Santa Picture FAIL 2012

Linking up with Darci today for Santa Picture FAIL.

I love a good screaming kid on santa’s lap picture. I told my husband it was a rite of passage for a child. If your kid doesn’t scream on Santa’s lap atleast once in their lives… you may want to revisit that whole stranger danger discussion.
We did not visit Mr. Claus last year. Kendall was 14 months old and she didn’t get it then, so I was super excited to take her this year because she is so aware of everything Christmas now.
She wore this adorable outfit my mom bought her and my mom even helped Kendall color Santa a card. Chris and I took her to Kroger because it was close to our house and $5, much cheaper than the mall… and did I mention no line to wait in???
When we got to Kroger she spotted Santa a few aisles down and was so tickled to see him. She said Hi and handed him her card. He then gave her a candy cane which made her oh so happy! I was feeling good about the photo because they had warmed up to one another.
Not so much. Girlfriend wanted nothing to do with sitting NEAR that man.

I don’t blame her I guess. It is weird. She doesn’t KNOW him. I sent the picture to my mom and this was our conversation.
Mom: Borderline child abuse?
Me: Probably
I’m one of those weirdos who doesn’t want to make a big deal about Santa. I mean my kids will believe in him, but I don’t really talk about it all the time. BUT I will have a forced Santa picture every year because it builds character. Ha!
Go link up with Darci for more Santa FAILs!

Parenting Woes (again) & 24 Days of Christmas: Day 4

This 24 days of Christmas is really getting fun! I have so many ideas to really make this season special and memorable for Kendall! I was happy to see all of the bulletin boards at Kendall’s school had been changed to Christmas themes today so we could spend our walks in and out pointing them out. She is so receptive to everything Christmas… well everything in general. I am amazed everyday how smart she is!

Before I get to the Christmas stuff, I must share a parenting story because this is Kendall’s baby book/my journal and I want to remember these moments. Yesterday (Monday) when I picked Kendall up from school, her teacher said Kendall had a rough day. Kendall scratched another child over a toy and spent some time in timeout twice. My first reaction was, “ are you kicking her out?” and my next reaction was complete helplessness/fear that I am creating a monster.

I guess it’s the 2’s but Kendall has developed quite an attitude and defiance towards me. She is completely different with Chris, but she also has a better time with me too. I love my husband, but I am more fun.  I always put her first and we have so much fun playing and doing things together every day. Since I work and I am in school, I have gone out of my way to make her a priority when I am at home. We do puzzles and color instead of me catching up on my shows or talking on the phone. I let her help me cook and do house work.

98% of the time she is pure joy to be around. But then she will be in a mood or she doesn’t get her way and the grunts, no’s and fits begin. I don’t want to spank my child (I’m not against it – I just don’t think it’s that effective with her) but I need to regain control somehow when these moments happen. Suggestions?

I like to believe I am doing everything right but she is still her own person. She is also two and learning her boundaries. She minds her Ps and Qs but Princess cannot get her way all of the time. I always am and will be her parent first before being her friend but it is so hard when you cannot get a two year old little person to listen! Parenting truly is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and probably ever will do. Gahhhh

Now I’m sad. This to shall pass. Back to Christmas…

Day 4 of Kendall’s 24 Days of Christmas

I LOVE these things…

SO healthy right? So not helping with my birthday weight loss goal. Oh well.

I decided to make my own! I purchased some milk chocolate chips and some snowflakes ritz crackers and VOILA!

I personally like a little more salty action so I only dipped them half way into the chocolate. Basically, it’s a skinnier version. Ha!

Girlfriend loved these! She did not like chocolate melted all over her fingers, so being a proper southern lady I showed her how to lick the chocolate off of her fingers. Classy, right?

Next I sat her up with some Christmas stickers and coloring pages so I could finish my homework! Check out this hair? :)

Drama Queen!

Tuesday night while playing with Christmas card designs I had the bright idea to dress Kendall up in a Christmas outfit and get her picture taken with Wilson for our cards… Kendall did not think this was a good idea.

No pictures in the chair. 

I was desperate so I thought maybe she would smile in her highchair.

Waaaahhhhhhh

She WILL NOT look at the camera. HA!

Stop Mom !

 

Crazy eyes!

Almost had a photo op…

Must. Move. At. All. Times.

Giggles

Boo!

  

So much for having a nice camera… I will never have staged pictures again! Not going to lie… the “not perfect” pictures are my favorite even if she’s fussing for the camera out of her face!