Last weekend we went on our annual shopping trip to Hallmark to pick up cards and ornaments. This year something new caught our attention. Hallmark now offers Recordable Storybooks for The Night Before Christmas, The Very First Christmas, and Frosty The Snowman!

My Mother-In-Law is the most amazing story teller. When she reads to the kids the adults will stop and become mesmerized as well. It is like she has us in a magical trance and we hang on every word waiting to see what happens next. It could be a story that I have read to the kids a hundred times, that I know word for word, but when Oma reads the book it is like hearing it for the first time. In an all new way, a special, delightful way. I could listen for hours getting lost in magical lands of fairy tales and far away places. The thought of being able to capture her voice forever…well the thought brought tears to our eyes.

We bought The Night Before Christmas and on Thanksgiving day we had Oma read and record the story. I truly love this idea! We were worried that the story would be lost if you had to change the batteries but there is a lock inside that holds the story there, you just need the batteries to play it back. I look forward to creating a new tradition with my family listening to Oma read The Night Before Christmas for years to come! Hopefully this is something that will be able to remain in our family so that my grandchildren can listen to her read as well.

I grew up reading The Night Before Christmas with my Grandparents on Christmas Eve and now we read about Jesus’ birth in the Bible on Christmas morning. Do you have a Christmas story you read together as a family?

We recently went on our very first family cruise and we had the most amazing time! This was our first big vacation as a family of five. We went just before our youngest turned four. We wanted to wait until everyone could really enjoy themselves before we took the big plunge on a major trip. It was nice to have things like potty training out of the way!

We cruised on the Carnival Elation to Progreso and Cozumel Mexico. The weather was fabulous even with the threat of hurricane Paula on the horizon. As we sailed away from Cozumel the hurricane was headed in that direction so while we slept there was a little rocking back and forth in the middle of the night but nothing major.

As a professional organizer one of my favorite things about the cruise was our room. It really helped put the fun in FUNctional! (And, the wonderful crew that helped take care of it!) The #1 question we were asked by veteran cruisers was “Five of you will be in one room?” I thought of course, why not? After hearing this a few times I started to really question how this small this room was going to be.

I can’t say I would want to live in 250 square feet with four other people on a permanent basis but it was certainly a great experience during the trip. I was impressed by how much storage was packed into the room still leaving us enough room to sleep. Hubby and I had one bed to ourselves, the boys were on Pullman beds and our daughter was on a trundle in the floor.

Every evening our wonderful crew came in and got the beds ready and a new friend was waiting with our agenda for the next day. I felt so spoiled! The kids absolutely loved the animals that were made out of towels.

The room had two spaces for hanging clothes and a stack of shelves for storage. The desk in the room had several drawers so I used them for the kid’s clothes. I am an un-packer when I go anywhere. I like taking the few extra minutes in the beginning of a trip to find a place for everything. It makes the rest of the trip so much nicer not to be tripping over suitcases!

I have only great things to say about our trip and I would highly recommend going on a Carnival Cruise with our without children. There was plenty for all to to do! (and eat!)

This is just one of the things I liked about the cruise, that happens to be organizing related. If you have been on a cruise or have any questions about the experience lets’s chat in the comments. Would love to hear about your cruising experience. If you haven’t cruised yet but are thinking about it and have questions…ask away!

Here are a few highlights from our trip!

During the school year we have a pretty regular routine around here. After my oldest son went to school I would give the little kids movie time and that is when I did the majority of my work for the day. Now that summer is here, this morning thing is not going to work out so well. First of all, I am not so much a morning person, but I have been trying to become one. I am a night owl by nature but EVERYONE else in the house are morning people. I am trying to teach the kids it is ok to sleep in past 5:45 am!

Now that all three children are at home I have noticed a common pattern out of all of them…. “Whiny-itis”. They are arguing and whining over the most ridiculous stuff! Where to sit, who took what out, where to put something back, who is bothering or touching the other… Quite frankly it’s all getting rather annoying! I don’t hear them arguing over who is going to help with the laundry or vacuum the floors! What is up with that?

I’m glad to say though that I have found a great way to settle these little rascals down a bit! The Pool! The oh so wonderful community pool. Our new routine will be: wake up, eat breakfast, meander a bit and go to the pool… because you know what… after the pool I don’t hear anything out of them for hours! I mean a good two hours and that is sweet music to my ears in this house. So, those days that we have nothing planned we will be at the pool with our goggles on!

What is your favorite summer activity?

Birthdays, parades, and baptisms oh my! The holiday season is busy around here as I am sure it is for you as well. It was nice to unplug for the weekend and relax with the family. Here are some highlights from our weekend…

My oldest son marched in our town’s Christmas parade with his Young Marine unit. I photo shopped a Santa hat on him so you could tell which one he is. This parade was fun for all ages. A John Deer tractor, “Elfis”, go-carts and much more drove past. I was afraid my daughter would not be too excited but when people started throwing candy from their cars her eyes lit up! (So did Hubby’s!) They had fun running in the street to pick up candy.

Later on Saturday we celebrated my youngest son’s 5th birthday. My where does the time go? I can’t believe he is 5 already. And, check out the cake that Hubby made! I tell you this man is a keeper!

Today we gathered together with family and witnessed my oldest son get baptized. He made a huge decision and we are so proud of him! What a big weekend it was for my little man.

For the rest of the day we hung out with family. My husband’s dad and step-mom were in town for the weekend and joined us in all the festivities. My uncle was in town and paid us a visit with my mom and grandparents. Later I sneaked a quick nap by the fire with my doggy. Anytime I lay in the floor she snuggles up with me. She is a mama’s girl!

In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays remember to take time out and enjoy those that mean the most to you!

From Our House To Yours…

Happy Fall Ya’ll!

This is THE best photo of the kids I have taken all year. I just had to share. :)