Wee Wonderfuls

I did it, I took down Christmas

But it was too early and now I'm regretting it. Doesn't help that today is dark and rainy and dreary, so sad! I made a note on my list of next Christmas reminders to myself... "it doesn't take that long to dismantle Christmas, don't jump the gun"

I added a lot to that list this year. When I'm on facebook I marvel at how "put together" everyone's holidays seem. I would have thought by 8 and 4 that I'd have this down. But I think I'm getting close. Just putting on the finishing touches... order enough Christmas cards, buy tickets to Nutcracker super early, make a breakfast casserole for Christmas morning, when is best day to go to museum, stuff like that.

I wish New Years had decorations.

christmas was merry!

I have more pictures to share but I've got kids crawling all over me. Also I'm kinda already in new year mode. I'm sitting on my hands to not pick up, store, put away, take down. My house looks shabby and beat up. It needs a makeover but unfortunately my wallet is also shabby and beat up. I wish there were garage sales in January. I want to buy someone else's stuff to spruce this place up.

I'll try to post some photos this week. I made one thing I had on my pinterest, the dala horse ornament above (from bhg). Maybe I made more? I'll check.

Christmas Around the World

Yesterday we made our annual visit to the Museum of Science and Industry to see the Christmas Around the World trees. Every year we have the same favorites, the wonder of the Poland tree and all its fanciful fluff, all the Scandinavian trees and the amazing origami on the Japan tree. The barbies on the Mexico tree were also very popular this year with Phoebe.

Happy Christmas Eve to all of you waiting for Santa!

sequins

hi, from the tree

spritz

how's your holiday spirit?

 

I'm doing well this year, I think. I've realized that trying to follow the spirit of the thing instead of the letter is a huge part of making the holidays great for the kids. I've already botched so many things for this Christmas -- I can't even list them because it makes me sad -- but I'm moving on. We've got Cinnamon Bear playing and I'm getting out the kitchenaid as soon as I get off the computer. We're going to make spritz cookies! I'm very excited. After 10 years of thinking I had a spritz cookie press I realized I don't and just ordered one.

(Those are the wonky peppermint cake pops I made for Oscar's party up above.)

oranges + cloves

we are santa's elves

We had a busy busy weekend of not leaving the house.

We made Orangette's caramel corn for passing out as we do every year. So yummy!

We tried our hand at yarn wreaths (from Christopher and Tia). Oscar gave up because he couldn't make it neat enough so I just made them myself.

Both kids loved these modern paper ornaments over at Design Sponge. They're like magic! I want to do lots of paper things this year but here's what I don't get... you need paper printed on both sides for all these cool things (like these). Where do you get that? Scrapbook paper is one sided, my cute wrapping paper is one sided. Gluing cute paper back to back is too bulky. Is there something I'm missing?

We also tackled the make it yourself from scratch gingerbread house. I don't want to say never again but, how about not again for a reeeeally long time. What the crap? That's impossible! Getting those edges to match up. Baking all those sides to be flat and sturdy and straight. Ours is seriously leaning and gapped. Oh well, the kids just like to shovel candy in their mouths like they're getting away with something. Maybe next year I'll just go straight to the bowls of candy.

putz

I really want to make my own putz houses this year. So far I've collected a nice mountain of cardboard. A good start?

I love these glittery tudored Martha Stewart houses I got a few years back.