I have a confession......  Although it appears that I have been slacking with keeping up with this blog, I have actually been busy with writing for a local "Moms" e-magazine for the past year or so.  It has been a blast and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  Modern Parent of Charlotte has allowed me to express myself through my weekly writings and has helped me connect with readers all over the world.  It is now time for me to take a back seat as the website is going through some changes and the writers are all taking a bit of a break until the site is developed to meet their ever changing needs.  So, bare with me as I get back into the groove.  :)   http://modernparentonline.com/queen-bee/ 

Welcome 2011!

It is just about time to say good-bye to yet another year and time to welcome another. 

A perfect time to start anew. 

Like Billions and Billions other Americans across our great country, 

I am turning over a new leave in 2011 and starting anew.  

2K11 is going to be my year.  It better be!!!

I find to often that my mind races with thoughts, ideas, wishes, dreams and at times 

my creative side is screaming and I freeze.  Things are going to change this year and 

I am going to get off my bootay and make things happen.

Here are a few of My 2011 Resolutions

Prioritize!

Simplify!

Facilitate my Creativity!

Release all the negative Bull around me including detrimental people.  GOODBYE!

Be a better Mom.  It is the toughest job around and after almost 20 years, 

I think I am doing a good job, but improvement is always needed.  Nothing is ever perfect. 

Keep working on that Bucket List. Knocked a few things off in 2010...  More in 2011.

Learn MORE about ME!

Get rid of this chubby chick I have been carrying on my back for way too long.  

I really hate her and she has got to go.  Time to get in the pink and flourish.  

Time to get healthy and toss all those Yucky habits out the door. 

I am on a mission!

Experience More....  even the little things count.

$$ MONEY $$

Dance more with My hubby, my FOREVER BFF!! 

 

Write, draw, create.....  everyday!

Read More Books!!

BREAK some rules....  and BREAK some more!

BREATHE!!!

HO.... HO.... HO!!!

The Holiday Season is upon us and it is such a magical time of year. 

I absolutely Love the Christmas holiday and the traditions that surround the season.

I am running a bit behind this year as a few days after Thanksgiving my Mom was hospitalized with congestive Heart failure. She has a new cardiologist and he is getting her back on track with new medications, etc. Thank God!! She was in the hospital for a week and in a weeks time she became very weak and therefore we decided she would come stay with me and the kids to recover for a week or so. She was a great house guest and I enjoyed taking care of her for once. We spent many hours and hours watching the Hallmark Channel with all of the their heartfelt Holiday movies.... you know... the ones that tug at your heartstrings.  I am longing for Dexter's new season.  I think I saw every Christmas and feel good Holiday movies ever made.  :)

Mom went home a few days before Christmas and Isaac and his mom and dad came from NY to celebrate the holidays.This was the first time Grammy and PaPa would be waking up with the kids on Christmas morning.  My nephew Aaron joined us from NY as well.

S'more Bites

Homemade Peppermint Bark

These are just a few of the Yummy's I always make around the Holiday's.  

They are favorites of everyones.  I will post recipes when I get the chance.

Nanny's Italian Mint Cookies - A MUST HAVE!!

I am pretty much an organized person or at least I tell myself that.  It sounds good.  I really didn't start any Christmas shopping until the week before the Big day.  That is totally not me.  With four kiddies, I try to start around Thanksgiving and end the week before Christmas.  I am in total reverse this year, BUT....  I got it all done, including some baking, cooking, candy making, decorating and all of those other little Holiday must-do's.  I do have to say that I am proud of myself.

Paula Deen's Recipe.  Flawless!!!

Portabella Mushroom Risotto

Shrimp Scampi

Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan

Christmas Eve was spent with Ike doing his last minute shopping spree....  A new family Blu-Ray player.  Like we needed a new one, our DVD player was just fine but boys must have new toys.  I spent most of the day with Grammy in the kitchen preparing Christmas eve dinner and Christmas dinner.  We decided to have a quiet holiday this year and lay low.  We usually fill our house with family, friends and neighbors but we needed to be low key.  We had an amazing dinner of Prime Rib, Shrimp Scampi, Portabello Risotto and veggies.  It was beyond amazing.

 We did our as usual Christmas Eve Pajama gifts as well as cookies and milk for Santa and a "Night Before Christmas" Story ....  and then shuffled everyone of to envision sugar plums.  Ike and I spend the rest of the night wrapping gifts and just spending some QT together.  It was really wonderful spending some time with my BFF without the usual disruptions.  We wrapped until 3:30 am.  (((YAWN)))  We finally called it a night knowing the little one would be hitting the floor early. 

LOVE!

Grammy & Pa Pa in their new Pj's

Aaron

Our Christmas Tree

CHRISTMAS Morning went a little like this.......  TRISTAN Slept until 8:30..... can you believe it?  Any other morning she is staring at me when the first drop of light hits the sky....  that kids amazes me.  I actually woke before her so I could Java up a little before the reality of 8 other people staring at me hit me head on......  God Forbid.  Tristan and Jaedan woke everyone else in the house with their excitement.   

Grammy & Pa Pa, the kids, Ike and I all gather in the family room with the Yule log burning on the flat screen (what is the point of that)  It is Ike's thing. We started with the stocking and I just relished at the smiles on everyone's faces.  Tristan was overjoyed as was the girls.  Matt and Aaron chuckled at the silly stuff they found - Toothpaste, toothbrush (Hint, Hint) Slim Jim, hats and gloves, Starbucks gift cards, etc.  Grammy and Pa Pa ware so happy.  The were delighted and expressed childlike happiness on their faces.  If for one thing...  seeing them Christmas morning was Priceless.

The kids had a wonderful Christmas and all enjoyed their presents.  Each one loved their "special" gifts.  Jaedan got an Ipod Touch, Taryn a Nook Color reader, Matthew an IPad and Tristan a doll house.  Overall it was an amazing day. 

UNDEROOS!

UNDEROOS!!

Meet Cocoa

The Smith Family had a recent visitor for the weekend.  It was Tristan's turn to bring Cocoa home so he wouldn't be lonely in school.  Tristan was so excited to introduce Cocoa to everyone.  She showed him around the house and showed him all of her toys.  Cocoa had a wonderful weekend at the Smith Homestead and I promise we didn't teach him any bad habits.  
Tristan was very sad to see Cocoa leave.  She had such a wonderful time with him.  We baked cookies, made a gingerbread house, went to a birthday party, read stories, and went to see the Christmas Lights.  We are hoping that Cocoa can come back to visit one day.

Having Lunch with Cocoa

Naptime with a Friend

Hugs!!

Tristan and Cocoa at their friend Mila's Birthday!

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Turkey Time!!!

GOBBLE, GOBBLE....  It is time once again for the annual get-to-gether at the Smith Homestead for Thanksgiving.  Since moving to North Carolina, we have gathered with close family and friends to celebrate the holiday.....  Smith Style.

Our holiday begins the night before Thanksgiving with our annual turkey fondling session.  If you know me well, I don't do well with raw poultry and have to delegate the task to someone else.  That someone always seems to be my dear hubby Isaac and he always does the task perfectly.  Our neighbors Wayne and Stacey always join us for the pre-Thanksgiving festivities along with a few (cough, cough) glasses of wine. I would post some pics, but not sure how well it would go with some of my audience.  Imagination is a necessity!

The rest of the Thanksgiving weekend was awesome as usual.  Our friends the Therrien Family came from Raleigh to celebrate as well as our neighbors the Cloud family Leonard Family, My sister and her family and my Mom.  The food was amazing and the company was extraordinary.  We finished up the weekend with an "adult" game night complete with some Beer pong.  I think the girls won again this year.

Tristan's Thanksgiving Pre-School Feast

Tristan's pre-school - First Presbyterian Pre-School held their annual Thanksgiving Concert and feast for families and friends of the school.  Each class performs a few songs complete in appropriate costume.  Tristan's 3 year old classroom were all dressed like Indians.  They looked adorable.  After the concert we all gathered for a lovely feast in the school cafeteria. Ms. Jill came with me and had a wonderful time watching Tristan belt out some songs.  She is a natural.  My girl was adorable as always blowing kisses our way. 

Great job, little Ms. Tristan!