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

Holiday Traditions ~ Family Ornaments & Giveaway

The holiday season is a time for traditions.  No matter the holiday that you celebrate at this time of year, everyone has traditions.  In this wonderful time of the year, I want to share some of the traditions that we have as a family....some that we have had since we were little, and some that we have created since we have been married.

Ornaments for our Christmas tree have been a family tradition since before I can remember.  Anywhere that someone travels to, instead of bringing back a t-shirt, we bring back ornaments.  I have long loved this tradition and look forward to opening the box of ornaments each year.  Decorating the Christmas tree takes longer in my house because I sit and reminisce about each one.  

I have taken this tradition and put a little of my own spin on it.  Since I have known my husband, I have purchased a personalized ornament for us.  Now that we are a family of 4, we have our family ornament tradition.  I've even begun buying them for other family members.  

Our yearly family ornaments

While at a craft fair in 2004, I found these adorable handmade, personalized, mini clay ornaments made by Cynde's Minis.  Since then, I look to Cynde to buy my family ornaments each year.  (Maybe I feel connected to her since she is a former elementary teacher!)  Each year Cynde adds a new ornament to her collection.  They are all so cute, it's hard to choose!

Cynde's Minis also has clay minis for other holidays as well.  And wait until you see the wedding cake toppers...if only I knew about them 9 years ago....

This year's newest addition to our tree! LOVE!

Do you want a personalized ornament from Cynde's Minis?  You can win one here!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


What holiday traditions does your family have?  I'd love to add new ones into my celebrations!

 
Alexis

52 Holiday Light Delights & Win an iPad Mini

One of my favorite parts about this time of year is the amazing displays of lights all over.  They just make me so happy!  No matter the amount of lights or how organized they are, they are still amazing.  

Do you know where to go in your community to find the best light displays?  Traveling Mom does!  They have mapped out the 52 Holiday Light Delights across the country.  Saves you a lot of headache when trying to take your family to see some impressive displays.  My favorite are the ones set to music....amazing!

Not check this out....


Want to win an iPad Mini in time for the holidays--and find out where to see the best holiday light displays in the country?

Join the TravelingMom Twitter party Monday night to talk about holiday lights and holiday travel, sponsored by FlightCenter.com, DiscountCruises.com and HotCaribbeanDeals.com. There are lots of ways to enter so read on!

WHEN: December 10, 9-10 pm ET (8-9 pm CT; 7-8 pm MT; 6-7 pm PT)

WHO: Panelists @TravelingMoms @KimOrlando @DebMomOf3 @familytravel4um @TakingTheKids @CindyRichards

WHAT: Twitter party – Holiday Lights and Travel

HOW TO JOIN: Follow the hashtags #TMOM #52Lights

SPONSORS: @FlightCenterUSA, @DiscCruisesUSA, @HotCaribDeals

PRIZES: iPad Mini (16GB)

To be eligible, visit Traveling Mom.



Alexis

Fear of Losing the Magic

Christmas is upon us!  It really is the most wonderful time of the year!  It's a time of wonder, a time of faith, a time of love, and a time of magic.

I am lucky enough to witness the wonder and magic of this time of year through the eyes of my little guys.  It is so amazing to watch their faces light up when we decorate the house and send letters to Santa.  I love how they tip toe through the house in the early morning each day looking for Pebbles the Elf's new hiding place.  Don't get me started on how my heart warms when Christmas morning finally comes and they come bounding into my room screaming that Santa came and there are presents under the tree...

But the magic for them is quickly coming to an end.  I am continually slapped in the face with the fact that my little guys aren't so little anymore and before I know it, the magic won't hold true for them any longer. 

I'm holding on to the small window of time that I still have with kids who believe in the magic.  

If you have kids who have lost the magic, how did you deal with the loss?  Or did you keep it alive somehow? 


Alexis

Thirsty Thursday ~ Coquito

So, I'm not Puerto Rican, my husband is Cuban...does that count?  I do LOVE coconut and rum though!
Here is a traditional Puerto Rican drink that is served during Christmas and New Year's.

Coquito

Ingredients

• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 (14 ounce) can cream of coconut
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup white rum
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In the top of a double boiler, combine egg yolks and evaporated milk. Stirring constantly, cook over lightly simmering water until mixture reaches a temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
2. Transfer mixture to a blender, and add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, water, cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla. Blend for about 30 seconds. Pour into glass bottles, and chill overnight.

Alexis