Look Mommy! Look Daddy! Santa Came!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is already passed this year! It was a great Christmas, though. This year, Molly had really started getting the hang of this whole "santa-thing" which made it a lot of fun! The night before Christmas, we baked Santa some "special" cookies. I told her when they were cooled down, we would color them so they would be pretty for Santa. I did a few things around the house & when I came back to the kitchen, there she was...coloring her cookies...with her crayons! I told her they were very beautiful & I knew Santa would enjoy them! She was so proud of herself! And, she was one excited little girl Christmas morning...This is "pee-pee in the potty baby"...the ONLY thing Molly asked Santa for. Too bad, "Santa" forgot & left "pee-pee in the potty baby" at Santa's Mommy's house 20 minutes away & was on the road at 1 am to get it! How forgetful that Santa is!! After lunch, Molly enjoyed some "topless" painting....And, yes, she did end up painting her chest when I wasn't looking...

We got together with all the Hudson's on Christmas Eve at the poolhouse & enjoyed a low-country boil. We made the kids sit still long enough for a group picture....

Then it was on to paper tearing....Molly loved her new sleeping bag...

For Christmas Supper, we had Eric's family over & grilled steaks. The steaks were great & then it was time for more paper-tearing....

Can you tell she loved her new "boots with the fur" crocs?

Last night, we finally got around to having Christmas with my family. We didn't make the kids wait this time...we let them open gifts before we enjoyed supper! My sister gave me a beautiful pencil-drawing of Molly...I cannot wait to hang it up! I will be sure to take a picture of it soon & post it on here. In the mean time, here's our 2 "angels" about to open gifts....

They loved the smart cycles that mama & papa gave them... They also loved their new twist-cars that I got them (even though, they do not work right)!Merry Christmas, Everyone!

My Most Beautifulest Angel

I truly believe that a loving, dedicated mother is one of the most under-praised jobs in the world. And, at the same time, it is the most rewarding. Molly made a comment a couple of weeks ago that has really stuck with me & I wanted to share it (not brag about it, just share it.)

Molly & I were recently both angels in our annual church Christmas program. Angels were pretty popular this year...there were about fifteen of us. The play went off without a hitch & everyone had a really good time. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed some snacks, socialized & the kids got a special visit from Santa.

Before bed that night, I was changing into my pajamas in our closet & I overheard this coversation between Eric & Molly in the bathroom.

Eric: Did you have a good time tonight?

Molly: Uh-huh. I saw Santa and he gave me candy...two times!

Eric: Can I have some? (falling victim to the sweet tooth that has plagued him his entire life.)

Molly: No. (that a girl!)

Eric: Please...just on piece? (persistent, he is)

*pause*

Molly: Me & Hollan were angels tonight. (she's great at changing the subject)

Eric: Well, who was the prettiest? (oh, good grief, Eric!)

Molly: We were both the prettiest...all us angels were the prettiest (great answer, Mo)

*pause*

Molly: But, my mommy....my mommy was the most beautifulest angel I ever did see.

My eyes filled with tears as my heart melted into a puddle around my feet. Just to think...that's how she sees me. Her angel...that can and will do anything for her. Her mommy can make any boo-boo feel better, has answers to her many questions, and is always there cheering her on. It makes me so happy and so sad at the same time. Happy, because I know I'm doing my job as a mommy. And, sad because I know that this time will pass & she will not always see me this way. She will (much too soon) reach her teenage years and her views of me will change day-to-day. There will be times when she will not like me or even want to be seen with me. I dread those days. I don't even want to think about them. I would rather think about now. Because, right now, I am the most beautifulest angel she ever did see...and she will always be mine.

Santa is Clueless!

I am pulling my hair out trying to figure out what to get Molly for Christmas. Of course, everything that comes on TV she says, "I want that...I want all of that." But, nothing has really stuck that she really, really wants. There's no one, big present. Last year, it was so easy...she wanted a dollhouse, a kitchen set & a tent. This year...clueless! People are always asking what they can get her for Christmas, and I know it sounds bad, but I have no idea what to get her myself! If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. This week was just as busy as last! We had my office party on Monday night, and Molly really enjoyed playing with all the other kids there. On Thursday, Molly danced at DEA. It had been 4 weeks since she had practiced her dance, so I was a little nervous about how much she'd actually remember, but she did great! She was so excited, because she got to stand in the middle of the group this time (even though, there's only 3 of them). This was the first time that Eric has been able to go watch her dance...he was so proud & it really made her night. Eric & I left there and went straight to the peanut mill party. Molly went home with her Meme & they stopped off for McDonald's. To Molly, that was the perfect ending to a great night! Friday night, the "girls" and I had a Christmas party at our house. The kids exchanged gifts and had such a great time playing together. They even put on a talent show for us at the end of the night. It was wonderful for all of us to get to spend some time together. I really hope this will become a yearly tradition. Here's a picture of all of our little ones... Saturday night, we had Christmas at my grandparent's house. She cooked a feast...fried chicken, ham, bbq ribs...it was all so great. The kids (Molly, Braylon & Rhiana) all exchanged gifts & we enjoyed watching their excited little faces. Yesterday, we had the Hammock family reunion at the Woodman of The World building. It was great to see family members that we hadn't seen since last year. Then, we went home & started cooking for supper club last night. I cooked a ham & a turkey with lots of sides...it was pretty good for my first time ever cooking a ham, if I do say so myself! I'm off to Dr. Sharkey again tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully, I'll be able to do a little Christmas shopping when I leave my appointment! Maybe something good for Molly will jump out & slap in the face, otherwise I may have a very disappointed little girl Christmas morning.

Playing Catch-Up

Whew...I must have a food hang-over from Thanksgiving! It's been so long since my last post! We have a lot of catching up to do...so, let's get started!

Thanksgiving was great! Molly & I had lunch with my side of the family that day & then came back for supper with Eric's family. We all 3 ate til our little hearts were content...even Eric had to come off of his diet that day! Here's a cute picture of Molly & Braylon saying the blessing...

The Saturday following Thanksgiving, we attended the Wiggins' "Kettles of Fire" chili-cookoff. Well, anyone that knows me & Eric knows that we are both very competitive people. So, of course, we both made our own chilis to compete against each other. And, I am so proud to announce that my chili (and I would like to add that this was the very first time I had ever made chili) won a prize for being the "sweetest"...I think it was because I stirred it with my finger :) !! Needless to say, I have tried "not" to rub it in Eric's face too much that his chili didn't even place!

Last week was a very busy one. Between play practices & dance events we had something going on every night. Molly & I rode in the city's Christmas parade with her dance group last Thursday night. It was a lot of fun & Molly really enjoyed waving to all the kids...

Friday, Molly went with Braylon's Pre-K class to Savannah to see Santa & ride the carousel. Moma took them by Chuck E. Cheese's on the way home...I think they enjoyed that more than the actual field trip! We also had her dance group's Christmas party Friday night. When we arrived, there was a huge inflatable princess slide set up outside. Those girls were ecstatic. Molly was like a little lost puppy until Marti finally arrived...then she couldn't have been any happier...

Saturday night, we had our Christmas play at church. Molly & I were angels. The kids all did such a great job & we were very proud of them. Don't look to close or you might just see some little horns under that halo...

Yesterday, some friends & I took our kids to Augusta to see Santa at the mall & then to Disney on Ice. They had such a great time...we did too! That was a wonderful show & of course, the kids had to have souvenier "flounder" hats...