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It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Troubles. I’ve said it before, but this should be named “things i’m annoyed / confused / want to complain about”, however I couldn’t figure out how to make any of those into a snappy title, so Tuesday Troubles it is. And yes, I do realize that these aren’t true “troubles”. I know that many of these for sure could be defined as first world problems!
~Okay, so I want to teach L how giving at Christmas is important and I want him to know how not all kids are able to have a Christmas, etc. However, I’m not quite sure how one explains why Santa can’t just bring these kids toys? Santa brings all good boys and girls toys according to him, so I am sort of stumped. I explained to him what we were going to do and he just kind of looked at me like, umm, that’s not necessary. Help!
~What are your favorite kinds of holiday cookies? I always made the standard spritz and sugar cookies and kiss cookies (aka peanut butter blossoms) and then experiment with a few other kinds, but I just haven’t found any cookies that meet the standards of those three. Ideas? Suggestions? What are your favorite Christmas cookies?
~I also need some fashion recommendations. I am looking for a pair of super cute, yet not too expensive tall black boots. Flats. Nicer than say Target, but not as nice as say, Tory Burch. What are you wearing these days?
~Please tell me I am not the only one who sees / hears the gas light on in the car proceeds to continue driving and passes multiple gas stations declaring “I will just get gas in the morning”. And then morning comes and you have somewhere to be and like 10 miles until empty. Ahhhh. This is my current situation and I am dreading getting gas in the freezing cold. Ick. Just ick. Yet I do this. Every.single.time.
~L’s class (he is in kindergarten) is having a little gift exchange between the kids in the class. They all picked names at random and are suppose to buy or make a gift for their friend. $1 price limit. Thoughts? Anything cute we can do here? He got a boy classmate if that means anything.
That’s it from here for now! What’s troubling you today?
I am trying to teach Kendall the same thing this year and I think our little advent activities are helping. Yesterday when we donated food she wanted to donate her toys too so we are going to do that once we clean out everything.
Well, L wants to donate WB’s toys. Not his, because “I play with all my stuff”. I was like no, no it doesn’t work like that.
What if L. picked out blankets, hats and mittens, or pjs… bc although Santa brings toys sometimes kids don’t have things to keep them warm. Or let him make a list of foods he likes and go pick them out to donate? good luck!!
Maybe I should just skip the part that it’s for Christmas and just go for the in general part. He likes picking stuff like that out for other people.
We tell our little boy that sometimes Santa has to recruit helpers to make sure every little boy and girl is able to get presents because there are a lot of kids and only one Santa
That could work!!
If you like chocolate chip cookies I suggest these. They have vanilla pudding in the mix which makes them so moist (I really don’t like that word, don’t ask me why) and creamy.
http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/vanilla-pudding-chocolate-chip-cookies/
Those look fairly easy! And good!!!! I don’t like that word either. LOL!!!
These are tough ones this morning 🙂
Does L get presents from you guys too on Christmas (or just Santa)? If so, maybe tell him their mommys & daddy’s don’t have money to buy them gifts so you buy the parent would buy them, if they had money…If you just do Santa gifts, say the same thing but add that since it’s the only time of year they get gifts, Santa is buying the Christmas gifts & you’re buying their birthday gifts for later since their parents dont have money to.
My MIL always makes these & the kids love them!
http://candy.about.com/od/christmascandy/r/cornflakewreath.htm
Do you have a TJ Maxx? They’ve had the cutest boots. They had a Michael Kors pair for $120…I recently got a pair of Ariat’s but that’s probably too country for you 🙂 My style isn’t country at all but I’m rocking them 🙂 I mainly got them cause they were reasonable, made well & were flat. With the new baby, I didn’t want to be carrying her while walking around with boots with a heel.
I do the same thing with my gas light. I always leave it to the last minute & then I’m almost late to where I need to be.
How about this for the boy? But find a way to attach everything while still in wrappers (double sided tape) so he can eat it.
…What’s troubling me is my baby’s sleep schedule. She refuses to bump the last feeding from about 5;45 to 6:30 which would be so much more convenient 🙂
http://www.grouprecipes.com/23150/candy-train–a-candy-craft.html
*you buy the gifts the parents would buy them*
The candy train bumped down a line but you get the idea 🙂
Also check Kohls for boots. They usually have cute boots, you can use coupons & sometimes get Kohls cash!
Here’s some Ariat’s 🙂
http://www.ariat.com/Western/Women/Footwear/WesternFashion/Chandler.html?color=BLACK_DEERTAN
http://www.ariat.com/Fashion/Women/Footwear/Boots/York.html?color=BROWN_BLACK
http://www.ariat.com/English/Women/Footwear/EnglishCasual/StantonH2O.html?color=BLACK
http://www.ariat.com/English/Women/Footwear/EnglishCasual/RoselandH2O.html?color=BLACK
I don’t even think L gets that we get him anything!!!!!
Thank you for the links! I do have have a coupon for Kohls.
That candy train is great!
And we do have a TJ Maxx, but I never have the patience to dig there. It’s just such a mess???? Maybe it’s because I never find anything when I do look?
I should start putting our names on a few things so he it’s an easier explanation!
You could do Frye boots. They are all nice. They are a lot more expensive than Target but not as high at Tory Burch . Don’t feel bad, I do the same thing with the gas and I don’t even have to pump my own. I’m in NJ and we have attendants.
I wish we had attendants!
kohl ‘s has super cute boots ranging from 55 to 120. Also check out Hazel and olive online she has super cute ones for around 60.
Thanks!!
I am wearing a great pair of black leather Born boots that are flat. I got them at Dillards and they are so comfortable too!
I hope L’s gift exchange is fun. They were always a disappointment for my boys. We always took something cool and fun and some of the things my boys got in exchange were a bag of pretzels, a tin of Halloween candy, and a tree ornament that was really girly. Seriously!
I think he’ll be okay with whatever he gets! It’s only $1 limit. It can’t be that fabulous!
If you’re not against buying your boots online, I love 6pm.com. It’s where I’ve gotten most of my boots from. It’s basically like an online outlet store…they have a done of well known brands/designers & everything’s pretty well discounted.
Totally not against it! I just get overwhelmed! So many options!
my sister mom and i get together every year to make cookies.. we’ve experimented and it’s been narrowed down to rugelahs and those shortbread ones with raspberry jelly.
try http://stores.ebay.com/apparelsave/ for the boots i have sooo many from them
and i find it hard to believe you can’t find a dollar gift in those target bins!
Ohh, he wants to make something! I wanted to do something a little cuter / more creative than just a dollar spot thing.
true.. well if he gets a girl tyou could always tie a polish and filer wtogetherwith ribbon.. i see it on pintrest. real cute.
He got a boy.
tough assignment but kind of fun. i found this blog http://www.sisterssuitcaseblog.com/2012/12/2-gift-idea-for-boys-printable-tag.html
Umm, that is adorable!!! I can’t wait to let L pick one of these ideas! Thank you!
My daughter (4.5 old) and I did these two the other day for a gifts:
http://leaguebaking.com/reindeer-hot-cocoa-cones
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steamboatwillie33/3281449837/
I’ve always told my kids that Santa only brings them one present, so we buy presents for kids whose parents are having a hard time. Every year they love going to the store to pick out a toy and then giving it to our local fire department. Then we go through all their toys and donate them to a local church. My kids are 6, 4, and 2 this year and I have never had a problem with them not believing in Santa.
Our Santa has been bringing all the gifts. Or at least that’s what L assumes he does. He does get donating things though. It’s just the Santa thing that had me (and still does) stumped!
Santa mailed my daughter a “Santa Sack” this year and instructed her to go through her old toys and pack them up for other kids who may not get any or may not get as many as she does. (She also has a December birthday so imagine what my house looks like this time of year.) She has totally bought into the idea and seems to like it. FYI–totally a Pinterest thing.
I always make gingerbread reindeer cookies for Christmas. You could let the boys in on the action for making those.
I like the Santa sack thing! He just thinks that Santa makes all the toys!! Like there is a Transformer at Target that he wants. He thinks the elves will just make one just like it for him.
You could also say tat the elves will use what’s in the santa sack as parts and materials. Since Santa needs something to make the toys.
I should ask him where he thinks Santa gets all the materials from?..
Your elf could ask L to donate his toys. We plan on doing an elf staring next year (not elf on the shelve) similar to this idea: http://theimaginationtree.com/2013/11/alternative-elf-on-shelf-tradition-kindness-elf.html
That way your elf can report back that he was being a good boy.
He gets cleaning out / donating his toys (although he does always want to donate just his brothers stuff), but he also thinks Santa makes toys so there’s that. I should probably just skip the “some kids don’t get any toys on Christmas” thing and just discuss helping in general.
I too like tall black boots with a flat heel, and I spent many years finding a pair I liked! Definitely try Steve Madden. My favorite pair is $100: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/steve-madden-craave-boot/3599537 (available in black).
Cute! And the price certainly is right!
Boots – I live the Steve Madden troopa boots. I polish them to look nicer. But if you don’t you can have them look for rugged. They are $100 nordstroms. I always get a compliment when I wear them. COOKIES: I always try to bake healthier at the dismay of my husband. Check out the sweet treats on this site detoxinista. Also trader joes has a great sugar cookie box mix right now that include color sprinkles. They do NOT have food dyes. I was so excited when I found them.
I’m not sure if can do the laces on boots.
I will check out that site! Thank you!
I’ve been wearing these all the time and love them!
http://www.zappos.com/born-terri-black-full-grain
and they are totally on sale right now! grrrr.
Ahhh, these are great. And I do love Zappos!
I just got the Nine West Counter boot in brown- the have a few colors including black!
http://www.ninewest.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-ninewest-Site/default/Search-Show?q=counter&searchBtn.x=0&searchBtn.y=0
Those are cute!!! I should just give Santa a bunch of links and let him pick because I cannot decide!
Have you tried justfab.com yet? I ordered a pair of boots with a 50% discount I found online and am super happy with the quality and comfort of their stuff for the price.
You know, I haven’t! I have tried FabKids and Fabletics, but not Just Fab. Maybe I will give them a go!
I returned a pair of Reef boots I bought on another website and ordered the Marika boots from justfab. I can literally wear them all day without my feet hurting and have gotten lots of compliments. I ordered two more pairs of other shoes but can’t vouch for them yet.
I need to look into them!
Since Santa only brings a couple things here and we do the rest N says that we get stuff to donate that the parents can’t. We also donate food and stuff all year so he’s used to it when the holidays come. He likes picking and Angel tree name and going from there. I pick a name with a size we already have clothes here that we won’t wear. Pretty sure our kids get some of the best name brands around. LOL I have so much still NWT its a good use for the stuff my boys just don’t care for.
Yeah considering that he thinks all the gifts are from Santa, we may just need to work on the general idea of giving!
We’ve always told our kids that parents give the money to Santa so he can bring the gifts. That also explains why some kids get really expensive toys and some kids need us to donate toys. My logical first child accepted this explanation for years 🙂
LOL!! Santa does things so many different ways!
I’m a huge chocolate chip cookie fan, so I switch things up at Christmas and use M&Ms instead of chocolate chips. This year, I’m using the gingerbread and peppermint candies instead of the usual green & red ones.
Good luck with your boot search! I still haven’t found the “perfect” pair, but keep on looking.
Does the perfect boot even exist?? Sometimes I wonder!
I know you have a few responses already, but here are some of the ones my mom has been making for years. The Merengue ones are fun because you can make different colors. My mom puts choc chips in them too.
http://www.thenovicechefblog.com/2011/03/my-first-meringue-kiss/
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/russian-tea-cakes/3af8664b-6c3e-4022-b686-cd961521e59b
http://www.clumsycrafter.com/2011/12/christmas-crack-recipe/
and of course fudge is always good!!
And for boots, I just got these for 34.50 at macys and i love them. I get bored easily so I dont want to invest in super expensive boots, but I want them to last the season. These seem really well made and are super comfy!
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/rampage-idera-riding-boots?ID=975581&CategoryID=13247#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D14%26kws%3DRampage%20Boots%26searchType%3Dac%26slotId%3D3
How hard are those meringue cookies to make? They look gorgeous!
I just clicked and those are only $24.99 now. Wow!
oh and I know I posted brown ones, but I got them in black. Maybe Macys is just sold out of them right now?
For the gift exchange, how about Silly Putty?
He totally wants to make something !
I know you said nicer than Target but you can only get these online and by far one of the better purchases that I have made. I searched all of the sites Nordstrom, sole soceity, Macys, DSW. I couldnt find one with a little room at the top for thick socks or didnt have weird zippers were plain and would go with everything. Then I found these http://goto.target.com/c/92454/81938/2092/p/women-s-merona-kasia-genuine-leather-riding-boot-assorted-colors/-/A-13938784#prodSlot=large_1_4 They are perfect I just happend to get them when they were on sale for 59.99 like a month ago.
Ohh, those are nice!
I dont believe they are hard. And the best part is that they freeze very well. My mom starts early making cookies and freezes everything until the holidays. She also makes shortbread that is yummy. She usually makes the Merengue ones in red, green, and white. I cannot believe the boots are 25 bucks now. I would be on that for the brown ones if they had my size!!
One more these are a little time consuming but taste yummy and are fun!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/candy-cane-cookies-i/
Thanks!!!
Banana Republic has great boots — you will love them and they are always on sale with additional % off. You might also like Born boots — very comfortable. You should check Born boots at Marshalls, they generally sell them at half off retail.
Thank you!
I’ve been making these most years for almost a decade now I think – my favorite adult sugar cookie http://www.marthastewart.com/318695/pine-nut-cookies-with-rosemary
These for the last few http://wednesdaychef.typepad.com/the_wednesday_chef/2007/11/alice-medrichs.html which are great for holiday morning coffee/cocoa
Thank you!!!
I usually get my boots from Aldo’s they are good quality and not too expensive
Thanks!
Just checked Guilt.com and right now they have AMAZING boots collections , prices between $100-150. I would easily buy at least 6 pairs there!
Not Guilt.com it’s Gilt.com
Thanks!
I do the same thing with the gas light…like every week, but I have a good plan. Like 30 minutes before i have to leave for work I tell my husband that he should start my car to warm it up(obvously this is my winter plan) knowing theres like no gas in it and then he ends up going to fill it up while Im still getting ready. every time hes like I know you pass like 80 gas stations on your way home in the morning and I tell him every time I’m too tired to stop…
BAHAHA!!!!!! If only my husband were home in the morning.
I am consistently putting 19 gallons of gas in my car… That has an 18 gallon tank 😉
LOL!!!!!!!!!! I once had the gas pump / tank overflow. It was a mess. I thought the pump stopped automatically when it was full. It does NOT.
Steve madden slouch boots…amazon has them on sale sometimes for $100
I wonder if I can handle a slouch boot. Kind of out there for me. LOL!
I love uggs. I have bomber tall in black and brown, from ebay, adore them and wear absolutely when I can. for slush and rain I wear hunters, sadly wide calf ones.
I don’t like stuff that looks too fancy.
I also have frye harness boots.
Too bad they don’t have a dressier ugg!
-Well, the way we do xmas is some gifts are from Santa and some are from Mom Dad and Family so you could tell him that they get some small stuff from santa but their christmas isnt super special and big and you want to make it that way by toy donations? We’re gonna go to the store and get toys for donations this week probably, I wish they let you wrap them because that’s one of Jesses favorite things haha.
-Chocolate chip cookies and white macadamia nut cookies are hitting the holiday spot for me this season but maybe that’s because that’s all I’m baking.(If you’d like the recipe I can share! they’re super soft chewy cookies)
-I’ve found some really nice boots at target and payless but perhaps try stores in a nearby mall? I always find shoes and boots when I’m not looking for them at the mall
-I’m lucky enough to be in florida away from the cold but I still procrastinate about my gas lol
-Aw, a one dollar price limit is a little lame. They should have made it 5 I think. For a dollar really all you can do is get a toy at the dollar store. Maybe look at crafts you can do? I’m stumped on this one. My sons are still in daycare and I ordered from OrientalTrading and got coloring books and little toys in bulk for him to give out to all his friends. Also when I was in elementary school I’d save up my allowance the whole year and go to the dollar store and use all my money on little gifts for my entire class and for my after school class haha.
I kind of just skimmed over the Santa part and just said we were going to buy some presents for some kids that needed some. He seemed okay with it!
I’m bad with the gas thing in the summer too!