Dear Santa

"The magic of Christmas continues through the eyes of a child in writing a letter to Santa." ~Mama Hen

Little Chick had so much fun putting her letter for Santa together. She knew exactly what she wanted to ask for on her list. We had so much fun today! Who says an icky cold has to hold anyone back? We headed to the Maritime in the morning to see Little Chick's friends - the penguins. We also saw an IMAX movie. She loves that! We hope you are having fun getting ready for the holidays!

Putting her letter in the mailbox. She was so excited!

At the Maritime visiting the penguins.

Little Chcik's favorite movie is Happy Feet.

We can never pass this section of the Maritime without her dancing to the video.

We can't forget seeing these furry friends!

First Snow Traditions - Thanksgiving Thursday

"Family traditions live in our hearts and nourish our souls."

~Mama Hen

We had our first snowfall the other night and I had to wake Little Chick up to see the magic. She was so excited! I turned on the big spotlight so she could watch the snow coming down. We did not get a lot, but it was enough to bring a huge smile to my daughter's face.

My mom came over to make some more ornaments with Little Chick.My two favorite gals hanging their ornaments.
Little Chick woke up with a horrible cold.
So we decided to make some ornaments to cheer her up.

A very proud Little Chick.

We hope your holidays are as magical as ours!

For this Thanksgiving Thursday I am grateful for:

1.) Little Chick and my family

2.) The magic of Christmas time and the fun I have sharing it with my daughter.

3.) My dear cousin who I have come to learn is my soul sister. A gift from God above.

4.) First snow and the smiles that come with it and every snowfall after.

5.) The ability to purchase presents this season. So many people do not have jobs and are homeless. Let's remember them at this time of giving.

Decorating and the Nutcracker

"Christmas is a time to remember what is truly important."

~Mama HenLittle Chick had a great time decorating the tree.

She had her two kitties there to help her with all the fun.

I think the kittens think that the tree is there for their own enjoyment.

They love climbing it and taking the ornaments back down.

I had to secure that huge tree with lots of wire.

Little Chick made her own garland of beads for her tree.
Little Chick decorating her little tree.

One proud Little Chick.

Little Chick in front of our tree before going to see the Nutcracker Ballet.

Very cute! At the Nutcracker. Little Chick's first show.

My mom would do anything for Little Chick.

She made sure she would be there for the show.

I hope everyone is having a magnificent holiday! My laptop is still sick and it is hard to work on this old desktop of mine because things take about five extra hours to work. Little Chick is still struggling wth being tired from the Mono and my mom is still in a lot of pain. But we are making the best of everything. Have a great week!

Thanksgiving Thursday

"Sending love and smiles at this special time of year!" ~Mama Hen This is the picture I used for my Shutterfly Christmas cards. Trying to get a picture with a dog, a cat and a four year old was quite a trick. We did not have Cookie yet, so next year should prove rather interesting when trying to get a photo with all three animals and Little Chick. This week for Thanksgiving Thursday I am grateful for:

1.) Little Chick and my family.

2.) For little baby animals and the ability to provide a warm, loving home to animals in need.

3.) For heat on these freezing days. Right now my heater is not working and it is starting to get really cold. I will be happy when the heating guy gets it working again. It makes me think about the homeless who are out on the streets in this bitter cold weather.

4.) Love. The ability to love. The ability to receive love. To simply have been given the gift of abundant love all of my life.

5.) The joy of seeing my daughter light up when she opens a present.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

"Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree,

how lovely are your branches." Here is the Christmas tree Little Chick and I picked. We like tall and fat.

Pretty tall!

Hot apple cider to warm us up and to toast our new tree!

Little Chick got her own Christmas tree. Really cute!

"Hey Santa, let's dance!"

Little Chick's tree.

Mommy trying to lug that huge tree in the house!

Little Chick and Cookie in front of the huge tree.

I hope you are having fun getting ready for the holidays! My laptop is still not working, so my computer time is limited. I will be by soon to leave comments to all of my dear friends! I miss my laptop!

Smile Sunday - Christmas Cookie

"When you have a huge heart why not spread the love!" ~Mama HenLittle Chick always asks me to take her to the Humane Society to see all the cute animals. Yesterday we took my mom to the doctor and she asked if we could go there on the way home. Well, we fell in love with this beautiful little kitten and Little Chick said, "Mommy, we have to take her home!" We spent some time in the visiting room playing with her. Little Chick kept calling her Cookie, like the Christmas kitten we have been reading about in one of her story books. I have to say that it was me who noticed this cute baby and asked to take her out. Somehow no thought really had to go into taking her with us. She is very tiny and I was so proud of how gentle my daughter was and considerate of both kitties. She played with Cookie and then said it was Belle's turn. Belle has a little adjusting to do, now that she became queen of this castle. But they are starting to get along. Pudding was so sweet and just kissed Cookie when she went up to him. Little Chick is so happy! My mom got us the kitten for Christmas. Have a happy Smile Sunday!

Cookies whiskers on the left are white and on the right they are black. Very cute!
Little Chick when we returned home.

So cute!

Have a great Smile Sunday!

Thanksgiving Thursday - Christmas Wishes

"Wishes are the hope and strength that carry us through when we most need it." ~Mama Hen

This year life has thrown me some very difficult challenges and I find myself struggling a lot more than I would like. It makes me wonder about the other people out there that are also being thrown some trying challenges. All of this brings me to Christmas wishes. Without having hope there would be no strength to carry on. So this year I would like to send out some Christmas wishes:

Dear Lord,

Please help all of the people who find themselves struggling and "in need" of something.

Please help my mom to feel less pain and help her to get better quickly.

Please make sure that Little Chick is always very happy, healthy and fulfilled in every way.

Help to guide me onto the right road so that my struggles diminish and I may feel at peace within my heart once again.

Let my Dad and grandparents know that I miss them so much and they live on through me and my beautiful daughter.

Please make sure the true spirit of Christmas is celebrated and that people give of themselves freely to all that they can.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

What are your Christmas Wishes?

For this Thanksgiving Thursday I am grateful for:

1.) Little Chick and my family.

2.) My laptop. I have not had one in a week, because it has caught some virus. I did not realize how much comfort I had in having a laptop.

3.) For the smiles I see my mom displaying each time we visit her.

4.) For the kind people that let you go in front of them at the grocery store when they see your child is tired and getting antsy.

5.) Christmas music and holiday movies! I love getting cozy with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and watching a warm film that is filled with Christmas spirit.