny little voice she's talking in for this video. Probably because she's "acting" and I put her on the spot. And me...ugh, I hate hearing my voice on camera! 

Since then, Noah has learned to spell his name too! I'm so proud of him! He was having a hard time because A and H sound so much alike. He kept saying N.O.H.H so I wrote each letter on a separate piece of paper and taped them side by side on the wall. Visually seeing that the letters were different made a world of difference. In less than an hour he had it down!

While I was gone to the doctor on Friday, my mom let the kids have some messy fun. She made colored cool whip and let them play with it like finger paint. They made a huge mess, but had a blast! Here are some pictures she took.

This is what Eli did when he found out he could eat it.

Noah painted himself

I think Jaycelyn was really focused on making a masterpiece!

'

Since I'm almost finished preparing for Christmas, I have thoroughly been taking advantage of the holiday season. These are a few things I hate about seeing the holidays go...

 I plan to make the chocolate covered pretzels tomorrow, but my Noah Reid has been sick all day today so there may be a trip to the doctor in our near future. Bless his heart, you can tell he doesn't feel good. Please keep him your prayers!

I was really bummed a couple years ago when I lost over 6,000 photos that were on my computer when it crashed. I found some pictures the other day that seem like ages ago. I'm glad to have some back, even if it is a few.

 
I can't believe how young Jason looks in this picture!

Thank God that mustache was just a trial and error.

This one cracks me up!

-Rachel

Eli's 15 Month Check Up & The Christmas Parade

Thursday afternoon, Eli had his 15 month check up along with his 12 month that I missed. To be fair, he was running a fever the week I was supposed to take him and by the time I called to make an appointment, they scheduled it for a month out. Sooo, I'm not that bad right!? I did feel really terrible though when he had to get 6 shots! It kind of pissed me off that the nurse was SO slow and my baby had to be held down screaming in pain while she took her sweet time. That's definitely one of the hardest things about being a parent. Seeing your baby in pain for something that has to be done and there's nothing you can do. It's probably actually harder on us than it is them. 

While we were there, even before the shots, Eli screamed almost the entire time throwing a tantrum. So loud and constant that I couldn't even hear what the doctor was saying. This child has a temper and he does not give up easy. He's starting to realize that he doesn't get everything he wants. I wound up feeding him two suckers and a whole bag of fruit loops just to try and keep him happy. Here are a couple of pics I took before he started throwing his fits.

His stats were:

Weight: 28.6 lbs.

Height: 33 inches

HC: 19 1/4 inches

I'd say he's a pretty big boy! :)

Thursday night, the kids and I went to the Christmas parade in town. I don't guess I have much to say about it except it was way better than I expected. The kids had a great time seeing and playing with their friends.

I didn't take many pictures because I was too busy talking and trying to catch up with friends from high school. Here are a few I did get though. 

-Rachel

So What! Wednesday

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I've already stolen a bag of chocolates out of Jason's stocking stuff
• I talked him into picking up pizza for dinner so I didn't have to cook
• I might have eaten four pieces of that pizza
• I usually let Eli finish out his nap when he passes out in his highchair
• I quit doing everything after Jason got home and watched Duck Dynasty for 4 hours
• I got cut off from the checking account because I'm a shopaholic 
• I'm taking Eli for his 12 month appointment tomorrow and he's almost 16 months old
• I'm already looking at other kinds of pets even though I know it's not gonna happen
• I want new wrapping paper because what I have doesn't match my Christmas decor
• I constantly check my door step for packages
• I have to email my husband to get his full attention, including my ridiculous Christmas list!
• Jason is a better homemaker than I am
• I'm trying to unwind with a glass of wine so I can go to sleep sometime tonight

 

What are you saying SO WHAT to this week?

200+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Everyone!

I put together a list of 200+ stocking stuffer ideas (with a little help from others) divided into age categories, ranging from free to a little over $100. Some people choose to do larger amount gifts in the stockings so Hey, you might find something! :)

I hope so! 

These are in no particular order.

Mother to Be, Baby, or Toddler

Teether

Puffs, yogurt melts, mum mums, or other cookies

Sippy cups

Silverware set

Fisher Price peek-a-blocks Here

Keep sake, personalized ornament

Wrist rattles

Fisher Price Roll-a-Rounds: Look-a-Rounds Here

Bathtub toys

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

Little People, cars, or animals

Weebles Here

Books

Hat, mitten, & gloves set

Shoes

Pj's

Bath time essentials travel set

Refrigerator magnets

Juice

Bubbles

Night light

Formula dispenser

Mesh fresh food feeder

Plug covers

Sunscreen

Closet dividers

Baby Legs

Sassy disposable diaper sacks 

Stackable snack containers

Favorite snacks

My first crayola character crayons

Playskool lullaby glow worm 

Preschool or Kids (ages 3-12) 

Play-Doh 

Hot wheels

Bathtub crayons

Pj's

Finger Paint

Temporary tatoos

Stickers

Sunglasses

Tummy Tickler's Character Juice Here

Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils

Coloring book

Toothbrush/Toothpaste

House slippers

Walkie Talkies

Flashlight

Batteries

Dvd's 

Candy

Electronic games

Hair bows, clips, ponytail holders

Concert tickets

Glow sticks

Underwear

Socks

Zoo membership

Bug Catching Kit

Silly Bandz

Apron (rolled up)

Cookie cutters

Silly Putty

Watch

Earrings

Card games (Uno, Old Maid, Go Fish)

Flash Cards

Character Band-aids

 Brush/comb set

Bible

Favorite Children's Songs Cd

Personalized, Insulated, or straw cups

Ball cap

Flavored chapstick

Movie theater gift card

Piggy Paint Nail polish Here

Notepad or doodle pad 

Character Ice packs 

Hand soap

Vitamins

Silly straws

Yo-Yo

Slinky

Magnifying glass

Magic Milk straws Here

Whoopie cushion

Puzzles

Harmonica

Sidewalk chalk

Bubblegum

Batteries

Teen or Adult

Leggings/leg warmers

Jewelry

Personalized cell phone case

Sunglasses

Calendar/ planner

Coupon organizer 

Hand warmers

Coffee/K cups/Starbucks gift card

Personalized Ornament

Personalized Golf club links Here

Wine opener

Cigars

Flashlight

Magazine subscription

Pocket knife

A book or gift certificate to B&N or BAM

Handmade pen

Personalized Stationary

Survival bracelet

iTunes gift card

Pj's

Fuzzy socks

Lingerie, panties, or a Victoria Secret gift card

Pocket size all weather outdoor notepad Here

Coffee mug

Emergency sewing kit;

Camera strap

Personalized key chain

Playing cards

Guitar picks/strings/cleaner

Guitar strap

Drum sticks

Shaving cream

Beard trimmer

Safety razor & blades Here 

 (You can buy them for around $12 at Sally's Beauty Supply)

Oven mits /dishtowels

Measuring spoons

Tomato/potato peeler or slicer

Cookie cutters

Personalized apron rolled up around wooden spoons

Family recipe

Cookbook

Business card holder

Concert tickets

Movie theater gift card

Ice cream/frozen yogurt gift card

Perfume

Drill bit set

Compass

Leatherman

Golf balls/tees

Makeup brushes

Chapstick

Eye shadow

Body Scrub

Oil warmer scents

Mini candles

Bug Spray

Batteries

Razor knife

Hot cocoa

First aid kit

Assorted nuts/trail mix

Beef jerky

Dart set

Car freshener

Giant candy bar

Extra camera battery

SD card

5 hour energy, Red bull, Monster

Floss

Hunter's Scent Cover Wash & shampoo

Spoon ring

Lotion

Audio book

Dvd's

Conversion chart

Polish remover

Handwritten letter

Sewing kit

Tide pen 

Ear plugs 

Ammo

Head phones

Summer sausage, cheese, & crackers

Gas card

A new charm for a charm bracelet

Poncho

Handmade card from kids

Rubik's cube

Paintballs

Manicure kit

Manicure & Pedicure gift certificate

Gel polish or strips

Kitchen utensils

Shower cap

Sunless tanner

Pumice Bar

Hair towel

Bath wrap

Armour All

Tie

Sunglasses Case

 Wristlet/change purse

Jewelry cleaner

Tire gauge

Ice scraper

Scarf

Heart rate monitor watch

Calculator

iPod shuffle

Gardening gloves

Fabric scissors

Wind chime

Bird feeder

Pepper spray

Handheld GPS

Flavored drink mixes

Lottery tickets 

and who doesn't love Cash!

Did I miss anything?!

 Leave a comment below if you have anything to  add, I'd love to hear it! ;) 

My Christmas Mantel

Today I'm linking up with The Lettered Cottage and showing you my Christmas Mantel.

I bought these deer from the dollar store a few years back...

As well as the angel... but I added all of the bows and the red paint that's on the angel. 

The candlesticks are a couple that I have left from a set that I still keep on the fireplace..

 

The lighting makes all of the colors kind of look off in the next two pics.

 The camera just doesn't capture what I see anyways. ;)

We don't have stockings at the moment since we're a family of five. 

I want to make some so I'm hoping to do that soon or at least by next Christmas!

 

Check out The Lettered Cottage for more Christmas Mantel's or link up and show us yours! 

-Rachel

Handprint Ornaments

A while back I bought some magic model clay so that I could add the kids hand prints to my tree this year.

Last weekend my sister and Conner were over so we decided to make them

Jason decided he needed to help us, so he started rolling out and forming the clay (redneck style).

Noah went first...

Then Jaycelyn...

 

Conner sat in the highchair and ate yogurt melts until it was his turn...

Christian forgot to take Conner's so it's on my tree for now.

Then Eli had his turn...

 

I love how they turned out.

 I used a piece of Jute to hang them and left them with the natural look. 

There are recipes on pinterest to make your own clay but I found a tub of this clay at Hobby Lobby so I just opted for the easy way out.

Jason even had a little fun with it too.

J & N also did these fun little snowman ornaments. 

Maybe Eli can join in on this one next year. It just wasn't happening this time.

One tradition that I started with the kids is for them to pick out their very own new ornament to add to the tree every year. I write their name and age on the back of it. When they are grown, they will already have a collection of ornaments for their tree and will also have some special meaning to them. If not, then I will just continue to put them on mine! :)

What new ornaments or priceless treasures are you adding to your tree this year? 

What traditions have you've started with your children? 

-Rachel

Thanksgiving

Wow have I been busy over the past week! Clearly because I'm posting about Thanksgiving over a week late!
After what happened with Bella on Wednesday, Thanksgiving with family and friends and the long weekend helped us feel better. The kids still talk about her at least once a day and say they miss her often. I think about her often too. Like yesterday when I saw some squirrels on our back porch, and thought how happy they must be. I know they're not missing her. And I had a mini breakdown the other day when I finally made myself wash her food and water bowls and put them away.
I think we are done with the pets for a while. I have enough things to worry about and care for. I guess we'll just see how it goes.


On Thanksgiving, we had lunch at my grandmothers house. It was a good day and good food! We stayed most of the day talking and looking at Black Friday ads. We left around 7:00 and headed home. I put the kids in bed and headed out to meet my mom and sister for some shopping.
Here are some of the very few pics my sister and I took on Thanksgiving :)

My Mom, Dad, Jaycelyn, Noah, and my nephew Conner. Eli just wasn't having it.

My brother 

 My Grandma

 

My Sister

My eyes were so puffy :-/

My sweet Noah Reid, I love this picture!

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving! I've been decorating for a week now and I'm finally finished. I changed my Christmas tree up this year and I love how it came together. I'll share soon. Have a great weekend! :)

-Rachel