Testing Testing 123

Got up crazy early this morning, so I decided to play around on the blog. Testing new HTML codes and the like. I forsee playing and testing for some time.

Stay tuned!

To All A Goodnight

The stockings might not be hung by the chimney with care, alas...no fireplace.

But they are hung with care nonetheless.

One for each of us here at Aspergertopia :)

Little Bean, Monkey Moo, Me, and Mc Hubby...
Cullen...Mr. Simba...And of course Little Ed was not forgotten...Here's to full stockings in the morning.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve friends :)

I am so full of the spirit. I am just so happy. Probably happier than I've ever been.

And not just because it's Christmas.

Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind - Miracle on 34th Street

I am just so blessed with such great friends and family. Who support me in everything I do. Push me to strive further and want to do more.

So very inspiring they are! They really make me feel like I can do anything.

And that is the bestest gift a girl could ever ask for in her life.

This year more than ever, I have realized how very lucky I am.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Merry Christmas Eve Eve.

Love that sentiment. I hold it very near and dear to my heart :)

But I'm kind of a dork! And damn proud of it.

Growing up, it was something that was said in my house. Many times throughout the day. With big goofy grins on our faces. Sometimes while dancing around the kitchen.

And when we got older the clinking of wine glasses was added - with Cheers (said like Mr. Bean does in Merry Christmas Mr. Bean). It's just not the same if you don't say it like Mr. Bean.

Now that I'm all grown up (?@#??) Merry Christmas Eve Eve is still a very highly regarded sentiment.

My Sister phoned me at 8:50 am just to say it!

And now I'm saying it to you.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

Photoshop Fun

One of my goals for 2010 is to make better use of my Photoshop Elements program.

And by making use of my Photoshop Elements program, I mean actually use it!

Right now, the only thing I use it for is to make blog headers.

Oh and I made one card.
And these are only very recent uses I might add. Making my own blog headers was one of my things to learn in 2009. It helped me become more familiar with the program - in a fun way.

I am going to try and get more serious about it this year.

Take some tutorials and stuff.

So, on my travels through blogland, I came across this little gem of a site. Chock full of goodness. I can't wait to explore it more. I am really excited about it!

The first tutorial I perused last night was creating a watermark. It wasn't difficult by any means, but I learned that the pencil graphic is a brush and how to create and use them.

Fun!

McHubby cannot for the life of him figure out why I consider this fun.

But I do.

Can't explain it, but I love this kinda stuff :)

Chronicling Christmas - Day 21

It's a beautiful morning isn't it?

Snow is lightly falling. It's still kinda dark - enough to light the Christmas tree.

It's quiet in my house. My boys are downstairs playing lego and I am enjoying the last remnants of my coffee while perusing all my favorite blogs.

I am finding that my mind keeps wandering. Which is absolutely normal for me. But today it's wandering into 2010. I'm thinking a lot about it and what it will mean for me. Or rather what my focuses will be.

I'll save that until after Christmas though :)

Only 3 more days. Wow.

Did you know that yesterday was Winter Solstice?

The shortest day of the year. Which obviously means it was the longest night of the year. We were going to celebrate it by lighting lanterns and going for a walk.

Book - An Early American Christmas by Tomie dePaolo

Joke – When Santa is on the beach what do the elves call him?

Sandy-Claus

Activity -Make lanterns and go on a moonlit walk (Winter Solstice)

I really wanted to make lanterns with the kids. Using jars and gluing bits of tissue paper to the outside and attaching a wire holder. But I realized too late that I used all of my jars as gifts to hold cupcake pops.

So we still went for our walk. And instead of lanterns, we lit sparklers.
I think my boys had just as much fun, if not more fun, with these.

Today we visit Mr. Claus. And later I will hit the town. Last minute shopping and all. It seems no matter how organized I am, I always have a few bits and pieces to pick up. I think I like it that way though. I actually like going shopping a few days before Christmas. Only if I know what I am going for and they are easy to find that is. It adds to my spirit.

Anyone want to join me?

Chronicling Christmas - Weekend Update - Day 18, 19, & 20

Flew like a flash.

That's how I feel about this weekend.

It was a good one though! The last weekend before Christmas.

Like I said yesterday, Friday we celebrated Little Bean's birthday. I debated on what to to about Advent on his special day. I decided not to have his birthday festivities be the Advent activity. It would have been fine no doubt, but I decided on keeping his birthday - his birthday. And to keep the Advent activity separate.

Book - The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

Joke - What do Santa's elves learn in the North Pole school?

The Elf-abet

Activity - Put the train set together around the Christmas tree.

This activity was kind of a cop-out on my part. My original idea was to take a train ride from Bigger to Saskatoon. I know my boys would have loved that, but I just couldn't get myself organized enough to pull it off. I'm thinking it's going to have to be a Summer thing.

I didn't even get any pictures of the train set up. I guess I was just too focused on my Little Bean and his birthday.

As it should be :)

As for the train, I'll admit I didn't even want to bring it out of the box. We got it last year and I was so excited to surprise my boys. You can even hook an ipod up to it. Which would be great, if you could actually hear the music from the ipod. The train is just so damn loud. The kids still love it though. And that's what counts. I just have to keep reminding myself of this when the noise starts to go through me like pins and needles.

Saturday's Advent was tasty I must say!

Book - Christmas Is by Gail Gibbons.

Joke - What did Santa Claus say to Mrs. Claus when he looked out the window?

It looks like rain, dear (rein-deer)

Activity - Make Peppermint Bark.

I found this recipe through my most favorite go-to site for all things kid crafty - The Crafty Crow.

Here's the recipe.
We'd never made bark before. And it was super easy and kid friendly.
I highly recommend it!

In the afternoon we headed outdoors for some fun. It was beautiful, but kinda cold. Perfect for taking pictures though.
Today found us mostly indoors. Catching up on cleaning and laundry. Boring I know, but it must be done. Trying to get most of it out of the way so we can relax and enjoy the holidays.

Our Advent turned out tasty again. It's a good thing my boys like baking with me, because it has taken up a huge chunk of our activities.

Book - The Nutcracker by E.T.A Hoffmann

Joke - What did the big candle say to the little candle?

I'm going out tonight

Activity - Make caramel shortbread and watch Santa Buddies.

Again no pictures. My camera battery died.

Must recharge. Better go and do that now.

Take care!

P.S.
We're having a ton of fun on Norad this year. Santa's village is set up like an Advent. Everyday there are new things to do. Like last year, my boys are really looking forward to tracking Santa's travels on Christmas Eve!

Happy Birthday Little Bean

My good friend KAGS pointed out a recent trend in my photos.

It seems as though I'm in a tilt phase. When I go to take a picture, I can't help it with the tilt. It's like being on automatic. And it's getting redundant. I think I need a class of some sort. It's definitely on my 2010 to do list!

And moving on...

Yesterday was my baby's birthday. He turned 4.
I can't call him my baby anymore. Although he always will be. I just can't say it out loud. That little jump between 3 and 4 makes all the difference.

He was so very excited when he got up in the morning. Of course we let him open his present right away, because that's just how we roll. Why wait?
My Monkey Moo also got a present. There's always a little gift for the Birthday Boy's Brother.
Again, it's how we roll. My Mom did this for my sister and I. There was always a little present for the Birthday Girl's Sister. So it's been passed down.

While my boys played with their new toys, I started on the decorations. Very simple indeed. Like I said the other day, Little Bean wanted a Mario party. So we printed off some pictures and turned them into placemats. We also printed off some graphics and turned them into stickers and added them to the cups. Add some balloons, and that's about it.
Oh, I almost forgot. My Monkey made the centerpiece. He made a Mario Kart track out of duplo.
So much fun.

We are definitely a loud bunch. Lots of energy and laughter. A perfect party!
My baby, I mean - Little Man, was a very happy birthday boy.
And I am a very proud Mommy :)

December Daily - Day 17

Wow 17 days already!

Crazy.

I hope you have found your Christmas spirit and you're able to enjoy every ounce of it as we approach the big day.

Book - The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

Joke - Why is it always cold at Christmas?

Because it's Decembrrrrrr

Activity -Deliver treats around town.

We had a great time delivering our little bundles of joy around town.
It was a great way to spread Christmas cheer!

I also loooove the idea of leaving a couple of small anonymous gifts around town for people to discover. Something like this.

Definitely on the list for next year.

And yes. I already have a folder in my bookmarks for Christmas ideas 2010. Organization plays a big part in my happiness and overall stress level. It took me awhile to figure that out, but now I am flying.

Wheeeeeee ;)

What are you doing to spread cheer?