It's snowing like crazy and I'm thankful

Happy Thanksgiving Eve y'all!!  I think it is safe to say winter has officially hit upstate NY.  We've got about 6 inches of snow right now and it's still coming down!  Luckily, the only driving I had to do today was to and from work and a quick run to the bakery and grocery store.  I feel sorry for all my fellow Northeastern-ers who are trying to drive (or fly) through the storm to get to their loved ones for the holiday.  We aren't traveling until tomorrow morning so I'm hoping for a smooth ride.  I have to admit though, other than the travel issues it causes, I love the snow!  I love that we are going to have a white Thanksgiving!  There is something that is just so peaceful about the first big snow.

Years ago (I won't say how many) I would be preparing to go out tonight and meet up with my friends at the bar.  Friends I hadn't seen since the last Thanksgiving eve.  We would have a great time talking, laughing, and drinking.  Then I would wake up the next morning with a slight hangover and absolutely no interest in eating a huge turkey dinner.  But these days, Thanksgiving eve is spent snuggling up on the coach watching ParaNorman and eating homemade nachos!  And you know what?  I love it!!!  I feel so happy and content here with my family tonight, cuddled up on the couch watching the snow fall.  For the moment, my children are behaving and no one is crying or screaming.  I'm sure this won't last long (it never does) but I am thankful for this moment of peace and quiet and contentment.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for many things.  I am thankful for my family.  I am thankful for the health of my children.  I am thankful to have my mother to celebrate this holiday with. I am thankful for the advances in cardiac care.  I am thankful for a nice home.  I am thankful for shelter and warmth.  I am thankful for good food.  I am thankful for my wonderful friends.  I am thankful my husband and I have good jobs, which allow us to provide a good life for our children.  I am thankful to live in this country, and I am thankful to live in this little community of ours.  I am thankful for this blog which has re-newed my love of writing and introduced me to some very amazing people.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Kim

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Jamberry Style!!

Hey everyone!!  I just wanted to let you all know that Jamberry will be having some awesome Black Friday and Cyber Monday specials!!  So if you are looking for a cool, fashionable, and original gift for someone (or yourself) for the holidays, please stop by my site and take a look! 
Kim's Online Jams    --Choose Kim's holiday party at checkout!
I am also offering a free sheet of accent nails to all my fellow bloggers that place an order!  

Special 1: You get a FREE limited-edition Black Friday nail wrap when you spend $50! This nail wrap will be automatically added to your shopping cart when it reaches the required amount. This exclusive design cannot be purchased on its own. Only one exclusive Black Friday wrap per order. AND Jamberry will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the Salvation Army!
FYI- Buy 3 Get 1 Free wraps will also be in effect!!  So you can end up with 2 FREE WRAPS with a $50 purchase!!!
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Special 2: Jamberry is bringing back 12 Sister's Style Exclusives from the last year and they will be available ONLY Black Friday through Cyber Monday! (Starting Friday, November 28 at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, December 1 at 11:59 p.m. MDT

Friday Favorites- A little bit holiday edition

Welcome to another round of my Friday Favorites!  Let's jump right in!

Number 1:  The Polar Express!
Sunday night we put on our jammies and took a ride on the Polar Express!  This was our 2nd year going and it was even better than last year! Sooo cute and sooo much fun!  This year we went with a group of friends which made it that much more special!  If you have the opportunity to take your kids on the Polar Express, I highly recommend it!  Such a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Pre-Polar Express hot cocoa party

Enjoying some cookies on the train

He INSISTED on wearing his fedora and spiderman sunglasses to meet Santa

Not everyone was happy to see Santa!  :(

Happy again :)

Number 2:  North Pole Breakfast
OK, I had never even heard of this until Andrea posted about it on her blog.  But now I am fully on board!!!  I am so excited to put this together and make this a special tradition for my kids!!  I know they are going to love it... I mean, what kid wouldn't love a super sugary breakfast made by a magical elf?!?!?  My plan is to have this ready and waiting for them when they wake up on Black Friday!

Seriously, how cute are these letters?!  Thanks so much to Roxanne at RoxannesDesign (etsy shop) for making these for me!!

Number 3:  These cute diffusers!!
I was roaming around Pier One on Sunday and found these little gems.  Aren't they adorable??  And only $5.95 each!

Number 4:  The Dollar Store
Yeah, this is kind of a weird one.  But honestly, I have never been one for shopping at the dollar store.  I can probably count on one hand the number of times I have been in one.  Well, if only I had known what I was missing!  LOL  I happened in there yesterday to look for some cute and cheap little trinkets for the North Pole breakfast, and also for a Christmas Cheer exchange I am participating in.  WOAH!!  They had so much cute stuff!!  I got all this for like $20!

Number 5: Jamberry holiday gift sets
Yes, I am a Jamberry consultant but honestly, this isn't a shameless plug for sales (well, maybe a tiny plug).  I LOVE this holiday gift set!  I ordered one for myself I love it so much!  If you are interested in ordering one (or ANY Jamberry products- the wraps are Buy 3 Get 1 Free!!)  stop by my website at www.onlinejamswithkim.jamberrynails.net  and choose Kim's holiday party at checkout!

Well friends, that's it!  My 5 favorites of the week!  But before I go, I just want to wish you ALL a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  I hope you have a beautiful day with your families and get a chance to reflect on all the things you have to be thankful for.  Oh yeah, and have a DELICIOUS meal!!!

Linking up with;
Andrea from Momfessionals
5 On Friday
The Diary of a Real Housewife

Friday Favorites: Kids, Candles & DIY!

It's Friday favorites time!  Hooray!!!!  I am so excited for the weekend!  The kiddos are going to their grandparents Saturday night and I am going to have some much needed ME time!!  Then Sunday night we are taking a ride on the Polar Express!!!  I can't wait!  But for now, let's get to my favorites of the week!

Number 1:  Mommy and son(s) time!
Hubs was hunting last weekend so it was just me and the boys.  We had a fun filled Saturday!  We started out at Tiny Tots Tea Room.  This was our first time there and I'm glad we finally went!  It's geared more for the toddlers, but Nick had fun too.  They had TONS of toys, dress up, climbers, a play castle and a "kiddie car roller coaster."  They also have an adjoining eating area (so you can still see the kids playing), where you can order lunch, try one of their delicious coffees or teas, or just sit and relax.  We will definitely be going there again.  After the tea room, we hit 16 Handles and had some delicious FroYo (Nick's request- "I want to go to the place where you can put the worms on your ice cream!").  Then we topped the night off with a movie (Planes 2) and popcorn.

Number 2:  My DIY!
I always get so excited when a DIY actually turns out as it is supposed to!!  I wanted a banner for our fireplace but couldn't find anything I liked.  Enter Pinterest.  Honestly, this looks nothing like the pin I found, but I'm still happy with how it turned out.  And now I'm inspired to make one for Christmas!

Number 3:  Early evening darkness
OK, I admit.  This one is a little odd.  Most people hate how early it gets dark this time of year, and honestly I am usually one of them.  But... there is something so cozy about coming home from work in the dark, putting on your PJ's, lighting a candle, and snuggling in for the night!

Number 4:  Speaking of candles...
I just got this Yankee candle from a friend at work for a fundraiser her son was doing.  It's my new favorite scent!  It's reminiscent of an apple cinnamon leaf (if there was such a thing!)   Sooo perfect for fall!

Number 5:  Christmas pictures!
OK, this is the only one I've seen so far (the photographer happened to post it on her FB page but I don't have any of the pictures yet) but so far I am impressed!  She did such a great job with the boys (who were absolutely NOT cooperative during our session)!  I am so excited to see how they all turned out!!

That's it!  I hope you all have an amazing weekend!!!  And thanks for stopping by my blog!

Linking up with:
Andrea at Momfessionals
5 on Friday
Diary of a Real Housewife
Friday Flash Blog

Thoughts on being a boy mom

My children are chasing each other around the house in their underwear.  Around and around and around.  All I can hear is their screams and the smack smack smack of little feet hitting the wood and tile floors.  Does this happen at anyone else's house?  Or am I alone in my misery??  Not that I don't want them to have fun and play, but inevitably, the little one gets knocked down and starts crying. And then I start yelling.  And then there's more crying.   Wait 5 minutes and the cycle is repeated.

I guess this is part of being a boy mom.  Just like sitting down on the toilet seat and finding someone has peed all over it (or the floor).  Or stepping on a tiny Lego head in the middle of the night.  Or hearing someone yell, "Look Mom," and when I look, there is a butt crack staring back at me.  Yes, these are the joys of boys.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a girl mom.  Would my house be quieter?  Would there be less accidents and injuries?  Would my bathrooms stay clean??  I think about the girl things I am missing out on...dance class, ballet, American Girl dolls, PINK.  And then I remember, I don't really like those things anyway!  I'll take Legos and Spiderman over American Girl any day!  Not that I don't like girl things.  I like shopping.  I like fashion.  I like a good chick flick.  I like a day of pampering at the spa.  But in all honesty, I think I was made to be a boy mom.   It just feels right.

When I was pregnant with Nick, I was hoping for a boy.  When I was pregnant with Alec, I honestly wasn't hoping for one or the other but I did really and truly THINK it was a girl. Then came the ultrasound and NOPE.  There were definitely boy parts there!

It seems like most people hope for "one of each."  But I think that two of the same is just as nice!  I love to see the bond between 2 brothers or 2 sisters.  I love seeing their differences and similarities. I love seeing how they interact with one another.

Even at 2 and 5 (almost), I can see how different my boys are.
Nick is my brown haired, hazel eyed, high energy, dare devil, dramatic, emotional, sensitive, persistent, observant, creative, funny, intuitive, and sooo smart almost 5 year old.  He loves Legos, Star Wars and Super Heroes.  I think he is going to excel at math and science- he has one of those minds.  Nick is usually on "Nick time."  He likes to do things when he is good and ready and not a minute before. And he likes them done HIS way.  He also really enjoys music and singing which makes me sooo happy.  Music has been such a big part of my life and I am so excited that this is something we can share together!

Then there's Alec.  Blonde haired, blue eyed Alec.  Alec loves Special Agent Oso, Mickey Mouse and Spookley the Square Pumpkin.  He is definitely more laid back and even-keeled, but he does have a bad temper!!  Don't make this kid mad (you might get hit by a flying object). Luckily, he gets over things quick.  I have a feeling Alec is going to be an excellent athlete.  This kid already has a great arm and a great foot at 2 years old!!  Alec is sweet and smiley and loves to hug and laugh.  He loves animals.  He is loud, funny and very inquisitive.  He is into everything that he shouldn't be (outlets, cabinets, toilets, etc) whereas Nick never was.  He does not like to be told no. I have a feeling this kid isn't going to take crap from anyone (including his big brother)!

Both of them are very social.  They both hate pizza (how crazy is that?!) and they both love ice cream.  Neither of them likes to share their toys.  One minute they love each other, the next minute they are fighting and screaming.

So yes, being a mom to 2 boys, at least these 2 boys, is exhausting, exasperating and sometimes infuriating.  But being a mom to these 2 boys has also been the greatest gift I have ever been given.  I have known more love and joy in these past 5 years then ever before in my life. These boys amaze me every day.  It is such a privilege to be their mother and watch them grow.   I wouldn't change a bit of it (well....maybe the pee on the seat)!

Friday Favorites- It's November?!

Writing my Friday favorites this morning with the smell of cinnamon buns and coffee in the air!  Is there anything better?  Nope!  And that's why it's #1 on my favorite list today!  And BOTH kids like them and eat them!  That virtually never happens!

My number 2 favorite?  Yup, I'm going there.  Halloween!!  Nick had a pre-trick or treat meltdown, but once things got rolling, we had a great time!  Our development was FULL of kids and some of the houses were doing "trick or booze" for the parents.  So much fun!

Number 3 is holiday pictures!!  We are getting the kids' pictures done today and I have had so much fun finding coordinating outfits.  The past couple of years we have just used the pictures the kids had done at daycare.   But now we are at a small daycare that does not bring a photographer in.  So I scheduled photos with a REAL photographer this year and can't wait to see how things turn out!! This is the backdrop we will be using:

Number 4 is Thanksgiving prep!  OK, my part of the prep is ordering pies which I did on Monday. But..... I do love Thanksgiving time and all the fun crafts I can do with my kiddos!  I have started scanning the Pinterest boards for some great ones.    Here's some cute things from last Thanksgiving.

Oh my gosh he was so little!

Number 5 is planning our Disney trip!!!  We've spent all week researching and planning for our trip in May.  I am soooo excited!  This will be the kids' first trip to Disney and my second.  The first time I went was about 10 years ago with the hubs.  We never did Disney as kids, and I really didn't have any interest in going as an adult.  But we went, and it was SOO much fun!  I cannot wait to see the excitement on my boys faces when we get there!  When we go, Nick will be 5 and a half, and Alec will be 2 and a half.  I've had a couple people tell me Alec is too young and he "won't remember it." Well, I'm sure he won't, but that doesn't mean he won't enjoy himself while he is there!  I also think this is the perfect time to bring Nick.  So our plan is to go now, and then go again when Alec is Nick's age.  What do you think?  Is 2 and a half too young to go to Disney?

We're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge... I'll be able to see giraffes from my room!

Well friends, I hope you all had a great week and will an even better weekend!!   Other than pictures today we don't have much planned so I guess we'll just play it by ear!

Linking up today with Andrea from Momfessionals
Diary of a Real Housewife
Five on Friday

2 things

Happy November 1st!!!  I cannot even believe we are already in November!  Wasn't it summer like yesterday?!?  LOL

I have 2 quick things to share with you today.

#1 My kiddos
OK, sorry.  I couldn't resist.  They had such a great time trick or treating last night (after a pre-trick or treat meltdown by Nick).  Our neighbor was FULL of kids and it was so exciting for the boys to see all the other kids (and adults) roaming the streets in their costumes.  Alec was absolutely ADORABLE in his scarecrow outfit and Nick was a very scary pirate skeleton!

#2  Holiday Gift Sets!!
Ok, it's November 1st so it's officially time to start Christmas shopping (at least in my world) :)
Y'all know I am obsessed with Jamberry....well, just this morning Jamberry released 3 exclusive holiday gift sets!  They come with a sheet of nail wraps (an exclusive design just for the gift sets), a nail lacquer, nourishing hand cream, a gift box and card- all for $36!  This would make such a great gift for a sister, best friend, daughter, or how about a special teacher??

You can order these right from my Jamberry page at:  http://www.onlinejamswithkim.jamberrynails.net/

Thanks ladies!  I hope you all had an awesome Halloween!!

Joyful Celebration

Joyful Laughter

Joyful season