Among other things, I worked on Christmas cards today. Don't those red envelopes make you happy just looking at them?
(Sher, thanks for inspiring me with the photo of your stack of cards on your blog!)
I love this boy!
He was happy as a clam, sitting in the Bumbo chair, in the middle of the action as the big kids bounced around with their crazy antics while they talked to their Pappy on Skype this evening.
He was happy as a clam, sitting in the Bumbo chair, in the middle of the action as the big kids bounced around with their crazy antics while they talked to their Pappy on Skype this evening.
There is something so calming about candlelight.
I received this Christmas tree ornament a few years ago, back when I was a career woman. (insert chuckle here) It was such a generous gift from my boss, and I treasure it, and her friendship, every year when I light the candles.
Last year I bought some of those battery operated LED candles for it because I worried about little fingers, but those things seriously are awful. Sure you can't burn yourself, but they don't have a calming effect. Rather, they have an enraging effect when your feet find them all over the house because little hands want to play with them.
I'll stick with beeswax. The smell is out of this world!
I received this Christmas tree ornament a few years ago, back when I was a career woman. (insert chuckle here) It was such a generous gift from my boss, and I treasure it, and her friendship, every year when I light the candles.
Last year I bought some of those battery operated LED candles for it because I worried about little fingers, but those things seriously are awful. Sure you can't burn yourself, but they don't have a calming effect. Rather, they have an enraging effect when your feet find them all over the house because little hands want to play with them.
I'll stick with beeswax. The smell is out of this world!
This evening, we traveled to Bethlehem.
My parents' church hosted the event, and it was so much fun for everyone! The town was busy and bustling. There were shops to visit and crafts to make - moneybags, wreaths, and tin tableware. Bread was plentiful, and my stomach still hurts from eating too much challah!
My favourite part of the evening was stepping out of the bustling busyness, and into the stable where the babe was. The animals were docile, and it was so peaceful. I mean, it was still a gymnasium, but for a few quiet moments I could pause to reflect on what it might have been like that night, thousands of years ago when the Christ came to earth.
My parents' church hosted the event, and it was so much fun for everyone! The town was busy and bustling. There were shops to visit and crafts to make - moneybags, wreaths, and tin tableware. Bread was plentiful, and my stomach still hurts from eating too much challah!
My favourite part of the evening was stepping out of the bustling busyness, and into the stable where the babe was. The animals were docile, and it was so peaceful. I mean, it was still a gymnasium, but for a few quiet moments I could pause to reflect on what it might have been like that night, thousands of years ago when the Christ came to earth.
We went out for Clay's office Christmas party this evening. I could gush about every course of the meal, but suffice it to say it was all delicious. Behold, my potato soup served in a Mason jar.
It is so inspiring to hear a good chef talk about food. I already knew we were in for a treat at this restaurant, but after hearing the artist talk about his art, it made me appreciate it so much more.
Deacon stayed home with my mom this evening, and my night out was interrupted by a sweet baby who refused the bottle that was left for him. Who could blame him? I certainly didn't mind taking an intermission to come home to his sweet snuggles so that he could nurse before bed.
It is so inspiring to hear a good chef talk about food. I already knew we were in for a treat at this restaurant, but after hearing the artist talk about his art, it made me appreciate it so much more.
Deacon stayed home with my mom this evening, and my night out was interrupted by a sweet baby who refused the bottle that was left for him. Who could blame him? I certainly didn't mind taking an intermission to come home to his sweet snuggles so that he could nurse before bed.
Sweet Markus, my dear eldest boy.
I love when an orange is a well received bedtime snack. No pining for granola bars or cookies, just goofing around with silly walrus teeth!
I love when an orange is a well received bedtime snack. No pining for granola bars or cookies, just goofing around with silly walrus teeth!
Today was field trip day.
The truth is that every outing is a field trip - an opportunity to learn, out in the real world. This means that shopping for groceries is considered part of school in this house.
Back to today. Today was our first field trip with other homeschoolers, and what a fun day it was! We went to the fire hall for a tour, grabbed lunch at Tim Horton's, then went to Pooh Corner at the library for story time. What a fun day!
The truth is that every outing is a field trip - an opportunity to learn, out in the real world. This means that shopping for groceries is considered part of school in this house.
Back to today. Today was our first field trip with other homeschoolers, and what a fun day it was! We went to the fire hall for a tour, grabbed lunch at Tim Horton's, then went to Pooh Corner at the library for story time. What a fun day!
Advent is an exciting time - magical in the eyes of a child. I was easily satisfied with cheap chocolate advent calendars when I was small, but since it's nearly impossible to find one without Santa emblazoned on the front (I'm not anti-Santa, but I am pro-Jesus), and my conscience protests buying chocolate that isn't fair-trade, and one fair-trade advent calendar without Santa on it costs $12... multiply that by 3 kids, and well, I needed a new strategy.
So, copying my talented friend Sarah, I made an advent garland out of tiny stockings. Every day the kids pull a new paper out to reveal the day's activity, and for days that I don't have anything ambitious up my sleeve, they go hunting for a piece of chocolate money - one bag of fair trade coins only set me back $7.
You can check out Clay's photo today to get an idea of what the stockings look like.
So, copying my talented friend Sarah, I made an advent garland out of tiny stockings. Every day the kids pull a new paper out to reveal the day's activity, and for days that I don't have anything ambitious up my sleeve, they go hunting for a piece of chocolate money - one bag of fair trade coins only set me back $7.
You can check out Clay's photo today to get an idea of what the stockings look like.
Our little jolly jumper was all tuckered out. He was busy jumping, and a moment later I heard sucking. He had this monkey's ear in his mouth, and his eyes were closed. He would jump for a few seconds in his sleep, then stop again.
Poor baby - off to bed with you :)
Poor baby - off to bed with you :)