Today is our last day of 2008 and the girls & I spent it at the mall this morning.  Both Megan & Kelly got gift cards for Xmas and Megan really wanted to spend hers, asap.  We also had to stop at Macy’s so I could get my makeup.  This is one of their favorite stops.  They love to put on eye shadow, blush & lipstick.  The ladies that work behind the counter always get a kick out of this.  They just smile and watch.  After the mall trip, it was over to Target to use up those gift cards.  Each of the girls bought protective cases for their Nintendo’s (a wise decision).  Megan is still working on spending birthday money, so she got a new game to go with it.

Tonight we’re heading over to our friends, Tim & Terri Burns’ house for “game night” this New Years Eve.  We’re looking forward to ringing in the new year!

Christmas is officially over now at the Solberg house.  The tree came down today and the decorations were put away yesterday.  It’s fun to put them all up, but definitely not as fun to take them down.  The house always seems a bit more “open” now that those things aren’t spread out all over.  But we all know, that next December we’ll see them again.  The tree just doesn’t quite seem the same in that old junky box.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…..

   Thanks for taking time to read my blog.  I enjoy putting down my thoughts, daily events and family happenings and sharing them with you.  Be safe and stay warm over this chilly holiday.  I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a great 2009.     Cathy~

This morning I played in my second annual floor hockey game against the 6th graders.  This year I was prepared a bit more in the uniform department.  Wearing my Wild jersey, I believe improved my game…or at least scared the opponents a little.  I looked tough.  I didn’t score this year, but I believe I played some good defense.  In the end, the teachers prevailed once again in this floor hockey game, by a score of 4-1. 

It’s always a fun game and worth getting up that extra half-hour in the morning.

This weekend Jazz got an early Christmas gift from all of us.  A new bed!  We finally got one that seems to fit her better.  Her old one was too small and she kind of hung out of it.  Since it’s so cold these days, we think she’s going to love this new padded one that feels pretty cozy.  Merry Christmas Jazzy!

We had a house full of girls, the snow was coming down outside as if we were in a snow globe that had just been shaken up.   Could there be a better situation for making Christmas cookies?  I think not.  So this is how we spent our afternoon.  Megan had her friends Andra and Laura over while Kelly & I got started a little earlier on making the dough.  We had a lot fun and it’s neat to see the girls do most of the work themselves.  They’re growing up so fast but it’s still so much fun to watch them have such a great time together making cookies.  The tradition continues…

Today at school was our Holiday Sing-along.  Each grade got to stand up and sing a holiday song, the Hidden Valley Choir sang and we had some “everyone” sing along songs as well.  It was an hour long program that really got you into the holiday spirit.  There were so many parents there this year, that I think it was our largest program in awhile.  It’s great to see that parent support.  Megan’s friend, Andra, had a solo during the performance and wow was she great!   I love the holidays!

Today at school, our candy grams were sent out.  I was lucky to receive three of them!  One from Kelly, one from Megan and one from a co-worker.  I sent out eight of them, only to find out later that six of them weren’t even read.  They just ate the candy cane and didn’t bother with the message!  Nice.  This is why we taught our girls to read the card first before opening the gift.   Oh well, I still feel good about sending them out and would do it again.

p.s. – do you like the newest addition of falling snowflakes on my blog?  Festive isn’t it!

I can’t believe that 11 years ago, Megan came into our lives.  We had a such a fun day today helping her celebrate her birthday.  We started the day out with presents from home and then she had her birthday party with her girlfriends.  This year, she chose rock climbing at Dick’s Sporting Goods.  This was no wimpy climbing wall, this thing was HUGE!  Two stories tall!  I wasn’t feeling too good at first (very nervous mom syndrome), but then I saw how safe it was and I was able to relax.  The girls had a blast and were disappointed when it had to come to an end.  That’s the sign of a successful party!

I love days like today.  The sun was shining and it actually felt warm outside!  I feel bad for my friend Shelly, who is home in bed,  recovering from an appendectomy.  I know she would’ve loved to have gone outside and walked her dog on a day like today.  Feel better soon Shel!

I accomplished all my tasks today.  I did the grocery shopping, put a pot roast in the crock-pot and most importantly, I got all of my Christmas presents wrapped!!  The tree is looking full and very festive.  I’m starting to get excited for the holidays.  I hope you had a great day and maybe even got outside to breathe in that fresh air!