Lizzy is full of energy and always in the lead.

Lizzy was the first to make the summit of Aconcagua.

Even Georgia managed to make it to the top.

If this were even a little bit true, it would be glorious. Unfortunately the only climbing I’ve done the past few weeks is up the basement stairs.

The climbing trip above was just a big ‘ole pile of snow on the farm.

I feel like I’ve been in hibernation for the past several weeks. I’m still groggy, but I’m back.

Thank you all for your emails over the past several weeks checking on me. I appreciate it.

MK xo
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We wish you all, a safe and happy holiday.

MK xo

Obviously, these homeowners LOVE to decorate. I have a hard time getting the tree up, so I can’t imagine doing this annually. ‘Griswold’s on CRACK’ was my description. Georgia informed me later that they thought the presents in the tree were beautiful.

What do you think?

MK xo
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NOTE: I’ve been having trouble with the comments. If you can’t comment PLEASE let me know at kim (at) mommyknows (dot) com. Thank you!

I decided to give the kids some coupons in their stockings for ‘on-demand’ fun outings and of course ‘free passes’ to get out of chores. I searched the internet high-and-low for printable coupons and couldn’t find anything. I decided to create my own.

Although we’d most likely do most of these things anyway. I think they’ll enjoy the ‘redemption’ process. It’s always fun to be in charge.

It is my intention to hole-punch and tie them together with ribbon, BUT … guess what? I can’t find either {ERR}. Imagine them cut out a little more neatly and tied with holiday ribbon.

Please feel free to DOWNLOAD the coupons and create some holiday fun of your own.

Supplies needed:

DOWNLOAD Free Printable Holiday Coupons
Color printer
Heavy card stock paper for best results
Scissors
Hole-punch and ribbon (optional – for stringing together into booklets)
Sharpie for labelling.

Directions for use: Simply print out your file onto the paper of your choice. Cut around coupons. Fill out the coupons and you’re done!

If you have any fun and inexpensive gift ideas, please share!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

MK xo
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NOTE: I’ve been having trouble with the comments. If you can’t comment PLEASE let me know at kim (at) mommyknows (dot) com. Thank you!

(You could win this wonderful Kraft Foods gift basket.

Kraft Foods has generously provided me with two wonderful gift baskets. One for me and one to give away to one of you. They are identical and filled with:

I’m a HUGE fan of Kraft Foods. I appreciate that they put so much effort and dedication into helping busy families put delicious and nutritious meals on the table. They’ve made it even easier this holiday season by re-launching their Kraft Foods Facebook Fan Page, starting the new Kraft Foods Channel on YouTube. Both are great resources for recipes and holiday cooking tips. I love that you can ask questions, share your own tips and even have access Kraft Kitchen Experts at the Kraft Foods Facebook Fan Page.

You can also follow Kraft Foods on Twitter.

HOW TO WIN:
Kraft Foods would like your feedback on their new Facebook and Youtube venues. Visit either (or both) and come back here and share your feedback as a comment on this post.
You can also have a second entry by hitting the ‘RETWEET’ button below and sharing this post on twitter (note: there is no need to come back and comment your tweet, my blog software will pick it up).

I’ll randomly choose one comment/tweet from all the entries, Friday December 18th @ noon and post the winner shortly after.

MK xo
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They have a gingerbread display at school, and of course tomorrow is the deadline. I wouldn’t want to take my time, plan, that would be too easy.

We started with a kit and embellished (and embellished and embellished). I need to remind myself (often) that ‘less is more’. OH WELL!

We built the chimney out of Honey Maid Graham Crackers and white chocolate, the bricks are Nabisco Shreddies and just like last year our roof shingles are Frosted Mini Wheats.

Are you making a gingerbread house this year? If you have … share a photo with us (leave the a link in the comments or email it to me and I’ll share it for you).

MK xo
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It’s easy, delicious and makes a great and inexpensive holiday gift so I thought I’d share.

You’ll need:

1 sleeve of saltine crackers
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 pkg. of semi-sweet chocolate (I used BAKER’S and chopped it into smaller pieces)
1 cup of chopped peanuts

HEAT oven to 375ºF.

LINE a cookie sheet with foil and lay out crackers in a single layer.

COOK butter and brown sugar in small pan on medium-high heat stirring occasionally. Bring to boil; cook 3 minutes stirring constantly.

POUR over crackers and spread evenly. BAKE 8-10 minutes.

REMOVE from the oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate; let stand until chocolate is softened. Spread chocolate evenly over crackers.

Sprinkle with nuts. Cool. Break into pieces.

ENJOY :)

If you have a favorite holiday recipe … please share!

MK xo
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This kid loves winter, snow, skiing, tobogganing. Today it was -30c and she came home from school annoyed that their outdoor broom-ball game was canceled.

This kid comes in a close second. I love this photo of her coming out of the snow-fort on Saturday afternoon. She was out for hours and hours. I love the flakes on her lashes.

I am so thankful that Georgia has decided putting on mittens isn’t the END of life as she knows it.

I don’t like it when winter sneaks up on us before the summer toys get put away. That wasn’t the case this year, just a week ago we were basking in 15c (+55f). This year the toys were put away and then due to a fabulous fall, they all came back out. You can’t win :)

I won’t tell you how much I dislike it when people complain about the weather. I won’t …

There are certainly things I don’t LOVE about winter. Then again, there are things that I do love. Like this bright blue Alberta winter sky. It might have been -30 today, but it was -30 and sunny! It’s fabulous!

Tell me something you LIKE about winter :)

MK xo
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Disclosure: Mother Nature provided the blue sky and the snow. I received no payment for NOT complaining about it.

***

A few weeks ago CardStore.com sent me a whole pile of great sample cards to review.

They sent me all kinds of samples –> thank you cards, personal stationary, play-date cards, birthday party invites, AND of course Christmas and holiday cards.

They’re great … you can upload your own images, add your own messages.

I love this one …

Look at this cutie patootie …

For people like me who never get cards out on time … Happy New Year!

CardStore.com has generously offered to provide 2 winners with 1 box of their new boxed stationary sets with the holiday design of your choice personalized: http://www.cardstore.com/boxed-stationery-cards-holiday.html

Hey! No fair … I want some. Oops … pretend you didn’t hear that.

So you have until Monday, December 7th @ noon to leave a comment to be eligible to win.

Question: Do you send out cards faithfully every year? If you send one out and don’t get one back, is that person off your list? Give me the all the holiday card dirt.

MK xo
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Disclosure: I received no product or payment in return for this review. Two card sets will be provided to two randomly chosen women.

Jessie Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 14:03 Our 5 year old is obsessed with everything that has to do with Dora, so the fact that she asked for a Barbie this year is a relief for my husband and I…. Finally something different !!!!!!

For all the rest of you, don’t despair. There are still FIVE days of Toy Tuesday goodness left.

Today (December 4th) –> Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Saturday (December 5th) –> Bargain Briana
Sunday (December 6th) –> Table 4 Five
Monday (December 7th) –> Tip Junkie
Toy Tuesday (December 8th) –> Livin it, Lovin it

MK xo
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Disclosure: I received a gift card for this post promoting Toy Tuesday.