Just a Regular Day

This is how Rusty ended his prayer at lunch today: "Two turtle doves, dashing all the way, Amen."
Today is a regular day for us. We prefer to observe Christmas on Boxing Day. Todd always seems to have Boxing Day off. This is Blynn enjoying some of her cousins Christmas gifts. Notice the Character explosion: 1. Ariel shirt, 2. Disney Princess elbow and knee guards, 3. Batman sunglasses, and 4. Toy Story helmet.

Handmade Christmas

I tried to make the majority of our presents this year. The kids and I made a bunch of these snowman ornaments with their fingerprints and orange glitter.

These superhero capes were for my nephews, but I wished I had made them for everyone. They are so easy to make and very cute.

Aprons for the girls and my nephew that loves to cook.

Then I have two nephews who are obsessed with Alvin and the Chipmunks right now, so I made them sweatshirts.
Good thing I don't have another nephew who also likes Simon, because that would have made for an inappropriate picture: AS*!

And are you ready for my big reveal? This I am most proud of: a purse for my sister. It is reversible so she can wear it two different ways.

I've got to make one for myself soon. Hope you also had some fun projects this Christmas.

Christmas Sunday

Look at those ties.

I could eat these children up.

bulldogs and frogs

Self Indulgence

If I could spend some fun money on myself this Christmas, it would be something from this exhaustive list (brace yourself, it's long and you can click on most of the images to find it):

I love this Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon material in Aquamarine. I would make so many things out of it.

Can you tell I'm slightly obsessed with Matryoshka dolls?

Anything from the Herzensart Journal is fine with me.

Measuring cups. Oh my!

This is wallpaper my friends. We've come so far since the mauve and country blue days.

Sewing patterns

I could do that, couldn't I?

Oh hello, you are the most beautiful computer I've ever seen.

Can you really grow lemon trees indoors? If you can, I'm ready to try.

I'm a sucker for radically refurbished furniture and I love this piece.

I love anything galvanized and wiry (hence Todd)!

Look at these quilt patterns. This is not your Aunt Ethel's quilt. These are so fun and modern.

Also obsessed with birds.

These are just fun.

Did I mention that I'm also obsessed with all things Asian inspired and anything with my children's name on it. This necklace is eye candy to me.



Well, thanks for following with me.

And we didn't even tackle Pottery Barn or Anthropologie.

The two stores I've tried to live in.

Teacher gifts

We have been in full crafting mode around here. Making most of our Christmas gifts this year is a lot of fun but tons of work. The kids and I have done a lot of the projects together. This one was fun to do with Blynn for her 3 teachers at school. This came from High Five magazine, you know the people who do Highlights magazine. Layering dried goods to make a soup. Barley, split peas, rice, lentils, spices, and alphabet pasta.

Single Ladies

This was not prompted at all. He did this all on his own. Although, his Auntie has been singing this song a lot lately.

Notice the back up dancer. She thinks all videos and pictures should have her in it too.

Guilty Pleasure

You know we all have those things that secretly we love but we are too embarrased to admit publicly. Well I love show choirs. I have not liked any of those HS musical movies, but I am in love with Glee and this show that is on the next four nights "The Sing Off". I seriously cannot get enough of it. I have watched tonight's show 3 times. What did we do before tivo. My favorite group so far is "Nota". A group from Puerto Rico. I could only find clips, so sorry you aren't seeing the whole performance because they only get better.


And who can resist a bunch of white guys singing FloRida



And my favorite performance from Glee so far this year (I've lost count of how many times I've watched it)

5's Alive

I can't believe Blynn is 5 today. It seems like more mature people than me have 5 year olds, and I still feel really inefficient to be raising children. I realize that I am really bias, but I think Blynn is incredible. She is stubborn as all get out and is very particular in what and how she wants things, but that just adds to her personality and keeps Todd and I on our toes. (Stubborn from Todd, Particular from Me)

She has always had an obedient heart, and even though we have to remind her several times sometimes to do something, she ultimately is really easy to comply. I do not have to count to 3 with her. Rusty is a different story all together.

She is really outgoing and likes to introduce herself to others. (That is not from Todd or I)

She likes to cuddle and give hugs and kisses.

I love her dimple on her left cheek.

She is a poser. (Also from Me)

She loves to dress in skirts and dresses.
I love that she is left-handed. It only adds to her uniqueness.

A week ago, Blynn prayed and asked the Lord to live in her heart. She did this awhile ago, but I didn't feel like she understood the full story. She has been saying more and more things to me that lately has told me that she is ready. So we prayed together, by the Christmas tree, which is where she said we had to pray this prayer. (Remember I said very particular in what and how she wants things) The thing that was most shocking to her was that we are sinners. She is talking about this a lot now.

I am so grateful for this special child that the Lord blessed Todd and I to raise.

Blah!

You can tell a lot about one's state by their bedside table.

Interesting Background

Something about this doesn't quite seem right!