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december daily : 12.21.11.

today was the first of two preschool christmas programs for C.  she has two - different ones no less - as she's technically a part of two classes.  two days of the weeks she's in 3-4 year old class and one day she's in a 4-5 year old class.  the experience of being in both has been awesome for her and we all continue to love the education she is receiving.

today's program included a nativity where C was an angel.  oh my...  of course her daddy think she's always angelic.  there were also many songs with actions included.  i was thrilled to finally see an actual performance of a song she's been singing around the house the past couple of weeks that i wasn't familiar with. 

afterwards, we received gifts that she had made for us during school - a potholder with her handprint and name that she had written as well as a christmas ornament with her photo on it.  she also received gifts from her two teachers including a handmade doll and a handpainted ornament as well as a water squirter toy that has already been deemed for bathtub use only.

december daily : 12.20.11.

it's always a good day when the man in brown delivers a box.  it's even a better day when it's an expected surprise!  today we received a box from andy's uncle bob and aunt joan that had a label on it that said "open immediately and enjoy!"  you don't have to tell me twice!

after the girls woke up from their naps, it was box opening time!  L looks less than thrilled as she was done with photos and wanted to see what was inside the box already.  inside?  the best family gift ever!  small packages of homemade pancake mix, a christmas tree pancake mold, a pancake pen (something i had picked up once or twice in the store but had put down beacuase i didn't "need" it) and two different bags of homemade candy.

love that it was a gift that was so thoughtful for a family to receive and one that we can all enjoy together.  i definitely will be reusing this idea for others in the future!

december daily : 12.19.11.

after bath time, i told the girls i had a surprise for them.  it seems that santa knows my e-mail address and had sent the girls each a video message.  i love that the big guy has embraced technology!

they each loved watching their videos of santa finding their files in his large book and seeing photos he had included of them during different times this year.  lucky for them, both girls were deemed a part of the good list.

here's hoping they can live up to the name of the list these last few days leading up to christmas.

december daily : 12.18.11.

the annual sunday school christmas program.  the perfect excuse to buy the girls their very first christmas dresses.  coordinating, but not matchy matchy.

C didn't have a very large part.  the two and three year old class entertained by participating in the group songs of "away in the manger" and "go tell it on the mountain."  complete with actions.  and very loud singing.  by far the most entertaining part of the program.  a short but very sweet way to celebrate the true reason of the season.

and to think next year both girls will be participating...

december daily : 12.17.11.

the first ever dance recital.  not ever having taken a dance class when i was young, one does not realize everything that goes on before said recital must take place.

at 10:30 friday night, i was on the sofa adjusting the straps of C's costume so that they fit properly.  they were so long i think i took in at least 2".  then saturday morning there was hair to style, make-up to apply and of course, a costume to put on.  her class did a dance to an eskimo theme song so it was only fitting that we woke up to a half inch of snow that morning.

for her first time, she did well.  she danced during the first part and the end but seemed to take a break in the middle to turn around and gaze at the props decorating the stage.  when i asked her later what her favorite part was, she mentioned the candy canes hanging from the ceiling.  go figure.

december daily : 12.16.11.

in the past couple of years, i've usually not gone to many of andy's visiting professor dinners as there are several and with the cost of babysitting i decide to stay home with the girls.  plus the locale where they usually are held generally doesn't have the best food ever.

tonight, however, was a different story.  andy knew when he asked me if i wanted to go that i'd jump at the chance as it was at one of my favorite restaurants downtown.  one that is quite pricey and we've only been to once or twice since we've lived here. 

the evening did not disappoint.  time together out on the town and amazing food.  sunchoke soup, hanger steak with chimichurri and a scrumptious chocolate ganache with brandied cherries.  and absolutely delicious date/work night.

dessert with friends.

Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There's no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com.

As the date on the calendar continues to creep closer to December 25th, I'm starting to think about important things like what type of desserts I'll be serving to family and friends. You see, I take the day off of cooking on Christmas - cooking a big meal is reserved for Thanksgiving. On Christmas Day, I want to enjoy a lazy day watching the girls unwrap gifts - it is an all day and rather slow process - instead of being holed up in the kitchen. Instead, we enjoy a favorite meal of spaghetti and homemade meatballs for dinner and various desserts throughout the day. Random? Yes. But so enjoyed!

As for desserts, I always make way more than needed so that we're able to enjoy everything for three or four days. Here are a few things I always consider :

• Storage. Usually during the holidays the fridge and freezers are stocked and there isn't much room to spare. I try and make only desserts that are good at room temperature to avoid having to shuffle things around all the time and make it fit within the confines of the fridge.
• Texture. Some people - aka my husband - like to fill a large dinner plate with multiple desserts during the holidays. He always complains of a stomach ache afterwards (shocking!) but that's his idea of a good time, so whatever. If someone is eating multiple desserts, you don't want them to all have the same texture. Trying to find a balance between crunchy, chewy, soft, etc. is key.
• Sweet. Along the same lines as texture is the different types of sweets available. In my head I classify them something like this : fruit, chocolate, nut. You want a variety of tastes so we usually end up with something like an apple pie, a pecan brownie pie and an upside down pumpkin pie which has nuts covering the top. All different levels of sweetness.

With that being said, I really need to nail down my plan of attack for dessert next week and get a grocery list made!

Remember to check out Duncan Hines' website www.duncanhines.com to find some great recipes for your holiday get-together! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

december daily : 12.15.11.

there's an amazing group of (mostly) women that are part of a significant other organization. significant others of residents to be exact. within the larger group are smaller groups that meet each month - three of which i belong to are bible study, playgroup and girls nite out. it's a great time to connect with others in a situation similar to mine in that they get what your husband does. although it still amazes me how different one residency is to another.

tonight i was able to sneak out and get together with the other girls of the nite out group at a pizza place that's been on my "to try" list since i first heard of it when taking a prenatal swim class when i was pregnant with C. and it didn't disappoint! it also happened to be jordy's birthday - a young one of the group as she was only turning 25. she also happens to be one of our two highly treasured babysitters. two of the other girls, crystal and erin, i met through bible study when they moved to town a few years ago and i recently met jen when i took her a meal and found out she lives just down the road.

a fantastic night filled with laughter and great pizza. what more could you ask for in the middle of the hectic holiday season?

december daily : 12.12.11.

the bulk of christmas cards finally out the door and to the post office.  on the busiest mail day of the year no less.  such a relief to say farewell to get these 100+ cards sent on their merry way.

this year, andy's mom took our holiday photo as we never got a professional photo taken.  a photo of the four of us at the pumpkin patch with one girl on each of our shoulders.  it couldn't have been more perfect.  and then there was the annual letter to write.  and addressing and stamps.  and stuffing envelopes and sealing them shut.  for the most part, this is my holiday tradition to complete.  this year andy helped by folding letters and then sealing envelopes.  the girls helped by decorating the outside of envelopes before they tired and went on to another activity.

although it's a time intensive project, there's no better reward than receiving holiday greetings in the mailbox nearly every day in december from family and friends scattered throughout the country.

december daily : 12.11.11.

tonight when we went upstairs to read the girls a book before bedtime, we found we had a visitor.  meet jack, as named by C.  sent to our house by santa to watch over everyone and report back to the north pole each evening on who has been naughty and who has been nice.

a truly magical experience with C who was mesmerized, especially because jack make his first appearance in her room and on her tree.  let's hope that jack can work his magic and help the girls pick up their toys these next few weeks.