Here they are singing jingle bells.  PB is wearing the blue and yellow shirt next to Miss Vichie, one of his teachers.

The kids are singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  The words are a bit different then I remember them.

The kids all made picture frames for us parents with pictures of them inside taken by the teachers.  Then we went down to the common room for some food and conversation while the kids sat and watched Frosty the Snowman.  Then Santa came for a surprise visit.


All in all it was a great last of school before the vacation started.  Trace had a wonderful time and enjoyed seeing Santa and his present.  He got a Wizard of Oz pop up book, some crayons and a coloring book plus some treats.

I am the movie queen. Okay well that is what my friends call me. That and a few other things but I love movies! I especially love watching movies at Christmas.

So here is my list of my favorite Xmas flicks. Which ones are yours?

1.) Jack frost
2.) One Magic Christmas
3.) A Christmas Story
4.) I'll Be Home For Christmas
5.) Jingle All The Way
6.) Christmas Comes to Willowcreek
7.) Polar Express
8.) The Holiday
9.) Christmas with the Kranks
10.)Four Christmases

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Finding a babysitter is difficult and costly during most days. So what happens during the holidays when you can't afford a babysitter for New Years? Staying home with your kids on New Years can not only be fun but affordable and you can invite friends who have kids to join you for the festivities.

This year DH and I are staying home. With a special needs child it's too difficult for us to go out and leave Pickleboy with anyone, unless it's my parents and they are going to bingo lol.

So we decided to stay home and have a party of our own. I'm making chili, friends are bringing stuff and we are going to play Sing-star on the PS2 (the only time) I video game at home lmao. It should be fun. The kids can play upstairs or watch movies or join in the fun and sing a long with us.

Here are some tips to help you do the same if you are planning on staying home.

Plan what type of festivities you are going to have. You could play board games, do karaoke or do a family time capsule. Ask all friends coming to bring a letter and some photos from last year to put in pop bottles to open one year later.

For those consuming alcohol make sure you have a taxi number on the fridge, get friends to carpool and check your local communities. Here in Abbey we have an organization called Operation Red Nose that will drive anyone whose been drinking home in their own car for a small donation (whatever you can afford) this way both you and your car get home safe.

Plan the food. Do a pot luck! Ask friends coming to bring something, mac & cheese (always fun for kids) make some chili, sausage rolls are always a hit and short bread cookies are so yummy this time of year.

Decoration. Kids can help make paper new years eve hats out of paper bags with crayons and glitter glue for everyone. You can hang streamers and have blowers and other shakers (hand made) out of rice and pop bottles on hand for your guests.

Set up a sleep quarters. For little ones who might not make it until the ball drops make sure you have a sleeping area in a room where babies can be laid down. If someone has a child who doesn't like noise you might want to remind them this event if for the noisy and to bring a playpen if you don't have one.

For the bigger kids who make it all the way to midnight. Have special glasses for them and substitute alcohol (of course) for sparkling cider or apple juice. Involve them in a toast or ask them to say one themselves.

Remember: you can have a wonderful holiday evening with friends and family and kids if you plan right, get a feel for what people want to do. I'm sure we are going to have a blast. I will post pics after.

Have a safe Holiday everyone!

Each and every year you hear the stories. Someone is getting robbed. This year is no different. In the past week on the news I've heard countless tales, the latest being an Irish family who immigrated to Canada this past year were the victims of a break and enter. All their children's presents, even items off their tree were taken.

Another family went outside at night with their two year old little girl only to discover someone had robbed them of their outdoor Christmas decorations.

And my g/f Anne told me she had several presents stolen from her vehicle about a week ago.

Christmas is a time of year for giving, being thankful for what you have and appreciating those you love. But it also is a season get rich quick for many Grinch's out there who wish to rob others of Christmas.

It's sad and the truth is no matter how many times you lock your doors. How many times you install a security device for your home. Get a dog or try to keep your valuables safe. There will always be someone; somewhere to spoil to the fun for others.

With every good deed that goes unpunished; there is always someone there to make things better. Many people have donated to the family who had their presents stolen this past week which just shows you that for every condescending person who believes ppl actually deserve this type of treatment; there is someone who disagrees and feels empathy for others.

Maybe the next Grinch who decides he's going to steal will stop and think about what really happened to the Grinch at Christmas. He got a heart and changed his life forever through giving and not taking. What goes around comes around, so make sure you are on the good end of the receiving stick when that happens.

Merry Christmas!

I remember her from Uptown Girls starring with Dakota Fanning. She played a bar maid, town girl gone bad in Summer Catch with Freddie Prince Jr. She starred opposite Eminem in 8 mile and every time you watched Brittany Murphy you couldn't keep your eyes off her.

She had star quality. She had a sultry and edgy voice like that of actress Demi Moore and the most unique eyes ever that seemed to dazzle you when she spoke.

One of my favorite actress -- you can only imagine my shock to hear about the actresses untimely death. The star apparently had laryngitis and was found by her mother lying on the bathroom floor after the actress had been in there awhile.

Now I'm behind a bit and this should have been blogged right when it happened as most people already have heard the news.  But I wanted to write about it anyhow.

"My world was destroyed yesterday," Simon Monjack, Murphy's british husband since 2007 and screenwriter told Access Hollywood on Monday. Murphy was 32 years old and died of cardiac arrest on Sunday December 20th, 2009

Ashton Kutcher who co-starred with Brittany in "Just Married" by far one of my favorite movies of hers, along side another favorite movie of mine "Clueless". Ashton tweeted his thoughts:

"2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine. My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother, Sharon."

Alicia Silverstone, Brittany's co-star in clueless wrote this:

"I'm so saddened to hear this news. I loved working with Brittany. She was so talented, so warm and so sweet," said Alicia Silverstone, who played Murphy's best friend in 1995's Clueless, in a statement. "I always felt connected to her as we shared a very special experience in our lives together. I feel love in my heart for her and hope she is at peace."

Many other stars tweeted her thoughts, many stars I follow.  It's sad and it truly shows that movie stars are only different from us because of what they do, their jobs and in every other facet in life; they are still human and grieve when a friend passes away.

"Brittany Murphy was in Drop Dead Gorgeous with me and was the sweetest and most adorable," Denise Richards wrote on her Twitter page. "Tragic, sad & devastating. Her poor family."

The reasons surrounding Murphy's death are still up in the air.  She was taken to the hospital and died of a cardiac arrest and an autopsy will be performed with the results coming out probably next week or so.

It's tragic this happened and I feel for her family - her husband and all those who loved her movies and loved her.  It's sad to see another young star die so suddenly; like actor Heath Ledger who passed away from a drug overdoes while just embarking on his career.

Simon Monjack denies allegations that his wife died from a drug overdose or because of an easting disorder.  He also states she was ill days before.  With so many people this year succumbing to the H1N1 virus it wouldn't be hard to believe if the star suddenly got flu like symptoms and keeled over.  It has happened just not to anyone in celebrity status.

A funeral is apparently set for Christmas Eve, private ceremony and the actress will be laid to rest at Forrest Lawn, same resting place as John Ritter and Lucille Ball.

With Christmas just around the corner I always find it interesting when you learn new things about a company, especially if it's one of the BIG BOX stores like Best Buy.

I get tons of things in my email all the time. I love it because there is so much stuff out there and you really do learn something new every day. I have never purchased anything over 30 dollars at Best Buy and after reading this and looking into it. Boy am I glad I didn't!

EMAIL SENT TO JP SHAW:
SENDER: HAPPY GO LUCKY

BEST BUY, MY FOOT
Best Buy has some bad policies....

Normally, I would not share this with others, however, since this could happen to you or your friends , I decided to share it. If you purchase something from, Wal-Mart, Sears etc. and you return the item with the receipt they will give you your money back if you paid cash, or credit your account if paid by plastic.

Well, I purchased a GPS for my car, a Tom Tom XL.S from 'Best Buy'. They have a policy that it must be returned within 14 days for a refund!

So after 4 days I returned it in the original box with all the items in the box, with paper work and cords all wrapped in the plastic. Just as I received it, including the receipt.
I explained to the lady at the return desk I did not like the way it could not find store names. The lady at the refund desk said, there is a 15% restock fee, for items returned. I said no one told me that. I said how much would that be. She said it goes by the price of the item. It will be $45.00 Dollars for you. I said, all your going to do is walk over and place it back on the shelf then charge me $45.00 of my money for restocking? She said that's the store policy. I said if more people were aware of it they would not buy anything here! If I bought a $2000.00 computer or TV and returned it I would be charged $300.00 dollars restock fee? She said yes, 15%.

I said OK, just give me my money minus the restock fee.

She said, since the item is over $200.00 dollars, she can't give me my money back!!!

Corporate has to and they will mail you a check in 7 to ten days.!! I said 'WHAT?!'

It's my money!! I paid in cash! I want to buy a different brand..Now I have to wait 7 to 10 days. She said well, our policy is on the back of your receipt.

I said, do you read the front or back of your receipt? She said well, the front! I said so do I, I want to talk to the Manager!.

So the manager comes over, I explained everything to him, and he said, well, sir they should of told you about the policy when you got the item. I said, No one, has ever told me about the check refund or restock fee, whenever I bought items from computers to TVs from Best Buy. The only thing they ever discussed was the worthless extended warranty program. He said Well, I can give you corporate phone number.

I called corporate. The guy said, well, I'm not supposed to do this but I can give you a 45.00 dollar gift card and you can use it at Best Buy. I told him if I bought something and returned it, you would charge me a restock fee on the item and then send me a check for the remaining 3 dollars. You can keep your gift card, I'm never shopping in Best Buy ever again, and if I would of been smart, I would of charged the whole thing on my credit card! Then I would of canceled the transaction.

I would of gotten all my money back including your stupid fees! He didn't say a word!

I informed him that I was going to e-mail my friends and give them a heads up on this stores policy, as they don't tell you about all the little caveats.

So please pass this on. It may save your friends from having a bad experience of shopping at Best Buy

It's true! read it for yourself!!

Best Buys return policy

These posts are provided to me by various members, friends and family.  I look into each one to see how true they are or whether they are just for fun or not.  Thanks for reading Mommy's Mail! 

It's three more sleeps until Christmas and I'm just now starting to get excited. I know sad--but true. We've been so busy the past several weeks with hockey for Gamerboy; it's been hard to keep the days straight for me. Not to mention it's my fifth wedding anniversary tomorrow and I'm feeling a tad overly girly with emotions over it.

Today was the first day of Gamerboy's Atom Division Christmas Tournament and we are so proud of him. The Bulldogs lost 5-2 with Gamer in net. But he played so well and the game was so exciting. At the end he got MVP for the day. I love being a hockey mom!

Tomorrow is the second day of the tournament and both DH are going to the rink to volunteer our time before the games begin. I am doing hostess and DH is doing the 50/50. The tournament ends on Wednesday.

Then we have to go down to the church to pick up some gifts for the boys from the Angel Tree foundation, they sponsored us this year which I am so grateful for. Pick two more gifts one on one side of town and one at the other end. Man, Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be busy. But at least I got all my wrapping done!

Right before Christmas it's good to keep your ears and eyes open not just for the hottest toys around but the ones that could be potentially dangerous. I mean what parent, friend or relative wants to give a toy to a child that has been put on the TOY RECALL hit list?

So keep your eyes open for this bad boy. It's a toy truck with combat vehicle. Now there are thousands of them out there, so telling this one apart from others might be difficult.

Here is the product key for you so you know for sure you aren't buying the recalled product: 6-98567-67007-3 (barcode) and the actual vehicle has a code and it was made in China: 45TNGO9

If you have already purchased this toy then please take the product away from the child and give the manufacturing company a call Variety Wholesalers toll-free at (800) 678-7776 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

For more information on the recall go HERE
It's better to be safe than sorry!

One thing everyone looks forward to at Christmas, at least in our house is when mom bakes. My mom makes the tastiest and most yummy desserts during the holidays and that's when my weight watching goes right out the window!

One of my favorites are CHOCOLATE MACAROONS or "HOT RODS" as mom calls them. She got the recipe from her mom (my Nana) and they are quick and simple. Your kids can even help and love making them.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups white sugar
1/2 cups butter
1 cup coconut
1/2 cup milk
3 cups oatmeal
6 tsp cocoa

DIRECTIONS

• Melt butter and cocoa first (that way its smooth). Add milk and sugar. 

• Bring to boil over medium heat for 2 minutes. 

• Add coconut and oatmeal. 

• Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper and put into the fridge to cool. 

• Then piece them out and either put them into a container or zip lock bags for the freezer. 

• When you are ready to serve take them out 1/2 hour before guests arrive.

Easy and Fun!

TGIF!!! And boy am I glad it's here. I've been up since 4 am because pickle boy wouldn't go to sleep and didn't end up going to sleep until close to 3 in the morning. He kept having night terrors. Always fun.

I did get some great news. Actually it was an early Christmas Present from a friend (not to be named) a video camera so I can record life events, something to which I have wanted for a very long long time. It made me cry.

I didn't cry because of the gift but because this friend knew what having one meant to me. Having a husband with a brain injury who forgets all those little moments can be difficult. Life can be hard and when those joyous times erupt, the kids Christmas concerts, achievements they accomplish, sporting events they play. It's nice to be able to now record those events so that DH can recall them when his brain refuses to allow him those precious memories.

We haven't quite finished our Christmas shopping. Almost, but not quite. I'm glad Walmart is open until Midnight. PB (Pickleboy) doesn't do well with his Aspergers in large crowds, so it's nice to be able to take him out to finish up the holiday stuff when less people are around.

Is everyone else ready for Christmas? Do you have your tree up? Festive lights about? That is one thing DH still has to do and with ohhhhhh what is it? Only six more days until Christmas we should have our outside lights up by Easter.

Hope everyone has a great Holiday if I don't post before then and happy Friday!

Global Live had it's unveiling today in launching themselves as a new cell phone carrier going up against Bell, Rogers and Telus. Winning their appeal they immediately launched an outlet to get phones into consumers hands.

What does that mean?

It means consumers will have more choice, less cost where cell phones are concerned. But how less?

Well according to the news it means you will have to pay for your phones, including Blackberry up front but your plan will be less. Wind offers no contracts. They offer no 911 fee, no monthly service charge like Rogers for 6.95 per month and lower more competitive rates such as a $35 per month contract allowing unlimited text messages and nation wide talking unlimited.

So consumers have to decide to they want a phone for cheaper on a contract, pay more money monthly (like I do) with my i-phone or do they want no contract, buy their phone up front and pay less without all the extra surcharges?

Only time will time as Wind begins opening outlets with each passing day. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled on this as it unfolds and see what happens to the big boy cell stores (Rogers, Telus and Bell) and how this affect them and their business.

Wind's motto: Discover how Wind gets Wireless done in Canada! Visit their website at Wind Mobile

It's Wordless Wednesday, one of my favorite days and of course as always the ppl I love send me the funniest shit to mommies mail which I just have to share.  If you participate in WW head on over to the WW Headquarters and put up your post so others can share with you.  Also take the time to visit others.

INVISIBLE CAT TOYS