Holiday Traditions ~ A "Hand" Painted Tree Skirt

The countdown to Christmas keeps getting shorter and shorter....I'm trying not to freak out about how much I still have to do...

This tradition is one of the top ones on my holiday list each year.  Our tree skirt.  I know many people just have a regular beautiful tree skirt around their tree, but mine means a little more.  Our skirt has the boys' handprints from each Christmas.  

I started the tradition in 2005 when "Little Ricky" was only 10 months old.  He was so little...  And in 2006, "The Nag" was only 3 months old...it was really hard to keep his hand still.  

Now they are so big and getting bigger by the minute.  **sniff, sniff**

I add the handprint to the skirt each year and write their names and the date. 

I can't take complete credit for this...I stole this idea from some room moms that I had 11 years ago and combined it with an idea from my husband's cousin.   I absolutely love it and love to see how much the kids have grown.

Maybe when the boys are older with a family of their own, I will cut the skirt apart and give each of them their own hands.  But for now, it's our family memories and a tradition that we look forward to each year.


Alexis

Homemade Cuticle Creams

I have a wedding this weekend and I just got my nails done.  My cuticles are the worst part of my hands and I'm worried that they will be dry when I need them to look their best.

I have a special oil that I apply each morning, but if you don't want to spend the money,  here are some HOMEMADE CUTICLE CREAMS that won't break the bank:



1.  Mayonnaise
     You heard me...it's not just for tuna
     sandwiches anymore. 
     Pour some in a bowl and submerge your
     fingertips into the creamy white stuff. 
     Your cuticles will be soft.






2.  Olive Oil
     Dab some of this Italian staple on your
     cuticles when you get out of the shower.

     And in my opinion, it smells yummy!





3.  Lemon and Honey
     Mix 2 parts lemon juice and 1 part 
     honey.  Soak your fingers for about 10
     minutes.  
     Pair this with a cup of tea and your
     favorite cookie and you have yourself a
     great afternoon!




Do you have any homemade nail solutions that you love to use?  Please share!


Alexis

Halloween Fun ~ Our Latest Creation!

As I mentioned before, my husband and I really get into Halloween!
Every year is a way for us to top our ideas of the past year.
We always try to dress in something that kids will recognize, since it is all about them.

This year we decided to be Megamind and Minion.
Everyone recognized my husband immediately. It took people a minute to realize that I wasn't a crazy football player with a fishbowl. It helped if I stood with him!

Here is our latest creation! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Alexis

What Are You Wearing for Halloween?

I LOVE Halloween!!  I love the decorations, the make-believe, the haunted houses (even though they scare me), and I LOVE dressing up!!

When I was little, my mom made all of my costumes.  A witch, a lion, and Pebbles from The Flintstones...anything I ever wanted.

Now that I'm a mom of boys, they want very specific costumes and I can't really make them to their distinct possibilities.  My costume making skills are going to waste.

Luckily, my husband enjoys dressing up as much as I do.  That's where my creative juices get to go on Halloween.  Unluckily, he is the one with the ideas and he doesn't usually come up with anything until about a day before Halloween!  That only gives me 24 hours to pull together a costume!

Here are some of our costumes from past Halloweens...

Lucy and Ricky (2002)

Shrek and Fiona (2009)

Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl (2010)

I take our personal clothes and mix it with some magic to create our new personas!  Not to mention I always try to do something a little cruel to my husband....like wear make-up or tights!  He's a good sport, though!

This year, we are going to be Megamind and Minion....can't wait!  Pictures will follow soon!!

Happy Halloween!


Alexis