7 Quick Takes Friday, #44

1. There's still time left to enter my first giveaway! Click over to check out a recap of my first year blogging and some adorable aprons from Jessie Steele (who's never heard of me, by the way). Just leave a comment and you'll be entered to win. I'm so excited to see who gets an apron! Could it be you??



2. This week marked a momentous occasion: Lauren's first pigtails!






Granted, they just barely qualify as piggies, but they're THERE. She loved them -- for almost 2 whole minutes.

3. When I wrote earlier this week about Mia's tummy troubles, I got some wonderful suggestions and tips...thank you! She's feeling much better after a trip to our natural foods store for some digestive enzyme something or other.

4. We also made a visit to the doctor for Mia's 4 year checkup and to ask about her painful stomach. At one point the doctor said that kids this age are more likely to have empty bellies from not eating very much, which could cause irritating stomach acids to accumulate. She suggested trying to offer small, healthy snacks every couple of hours, and said that Mia only really needed 2 or 3 bites of food each time to keep her stomach full and busy all day long. Mia was sitting quietly on my lap during this conversation, and I couldn't have told you whether or not she was actually paying attention to what was being said.

Then later at lunch, she wasn't too interested in eating her meal. She told me in a very certain tone of voice, "Remember...the doctor said only 2 or 3 bites, mom. That's enough."

Stinkin' doctor.

Stinkin' smart girl.

5. Today I'm going to a holiday baking party for my church's moms group. We're supposed to bring ingredients and a recipe for ONE item that we'd like to make. And thanks to Amy at My Front Porch Looking In, I'm instead bringing ingredients and recipes for FOUR items. She made my mouth water all day on Wednesday with her live-blogging of her Christmas baking. Now I can't settle on any one single thing to make. Thanks alot, Amy! (No really, thank you! I can't wait to tackle those candy cane cookies! And oreo truffles. And Andes mint cookies.) I'll just have to be extra speedy in the kitchen. Since this has never once happened to date, it should be interesting. Especially considering all the chit-chat which will be simultaneously taking place.

6. Also today, is Mia's preschool Christmas program. I'm interested to see how it goes because she's not ever actually performed in one of these shows. She usually just stands in the group, gazing around, being shy or overwhelmed or stubborn...I'm really not sure which. She's already told us that she won't sing in the program, but we're still holding out hope for a miracle, or peer pressure, or something to sway her. No matter what happens, I'm counting on enjoying the show -- with or without Mia's mouth moving. She's just as adorable either way.

7. I think I've finally given myself permission to not send out Christmas cards this year. It adds another layer of requirement to a season that's already got too much activity in it for my comfort, anyway. And as far as other people's comfort goes...I hold no suppositions that the people on my mailing list will mourn the absence of a card from us. They'll surely survive, and maybe even thank us for not adding to their recycling pile? That's my hope anyway. I like getting cards this time of year, I really do. Yet, I always feel bad for tossing them out after a few weeks and what if there's a picture involved?! I can't throw away a picture! But...what should I DO with it?

How do you all feel about Christmas cards? Both the sending and receiving. Do you look forward to any aspect of it? Do you merely comply with the societal norms? Do you think this is a ridiculous tradition or a worthwhile effort? Or are you just wishy-washy like me? Let's dish.

Thank you for visiting today! Have a joyful weekend and be sure to stop over at Conversion Diary for more Quick Takes.