Now Updated: City + Family Calendar

This month's City + Family Calendar is chock full of things to do and I'm honestly still adding events. Since there are so many holiday venues during December that just go on until January, I added those events (like the Cactus Garden at Ethel M, which is an every night thing) at the top and linked them to get you more information.

We had a ball today at Home Depot, hammering and painting winter garden stakes. Then we rushed to Toys R Us for an ornament craft. Next week? Star Nursery's Kids Garden Club for more holiday fun.

For now, check out the calendar for some ideas for tomorrow.

It's Been Far Too Long

It has been a year since I have touched this blog and man, I've missed it. The family? We've been chugging along, busy, and pulled in every direction. Chris got a new job and we're so happy about it. I have two jobs and full time school. The kids are getting bigger and I savor little shots like this to remind me to slow down and smell the roses.

My two jobs: substitute teaching by day and retail at World Market Cost Plus by night. I finally have a minute to sit and let my past week to soak in.

I had a customer during Black Friday weekend literally block me from taking another customer so that she could get one of our limited Downton Abbey tote bags. It was nightmarish and frustrating to say the least and it made me forget of all the nice interactions that I was lucky to have with other customers that day. The most memorable one was when I asked a woman for her ID for her wine purchase; she instantly lit up as we chatted about how horrible her day was going until that moment when I made it a good one for making her feel young and vibrant and important. She left with a glowing smile. Those are the moments I need to stop and think about instead of the negative.

So I'll leave it at that for now. Hold onto the good moments. It's Christmastime, after all.

5, 4, 3...2...1...(Cue Little Baby Snores)

It can be hard to do something festive with your little ones on New Year's. They'll have a hard time trying to stay up--just like Christmas Eve. But if they do stay up, it'll only be because they're high on sugar or crankiness. At the Las Vegas area libraries, the clever solution they came up with is New Year's at Noon--a whole storytime for eight and under crowd who just can't make it to midnight.

At the Rainbow library on Buffalo and Cheyenne, the New Year's Eve storytime on December 31st starts up 11:30am.

Check here for more New Year's storytimes at your closest Las Vegas Area Library.

Another event going on: Noon Year's Eve at Town Square Park.

Free fun on bounce houses and slides, a rock wall and DJ to help dance the afternoon away. The DJ will help the crowd count down to noon, where everyone will ring in the afternoon  and toast with their classy juice boxes.

For more info on Noon Year's Eve, click here.

I'll see you at one of 'em! Happy New Year!

Photo via New Years Cards

Nuggets of Wisdom from a Three Year Old: Christmas

After opening presents on Christmas morning, Dianna looked at her dad and said,

"Daddy, can we call Santa?"

"Why?" Chris asked her.

"So I can tell him, 'Thank you.'"