Merry Christmas To All, And To All A Goodnight!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, enjoying the day with 8 additional family members. It was so very special to me to be surrounded by so many loved ones. Everyone made sure that I wasn't doing too much and kept insisting that I sit down and relax; so my day was very enjoyable! Everyone else did the cooking and cleaning so I basically got to sit and watch gifts being opened. Lucky girl, eh?
Since we took an obnoxious amount of photos from Christmas Eve through Christmas day, I'm only posting the highlights...
 


Also, here are two videos from Christmas morning that are pretty cute. Shows the pure excitement and enthusiasm that a 5-year has when he opens his most-wanted gifts...
Opening Scooter
Opening DS

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and please be safe over New Year's Eve!

Disney at Christmas time

I'm sure many of you have heard of the Mickey's Christmas Spectacular event that goes on during the months of November and December. We've never been, but I've heard it is truly spectacular (as is almost anything Disney does). But for those of you who can't afford to go to that event, but would still like to experience some Disney Christmas magic, I have some fun ideas for you!

Sorry for the shadow - it was the only shot I could get.

Yesterday, we took Payton to the Disney area for several fun Christmas-y things that barely cost us any money. Our first stop was a miniature golf course that is just a few minutes outside of Downtown Disney. It's called the "Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course." Half of the course is summer-themed and half of it is Winter-themed. The Winter portion of the course is also Christmas-y, so it fit in perfect with our day.

For $10 Payton got to golf all through this fabulous Disney course with moving displays and snow Mickeys galore!



After we wrapped up there, we headed over to Downtown Disney Marketplace. We had been there a couple months before with my parents after we went to the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. But now, the entire place is decorated for Christmas and there are carols playing over the loud speakers and all sorts of Christmas themed events. There is a candlelight processional in the evening, which is supposed to be really beautiful, but we didn't stay that late. I was very pleased however when the "Sample Man" at the Ghiradelli shop gave me a sample of their delicious peppermint bark chocolate and then said, "Oh wait, you get two samples, ma'am." Sometimes it pays to be pregnant!

So after spending a LONG time at the LEGO store and several other stores in Downtown Disney, we drove over to the Grand Floridian Resort to see the 2-story gingerbread house that is on display in their lobby. ** TIP: Did you know you can get into the Magic Kingdom area to visit the resorts without paying the parking fee? You just go to the far right-hand lane and tell them you are going to the resorts and they let you right through for free! *** So we arrived at the Grand Floridian and all the period-dressed employees greeted us and welcomed us to the resort. They even gave us a cup of roasted chestnuts to enjoy while walking through the display (how much more Christmas-y can you get than roasted chestnuts?!?).

Roasted chestnuts

Tree in the lobby of Grand Floridian

700 lbs of chocolate? YUM-O!!

The gingerbread house was quite amazing. I don't know who has the patience to put together something like that, but I'm glad someone does because it was pretty amazing to view.

Then, after that, we hopped on the monorail that stops at the Grand Floridian and rode it over to the Contemporary Resort where there was yet another gingerbread display. This one was a 16-foot gingerbread Christmas tree. There was also another little display next to it with Mickey-shaped gingerbread lining the roof. It was just too cute! Oh, and one other totally Disney-esque thing that I had to take a photo of was the gigantic Mickey mouse-shaped wreath that hung from the massive window-front of the Contemporary Resort. It was the biggest thing I've ever seen!

Biggest wreath in existence!

After all that Disney fun, we were all pretty wiped out. Plus, we had a furry little creature at home waiting for us to let him out. So we called it a day and headed back to Tampa. I was so touched when I got home and found this lovely little Christmas tree plant (complete with a set of tiny ornaments) for me at my front door from my sweet cousin Wendy. Thanks Wen - I do adore this little tree! Especially since we have our 1st fake tree this year. This little guy makes our family room very festive!

Only a few more days till Christmas! Can you believe it???

The Christmas fun continues...

Payton's table-mates, Jamie and Lauren.

Payton's class has been doing lots of fun activities the past few weeks. I forgot my camera when they had their "Holiday Centers" but another mom promised me she would share her photos. So, those will be coming soon. Another day, the built gingerbread houses. I thought it would be mass chaos, but his very organized teacher had all the toppings on a plate for each child and had a little gingerbread house for each child that was stuck to a platter. It was perfect! The kids had so much fun creating their little houses. Of course whatever didn't make it on the gingerbread house, made it in their stomachs. They were quite wound-up afterward.

The final masterpiece!

We also made this adorable train table scape from the Martha Stewart craft collection at Michael's Crafts. I was surprised at how much Payton was able to do with this craft. He folded all the train cars and the train station and then helped me glue and glitter the entire thing. It ended up being a very fun Christmas craft for us.

(He loves his new reindeer antlers that he got from Mrs. Scaglione in his holiday gift bag)

One last thing that I have to share... just because it's so cute. It is a writing assignment they had in school last week. They were supposed to write what they like about the holiday season (I'll translate it below):

It says: "I like Christmas because it is Jesus' birthday. I get presents. I make cookies. I see Santa. Why do you like Christmas?" How sweet is that? I love that my little boy put Jesus' birthday as the first reason he loves Christmas.

Gingerbread, Trains & Other Things...

Payton's class at school is decorating gingerbread houses this week (more pics to come on that another day). They've been talking about gingerbread decorating since last week - they even did a Science experiment to find out which brand of icing was the stickiest, thus making it the best for gingerbread house construction. So, he's had gingerbread on the brain! Over the weekend, he begged to make a house of his own, so he and Brian went to the store and bought a kit for not only a house... but a whole village! It took us the better part of the afternoon on Sunday to put it together, but it was a lot of fun. When Payton leaned over and said, "Mama, this is better than any playdate I've ever had" I knew it was all worth it. Here are a couple pics from our construction...

Concentrating...

Sugar high!!!

The finished product

So proud of his creation.

Beautifully decorated H&R Train Store

On Saturday, we went to Payton's favorite train store with one of his old classmates from Wesley Early Learning Center for their annual Christmas event. They have a little cookie reception and pictures with Santa. It was really cute. Then we drove over to the Largo Train Rides. Not only are the train rides free, but the park and playground surrounding the train area is beautiful! The boys had so much fun playing on the playground after the train ride. The weather was amazing so we ended up spending almost the whole day outside.

"We've been good Santa - promise!"

This is the train they rode...

Here they are riding the train.

And one more photo for you. Brian took some "belly pics" last night in front of the Christmas tree. I am a little over 30 weeks and counting! We just found out that the official c-section date will be Monday, February 7th. We are SO excited... but until then we have Christmas, New Year's, two baby showers and Payton's birthday. Nothing like cramming it all in before the baby arrives!

    

It's Christmas Time!

The day after Thanksgiving officially started the Christmas season at the Heckman household. We got the decorations down (which is now one of Payton's favorite Christmas traditions), decorated the outside of the house and got to work on the inside. This year, we didn't put up all the decorations because I have a strong suspicion that come December 26th, I'm not going to feel much like taking everything down (something about my growing belly that keeps getting in the way of things). So, we have plenty of decorations up to make it fell "Christmas-y" but not so much that it looks like the North Pole threw up in our family room. Here are a couple of fun decorations this year...

Our Christmas Village Scene, which Payton had so much fun helping me put up this year:

My "Celebrate Plate" that I bought years ago from a Southern Living party that I decorated with a very simple candy cane bucket (the kids LOVE this one!):

And speaking of decor... my husband and son decided that my neatly organized playroom need a full Christmas "makeover" complete with tents, tunnels and a Christmas Train Village. I was informed last night that this "scene" would be staying up all Christmas season:
(Tent town from the front)                                                        (Inside the tent - Payton's Train Village)

Of course we also put up our Advent calendar this week as well. Traditionally, each day would be filled with a piece of candy. But seeing as how candy-obsessed my son is these days, I thought it best to integrate some other little things this year. So, although there is still plenty of candy in the calendar, I've also included little cards that say, "Look in your book basket" or "Look in your bathroom cabinet" and I hide wrapped Christmas books for him to find. I think he's had much more fun with it this year. And speaking of Christmas books, here are two that I highly recommend:

Payton has already spent a long time looking through these fun books where you have to find items on each page. (P.S. They retail for about $21 each at Barnes and Noble, but I purchased them on www.Half.com for just .75 a piece!!!).

This is our Christmas Book Basket that I have strategically placed next to the Christmas tree (where presents will soon be). It's amazing when you put out books in plain view how much more your kids will pick them up and read them.

And I would be remiss if I left out one more important element from this Christmas blog post. I have a new obsession this season, thanks to my father-in-law who introduced these little pieces of heaven to me a few weeks ago when he baked mint chocolate brownies. Have you tried these Andes Mint Baking Chips yet?? They are SO yummy!! I have put them in brownies, cookies, and even in my occasional cup of coffee. YUM-O! You've got to go out and get yourself a bag of these babies. Because I have a feeling they are a seasonal product and just like eggnog... they'll be gone before you know it.

I hope you all are enjoying this wonderful season! I'd love to hear what your family is doing to celebrate.

Thanksgiving 2010

So I gotta admit... being pregnant during the holidays has it's up's and down's... but overall, I think it has a lot more benefits than people realize. First, I can eat a lot and you can't tell any difference in my stomach area. Second, I can nap and it is deemed very "necessary." And third, everyone keeps telling me "Go sit down and rest! You don't need to be helping!" It's quite nice, I must say.

With all of that being said, my Thanksgiving this year was probably the most relaxed Thanksgiving ever. I didn't cook one thing, yet ate delicious home-cooked food to my heart's content; I didn't host anyone, yet got to spend the day with both sets of parents and lots of extended family as well; and I didn't have to clean up one thing... pretty darn relaxing, eh? My parents drove over on Thanksgiving morning to Tampa and we ate breakfast and watched part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then we all packed up and headed to Bradenton to spend the day at Brian's parents house with lots of other family members. The day was filled with snacking (for both people and doggies), playing games, eating, playing football, eating some more, watching football, and lots of fun.

We are so grateful to have such an incredible family and we hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well! Now... onto Christmas!!!

Payton's Thanksgiving Program

You all have heard me rave about Payton's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Scaglione. She is just the best. Seriously. I don't know how she wrangles all of those kids on a daily basis and actually teaches them valuable lessons every single day.
Yesterday was his Thanksgiving program, and let me tell you... Mrs. Scaglione didn't disappoint! The kids were all dressed in their handmade costumes (which they each got to paint) and the room was decorated with all sorts of wonderful handmade Thanksgiving decor. Each of the kids had a speaking part in the program which told a little history about Thanksgiving as well as some funny commentary about turkeys. Then they all sang about 10 songs in unison about various Thanksgiving topics from Indians to pilgrams to turkeys trying to escape becoming the Thanksgiving meal. It was SO cute!!!

I took so many videos that I ran out of memory card during the performance. Payton is the one in the back row with the big "S" on the front of his costume. His Indian name was "Slithering Snake." Here is one of my favorite videos: Here is a link to another video of Payton singing that was too large to post on this blog. But it's SO cute if you have a moment to watch it!

My mom was able to come into town for the program, which was so special. Payton loved having his Nana there to show her all the songs and lines he had learned. After the program, they had a Thanksgiving feast which included these adorable pilgram hat cookies (did I also mention we have the most outstanding homeroom mom that has her own cookie business?) pumpkin cupcakes and of course Thanksgiving staples like Chick-fil-A nuggets, cinnamon apple sauce, and juice boxes.
It really was the most adorable performance Payton has been a part of. I am so excited for more programs like this now that he is in school. I heard I need to bring a whole box of tissues for the Mother's Day performance... oh boy!!!

Little of This &That...

I have some random photos I wanted to share with everyone that don't really fall into any particular category, so excuse the "brain dump" as my friend Jen calls it...

It has finally cooled down enough at night for us to start using our fire pit again. Brian's inner caveman comes out and he gets so excited to get a big 'ol fire burning. Even better when you add good friends, s'mores and some ice cold beer (NA for me of course). Here are some cute photos from last night...

This was just too funny to share. I came back from walking Rohy the other day and Payton was hard at work on this poster. He wouldn't let me see it until he had used half a roll of tape to secure it to his bedroom door. In case you can't read it, this is what it says, "You are now entering the room of love." Oh boy... is this a sign of what's to come in his teenage years? God help me... 

One more random thought... why does the first sight of this red paper cup bring me SO much joy??? It's like it heralds in the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I've discovered a new drink this fall: Tall decaf latte with one pump of peppermint syrup. It is so good, you have to try it. It's dangerous living across the street from Starbucks this time of year...

Preparing for Thanksgiving

Is it really going to be Thanksgiving in 12 days? I feel like the first day of Kindergarten was just a couple weeks ago. I guess that’s why I have that infamous quote from the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” posted on the top of my blog. Because if you don’t stop every once and a while and take in all of the goodness and blessings in your life, it could easily pass by without you even noticing.

With that being said, don’t let the “Marketing Giants of the Retail World” convince you that Thanksgiving isn’t a real holiday and that you should just skip forward to Christmas. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to teach your kids about the history of our country and talk to them about the intangible things they are truly grateful for. This may take a little explaining of course, as I know my little one would initially probably say he’s thankful for his Wii.

Our family has so much to be thankful for this year. We will be spending the holiday with both sets of our parents (plus more extended family), which is special for us, but even more incredible for Payton. We have our miracle baby on the way in less than 3 months. We have so many wonderful friends that love and support us, and we have our faith in God which grounds us each and every day and is the glue that holds us together. We are truly grateful.

Of course with as much as I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving (and believe me, I can almost taste the pie, turkey and cranberry sauce) I am not putting my head in the sand and ignoring the fact that Christmas will be here before I know it.

I started designing our Christmas card this week. I got the idea from another blog I follow where the family is highlighting a bunch of their family “adventures” from the year instead of a staged family portrait. I hope it comes out as good as I envision it in my head. I’m using Shutterfly this year for our card. They have so many great designs – many of which I would love to use next year when our Christmas card budget is a bit bigger. They even have Thanksgiving cards if you're feeling ambitious. I’ve included a few links below where you can view their templates.

• Holiday cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/
• Photo cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery
• Christmas photo cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-station ... hoto-cards
• Thanksgiving cards linked to http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-station ... ving-cards

I think you may be as surprised as I was when you see just how many options there are and how so many of them look like the expensive custom cards that cost twice or three times as much. Plus, as my sis-in-law pointed out, with so many options, it’s rare that you will receive 10 of the same card design you choose.

Also, I printed off this adorable “Countdown to Thanksgiving” calendar on the Family Fun web site. It’s really cute and gives great ideas to start discussions about being thankful.

Okay, I’m off to bake some pumpkin bread! Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkins, Trick-or-Treating & More...

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. From decorating, to pumpkin carving to trick-or-treating, we really enjoyed the fun of it all.
Friday after school Payton had a "Mario Halloween Playdate" with his pal Lilly. She dressed up as another Super Mario Bros character named "Princess Peach" for Halloween. So we had to get them together for some costumed fun before the big day. We met up at the Village by our house and let them get ice cream and then play by the fountain. Of course they had a blast.

I wish I had pictures to post of the two "scary" events we did last weekend. Friday night, the rec center by Payton's school put on a Halloween Haunted House. Payton was so excited to go! We walked up there after dinner and met some of his classmates and neighbors. I think he was expecting it to be like the Haunted Mansion at Disney, but it turned out to be more like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. I didn't go in, but Brian said it was a lot of blood and gore and people grabbing at you. NO THANK YOU! Not my style. When Payton came out, I asked, "Was it fun!?!" He said, "NO! IT WAS NOT FUN!" I think he was a little mad that it turned out to be so scary. Fortunately, there were no nightmares that evening.

On Saturday night, we went with some friends to a local "Haunted Hayride." It was much more tame and not scary at all, but since it was through the woods and it was completely dark out, it was just scary enough for Payton.
Yesterday, we had fun carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating. Payton was thrilled when Brian let him use the pumpkin carving tools to help him carve his "Chicago Bear eating a Brett Favre Packer" pumpkin. It turned out pretty darn funny actually.

 

 Payton is old enough now that the act of getting free candy from neighbors has taken on a whole new level of fun. He ran from house to house last night with some other neighbor friends of his. He was so proud of his "loot" at the end of the route.

 

We had a great Halloween, now on to Thanksgiving! Anyone have any cute Thanksgiving crafts or recipes they want to share???