I have always wanted to start a tradition of celebrating the 12 days before Christmas...I mean as a FAMILY! Doing 1 thing each night. Together. No drama. Just FUN! Well we figured this year is as good as any to get started! Paul and I sat down together and made up a list of ideas. MOST we will just draw out of a jar to see what we get. BUT being it is around the holiday we do have a few nights with plans so we tried to incorporate either IT or something else that would be festive too!


Here is the list we came up with:

1. Make snowflakes - our plan is to cover the entire dining room window using light blue and white paper of course and maybe even hang some with clear thread in areas!
2. Make a paper chain. - you know the kind where you use construction paper and cut them into strips and then wrap them to make a chain? The kids have their very OWN tree so we will put the chain on their tree afterwards!
3. Christmas lights - we will put on our pj's. Make up some hot cocoa and drive around the neighborhoods checking out all the Christmas lights! We have a really neat area up here called Peacock Lane and am hoping we can make it over there as well!
4. Zoo Lights - nuff said!
5. Christmas Movie night - make popcorn, cuddle on the couch and watch a Christmas movie in its entirety together as a family!
6. Ornaments - make & decorate an ornament
7. Cookies - make & decorate cookies
8. Movie outing - take the kids to see Arthur Christmas which we have heard is really cute!
9. Community Group Party - here is one of those "pre-planned" things that we incorporated!
10. Picture - make a new "arm" picture. I will take a picture of this as we do it so you can see what I am talking about! We have a 12x12 frame and we will use light blue paper, tan, blue, white & light blue paint and make a "family tree" picture by using Paul's arm as the trunk, my hands as the large part of the tree and then the kids hands as the different snow!
11. Nativity Scene - we are on the hunt for a great Nativity we can take the kids too! Know of any do let me know!

and lastly we did this one LAST night and had a complete blast: Order pizza - eat it around the coffee table using only paper cups, paper plates and turning off all lights except the Christmas lights! We had a great time! Even little Ava Faith was standing at the coffee table chowing down! When we were finished eating we sang songs together, laughed, chatted about what we love about Christmas. Most importantly WHAT Christmas is really truly about! I am so glad we did this! So far not regretting it!

I found out about 10 years ago (the hard way!) that I am allergic to soy! The news was crushing as I love Chinese food! There is very little I can get without soy! I found one great little bento place that will make me a special bento and has concocted yumminess in every way! I adore the owner! Also PF Changs has got to be hands down my fave place! YUM! They have a soy free menu and I get the Changs Spicy chicken and the Chicken Stir fry! Because of my soy allergy and the way it effects me (asthma) my kids are to stay away also! Asthma is usually hereditary (already showing signs in my oldest child) and soy allergies act as a dairy allergy would. Most likely if you have a soy allergy, your children will too!

Anyhow, to make a long story short I figured out a DELICIOUS way to make homemade stir fry completely soy free!

1 each red, yellow & green bell pepper sliced
1 pack pre-sliced mushrooms
1/2 cabbage chopped *green
2 crowns broccoli stems cut off (like if you were to make broccoli!
2 whole carrots washed and then using a peeler peel into strips
1 yellow onion halved and then chopped into slices
6 eggs
2 chicken breast or 4 chicken thighs
fresh ginger
ground ginger
sesame seed oil
pepper
salt
3 1/2 cups cooked rice







 

Thanksgiving was a blast! But right before, my youngest got a double ear infection and small case of pneumonia. After the first dose of antibiotic she turned into a completely different baby and started using her little walker all around the house! Too cute for words in my book! We had a great time with family (although the drive took us 6 hours when usually only takes 3!). Came home and baby love started to not feel well again. Yesterday she had a temp of 103 and then last night I started to not feel good. This morning she and I woke up with a really nasty head cold! Can't this mama catch a break?! Honestly it is kinda nice to blog a moment in my PJ's, letting the big buggers watch classic Christmas movies. Heat cranked up, laundry going, hair not brushed and about to start up the ol' crock pot! (recipe I am making today is: Creamy Crock Pot Chicken)



Needless to say a day in PJ's is just what the doctor ordered! If you don't like it...you will have to deal with the Mushy one...you don't wanna mess with her! Enjoy the recipe and have a blessed day!