Ho ho ho...and stuff...

It's bad enough that the radio is already playing holiday music and Santa Claus is already parked in center court at MacArthur Mall.................but I can totally feel my heartstrings being tugged by all things Christmas. As much as the Grinch in me wants to deny it, I need to just face it and realize that the holidays are coming in full force whether I'm ready or not.

Much to my surprise, I've already started shopping for a few gifts here and there. I'm also already thinking about what we'll wear for a family picture AND what kind of pajamas I will get the kids for their annual picture in front of the tree. Heck, I even bought some clear glass ornaments from Michael's to paint, but that is a different blog entry. :)

Every year since Aidan was born (except for 2006 because momma had a brain burp), the kids have worn matching Christmas-themed pajamas and had their picture taken in them. The picture always wound up on our Christmas card for that year.

2003:

2004:

2005:

Wouldn't ya know...the 2006 and 2007 pictures are on the laptop and the laptop is conviently located at the office.

Anyway, it's time to start looking for this years pajama sets so after I hit "Publish Post" I will be on my way to Gymboree's website and Hanna Andersson's website. MAYBE I'll check out The Children's Place, but I am pretty certain I'll find what I need at Gymboree. It's been far too long since I've shopped there and, if I remember correctly, they participate with Ebates!

P.S. Stay on the lookout for my post tomorrow about Ebates...I just received my first "Big Fat Check" in the mail and I made a copy as proof! $76 sent back to me just from shopping online. Yee haw!

Here's a combo meal for ya!

Malia & Aidan, Halloween 2008

You want fries with that?

Much to M & A's dismay, I have purchased them coordinating Halloween costumes for trick-or-treating this year. I used to be able to get away with this no problem back when they were younger and less vocal.

Halloween 2003 - A & M were a carrot and a bunny, respectively. Malia cried after we took this picture...

Halloween 2004 A & M were a frog and a princess...I can't believe I don't have a picture of this Halloween to share online, but we did get professional pictures taken in their costumes that year (Glamour Shots...gasp!) so I'll have to scan one.

Halloween 2005 they were chickens. A obviously wasn't thrilled to be a chicken if the picture below is any indicator...I mean, he's running away from the camera!

Halloween 2006 A & M were getting in touch with their Asian roots...they are 1/4 Chinese after all. I spent a weekend in San Francisco the month before and visited Chinatown with my family and picked up these outfits for the kids. They love them!

Halloween 2007 was the first Halloween that the kids did not want to dress alike...and it was, I'm sorry to admit, a sort of a rushed, last minute thing on my end because I wasn't on the ball with costumes. But, the kids were fine with the run-of-the-mill witch and Spiderman costumes. Aidan wore his Spiderman costume out and I just recently threw it away.

This year, it's back to the coordinating costumes and I cannot wait to receive the package in the mail. I'm glad I waited because Pottery Barn Kids had some great deals on their costumes. This year the kids are going to be a hot dog and a side of fries. Seriously. I even ordered special trick-or-treat bags...they are shaped like a ketchup packet! Ha!

This picture is from Pottery Barn Kids' website, but it gives you an idea of what the costumes will look like: