I hadn't planned on anything yet but an opportunity fell in my lap and I went back to work this past year. Oldest will graduate next year and we are considering public school for the youngest. I went back to what I did before. I'm a children's librarian but at a public library instead of a school library.

I haven't tackled in awhile, well I did, but I didn't post about it. I'll be tackling even less as I have just accepted a children's librarian position at our public library. Lots of changes for our family! Best wishes to all of you! I always enjoyed reading and posting to this thread. I'm sure I'll check in from time to time.

I gave gifts to my son's preschool teachers this year. I've always given teacher gifts. One year I did mail carrier gifts but then she left and we haven't had anyone reliable since then. This year one of the mail carriers drove up to the driveway and threw our packages out of her window... so yeah, no gift there.

Santa didn't wrap this year. In previous years we have always been Santa's last stop and he left his bag here. Stockings are always last here.

I have prime(several years now) and I love it but I wouldn't use a Christmas gift card to purchase it,

Is there a restaurant they frequent? Movie tickets hand/dish towels bath towel set picture frames stationary set visa gift card amazon gift card

Dh took over elf duties for a few days--apparently our elves were running moonshine, one elf ran over the over one with a dump truck, sheriff spiderman was on the lookout for him and formed a task force led by darth vader who eventually found the offending elf in the kitchen hiding behind the trash can. He was then brought before the judge(Santa Claus) and was sentenced to such awful things like defrosting the septic tank at the North Pole. It was hilarious. After that little storyline I have given over all future elf duty to dh. ETA: Our elves are just here for the fun antics of life outside the North Pole. I don't follow any 'rules' :)

Thanks!

My oldest son and I went out last night. We love to people watch. This year we also picked up a case of legos for #2 son. Nothing crazy to report. Thankfully, our walmart must be one of the calmer ones--everyone we ran into was pleasant and friendly. Our Target was practically empty compared to last year--no lines and lots of big ticket items still on the shelves when we got there.

I don't know what other people do but I am a cash only shopper.

Definitely Whataburger in my part of Texas too.

We have a screen that we only pull down when we want to watch movies on 'the big screen'. It's on a beam in the living room--it's out of the way and I never notice it. The projector is connected to a computer. You have to have a specific players downloaded to watch blu-ray movies. Other than we just put a dvd in or stream and watch movies. We bought the projector/screen several years ago and it's been a very good investment for our family.

I sent my youngest to preschool this year. It was the absolute best and most wonderful decision for us! He loves it. He goes 3 days a week now and will probably start 5 days in January. He needed the social interaction. It's led me to think that he will probably attend public school as well. He needs to be around people and constant activity. Our town basically no longer has any homeschool group--I think there might be one very exclusive one but I'm not in the loop anymore. Preschool has been great for him and my oldest has quiet to get his school work done. I highly recommend it.

I'd say cookies and a family snapshot...

They make a travel Blokus game :)

2/10

The boxes and wrapping paper will be more a thrill to him than actual gifts ;) I wouldn't give it another thought!

Christmas movies are a big tradition for us. I own many and try to buy at least one new one every season. We start watching them around Thanksgiving and continue until the New Year. Baking cookies Open new Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve Looking at Christmas lights Going to see a Christmas play Christmas Parade Reading Luke 2 and The Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve Christmas Breakfast--something that we don't have year round Our Christmases are pretty nice and laid back. We get together with family before Christmas day so we have the day to spend just lounging around and enjoying our time together.

we've done Advent Candles, calendars and wreaths, read books, etc. This year I bought What's In The Bible (Phil Vischer-creator of Veggie Tales)Advent Activities Book, 'Everyday Emmanuel' and 'Why Do We Call It Christmas?' book. The Emmanuel book looks simple and fun and has weekly Bible readings to go along with the activities. I really liked the Christmas book and can't wait to read it to my little one. One year we did Jotham's Journey and Barthlomew's Passage. We didn't care for those--some freaky scary scenes if your kiddos are little. They really bothered my youngest when we read them.

The past 2 years we've not had any trick or treaters and the houses that were handing out candy have lessened as well : ( So, this year we are taking our kids to a carnival in town. I always bought the good stuff though--snickers, kit kat, reeses's, etc.

Adding Nature's Own bread

I cashed in over $20 this weekend. The cashier scanned the bar code from my phone but you can print it and they can scan that at the register.

Dove soap Coca Cola Jif Peanut Butter Viva Paper towels Puffs w/lotion tissue Kraft Miracle Whip Purex Laundry Detergent Del Monte diced tomatoes I'm sure there are more but those are the first that popped in my mind.

I don't know where you live so what about a trip to a History museum and/or a battleground? If he liked Calvin and Hobbes what about Bloom County or Opus? Favorite snack foods Does he drive? New key chain or accessory for the car? I'd find out what kind of video games he would like and choose from that Any other hobbies that you could tap into? Any comedian or musician that you could get tickets to see? More lego storage? ;) My 4 year old has more than I can store at the moment!

My 4 year old has been picking flowers for me every day for the last week. :D