The Week Ahead...Today starts the last week of school before Christmas break!! The kids' last day is Friday! Yay!!! So Happy!  We've got a very busy week. Tonight is Gianna's Band concert. This is the third year she is playing the clarinet! Gonna take lots of pictures! Tomorrow, Tuesday, is not only Travelin' Tuesday, during which, both Tanya and I will be bring ing you up to date on our travel plans, bookings and latest excursions in the past week, but it is also the PTA Christmas party I've been working on for the past three weeks.  Maria, Me and Denise As you might have remembered, Denise and I were helping my very dear friend, Maria decorate her house, as she had volunteered to host this annual event, which takes place tomorrow night. Unfortunately, this past weekend, Maria's beloved dad passed away. She has been in my constant prayers during this difficult time. So, as a result, the party was moved to the home of the president of the PTA. Me, Denise and a few other volunteers will be helping to run this event - all the while thinking of Maria, in her absence, and the extraordinary effort she had put in to plan a lovely holiday event for the school moms. Wednesday I have an interesting day as I will be having lunch with my Aunt Ro, who I haven't seen in about six years. Long story. We will be getting together in Astoria at a restaurant of her choosing and if I enjoy it enough I may feature it in an upcoming Foodie Friday review. The first, second and third grade Christmas concert is Thursday for all the parents. Kelsey, in third grade, will be an elf and has been given a speaking part. Later in the afternoon, I promised Gianna she could make cupcakes for her class Christmas party on Friday. Both kids have class parties on Friday, for which I'm responsible to bring in some goodies! Later that day, I will be taking Kelsey on a special shopping trip to finish our Christmas shopping. So, as you can see, there's a lot going on.  Christmas "To Do" - Day 15: Get Creative with Stocking Stuffers: Stuffing everyone's stocking is so much fun to me! In my family, we open our gifts on Christmas Eve, but we save our stockings for Christmas morning. Here are 25 stocking stuffer ideas: * Music CD * Bubble Bath * Flavored mini hand sanitizer * Mini Nail grooming kit * Socks * Mini Candle * Make up (eye shadow, lip gloss, etc.) * Nail polish * Gift Cards * Cell Phone Case * Personalize Pencils * Pandora(R) Charm * Mini Photo Frame * Matchbox Cars * Mini Lego sets * Mini Reading Light * Mini Box of Chocolates * Key Chain * Golf tees * Golf Balls * Personalize Luggage Tags * Fun Shoe Laces * Hair clips, bows, scrunchies * Personalized Note cards Wishing you a Marvelous Monday!!! See you back here tomorrow!!! -E  | Only 10 Days Until Christmas!The excitement is sure building over here, how about at your house??? We finally got our Christmas tree yesterday! After Dave B & I had quite a successful trip to the mall (I found a sweater that I've been looking for and that has been sold out online and at every other location including NYC - yup I was looking while I was there...YAY early present to myself!!!), and before heading to the kids heartwarming and tear jerking performance, we had squeezed in a family outing to the Christmas Tree lot!  My mom, Brigitte, Jet, Andrew, Chaplin, Myself, Dave B, Dominic, and Cosette all went to pick out the family Christmas tree! I had offered to pick one up a couple of weeks ago while I was out running errands, but it certainly wouldn't have been nearly as much fun and I know that dear little Chaplin was really looking forward to this family event!  My silly niece Chaplin  My silly son Dominic I've got a ton of chores to take care of today, and of course one of them being decorating the tree!  My niece Mika, helping decorate the tree (2013) Then the kids have choir rehearsal tonight and I've got a board meeting to attend. But then afterward we're going to head over to the South Coast Plaza!!! It'll hopefully be late enough that parking won't be the headache and issue that it usually can be around the holidays - fingers crossed! We have a few items to pick up and I am looking forward to seeing the amazing decorating job that they always pull off at this luxury shopping destination! Although I don't go to the South Coast Plaza all too often, it has definitely always been one of my favorites!!!  One of the many atriums at the South Coast Plaza And finally as Elisa has mentioned, we are both looking quite forward to sharing our upcoming travel updates with you tomorrow on Travelin' Tuesday! I'll also be posting a travel blog about viewing the Northern Lights from my recent trip to Iceland! Be sure to check it out!! And be sure to have a great day! Catch ya later, -T  |
