A little Snow was here and there
Disseminated in her Hair --
Since she and I had met and played
Decade had gathered to Decade --
But Time had added not obtained
Impregnable the Rose
For summer too indelible
Too obdurate for Snows --
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So we are already 4 days into our advent activities and loving it!
Today we filled out our Christmas lists...
We've decided not to introduce the magical fat man, Santa, and instead keep Christmas focused on Jesus. Thus, instead of letters to Santa, our kids are filling out Christmas wish lists for US!
You can find the printable I made for our lists here!
This is our first year doing advent activities, now that our oldest is finally big enough. I searched high and low for a list of perfect experiences rather than gifts, chocolates or stories, because I wanted our advent to be filled with memories instead of just stuff.
I had a hard time finding things that the whole family could do, so I ended up making my own advent calendar and baby/toddler friendly family activities. Here are a list of 10 of my favorites (that aren't simply picking out or decorating a tree) we will ALL be doing this year:
In no particular order...
What are your favorite advent activities?
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I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving day weekend! We had our third and final Thanksgiving to celebrate Saturday at my in-law's.
My MIL is an amazing cook and always has everything prepared and thought of when we show up for holidays, so I always struggle wondering what to make or bring to add to the meal.
This year I went simple, but it was probably the biggest success yet. I decided to make and bring gingerbread play dough for the kids to keep them busy while she finished setting up and afterwards for a bit while we all visited and enjoyed dessert. The kids LOVED it! My daughter and niece spent most of their time rolling out the dough and practicing cutting out an endless amount of "cookies."
I whipped up the play dough Friday night so that it had time to cool for Saturday morning. Here is the recipe I used...
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium sauce pan.
2. Mix in water and oil and stir until a thick batter is forming.
3. Turn the burner on low to medium heat and stir continuously until dough is formed.
4. Set on parchment paper and knead until smooth. Allow to cool and place and store in an air tight container.
I picked up some tins to store the dough, cookie cutters, and rolling pins at the Dollar Store and dressed them up a bit as little gifts for Kenzie and her cousin.
I'm happy to say my 3 year old is still playing "cookie shop" 2 days later and the dough is going strong. This stuff looks and smells DELICIOUS, but it has been baby tested by my 1 year old, and I can confidently say that, although safe to eat, your kids probably won't do so. This dough has all the yumminess of gingerbread except for the taste.
Enjoy making and sharing this with your kids over the holiday!
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We made it through Thanksgiving, and what a wonderful Thanksgiving it was!
We have 3 dinners to celebrate this year, my parents' last weekend, Kris' parents' this coming weekend, and Thanksgiving day we saved just for our own little family.
It was our first Thanksgiving with just our little family of 4, and my first time cooking a Thanksgiving meal! I am proud to report that it was a giant success!
Now that we have turkey day out the way, we are gearing up for Christmas, my faaaavorite holiday!
Today we are doing our Christmas lists! I found an idea on Pinterest that I really loved that prioritizes Christmas gifts for the kids. In years past, Christmas shopping consisted of my husband and I buying pretty much everything in sight at a local toy store that we thought the kids would like, pretty much at random. This usually resulted in an over filled play room, forgotten toys, and would have eventually led to spoiled kids and some REALLY high expectations for Christmas mornings to come.
Our kids are blessed with quite a few loving and generous family members who love to give them gifts, so this year I am making use of this new idea and limiting them each to 5 Christmas presents, one in each category, from US, that we would like them to receive.
I found some printable options on Pinterest, but those lists were addressed to Santa, and since we have decided to not introduce the whole Santa concept to the kids, I decided to make my own printable we could use for the kids...so here it is if you would like to use it as well!
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and stay tuned for more Christmas fun and printables!
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It's that time again. Everyone is posting their 30 days of things that they're thankful for all over my social media timelines, and I have to admit, sometimes I gag a little.
I started this post with the intention of writing 30 things I'm NOT thankful for this time of year, but before I could even finish, I began to have a change of heart and jump on the bandwagon. Maybe you'll have one too. Here are 10 things I think we moms have every reason to give thanks for all year round...
1. Dark circles under our eyes.
I hate these. If you're a mom, its likely you have these too to some degree. I hate how tired and worn I look in the mirror some mornings and how much they seem to have aged me since I became a mommy. Dark circles, or if you're even more unlucky, bags under your eyes are a part of life now, and I've found a way to be thankful.
These dark circles come and go with our sleep (or lack thereof) and mean we were able to spend precious moments in the night with our babies at their most vulnerable. Those quiet minutes (and sometimes hours) in the middle of the night snuggling and rocking, singing and soothing, when only mommy would do. As much as I hate my dark circles, someday I will miss them, so for now, I am grateful.
{This may also make you thankful for good concealer and strong coffee. :) }
2. Stretch marks.
Again, not pretty, but a badge of honor, because you carried your babies to term and were left with physical scars to remember that special time in your life.
Not everyone is given the opportunity to experience pregnancy, and these women would probably consider stretch marks a small price to pay to feel a little person kick for the first time or sport a beach ball belly under a less than flattering maternity shirt.
I am thankful then for my stretch marks because they mean I carried and delivered 2 healthy baby girls.
I am thankful that no matter how much they fade or shrink, they are the only tattoos I carry to remind me of my special 9 months with each of them.
3. Laundry.
Its tedious, its annoying, and it can seem never-ending, but I am thankful.
It means my my family has plenty of clean clothes to wear.
It means my daughters have enough to eat when I spend time rubbing stain remover on ketchup marks.
It makes me smile to see grass/dirt stains and wear spots on my 3 year old's pants because they are the remnants of a good time had, can only be a result of play, and often accompany her sweet laughter.
It's an honor to pick off melted crayon, soak a paint stain, or find a smiley face sticker in the lint tray because it means they are learning, creating, and growing.
I am thankful for laundry.
4. Sweatpants.
I am thankful for sweat pants. Ok, not for their flattering fit, or the fashion statement they make, but for their existence. I love getting dressed up as much as the next girl, but sweat pants mean comfort in my home.
They allow me to romp around the play room with my daughters, chase the baby in circles, snuggle my husband at bed time, and not think twice about ironing dress pants.
This also makes me thankful for jeans and t-shirts when I have to make myself presentable. :)
5. Ponytails.
I don't know about you, but I seldom have time to style my hair. Often blow drying it is a luxury I don't get to indulge in. Therefore, I am thankful for ponytails. I am thankful they're in style, I am thankful that they're easy, and I'm thankful to be able to throw my hair up and look put together.
6. Cold season.
Alright, so I'm not REALLY thankful for this one, but a decent cold or flu running through our little family does make me appreciate our health the other 95% of the time.
7. Pinterest.
Because...obviously.
I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I find it to be an enormous time-suck, and it can really do a number on a mom's self esteem to see all these other crafty moms or do-it-all chefs blogging away about their awesomeness and leaves me wondering where they find the time to do it all.
However, it has also become a resource for homeschool, a go-to for new dinner recipes, and a wealth of creative ideas to enhance our holidays and organization.
I am thankful for evil Pinterest...there, I've said it, you know you are too.
8. Those toys scattered everywhere.
You've heard the jokes about stepping on legos in the night. They certainly have a ring of truth to them.
It can be annoying to see an overturned toy box, dolls or trucks scattered all over the room you just cleaned, or find army men and barbies in places you never would have imagined, but for all this I am thankful.
I am thankful my children have toys to play with, toys we can donate, and toys I can secretly toss out or switch off when they aren't looking. I am thankful they have these tools to learn to share with, enhance their imagination, and build memories upon.
The occasional lego on the floor was once a tall tower my daughter was happily building, or a castle the baby was gleefully smashing in Kenzie's absence.
9. Snow
I hate the cold and I hate snow. If I had my way it would snow 1 week a year (just for Christmas) and then melt away magically.
I hate shoveling, driving in blizzards, scraping off car windows, and wearing a coat. Since having kids though, I have found a reason to again be thankful for winter and snow.
I am thankful for their excitement when they see the first snowflakes of the season, for sledding in the yard, tiny snow angels in my lawn, and how cute my kids look all bundled up like eskimos.
10. Thanksgiving
This one was never going to be on the list of things I'm not thankful for, but I am so thankful for it I am including it no matter what.
I LOVE holidays. I love to cook, I love for family to get together, I love anything I can make a really big deal out of and any chance to celebrate.
Thanksgiving ranks just under Christmas and birthdays in my book. I am thankful for good food and good family. I am thankful that we have so many thanksgiving dinners to choose from and attend, and I am thankful for this yearly reminder of everything I have to be thankful for.
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My favorites from this Halloween!
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Everyone and their sisters are pinning bucket lists all over Pinterest. Fall bucket lists, life bucket lists, children's bucket lists...it seems like the "in" thing to do.
I've decided to do my own bucket list, for Halloween. Because I absolutely hate to do anything half way let alone *ahem* fail, mine will be a bit more "realistic" to complete. Join me if you will in my Halloween 2012 bucket list:
1. Carve a pumpkin.
Ok, so this doesn't really need to be on my list. Not only have I done it, but I am pretty awesome at it. I know some of you need practice though, so onto the list it goes.
Last year's pumpkins. While I won't name names...I will specify that mine is neither the one on the left..nor the right. Thank you.
2. Go to a pumpkin patch.
Ah, the pumpkin patch/corn maze/money-sucking waste of time, yet inevitable tradition. This year I will not only go again, but hopefully pick a warmer day. I will also not cringe when they charge me 50.00 for the enormous pumpkin my daughter picks out, or laugh as my husband attempts to effortlessly carry it to the truck and catapult it into the back seat. I will pay the 10.00 for a ticket so my kid can ride the train (this year we won't have to lie about her age) and I will also not care when she tells me afterwards that she hated it.
Hold on tight! A little faster than expected. Also...possibly why they want children to be at least 3 years old to ride. Hmmm
3. Make my children cry by dressing them up in ridiculous Halloween costumes.
We get the catalogs, we look online and browse the stores always continually asking our oldest child "what she would like to be this year?" The answer changes a few times, but typically she settles on something we can agree on (and by agree I mean she thinks the picture of the costume looks neat, and I finally assent because it will a.) be warm enough to wear on October 31st in the midwest and b.) won't make my child look like a baby hooker).
No matter what is chosen, when Halloween finally rolls around and I joyfully produce the costume, it is no longer what my daughter wants to be. I bribe, I barter, and eventually I stuff her into it for some pictures and throw a coat over it to trick or treat. This involves tears (occasionally for us both) but usually candy makes it better.
Her younger sister is easier to check off this list. Not only did she not get to choose her costume...she has never had any desire to be a butterfly...and she doesn't have enough teeth for candy. Check!
Klara 2011
Kenzie 2010
4. Take my painfully shy child door to door and actually convince myself she's going to say "trick or treat."
What fun is Halloween without a little hocus pocus? In my case, I fall under some sort of spell around October 1st that makes me believe this year, THIS YEAR, it will be different. I know last year was a little rough, no kitkat bar or tootsie roll was going to coerce my almost 3 year old into conversing with a complete stranger, no matter how rehearsed her ONLY line may be, but it's been another year. This year I just know she will nail it and I won't be left looking like a fool collecting candy for a child who would rather watch me gather it from the car.
Kenzie attempting to bolt
Kenzie's favorite house to trick or treat at. Take 1 and keep moving...really more her speed.
5. And finally...NOT sneak candy out of my kids' Halloween bags.Do I really need to elaborate on this one? Guilty.
Kenzie and I. Halloween 2010
"That sucker looks a lot like mine Dad, where'd ya get it?"
Some more favorite memories from Halloweens past...
Kenzie 2009
2010
Kenzie
Kenzie
Kenzie
Klara 2011
Kenzie "Angelina Ballerina" 2011
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We had a blast for Father's Day weekend! My girls are truly blessed to have the best Daddy any little girl could ask for. Whether he is playing rough n' tumble with them, taking them on new adventures, patiently enduring endless potty breaks, or letting them dress him up, he does it all with a smile and always reminds them at the end of the day just how deeply he loves them.
We spent a rainy Saturday at home playing with our new chicks!
..and splashing around in mud puddles!
We spent father's day at the local horse pulls! We love horses around here..
Taking in her first pulls with Daddy...
...some of the competitors hard at work...
...and finally relaxing in the shade...
We also went strawberry picking! Here's the troops, all ready to pick!
...trying her first strawberry...
...the most diligent picker...mostly because more ended up in her mouth than in that box...
We spent the weekend with our precious Dad and although he is probably thoroughly sick of the 3 of us, he hopefully knows how much we love him.
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When Hallmark just won't cut it, here are 5 things you can thank your mother for that will actually mean something!
1. Her time. Time is money...right? How much time did your mother spend raising you? If you're a mom, how much time do you spend with your children? I'm not talking about those warm fuzzy moments both parties enjoy, where you just want to wrap the whole family up in a great big hug and press pause to relive it forever. I'm talking about the time moms spend with the wailing baby, the sick toddler, the rebellious teenager or the heartbroken adult. All the times you were less than desirable company and all the times she would much rather have been doing anything but caring for you. Thank her.
2. Her sacrifice. What has your mom given up for you? Can't think of anything? Are you a mother yourself? Look no further than a mirror in that case. See those stretch marks? That extra 5 pounds you can't seem to shed? Those bags under your eyes? If you're a mom, you've been there, if you haven't, let me fill you in. That frizzy hair, slept in make up, and spit up stained sweat ensemble your mom often sported wasn't the latest fashion or your mother's noncomformist rebellion against the luxury of a daily shower, it was what she gave up for you. She sacrificed her body for 9 months (longer in some of our cases), her perfectly coiffed hair and her wardrobe while she put your needs first. This on top of countless other sacrifices I am sure she can fill you in on, is reason enough to thank her.
3. Her love. No one ever, in your whole entire life, is going to love you the way your mother does. She loved you from the moment she knew you were forming inside her. This unconditional love she harbors and angelic pedastal she places you upon undeservedly, are in no way a reflection of her blindness to reality, but her unrestrained adoration of everything you are. Whether you realized it at the time or not, this powerful love is the same reason, in many of life's scenarios, no one would do for comfort like mommy would. Thank her.
4. Her courage. Think your mom is a wuss? Think again! She may not be a notorious right fighter, maybe she's scared to death of heights, but your mother is BRAVE. It takes true courage to be a mother. From the moment you were brought home from the hospital your mother exhibited incomparable bravery. She changed your diapers, fed you, taught you, and cared for you all while pretending she knew exactly what she was doing, no matter how clueless and overwhelmed she really felt. It doesn't end there. Her courage is tested daily. From the time she stood back and held her breath as you took your first steps, to the time she handed over the car keys, or watched you walk down the aisle at your wedding, your mother was ferociously brave. Thank her.
5. Her life. Let's face it, without her, there would be no you, but besides that, the life that she lived served as an example to you, a guide book of to-do's and not-to-do's. Her gentle coaxing, sympathetic ear and sometimes swift kick in the you know what, are the very reason the voice you hear in your head (your conscious) often oddly resembles your mother's. Thank her.
I don't know your mother's age or her health, but I do know that your time with her is precious and finite. Someone else out there realized this very same thing and created a holiday to remind you. Thank her...and mean it. Tomorrow isn't promised let alone next year's mother's day.
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