Isn't she so cute! Really nice too! So for all my Valrico readers - She's in the Publix shopping center at Lithia Pinecrest. If you go see her tell her I said hello and tip her well ~ She's so worth it! And now I reluctantly show you my picture ~ Talk about a good hair day, just still don't like pictures of myself!
Just seconds before this picture was taken he was making a terrible face at me but the camera took too long to snap so this is what I ended up with. He really is a sweetheart even though he always gives me a hard time! Got some really cute new fabrics too!
Isn't it gorgeous? Its a porcelain doll made by the doll maker in Naples. The details are amazing and Julianne is, of course, in heaven. She's still not quite getting why she can't "play" with it but I've put it up where it can't be disturbed but can be seen by everyone! Peg really is one of the most generous and all around nicest people I have ever met. I'm just hoping she feels better really soon.
I swear this was the biggest little store ever and anything and everything was M&M's. Of course every color of M&M you could imagine 
and then there was all the gear ~ dinner wear of course, and clothes, and sporting goods ~ Oh the list goes on and on. We all got some M&M's ~ mine were dark chocolate with peanuts. Julianne also got a snow globe (she has quite a collection of snow globes now) and Nathaniel got a pen that lights up (but doesn't write all that well). Got lots of exercise walking around this mall. One of the things we did notice was that the majority of the population in this very "high end" mall was wealthy South American.
where for $20/half hour you can surf in the store. I think Nathaniel may be bringing a friend for his birthday and doing this. Julianne on the other hand found this store that does Diva Makeovers ~ hair, nails, make up ~ the whole works and she wants to do that with a bunch of friends for her birthday in Feb. Problem being we don't know any of her friends parents yet and I doubt that they'd either drive all the way to Orlando for her party or let me take them (and I really don't want that responsibility). What I am thinking though (thanks to some good ideas from my sister Joey) is hiring a couple of high school girls to do their hair and makeup and nails and get some dress up stuff ~ boas and such and then let them do their own "Show". I think they'd have fun with that. I guess we'll see. She did buy herself a "Hannah Montana" wig.
Here she is in full shoppers mode. 
Can't you just see the future here?
which was just yummy.
Made our way home and watched "Ratatouille" which was wonderful. I highly recommend it. Well it's way late and I have to get up early to head for Tampa. So, that was my day. How was yours? I'd really like to know ~ leave me a comment and make my day!
It's an American Eskimo puppy. She really was cute but quite a handful and I can't see spending $900 for a little bundle of energy that I'd have to deal with ~ but boy was she cute and fun to see what Sadie must have looked like as a puppy.
and filled it with "most" of my Tinkerbells ~ Here's my newest 
Looks like she was getting the best of him but he was letting her and enjoying it all the while.
So, How was your day?
and got everything wrapped 
and once we got the kids to bed ~ got everything under the tree 
The woman offered me one and I said "If I get out on that ice, I'll be using a walker PERMANENTLY so no thanks!" They had a good time although I am still deciding on my SIL's fate after he body checked Nathaniel and they both bit the ice! Unfortunately I missed the whole episode ~ darn!
Then we ran over to Nathaniel's room just in time to grab him from being put on the bus (we somehow missed Julianne and she did take the bus!). Chilled at the house for a little bit and then met Richard for dinner at Frankie's Wings which was yummy. A quick trip to Target pretty much finished up my Christmas shopping YIPEE!!! So, How was your day?
We did lots of crafts which I didn't think were very messy but I guess if you calculate 24 5th graders in, anything can be a mess!
There were also Christmas movies, pizzas, drinks and lots of sweets (which I stayed far away from!)
for a certain someone and this apron 
for her mother. This morning I wrapped all 17 gifts to go out of town (did I mention I HATE wrapping presents?) found boxes for all ~ really just 6 boxes total and took them to The UPS Store. Much to my surprise I didn't even have to wait in line. Cost me an arm and a leg to ship but that's only normal these days ~ But hey, it was done.. until tonight and I realized I have ONE MORE PACKAGE TO SEND ~ ARRRRGGGGG! I guess that's what tomorrow is for. Tomorrow I also have to finish my shopping ~ just a few final things and get the gift certificates for the teacher. I was disappointed in the lack of donations received cause she really is a great teacher. I just hope that all those that didn't participate will get her something on their own.
as does his sister 
This is something all the kids at Quest MUST do even if they don't enter it in the science fair. Julianne's project consisted of feeding 9 plants. 3 got water every other day. 3 got Orange juice every other day (they grew mold & died) and 3 got milk every other day. The milk didn't fair as well as the water but didn't do too bad ~ all things considered.
I worked on a couple more sewing Christmas gifts. The wallet is for a little guy in Jacksonville who loves trains. It also has a little gift card inside.
The purse and wallet set are for Nathaniel's teacher. Don't you love how the button goes so great with the fabrics? Quite a find for me. The wallet will house the gift cards from the class. So far I have gotten $100 from the class but they have until Monday to turn their "gifts" in so I'm hoping to get at least another $100 which I'll take and purchase several gift cards from some of her favorite places. We are having his Christmas party on Thursday so I'll give them to her then. I still have 2 more out of town presents to make tomorrow and then Julianne's teachers purse and wallet for her party on Friday. Wish me luck!
We ended up at "Bob Evans" for dinner on the way home cause it was fast and convenient ~ although maybe not as fast as Nathaniel would have liked. Here he is trying to eat Richard's face!
This is a map of the world and each kid did a little paper about the customs of a specific country. My job was to find those countries and attach a string from them to their paper! I also attached a flag of that country to their paper as well. Fortunately there were no obsure little countries done and I managed to find them all ~ phew! I think the board turned out pretty good and I even did double letters to give it that shadowed look. The teacher was pleased ~ Guess I'm getting an "A" for today! 
Once that was done I ran out to get a bit of shopping done and run a few errands ~ one of the things I saw on my journey is sure to cause an accident. This ~ from a used car lot! It's a real car just dangling from a crane and what you can't really see from the photo is a large as life Santa breaking into the car ~ at least that's what it looks like. So now we know how he gets all those gifts ~ He steals them from cars!!! Only in Florida, I swear! So, How was your day?
