Well....this post was supposed to go live yesterday, but life kind of happened and the blog post didn't.  So, anyway, I am joining up with Tawny from Tawny's Tid Bits and several other bloggers to do a 12 Days of DIY Ornaments!

And there you have it folks!  A cute and simple Christmas tree ornament that is fun and easy for all ages!

Also, please head on over and see Morgan's ornament since she is the one that is supposed to be in the limelight today and not me.

I don't know about all of you, but one of my favorite things about this time of year is the treats.  The cookies, the cakes, the brownies, the Hershey Kisses....(um, actually, that last one is all year...).

Anyway, I have started making my way through Pinterest and trying to decide what I want to make this year.  I don't go crazy because it's just the three of us, but I love to bake.  The Hubbs loves cookies, so I usually do a cookie or two, but I always try and find something different to do.  Then you have the holiday parties to bake for, too and it can get a bit overwhelming, right?

Well, fear not!  I have come up with a little round up for you all of some of the most delicious looking holiday treats I have seen.

Dear December,

Here we are-the last month of the year.  You are one of the busiest, most stressful times of the year and sometimes December, you get a bad rap.  I know, I know, you didn't choose to host Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve.  I know you didn't intend to have your days and weekends filled up with shopping, errand running, or holiday parties.  It's a lot to take on, I know.

You see, the thing is December, I think sometimes we take advantage of you.  Since you mark the end of the year, a lot of us go into overdrive and think we have to cram every single thing that we need to do before the new year gets here.




We find ourselves saying things like:

"Oh man, I haven't reached my goal for all the books I wanted to read this year."

"Well, another year, and I still haven't lost that weight."

"We're still in debt..."

And lastly, and most commonly....

"Oh my!  Where did this year go?!" 

December, just because we crab about you and we stay constantly busy, doesn't mean we don't care about you.  Nooo, see, we love you.  We enjoy this time with our friends and families.  We love the holiday's you bring.  We love watching kids get all excited on Christmas Eve about the Santa Tracker and then, the next morning, when he has arrived and the walk out to the tree and see, yes!  He came!  Santa came and this is the BEST DAY EVER!  Oh man, he ate the cookies!  Oh look-are those his footprints by the fireplace!?

So, you see December, it's all good.  We welcome you with open arms despite the fact that you are so chocked full of things to do and people to see, but we get moments.  We got small moments that remind us of why you are the last month of the year.  You send us out with a bang!  We start the new year so full of love and joy and happiness and you did that, December!  You give us full hearts to start a new year with.

Thank you, December.  I don't know if anyone has ever said that to you, but thank you now.  Thank you for allowing me to have time with my family and my friends.  Thank you for allowing me to have moments with my child that remind me of what it is like to be a child when I desperately need it the most. Thank you for filling my heart so full that I can't help but be optimistic about the next year.

Thank you, December, and may your heart be full now, too.

Sara

Alright, so, here's the deal:  I flaked on a recipe for this week.  I totally forgot to include my featured recipe in my grocery list and thus, it did not get purchased.  Next week though, I will have an awesome new recipe to make up for it!

In the meantime, I took the liberty of rounding up some pretty yummy looking Thanksgiving desserts around Pinterest!  Have a look see!  You won't find pumpkin pie in this round up!

Little Red Riding Hood 2013

While we were getting ready, Daddy loaded up the extra big stroller in the car (to haul jackets, umbrellas, and possibly a pooped out toddler) and pretty soon we were ready to go!

Mommy and L (She wasn't yelling, she was doing her "big smile")

We headed over to the meeting place and in about ten minutes, it started raining.  L was a trooper though!  She kept trucking along!  She wasn't afraid to go up to houses or to people.  She would say hello and talk to them and do her big smile and wave bye bye to everyone. It got to the point where Mommy just kind of stood back behind her a bit and let her do her thing.  Ha!

Dear L,

You are 2 today!  I can't believe how much you have grown this past year.  It really does seem like only yesterday that we were waking up every 3-4 hours so you could eat and get a diaper change.  Those first six weeks went by so fast.  People told me they would, but I didn't really let it sink in, until now.

Some day's I sit and watch you play and I am amazed that you are even in the same room as me.  You came from me, something that I was told wasn't possible, but here you are!  You are incredibly active (okay, actually, you are non-stop most of the day. HA!) and you are learning how to talk.  You say so many things now and I am floored each time you say something new.  I talk to you as much as I can, because I know that is how you learn.



We read books together and we play with your dolls.  We watch Caillou and Spongebob and Clifford.  You like Elmo and Snow White.  Ellie is your constant companion through it all, as am I.  You're my constant companion.  We go everywhere together, L.  You love the grocery store and you like to "help" me pick out food and put things in the cart.

You love to be outside and explore.  I have fun watching you play outside.  It isn't that I don't want to play with you when we are outside-I just love watching you.  You help Mommy to remember all of those things I have forgotten.  One day you will understand what I mean.  Don't be in a hurry to grow up, L.  I know I will hear you say this countless times over the years, but trust me, it all goes so fast anyway.  Enjoy it while you can.



You are Daddy's favorite.  Any time you get to spend with Daddy is your favorite time.  There are so many thing's Daddy can't wait to do with you.  He's talked about them so much this past year.  Oh, the fun you and Daddy are going to have!  I can't wait for those memories for you.



You are the sunshine in a lot of people's lives, L, just by being yourself.  Don't ever stop being yourself.  I hope that as you get older, you will remain true to who you are.  That's what I am here for-to help you with that.  There are a lot of thing's Mommy knows about that she wants you to understand.  Some of those things you will have to learn on your own, I know this, but I will always be here to help you when you need it.

I can't believe you are 2, baby girl.  You are napping right now and you will probably wake up soon, so I need to end this here.  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and we love you very much.  I can't wait to see all of the things you learn this year!

All my love,
Mommy