Visit With Santa & Climbing back into the Mommy Saddle

We took the kids to see Santa at our neighborhood clubhouse on Saturday. We had an appointment so it was nice that we could take our time and it was just the kids having a little visit with Mr. Claus. Big Girl asked him to bring her a plastic toy castle. (I have to admit I did put that bug in her ear so she's not disappointed Christmas morning) She also asked him to please bring her little brother a set of Bob the Builder tools for Christmas because he's been a good kid too. (heart melts). Then she quizzed him a little bit about how he got to the clubhouse. Did he bring Rudolph because she knows Rudolph leads the team? Little Guy didn't seem to care too much- he definitely prefers women over men. But he didn't do his customary back into your lap and dump himself on you thing. But, he stayed there and looked a bit bored. Maybe next year.
I finally got to dig out the Polly Flinders dress I've been hanging onto for ages waiting for her to grow into it. I'm not sure where it came from... once upon a time my Mom/brothers use to buy the contents of unclaimed/past due storage sheds. A lot of our Christmas ornaments and baby items came from those.
Little Guys overalls and shirt came from a garage sale this summer.

Feeling' Slightly More Spry-
After a trip to the walk in clinic yesterday I found out that I do not have strep like I thought. That's good? Instead I have a nasty viral infection and have to let nature take it's course. That's bad.
But, today is a better day and I found two hours to do errands like mail my last two Christmas packages (whoo hoo... today I lost 14 pounds at the post office), pick up two prescriptions, and get groceries.

I was trying to think about how many Christmas presents I had for each child and it seemed like Little Guy was going to be short one. So, I was wracking my brain to come up with a good gift for him. I strolled the toy aisles in Target. Nothing seemed right. And quite frankly none of it seemed worth the price tag. I've been doing a lot of shopping at Goodwill (even buying new in the package toys) and I know I could do better. So, I left Target with only my prescription for eye drops (-still- dealing with pink eye running amok) and a small bag of vitamin C cough drops. I was really thirsty though and -almost- succumbed to the cooler filled with bottles of icy cold pop. Has anyone noticed that the price of those end cap sodas has gone way up while the size has decreased? I was not about to pay 1.34 for one of those when yesterday I bought a two liter of name brand cola for .99. So, I went to the snack area and bought a pretzel (breakfast) and a medium soda for 2.14. I can live with that.

Then to the grocery to pick up another prescription and get my weekly food and a few baking supplies. I am out of white flour. I don't even remember the last time I bought white flour. Over a year ago? But, I can't very well make sugar cookies with whole wheat. There are just some things you need white flour for. I spent $43.00 on groceries (frozen veg, baking supplies, fresh fruit, organic milk, wheat buns, veggie meat products, and oj concentrate). $3.00 of that was a donation to the local food bank. So, not too bad.

The grocery store happens to be right by the Deal$ store. I had priced Pillsbury frozen waffles in the grocery and they were $2.19. They always have them for 1.00 at Deals (along with Bird's Eye frozen veggies). I took a stroll through there. I got my waffles, two bags of veggies, a new June Carter Cash cd for Hubby, a counting book for Little Guy (my official last Christmas present of 2007), and some orange extract.

In a few days when I feel less snotty I will set up the 2007 Holiday Baking Kitchen.
I'm cheating a bit with dollar store bought Chocolate chip cookie mix (but I add nuts and m&m's). But, I'm going to make a double batch of Oatmeal Scotchies, a batch of Earl Grey Tea cookies, and some oreo candy balls. I have been stockpiling tins to make homemade presents for friends and neighbors.
I think delivering our handmade goodies is one of my favorite things about the holiday season.