Christmas craftiness

I didn't get a picture, but I made a whole fleet of ornaments for my nieces and nephews again this year. In total I ended up making 17 of these soft name initial ornaments. Pictured here are the 5 I made for our family. With all the little hands, it is good to have soft things at the bottom of the tree.

Next is a Pinterest project that I actually completed. It sat on our fireplace and I was happy every time I looked at it.

We dipped the kids' hands in green paint to make the tree. William has the bottom 3 rows, Amelia the next 3 rows and Gemma has the top 3 hand prints. Then we used fingerprints to make the bulbs in a variety of colors. It still needs a star at the top, but maybe next year that will happen.

12/29

John and I have had an argument recently.

I'm not sure how we got on the topic, but I suspect that at thanksgiving he overheard me telling someone that this year will be our 11th wedding anniversary.

John believes I am wrong. This is a dangerous position to be in.

Therefore, he has spent the last month or so trying to carefully and logically explain how LAST year was 11 years. This year is 12.

It cannot be. If it is true, I have been cheated out of a year somewhere.

Anyhow, we made arrangements to go out for dinner at the local pub to celebrate the big day. Without children. We had adult beverages and shared a salad with spicy dressing. I took a super dark picture to commemorate the event. Doesn't it look delicious?

So, here's to you John! Happy anniversary until we celebrate our 12 (me) / 13th (you) anniversary of marriage together.

The gift

Several days ago, William came running up and said, " mom! I made you a present and I forgot to give it to you!"

And then he presented me with this.



Do you know what it is?








It is a diamond bracelet of course.

Gemma's new word

Is "no"


It is maddening and totally puddle inducingly cute.

Sent from my iPhone

Tooth #7

William lost tooth number 7 on 12/23/13.
It was the upper right incisor (I think that is the right name?).

The tooth was loose for daaaaaaaaaays. He wouldn't let anyone near it. Finally, he was taking a bite of a roll at the Texas Roadhouse when the tooth finally popped out. (Yes, on a bite of bread. Soft, fresh bread).

Sent from my iPhone

All these gifts and I want to....

The gifts weren't all even opened yet when Gemma found her preferred spot. She settled in to read her new book to herself on the coziest spot she could find...

Christmas!

The kids loved having another Christmas at home. They were so kind and thoughtful and made sure to take turns opening their gifts. They were getting along wonderfully (not so true in the proceeding hours in the drive home).

William absolutely adored his Lego idea book. He didn't or couldn't pay attention to anything else after that. He would halfhearted open a present with his eyes still on the pages of his book. We finally took the book away from him and made him open the rest of his gifts before giving it back to him.

Gemma got a new baby and she was delighted (thank you GranGerry). She couldn't wait for it to be out of the packaging and in her arms. She has carried it around under her arm ever since. She also had a few regifted items. She didn't really need a whole lot and I wanted to send a message to the big kids:these toys are Gemma's now. She loved the toys and didn't complain at all.

Amelia was in love with all the new American girl doll clothes she now has. Even though she didn't make this set of pictures, she was having a wonderful time!