Caroling

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Friday night we bundled up and slid all the way to Walmart during a Wisconsin ice storm to do our traditional bell ringing for the Salvation Army (Otherwise known as the Salvo by us) 

Mom, Dad, Mona, and some of our friends do this every year. And this, as Julie Andrews would put it, is one of my favorite things. 

And we can't be boring about it, that just wouldn't be right. We sing Christmas carols while we are standing in the bitter cold for hours! 

I know you are picturing angels singing, but it's not exactly angelic.. 

We sing loud and off key with tambourines and egg shakers...we even had a triangle this year! And, I won't name names, but the last two years someone (Mona) has gotten so crazy they've broken bongos. 

We jump and dance and play our instruments all while singing at the top of our lungs. We can't sing a second verse to save our lives and we sing Feliz Navidad more than anyone should. But even with our off beat singing we raise the most money our Salvo gets from bell ringing and we have a blast!

No Gift For Mona

MONA IS NOT GETTING A CHRISTMAS PRESENT THIS YEAR!!!

So, I told her that this year, because we are saving money, she was getting a homemade present from me made with my love, sweat, blood, and tears and do you know what she did?!?!! 

She laughed! She laughed right in my face! 

I told her how highly insulted and offended I was by her reaction and that now she was not getting any Christmas gift this year from me! I would take my wonderful and lovely homemade gift and give it to someone who would appreciate it. 

Sure, I don't do a lot of DYI projects and most of the ones I start I don't finish, but I am capable and intelligent woman. I can make a darn craft if I put my mind do it. No need to laugh in my face. 

She said she was trying to think of what I would possibly make her and she is picturing something knitted and for some rude reason the very idea makes her laugh.

She is insulting my crafting skills, my knitting skills (and let me tell you if I ever finished a knitting project it would be awesome), and my gift giving skills!! 

My track record of gift giving skills is near perfect when it comes to Mona. Every year she doubts me. She lowers her expectations because she doesn't think I'll top last year's gift, but I ALWAYS COME THROUGH!! 

Just because it's homemade doesn't make it a crappy gift. She should have more faith in me...or at least fake it!!! Come on!

I'm going to make her open it and eat her words. She is going to love my gift. And just to let you know it's nothing knitted...ain't nobody got time for dat. I'm a procrastinator, I would never have enough time to knit a sweater for a Christmas present. I'm so much of a procrastinator we are celebrating my family Christmas tonight and I still have to run out on my lunch break and finish shopping. 

I would tell you guys what Mona's gift is, you would appreciate it, but unfortunately Mona reads my blog. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Pillow Fight

Elf vs Pillow

Pillow Fight (Xmas 2013)

Elf Fishing

It may be disturbing to most, with the tiny face, rosy cheeks, and creepy smile, but I like him all the more for it.

Yes sir, it's...

ELF ON THE SHELF!!

My family started doing this last year. We do it as a competition to see who is the best.

Santa on a Mantel (Xmas 2012)

This year we are doing three elfs (that doesn't sound right) a week. We tired to do it everyday last year, but we gave up way before Christmas because we are lazy.

We are also cheep. Last year, instead of Elf on the Shelf, we did Santa on a Mantel (if you say it just right it almost rhymes). ------>

This year Mom found some knock off elves for us to use this year, but don't think Santa is going to be left out all year...he's going to make an appearance or two.

Even with the Elf I am going to have an exceptionally hard time this year because I am dog sitting.

I'm not at my apartment and therefor I don't have any of my arts and craft supplies.

I can hardly find a piece of tape in this house!

Plus, it's hard to get REALLY creative when your afraid of an explosion ruining their upholstery.

I will just have to make do.

Elf Fishing (Xmas 2013)

First up this year for Mr. Elf is FISHING!

Mr. Elf isn't much for ice fishing this time of year in Wisconsin (it's way colder than the North Pole), so he went fishing for gifts instead!

Much better than fish if you ask me.

Next up we have pillow fighting! 

Any genius idea's are welcome. I'm thinking something with nunchucks.... 

(P.S. While I am going to terrify you and show you all of my creepy Elf on a Shelf pictures, I am not going to make all of my posts revolve around him this month. If I did that, I would be bored out of my mind.

 I haven't decided if I'm going to have a separate post for Mr. Elf or if he's just going to pop up in random posts to frighten you. You shall have to wait and see!)