Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas Eve

I hope everyone that celebrates Christmas had a good one!
No real snow fell, so I add fake snowflakes.


Everything was good in my own little family. My sister Terra's family had the stomach flu. They were under quarantine, and had to stay home. :( We missed them. We are planning on getting together with them on this Sunday, but 2 of them still haven't gotten sick yet. I'm not hoping they do get sick, but none of the rest of us want to get the stomach flu! We'll see what happens.

We've been battling a slight cold at our house, but that's nothing compared to the stomach flu. We're kind of at the tail end of the cold. It's the oddest cold - Isaak woke up with a sore throat one day, and after that day he just had a stuffy nose. No coughs, or sneezes.

Christmas Eve is a big deal. Just as big as Christmas. This post will be about Christmas Eve. We get together with grandma, grandpa, great grandpa, cousins, aunts, uncles and 1 great aunt.

On Christmas we do our own gifts, and Santa. Then for lunch we get together with everyone - meaning all my mom's side of the family. We're small enough to get together, but big enough to fill a house.

I decided to curl my hair for the first time in years twice this week (once for my work party, and once for attending a church service). I got asked 5 times if I cut my hair? Nope! I used the Rock and Roll hair curlers I got from the 90s. Yep they still work. I love seeing the boy's expressions when I do different things to my hair. At first they didn't think I'd take the silicone curlers out. I played it up,  "Yep this is how my hair will stay." ;) Then they fought over who was going to take them out. I let them both try a few, then I took over. They wanted to yank the curlers out of my hair with no mercy. - Ouch! Then they thought the freshly curled locks would be how my hair stayed. My hair looked a bit like Shirley Temple's hair on steroids.


No worries my hair calmed down sort of. It's easier to curl it than straighten it. I have a feeling pin curls are going to be back in.

I painted my nails to look like my earrings. I'm sorry the photo of my fingernails is blurry. It was time to leave.



The boys were bouncing off the walls Christmas Eve day. I took the day off to watch them. Dad got home early to "help". His idea of helping that day was playing on his phone, and taking a cat nap. He's not like that every day, just that day.

The boys took a break from bouncing off the walls to decorate a Christmas tree veggie tray. I let them decide what veggies we needed. I washed, peeled, and cut them. They decorated it, and told me what they needed more of. It was Mica's idea to do the start on the top of the tree. It was my idea to carve the stars in the radishes.


We headed off to church. Isaak said, "This is so boring!" 10 times, while we were there.

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a big dinner, and to unwrap gifts.

I didn't really get great photos because it was dark, and everyone was moving. Both boys got a big Lego thing, viking themed clothes, a GC to Toys R Us, books, Sculpey, and other random things. Isaak likes the Sculpey, Shrinky Dinks, and Creativity in a Can better than anything else. Mica's crazy about the Legos.

I got a shirt, some kitchen things, a necklace, money, and a sponge happy face that Isaak thought was hilarious.


We got home late. I told Mica that he could put the Santa gifts under the tree. It's his rite to passage for not believing. I didn't want Christmas to go downhill for Mica. It's not a spoil alert. All the presents were wrapped.

Do you do any celebrating on Christmas Eve?

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

This week has been grey and rainy. Blah! 

I was longing for snow. Some snow is on its way. We'll see.

I hardly drive at night. I don't like to. I just don't see the same way I do in the day time. I had to take the boys across town to their ju-jitsu at a different Y. I almost got in an accident. A car in front of me was going at a good speed, then slowed down fast. Thankfully I didn't run into them. Ekkk! 

At a spot light I captured the photos below:





They look almost like impressionist paintings. Rain can be pretty I guess.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

WW: Holiday Card {Linky}

Front of the Card - 
It took 3 different shoots to get this. The weather, and our facial expressions wouldn't cooperate the first two shoots. For the record: I hate not being behind the camera. It still is pretty fun.


Back of the Card - 
Enlarged and Flipped so you can read it better on here:


A blogger asked if some of my cards could be featured on their site? I said yes. Here's a link to their blog. There are other ideas of some creative Christmas cards on there. Take a look. 

This year I decided to change things up and do a New Years card instead of a Christmas one.

Past Cards:

 

Do you send out holiday cards?








The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

Monday, December 22, 2014

Giving and Getting

I get so excited about picking out the perfect gifts for people. Most of the time when I enter giveaways it's for other people - not for me. When I get a Christmas gift from my boss I spend it on things we need for the house. 

I'm not saying it's wrong to buy stuff for yourself. I just don't a ton. 

Daddy buys things when he wants them. When he gets any Christmas bonus from his boss (it varies every year) it's his. If I mention that we need this, or that he gets annoyed with me. 

He's not materialistic. It's just if he gets a gift he's better about spending it on himself more than I am. He actually puts his money into something that will benefit his art. It's a good expense. 
   
Isaak: 

Isaak said yesterday, "Mom I put the same Lego set on Grandma's list as I did on Santa's list. What if I get the same Lego set?"

I said, "Santa knows. If that did happen to happen we could take one back, and get something different."

Isaak said, "Couldn't I just share with Mica by giving it to him?"

He's my unselfish child that loves to think of others. I never answered him. I just kissed his sweet cheek.

Mica:

Mica handed me back his tooth fairy money today and said, "Mom put this to good use. Buy me more toys if not for Christmas, save it for my birthday." 

I handed him back the money and said, "Put it in your bank. You get enough toys." 

He left the money on the coffee table. 

Yep Mica and Isaak are opposites in many ways.

Super Hemp Raw Shelled Organic Hemp Seeds Review

Super Hemp Seeds contain essential Fatty Acids (alpha-linolenic & linoleic) in a balanced 3:1 ratio. High Protein Super Hempseed contains 20 amino acids and dietary fiber. I use them in salads and smoothies.

I've had people give me odd looks why I tell them I eat hemp seeds. They give me even stranger looks when I tell them that my kids eat it to. I'm going to come out, and say it, you do not eat hemp seed and get high.



They taste similar to sunflower seeds only smaller, soft and buttery! That's why I love it on my salad.

A Superfood

Super Hemp seed is considered by many nutritionists as nature's most perfect food. It contains the a perfect 3:1 balance of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. These fatty acids promote heart health, lower triglycerides, work to reduce inflammation, promote brain health, and support the immune system. Low in carbohydrates, hemp seeds are ideal for those following the paleo diet or who need to be carb conscious for their health.

This superfood delivers a power-punch of complete proteins, making it a great addition to vegan and vegetarian diets. In fact, Super Hemp delivers 10g of easily digestable plant-based protein per 1 oz serving. Compare that to 6g protein in one large hard boiled egg.

One thing we really struggle with is filling our boys up. Mica hates eggs. We want him to have some protein of some kind in the morning. Hemp seeds are perfect.


For snack time I added help Super Hemp to Zucchini Brownies.
Everyone in my family loved them!


Bake 350 degrees in a 9x9 pan for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick is inserted, and comes out clean.

Ingredients:



  • 1 1/2 cups coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 egg
  • 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 11/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups shredded zucchini (do not drain)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 4 ounces Super Hemp

  • I didn't hear, "I'm hungry!" after the boys ate their brownies.

    They must have gotten filled up.

    Super Facts:


     Super Hemp...
    • Super good in recipes, toppings or raw.
    • Contains more protein and omegas and less carbs than the same serving of Chia seeds or Flax.
    • Is packs a perfectly balanced dose of both Omega 3 and Omega 6 (10g omegas per 28g serving).
    • Is RAW, shelled, USDA-certified-organic hempseeds.
    • Is Cold-processed (under 104°F) from raw, live hemp seeds.
    • Is 33% protein; rich in iron, vitamin E, and GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).
    • Is a product of Canada.
    • Has a high oil content, hemp seeds should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
    • Is $49.95, but on sale for $18.98. Get Super Hemp for 1/2 off the sale price by using the discount below.

    Ideas on what you can use Super Hemp for:
    • Hot cereal 
    • Smoothies
    • Desserts
    • Breads
    • Pancakes
    • Granola bars
    • Sprinkle on salads 
    • Blend into pilafs
    Don't stop there... Super Hemp tastes great with almost everything.


    The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's
    Disclaimer: I'm writing this in connection to Tomoson. I got this Super Hemp free for review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

    Disclaimer

    The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

    I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

    If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com