Where do I begin??

It's been a couple weeks since I last posted, but there has been SOOO much going on.  Of course, the Thanksgiving holidays came upon us...and fast, I think.  But I didn't fuss about it because this year I didn't have not one single place I had to be nor did I have to cook not a single dish!  I am THANKFUL for that. 

I took a vacation day on 11/23.  My daughter and I were out and about most of the day running errands.  Then we came home and did a craft project which she enjoyed.  Then that night she went to her dad's to spend Thanksgiving w/ him.  So, Thanksgiving morning, I got up and....

Yep, you got it.  I participated in an annual tradition.  It's called the Turkey Trot 4 Miler and Turkey Relay.  I ran the entire 4 miles and finished in 37 minutes and 13 seconds with a time of 9 mins, 18 secs per mile.  I think that was pretty good.  I was happy with that.  So, from there, I went straight home and started (notice how I said "started" as this will take some time to complete) the holiday CLEANING.  Oh how I hate it, but it has to be done. 

Later that night, I decided to finish a wreath that I was making for my aunt for Christmas...

Anyways, yes, I created this entire thing.  I also did one for my grandmother and I will do one for my boyfriend's mom and sister for Christmas. That night, I figured my dinner was going to be whatever I came up with in the kitchen (probably a bowl of cereal, which I was fine with), but Hunter called and said that he had saved a plate for me from what they had made at the fire department that day.  So, I went and ate up there and spent some time w/ him.

On Friday, I went w/ Hunter and his daughter to his mom's for Thanksgiving Lunch.  It was nice to meet some of his family and spend some time w/ them.  After that, I went home and finished the wreath for my grandmother.  Now, I've got their Christmas gifts finished...thank goodness. 

Saturday morning, I got Cooper Grace at 8 from her dad and brought her home to show her that Santa had left her a gift (way early).  She opened it and was surprised when she saw the Elf on the Shelf.  We read the story book that came w/ him and then she decided to name him Bernard....after the main elf on The Santa Clause (w/ Tim Allen).  I thought that fit very well.  She was all excited after we "adopted" him and he had magical powers then.  So up on the shelf he went until that night when he went to the North Pole.  So, after that, we went to pick out our Christmas tree.  Yes, I lugged this thing in ALL BY MYSELF.  It was not easy as it probably weighs 50 pounds and is 7 foot tall, but I did it.

For the rest of the day, we ran errands and I had to take her to buy her new pants after I just bought some a few months ago.  The child has grown 4 inches (exaggeration, but it sure seems that way) overnight.  Every pair of pants I put on her came above her ankles.  So, she is now stocked up on winter pants...that is, until her next growth spurt. 

Sunday morning, we woke up to this:

Yep, that's Bernard.  She was NOT happy that he had her horse and dolls, too.  She kept asking why he was wearing her Barbie's boots.  I told her that I guess his feet got cold while he was at the North Pole and needed the boots to warm them up.  She finally got past all that, but still wasn't happy about it, I don't think.  And Bernard no longer seems to have an affect on her behavior, because after we got home from church Sunday, she was a child on a rebellion streak the rest of the day/night.  I thought I was going to pull every last strand of hair out of my head before I finally got her to bed last night.  Well, this morning when she got up, Bernard was missing in action.  No where to be seen.  I think he will be missing for a couple days (while she is at her dad's) and then when he does show back up, he will have a letter from Santa noting her bad behavior (I'm HOPEFUL that will work on her).  

So, tonight when I get home, I will start working on this project:

I will be putting rubber bands around them and then spray painting them w/ "frosted" paint.  Found this idea on Pinterest and decided that I had to do it.  Plus, I really need to start on my ruffled tree skirt.  Think I'll start that tonight as well. 

Ahhh, so much to do...so little time to do it in.