Day 6: Present

The last thing Maddy said tonight before she went to sleep was "It's my present day." She declared it as such because, out of sheer coincidence, she received 2 belated birthday gifts today.

The first was from Hailey and Sydney. When she opened it her exact words were "This.is.the.best.day. I got princess books!!"

Then we got home and there was a box. She noticed her name on it and I opened it for her. She caught a glimpse of the princess bag.... "What is it?! What is it?!" She opens the bag and "AHHHHHH! It's a Tiana dress! Oh my gosh, it's Tiana! It's the one I don't have! Look at it, it's soooo pretty! And the shoes! They light up! And there's a crown! They're sooooo pretty!" Then she ran around the house and had the same basic conversation with my mom, my dad, Paige, me again, my mom again, my dad again, Paige again, her dad when he walked through the door 5 minutes later, me again, and then her dad again.

This picture doesn't even begin to do justice to her excitement. I really wish I had caught it on video. She was ECSTATIC! Completely over the moon!

Thanks, Andersons!

Day 5: my choice

Just wanted to share my super score today! Yep, you read that right! $50 for an American Girl doll! While I do agree that a big part of the whole experience is going to the store and picking out their own doll, I couldn't pass on the price!

Day 4: Shopping

Holiday deliveries have begun! Between boxes from work and online shopping, I'm sure the UPS man hates me.
Also, see my 3 Disney gift cards there? Total score today at HEB that will help a little on our big trip to The Mouse's House in FOUR days! In fact, what I saved on those gift cards paid for at least one of those boxes, I'm sure!

Day 3: Birth

Next year (by the lunar calendar) will be my zodiac birth year so we can all agree that year of the snake people are the most awesome. There are babies coming next year. Some planned, some a surprise, and while none of them belong to me, they belong to people very special to me and I can't wait! Bring on the snakes!

Day 2: Treats

Yesterday was a busy day. It included a 10 mile run, a snake encounter, a baking lesson, an afternoon visit with some besties and dinner with some more besties.

I've been baking a pretty tasty, much requested oatmeal cranberry cookie for a few years to gift during the holidays to coworkers, neighbors, teachers, etc. Last year I threw in some toffee graham crackers. This year I've been looking for a new, but preferably easy recipe. So I'm not sure what possessed me to agree to attend a macaron baking lesson.

Don't be fooled, the batches we made weren't nearly this pretty. Some were missing their "feet" and many were cracked, but they were still delicious!

Day 1: Angel

The world lost a wonderful soul last month. I'm going to miss Fred and his easygoing ways, his corny jokes and just overall joy that he brought whenever he was around.

I've been in a funk over the last few weeks hearing about his last days, his passing and attending his funeral. But then I try to remember how Fred never let things get him down, not even a brain cancer diagnosis at 28 years of age.

Lots of things have always made me think of Fred, and will continue to do so. In particular, Jason's Deli and Jack Johnson. But I remember driving to Austin once (same trip where he slept through me getting pulled over!) and us pointing out this tree to one another.

"It stands on Highway 71 between La Grange and Bastrop, Texas. You can see it from far away, and admire its shape and canopy. Although weakened by drought, to Fred, it will always remain "Perfect Tree". We'll remember him when we pass it in our travels."

December

I'm going to give the blog a day challenge another go this month!