Schultz Christmas Card 2013

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I couldn't resist this one...

Christmas Rooms

The most exciting Christmas storage box we open each year is the one that contains the kids' Christmas bedding. It is such a simple thing to do and I have a feeling as the kids grow up it will be one of their favorite Christmas memories... sleeping in their "santa sheets". Their rooms looked so magical... I don't want them to grow up.

Christmas Morning

Santa Claus found the Schultz kids once again. I came downstairs and took these pictures just before the kids got to see their treasures. The kids each got the pillow pets they wanted so much. Summer's the Cozy Cow. Forrest's is the Snuggly Puppy. Forrest got Legos and Summer got American Girl crafts. They also got lots of books. For weeks Summer had been asking for the Sports Collection of the Rainbow Magic Fairies books. Forrest's favorite character is Dusty from the movie Planes and favorite chapter books are the Magic Tree House so Santa got him these books. Each got their own duffle bag, Summer's the horse and Forrest's the dinosaur. All the gifts were fun but I'd have to say that the gifts they loved the most were their little pillow pets. They've been carrying them around everywhere they go. They're so soft! This is one of my favorite pictures of the morning:

...the kids first realization that Santa really did make it to our home. Each of them are looking directly where their gifts were. No guessing or names on anything was needed. They each knew right where to run. A few weeks ago the kids wrote a letter to Santa asking him NOT to wrap their gifts because they "wanted to save trees". I could not agree more. As much fun as they had, I must admit, it's waaay more fun being the parent.

Christmas House

Before we got any of our Christmas things out the kids kept begging us to "make our house a christmas house." I thought that was such a cute way to put it. I've tried my best to make it feel magical in here for them. My favorite Christmas decorations: the fresh garlands, wreaths, satin ribbons and of course my sweet Forrest peeking through the banister.

Countdown...

Wishing I still had 12 days left until Christmas. The reality is there is just TWO more days. I LOVE having small traditions we do each year. It makes for such a magical time of year with little kids. Our countdown advent calendar has been a favorite of the kids over the past few years. The kids take turns each day as to who turns over the little card. They get soo excited when it's their turn. I also found these cute little vintage Santa mugs. They're tiny and the kids have LOVED using them for everything from hot chocolate to just drinks of water during the day. I'm on the hunt for a vintage Santa cookie jar as well. I've seen lots of reproductions in stores but nothing that I've loved.

I put these wreaths together for our kitchen windows this Christmas. I had purchased fresh bay leaf wreaths which was incredibly beautiful but it dried out much more quickly than they ever have before me. It went bright orange which didn't look quite right for Christmas. I then saw the fresh white pine garlands at Trader Joe's and was so happy. I knew I could make wreaths out of garlands. I just cut one long garland in half and tied everything together with strings and then added the red satin ribbon and I think they looked pretty cute.

We have a strict rule that only Christmas music can be played (including in the car) and all TV shows and movies have to be Christmas. The kids laugh and it's actually really fun. The problem is that I've been sooo busy that I haven't had time to post any pictures. The days just FLY by for me at this stage of my life. I'm in shock (and denial) that Christmas is just 2 days away! I'm wishing desperately that I could make the clock stop... I once heard a man I admire say, "happy childhood memories = healthy adults." I think of that often. My hope is that we are creating happy memories for our kids as they grow up.

Thankful

I've been trying so hard lately to just focus on the most important things in life. The things that really matter. It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day stresses of life and to completely miss the "big picture". I have felt that I really needed to reassess lately. I've been doing just that and I can't even express how it has changed my whole heart as of late. I have much to be thankful for.
This picture was taken with my iPhone on David's 50th birthday. These little kids have been blessed with the most loving, kind, fun and devoted dad. He puts his family first and I'm thankful that his example is what they will always associate with what a husband and father should be.