Real or Fake?

Christmas is only two days away, but I don't want this Holiday Season to end without venting about my dilemma this Christmas.  My husband and I had a debate throughout this Holiday season about Christmas Trees (so petty, right? lol).  I love real Christmas trees and my husband likes fake Christmas Trees, so every year since we've been married we have had the same debate (5 years lol).

I am Team Real Christmas Trees because that's the type of tree I had when I was a child.  My mom and dad would take my siblings and I to the nearest Home Depot, and we would pick out the tallest and widest tree.  It was so much fun spending time with my family and watching my dad scrap the tree to the roof of our car.  I also enjoyed decorating and watering the tree and the great pine aroma that filled our home. There is nothing like a real Christmas Tree that sets the mood for the Holiday Season!

My husband is Team Fake Christmas Tree.  He likes fake Christmas Trees because they are easy maintenance.  He believes that if we get a real tree, there will be Christmas tree needle droppings everywhere.  He thinks our little girls will place the needles in their mouths for enjoyment.  I understand, his point is valid, but my rebuttal is "I will water the tree and sweep up any needle droppings." 

So who won the battle this year?  I'm not going to lie, I put up a great fight lol.  We have two fake trees that my husband took out after Thanksgiving.  I was on Fake Christmas Tree strike! I refused to decorate the trees, they stood in my dining room and kitchen looking pitiful for two weeks!  Ladies and gentleman I was on strike lol! But, the closer Christmas got, the more I felt guilty, because of my daughters.  I did not want them to miss out on the joy of seeing a decorated tree.  So, I swallowed my pride and decorated the Christmas trees.  As I was decorating the trees, my husband came home and was so happy the strike was over.  He cut on the Christmas Carols, and my daughters danced and watched my husband and I decorate the tree.  My girls didn't care if the tree was real or fake, they enjoyed the shiny bulbs and dancing lights that twinkled on the tree.

My husband and I came to a compromise, we will get a real tree when the girls are old enough to know not to put Christmas needles in their mouths lol.  Here are some pictures of my decorations and Christmas projects I created this Holiday Season!

 



If you look behind me, you can see a Christmas Tree with no ornaments! This picture was taken during the strike lol. 

 

 Two weeks later, I finally ended the strike and decorated the tree!

 

The tree is decorated with blue and silver bulbs.

 

My daughters were happy to finally see bulbs on the tree! As long as they're happy, I'm happy!

 

 A poinsettia centerpiece that I made

 

 Normally pictures hang on this wall, but I placed Christmas wreaths in their place.

 

A poinsettia centerpiece that my mom gave me (it's been in the family for 25 years).

I wrapped my pictures with poinsettia wrapping paper.

This cute Christmas bear was given to my daughter by her grandparents on her dad's side.  It recites Twas' the Night before Christmas:)

 

 If you're like me, sometimes my cookies don't come out in perfect circles.  I found a perfect recipe to remedy this problem, Chocolate Chip Blondies!  For the complete recipe, click here.  The only thing different I did from the recipe was add pecans instead of walnuts. 

 

They were placed in the oven for 15 minutes on 375 degrees.

 

Once they were cooled, I removed them from the wrapper.  Here is the finished product, they were delicious!  I brought them to work to give out to my co-workers during cookie elves week:)

 

I also made reindeers to give out to my co-workers!  I used coned cello bags from Michael's Craft Store.  I filled the cello bags with hot cocoa mix and topped it off with mini marshmallows.  I tied the bags with brown chenille stems.

 

After the bags were filled and secured.  I glued googly eyes and red noses on each reindeer.

 

The finished product!

 

 

As you can see, I've been busy!  What type of Christmas tree do you prefer? What Christmas Crafts do you enjoy doing?  Chime in below:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Festival!

I love this time of year! I love everything about the Fall, I love how the leaves change colors, the weather gets cooler, and the extra hour that we gain of sleep (daylight saving time ends!). What I like the most about this time of year is the many activities that you can do with your family.  Recently, my family and I attended a Fall Festival.  The Fall Festival was filled with so many kid friendly activities, like a Hay Ride, Bouncy Houses, Petting Zoo, and a mini Park.  They also had a concession stand that offered grilled corn, hot dogs, slushy cups, baked pretzels, and my favorite, funnel cake!  I thought my toddler would be in Playtime Heaven with all the many activities to get into, but she was so reserved, she only attempted to play if I or her father was standing directly beside her.  But I knew what would get her up and moving, a visit to the concession stand!  After she shared a funnel cake with me, she was ready to play, she got in the bouncy house all by herself and jumped until she was tired.  At the end of our time at the Fall Festival, I had the girls pick out a little pumpkin out of the pumpkin patch as a souvenir.  All and all, we had a fun time as a family at the Fall Festival! We created more memories and we got to spend quality time together.

 Here are some tips when planning a Fall activity for your family:

1. Do a google search on children activities in your city.  For example, I googled children activities and my city name.
2. Make sure your children are dressed comfortably.  I made sure my girls wore jeans and sneakers so they could run and play comfortably.
3. Go at a time when your children are well rested, either before nap time, or after nap time.
4. Take a lot of pictures to document the many memories you are creating as a family! Here are some of the many memories I caught on camera with my family:)

My oldest daughter played in the mini House at the Fall Festival.
 

The house had a kitchenette!
 

The Petting zoo had goats, roosters, ducks, and pigs!
 

You could feed the goats!
 

There were bouncy houses for older and younger kids! My oldest daughter loved the bouncy house!
 

There were also nice photo props!
 

My youngest daughter also enjoyed herself, don't let this face fool you! lol
 

Towards the end of the trip, we enjoyed a Hay Ride as a family!
 

At the end of the trip, my daughters picked out a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch!
 
 
What are some memorable moments you shared with your family at a Fall Festival?  What are some fun activities that you plan for your family in the Fall?