Romper Rooms

I went to get my hair cut yesterday and told my hairdresser to schedule me in six weeks--just before Christmas. I am almost certain she ENJOYED informing me that in six weeks it would be January 8th.

HOW CAN CHRISTMAS BE COMING SO SOON! Is this some kind of TRICK!!!

I am so unprepared, unorganized and unready for Christmas. And I don't want to hear from any of you about how you already have all your shopping done and can now just sit around baking cookies and making handmade dryer-lint ornaments. No, no! Maybe someday--right now I just want to sidle up to Mr. Grinch!

I actually love Christmas, it just seems to have come so quick!

I am hearing some Santa requests however so perhaps it will help put me in the mood and inspire me to do some shopping.

Paul wants Rock Band. Here he is with his own, self-made practice set, how cute it this? He has Tinkertoys for his cymbal and drum sticks, a tambourine from when I was a kid, the top of a plastic box for his drum and some bongo drums added in.
Maybe we shouldn't buy him anything and just let him keep being creative?



For now, I'm going to enjoy Thanksgiving and then go into full panic mode.

Until then, let's hope waking up to sweet little munchins will keep me smiling and filled with peace:

The following blog post has a tutorial for making your own flannel board story figures using regular felt and iron on transfers. I think this is a great solution especially when the story or figures you need aren’t available through somewhere like funfelt.com. Check it out! These won’t be as durable or washable but [...]

Tis the season to be jolly! With the holidays just around the corner and winter already bearing down on many of us, I have a new site to share with you that has some wonderful winter coloring pages. AnimalJr.com is a great new site with lots of coloring pages, games, activities and videos for all you animal lovers.  You can print a moose, seal, rabbit, polar bear and a cute little birdie along with a fun Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer coloring sheet!

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Related Articles at Free Stuff 4 Kids:

• Free Christmas Coloring Sheets
• Two winter printables
• National Geographic Coloring Pages

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You have pushed number one, Tattoo Update.

I have decided on my tattoo! It is going to be a ladybug. I have always loved ladybugs and believe they are a sign of good things to come.

My ladybug is going to have eight spots--one for each kid. I am having a cross put in where the wings and head come together. I am going to circle around the ladybug with the word "family," written three times, but in three different languages--English, Korean and Vietnamese.

And YES OF COURSE I am leaving plenty of space for more dots--this is upon the advice of my older children, NOT my husband!

I am planning on putting it on my foot tho possibly the shoulder.

I am still deciding WHERE to have it done. The shop where Will got his "isn't my style" according to Will which translates into "isn't as clean as an operating room" which is what I'm looking for.

As for size. I have decided to go with lifesize. A lifesize ladybug. What do you think?

That, of course, is a joke--but not by much. The ladybug will be about the size of a dollar coin with the words written around it making it larger. Go ahead! Call me a chicken! I gotta start somewhere!

You have selected option #2--moving.

Not much to say here except that procrastination is making me wait! We have someone looking but only in our immediate area. We got the big "NO WAY!" from our girls to moving out of the school district. I don't blame them.

In some ways, I find it ridiculous that we think we need a bigger house. We actually just need less stuff!

Then again, our house isn't big by modern standards and I recently noticed we have more kids than average.

Don't want a bigger mortgage. Do want more space. Do want to buy in this market. Don't want to sell.

As you can see, still undecided and not planning on doing anything until after the holidays. My boss might give me a big Christmas bonus this year!!! Probably wishful thinking--last I heard he's planning on a jelly-of-the-month subscription.

You have selected option #3--Happy Birthday!

Rosebud is one of my best friends! We have been besties since our oldest boys were both babies and we lived in Germany. We don't get to see each other often and neither of us is good at calling or writing but when we do get together, it is like slipping into my old, favorite pair of jeans--comfortable and comforting.

I didn't call you on your special day so now I'll make it up to you via the net. HA! That sounds SO LAME! At least I made you a cake (see below) You know I love you!

BFF! Hope to see you soon! Everyone wish Rosebud a Happy Birthday!!!

You have selected option #4--can she get any crazier?

I am leaving space for a dot or two on my ladybug so I guess that says something HOWEVER I believe my ATM man will take some convincing. Make that a LOT of convincing. I've already used the boy/boat swap trick. Anyone have any new ideas?

I can tell you one thing. He can no longer use the excuse that we have no more beds. My three little boys have decided it is much more fun to sleep in BOXES!!!

I kid you not. Don't know why. Guess it's just really cool to wake up smelling like broccoli. Check it out . . .


So, we now have not one, not two, but THREE empty beds! Plenty of space!

One less excuse. Anyone else have ideas on convincing the old fart that he really does like being poor?

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Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa is out, have you seen it? The movie web site has lots of fun activities! There are quite a few coloring sheets, connect the dots, games, wallpapers and 3d paper crafts. There is also a fun party planning section with masks, face painting ideas, cards, name tags and games to play at your party!  There’s even an animal cracker recipe!  Have fun!

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• Outstanding Educational Games Site
• Free printable games for those long trips in the car
• Games and activities to do with your toddler