MelissaStuff

My boys are now 8, 7, 7 and 4. Each year for the past several years we have loaded everyone up and visited Santa. We have done it in all different ways. We have waited in long lines and fought the children from getting into everything we walked past in Bass Pro. We have made a reservation and waited to be called on at Watters Creek . This year we are doing something different. My boys are older. They understand a little more what this Santa tradition is all about and how it works. They're not quite as smitten with just being in the presence of someone who looks like Santa should. So tomorrow we will be going to KJ3 Photography in Princeton . Kids that go to these Santa sessions have a chance to sit and talk with Santa, eat milk and cookies, read books and (if Mom and Dad supply them) even get gifts directly from Santa! For $45, your kids will get a half hour with Santa to really spend some time and enjoy themselves. In addition, you will get a disk with 5 edited images for you

This post may contain affiliate links. I'm done with my Christmas shopping, but I know many of you are still looking for those last minute gifts or stocking stuffers. Here's a few I would recommend that qualify for Prime shipping so you will get them in time for Christmas: Valentia Even Glow Serum - $35 I am extremely skeptical about skin products, especially if it costs more than $5 - $10. But I have been using this skin serum for about 2 months now and it works! It evens out my skin. My complexion is more even. The surface of my skin is smoother. I love how it feels going on. It's not messy or oily. It's absorbed into my skin immediately and works in a short period of time. The solution is slightly orange and a thicker liquid consistency. You dot your face with the product then rub it all in at the same time. It doesn't leave any residue but rather makes my face glow after applying. There is no stinging. I had no negatives about this product at all.

Oh my, this holiday is racing towards us full speed ahead. I am trying to slow it down enough to enjoy the moments . . . I'm not quite sure if it's working yet.  But I am so glad that I have been able to mark one item off my list - the food for our celebration. We bought both a Honey Baked Ham and a Honey Baked Turkey! Since Christmas is typically a ham holiday, I bought a bone-in, half-ham and then a roasted turkey breast. Both are covered in the traditional Honey Baked sweet, crunchy glaze that they are famous for.  The Hon ey-Baked Hams are hand chosen for their leanness and smoked for 24 hours.  They come already spiral sliced down to the bone.  The Honey Baked Turkey Breast is glazed with the same amazing flavors as the traditional hams. You can buy them roasted or smoked.   In addition, you can buy a whole slew of sides that are just heat and serve. Just move them into a new dish and your sides will look homemade without all the hard work.

Potentially shocking fact #1 - I love musicals. There are some people in my life who make fun of me about that, but they're silly. Most of them love movies and are borderline addicted to music . . . so why would they assume that something that combines the two is going to be less enjoyable? Sunday, my honey and I are going to head down to Fair Park and attend a matinee performance of A Christmas Story: The Musical .  Potentially shocking fact #2 - I've never actually watched the movie, A Christmas Story all the way through. So this will kind of be a whole new thing for me. I looked at this trailer and that got me even more excited: But it's not hard to get excited about attending a musical at the Dallas Summer Musicals in Fair Park. I've been going since I was a kid. There's a bit of magic in that place. It transports you to all kinds of places and eras and experiences. You generally are there and enjoying them with the people you love the most. Not

Well, the time is now upon us . . . Christmas. Shopping, that is. It seems like sometimes I have all kinds of gift ideas and then suddenly the day is upon us and I have completely forgotten the stockings! This year, I have worked hard to purposely look for stocking stuffers along the way. Here is one product that I can whole-heartedly recommend - Liquid Chalkers . These write easily on mirror and glass. I used them to write Bible verses and messages to my family throughout the house. (I mean seriously when you sit down to use the bathroom, you can't avoid what's written on the mirror across from you, right?) And, just as easily, they wipe right off when it's time to clean or change your message. Right now they're $18.99 on Amazon and you can get FREE 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime (One Year Membership) .  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com . Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use per