1st Week of Advent

 "Angel Hair" pasta

 The Wreath

Light one candle to watch for Messiah 

Let the light banish darkness 

He shall bring salvation to Israel, 

God fulfills the promise. 

Preparing for a Peaceful Christmas

Christmas seems to be a very stressful time for me.  With all the responsibilities, travel, tolerating people I don't want to see, and tight scheduling I just don't find "peace on Earth," or anywhere.  This year I have been following a thread called 12 weeks to a Peaceful Christmas from the Raising Arrows blog.  We are in Week 9.

I have done most of my shopping, wrapped and labeled everything as soon as I bring it home.  I have stocked my pantry with baking necessities.  I have addressed all of my Christmas card envelopes.  I have a plan for what we will do/not do as far as our celebratory outings and activities with the children.

Now comes the hard part:  this week I have to relax and have fun.  I'm not very good at this, but I have scheduled some fun things for this week.
Today: put up the tree
Tuesday: Aga comes to babysit, make her stay for dinner/take her out/ go on a date with the huz
Wednesday: Mark off, gingerbread? Erie Canal Museum? Library?
Thursday: Thanksgiving Day with my family
Friday: uh...
Saturday: um...
Sunday: yeah I dunno....
:)

EDIT:
Tuesday we went to the library, Aga took the kids to Wendys and Jarod and I went to Eva's European Sweets.
Wednesday we went to Billy Beez, played in the snow, watched a movie.

Fun With Elf Yourself

 Both my boys as babies.  Can you tell who's who?

Pam and I dancing- both of us much younger!

Michael and Jarod

 Jarod on the zip line

Pack Meeting

 The Boy moving up.... technically he was never a bobcat and entered BS as a wolf.  Finally got his neckerchief and badges!

The Invisible Bench skit

The whole den: the coolest 8 boys in Camillus!

In My Christmas Jammies!

New 'Do

 He said he wanted a "falcon."  (faux-hawk. he knew it was some kind of bird...)

 Frosty for being a good boy.

So handsome in his pea-coat!

Mark's Pizzaria w/ Boy Scouts

 The boys chillin... in the fridge!

Making dinner- and they served us, got us drinks, and cleaned up!  Can you say spoiled Mommy?