We are low key when it comes to our New Year Eve's celebrations. I make a bunch of appetizers and we have a "picnic in the living room" on the coffee table with our Shirley Temples. Allison looks forward to it every year....actually, I do too!
They freaked when there was another box! As you can see, they crowded the poor child who had the box!
Here is the final box with the gift bags. I included a note from Santa and it said:
Then there was a visit (unplanned) from Santa immediately following the opening up of the present. Allison's teacher caught him in the hallway and explained to him what we just did. He played right into it and asked the kids if they got his early package!
The kids were captivated by him!
Have Fun! 
You'll need Spanish moss and little plastic eggs. I found them at Michael's craft store in the same isle. All you do is tear off a piece of the moss and form it into a birds nest. I just spun it in my hands in a circular motion with my thumbs making the indentation for the eggs. It comes together in a minute. Then I hot glued 3 eggs in the middle. I popped them into cellophane bags that I had on hand and added the explanation. I printed out "An Old Christmas Legend" on card stock and then tore the edges. Burning the edges would be really cute too but Allison was at home and I didn't think it would be a good example to set for her. I added a bow with ribbon that I also had on hand and VOILA! It was done! It was seriously so easy and everyone loved them!
Here is the legend:
As you can see my window doesn't have curtains on it. I had bought new curtains but never got the chance to paint the curtain rod. Even though I would have liked the curtains up for the picture, it didn't take away from our Christmas.
Our family presents that the three of us open on Christmas Eve. I had asked Allison earlier in the season how she felt about receiving 3 presents from us and 3 from Santa just like baby Jesus. She didn't flinch and was fine with it. However, I miscalculated and she ended up with 6 from us! Oops! I had forgotten that I picked up a couple of small ones during the year!
I love this baby!
This robe was a last minute idea and she loves it! I saw it at Target when I was looking for a holiday shirt for her to wear to school. It was on the 50% off rack and was under 10 bucks! It is so thick and soft! I'm thinking I may go back and see if they still have them. I would like to get the next size up for when she outgrows this one!
"Woooo Woooo!" Obviously she LOVED her make-up! That's my girl!
As you can see by the look on her face, she absolutely didn't know that the Nintendo DS was a possibility. I had told her that it was a bit expensive and it probably wasn't going to happen. She asked if we could save for it and get it for her 8th birthday in July.
I didn't capture the kiss but here's the hug!
Telling my Mom about the Nintendo DS.
Doesn't she look so grown up?
Even with bed hair she's still cute!
I love her reactions!
What is with the kissing and hugging?
Santa brought her 20 "Magic Tree House" chapter books. This should keep her busy for the next several months!
Did you know that only Santa wraps presents in Santa paper?
She's growing up too fast!
Unless I post a quickie entry, I probably won't be back until after Christmas. There is just too much to do! I will have a small give-a-way though so make sure you keep checking back!This is definitely a keeper!
Have Fun!
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This came home yesterday and we have it hanging on the refrigerator. 
We have a small bucket that sits on our counter with pretty pink ribbon on the handle. We use it to measure good deeds and behavior for Allison. 
I then cleared a place in our kitchen junk drawer for the stones. We actually call them pebbles. Oh...and I can't believe I'm showing you my junk drawer!
After I was prepared, we presented the idea to Allison. Basically she can earn pebbles to help fill her bucket by doing nice things or good behavior. We use it to reinforce what is expected of her. We do not have a list with how many pebbles she gets for doing a specific task posted anywhere. This isn't a "payment" or reward system for doing chores like setting the table or feeding the cats. She knows those things are some of her responsibilities of being part of a family. They are things that need to be done in the home and it's our job to get them done. It's also not a bribe system as in "if you do this, you'll get a certain amount of pebbles." The pebbles are given at Mom and Dad's discretion so she doesn't know when she will earn them or lose them. It keeps her on her toes this way. If she does something without having to be reminded, she'll earn a couple of pebbles but she also doesn't earn them every time she does something either. As an example: If she makes her bed three days in a row without being told, I'll throw a couple of pebbles in her bucket each day. If she makes it on the fourth day, I don't throw pebbles in her bucket. If she asks about it, I explain to her that it's her responsibility to make her bed and not having to remind her was wonderful for Mommy and that she shouldn't be making her bed because she thinks she's going to get something for it but because it's her responsibility. She usually understands. I then pray that I taught her a good habit and she'll make her bed the next day without being told!
What happens when the bucket is full, you ask? 
This is why! She managed to pull them off to make way for her resting place!
Monday - I'm working late and Allison is at her grandparents' today since there is no school so Grandma will be feeding my crew.
