I figure this tour is good until the New Year begins right?

Due to the brilliance of Boomama's bloggity brain, I bring you "The Locastro Casa" bloggity tour at Christmas time and of course a little late.

First we have a 'half' shot of the front of the house. I have lights on the gargage too but I couldn't get it all in one BIG shot. The little reindeer move their heads and everytime we back out of the drive Sugar yells, "bye, bye wanedeer"!


And when you walk in the house we have this lighted wreath. This was given to me by some good friends of ours who moved to Australia so I look forward every year to putting it up.
Since we don't have a fireplace this year, the stockings were hung on the stairway with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas can find them there. :-)
This is our Christmas tree in the front living area. The angel on top was given to me by my mom and it's was used to go on our tree when I was young. I just love it!

Now for one of my favorites! I found the train we use to have when I was younger on Ebay and got one for my girls this year. It's considered a vintage now...isn't that funny? Anyways, it runs perfectly, smokes and has a light. The girls absolutely love it and we play with every day.

This was another great vintage find this year and I just adore it. It sits on the back of my stove.


This is the girl's Christmas tree in the media room. You can't see from the picture but it has bubble lights, popcorn garland and their Christmas link chain we made.
This Santa hangs on the girl's bathroom door downstairs next to their playroom. It was made for me about 10 years ago from a friend and the face is made of all yarn.
This is the last picture I took, I bought this Christmas hanging for dirt cheap a few years back and I just love it. I added the door swag over top this year since I had no where else to hang it.

Well that's all for our Christmas decor...head on over to Boomama's to see more!

Happy New Year!

Twas the night...

Twas the Night... for Moms

The Night Before Christmas for Moms
Author Unknown

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode, only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of Nintendo and Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV, with a half-constructed bicycle sitting on his knee. So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, she descended the stairs, and saw the old man. He was covered with ashes and soot, which feel with a shrug. "Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake. Your gift was especially difficult to make." Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone." "Exactly!" He chuckled, "I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she asked, "What good is that? Run along Santa, I've no time for a chat." The mother's twin, same hair, same eyes, same double chin. "She'll cook, she'll dust, and she'll mop every mess. You relax, take it easy, and get some real rest."

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true! I'll shop. I'll read. I'll sleep a whole night through!"

From the room above, the youngest began to fret. "Mommy?! I'm scared… and I'm wet." The clone replied, "I'm coming sweetheart." "Hey", the mom smiled, "She knows her part."

The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune, as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon. "You're the best mommy ever. I really love you." The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal! That's my child's love she's trying to steal." Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear. Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed. "Thank you, Santa, for clearing my head. I sometimes forget, it won't be very long, when they'll be too old for my cradle-song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time." With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight. Merry Christmas Mom, you'll be alright."

* I got this via email several times from some other mommies and thought it was cute. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Hello to all my dear friends that read, lurk and comment,

Well tomorrow morning, the girls and I are off to see some family in a much colder climate. I actually had to buy us some winter clothes since we haven't needed any in oh. about. two. years!

Maybe, just maybe we'll see some snow. Because you know it's fun to see it for about a day or two this time of year and then I've had enough. :-)

Since I'll be without the Internet for a good chunk of time (I know I'm twitching already), I probably won't post again until after Christmas. So until then, I hope all my bloggity friends have a blessed Christmas and may we remember the reason for the season!

In Him,

T-Lo

Our Jesse Tree

Last night we finally purchased our Jesse Tree to start a new family tradition. I have learned lots about this topic over the past few months here in bloggityville. And I must say it's and excellent idea! I learned first about this tradition from here. Since then, I have been collecting more and more information to create our own.

Like so many of you, this year I am doing the paper ornaments for each Bible story. Plus, Sissy LOVES to color so this is a good time to let her make them. Also, we attached them to colored construction paper like they did here and they look great. (Thanks Ad for the tip!)

Below is a snapshot of our first four ornaments. I do believe next year's ornaments will be a little more creative but this will have to do for now. You can get more information about this idea and see more samples of others here and here.


I'm looking forward to doing more devotionals and watching Sissy learn. Sugar is still a little young to understand but we always show her what we made when she wakes up from nap. :-)

Below is the passage where the idea of the Jesse Tree all began...

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -

Isaiah 11:1-2

I swear, I don't starve my children

This past month or so I started doing projects again with Sissy during Sugar's nap time. We have made turkeys, Thanksgiving sugar cookies, PB brownie cups, Christmas pine cones, bells, stockings, a gingerbread house (our first time) and the most famous of all...

Popcorn garland! Which by the way takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to make. It's a good thing it's makes for a tasty snack too.


Anyways, Sugar woke up from nap yesterday and I forgot to lock the door to the media room which is where the girl's tree resides. I walked in to find this...



Then followed Smokey the dog...















Once Sissy came in the room and saw first-hand what was going on, we had a very upset preschooler crying, "it's ruined, the whole tree is ruined!"

I think this is the part where I was supposed to stop laughing... :)