November and December are among my most and least favorite months - all at the same time. I call it running the gauntlet. I used to tell Hubby, "We absolutely cannot have our babies in December". This because he and I both have December birthdays and quite frankly I have never enjoyed a December birthday. It was why we were married in June - as far from December as possible.
So, here we go and have all three of our kids in the surrounding months around December - November and January. Five birthdays in just over 8 weeks, plus the holidays. A lot to take in. I was serious months ago when I said we would be having a Christmas in July celebration from hence forth. True Christmas meaning gets completely lost in all the birthday/holiday rush.
We did manage to get up a tree, get to the Winter Garden (more in separate posting on that), decorate a gingerbread house, and see a few lights. I did start a new tradition this year. Our Nativity set "came alive" and the characters made a journey through the house to the stable. It did get the kids excited and refocused on true Christmas meaning. We did also squeeze in our Christmas Eve viewing of Charlie Brown Christmas.
Here are some of the highlights from The Gauntlet months with specific shorter postings to follow...
- First snow - 7 inches (I was actually scheduled to work but had two sick kids and canceled school. Too much to scheduled around.).
- T turns 7!
- BB just keeps growing and growing.
- Thanksgiving
- Ms. M came over Thanksgiving break.
- More BB cuteness (she was crying which turned to laughter in photo - it worked great for our card!)
- Gingerbread houses
- Santa Visit (totally impromptu hence no special holiday themed clothes but it was still a great visit)
Our dear friends gave us a special private train ride as a Christmas gift. What an amazingly generous, kind, thoughtful and special gift! Plus, it brings with it the gift of memories. In my mind, a truly perfect gift. Anything that brings the gift of memories is truly the spirit of Christmas. Here are some of the memories from that day.
We drove into the mountains, took a train ride for about an hour (we were in the caboose - just our two families), arrived at a little village where we had some snacks, and then a train ride back. After it was over we all went to lunch at a cute country town restaurant.
Just wanted to document a little bit about these family friends. Our close family friend Shell introduced us. Mr. J worked with her and she said his family and our family needed to meet as we had a lot in common. Indeed, we did. Shortly after our meeting (like a few days later) the kids attended their older son's birthday party. We would get together regularly and the rest is history. We adore them and are so happy to call them family friends.
A hearty thank you to the J family for this special day and the memories.
How could I not go over board on our baby's first birthday since it would be my last first birthday party I would host for one of my kids?!?
Last year, for my baby sprinkle (aka small baby shower), my sister asked me to make some crochet items that would be used as prizes. Some of the items I pulled together were crochet owls. Since then, the theme seems to be a recurring one for her. Then a friend introduced me to Pintrest (bad, bad friend!) and it was all over after that.
It was a wonderful party. Most of the important folks in BB's life were in attendance. It was so nice everyone could meet her part time family - Ms. B and her kids. They made her the cutest family of owls as her gift. So charming. Neighbors D and M who rushed over at a moments' notice the night of BB's birth wrote her a special poem. Very moving. Most of her aunties, an couple of her uncles, special friends/teachers, grandparents, and neighbors were in attendence. She was a happy girl most of the time cruising among her guests and impressing everyone with her new walking skills.
Here are some of the details in photo form. More of her enjoying the party will be posted on her personal blog.
- I made her dress (owl dress - combo party dress/Halloween costume). The colors of her dress designated the color scheme of the party.
- Invitations - wings closed and opened to reveal details of party. Interestingly, my "helpers" did not always assemble them so a couple folks ended up with blank invitations. I think they got a little excited about sealing the envelops first. I think it was just wonderful they wanted to help.
- Deviled eggs are a family favorite - owl shaped, of course.
- No party of mine is complete without punch.
- T colored the owls during free time at school He made about 8-9 total. I was proud of him for doing this which means he finished his assignments at least 8-9 times that week and he thought of his sister and wanted to help with the party.
- My sister painted the owl family with the crocheted owl (recall those I made for the shower) in the shadow box. My mother-in-law did the pillow. Owls by Ms. B, and the N family brought cute owl outfit. Good Neighbors D and M's poem.
- For favors I crocheted some owls (they are on the tree as well as featured with a sample of BB's dress fabric), made some owls out of baby food jars (I thought this cleaver for a 1 year old birthday), and I also sewed up some "Boo Whoooo's" so called because they are rice filled and can be used for cold or warm compresses. Since the party I have received several messages from parents of kids who "adopted" and owl and it's the new favorite luvie.
- I turned balloons into owls
- The cupcakes were a last minute design when I just could not decide what to do for dessert (P.S. BB did not like frosting - she may end up being like her brother, less of a sweet tooth, but we shall see!)
We started out with a friendly witch and James Bond and ended up with James Bond, Mulan, and Owl Baby. I participated a bit wearing my angel costume. I had to work on Halloween but wanted to ensure my costume was something my pediatric patients would not be frightened by. This worked perfectly with one of my white work blouses. By the end of the day, though, I was not feeling too angelic, especially after attempting photos with my kids.
T LOVES James Bond and anything spy related. I will post a photo of the "Spy-crow" he made for school on his blog but it was awesome. So, it HAD to be his costume this year. It was a simple one - used his Sunday clothes, added a costume bow tie, and I purchased a $12 used tuxedo coat off ebay.
Sister's witch costume was a menagie of clothes she had acquired - her Auntie J made her a broom so she wanted to be a witch. Then, at the last moment, her dad had a friend pass along some costumes one of which was a beautiful Mulan. After spending the day at school in her Mulan outfit, she would not take it off so Mulan with a flying broom she was!
Baby's owl costume is her birthday dress with a hat I made to match. She would wear her dress 2 days later at her party and it was perfect. Of course, I would be up until midnight the night before crafting her hat - me and my last minute crafting. You can see how thrilled she was by the hat.
Thanks to my friend for stopping over with the rest of the Brady Bunch on Halloween so we could see their wonderful costumes (recall that Elsa dress from a few postings ago?!?) and for the photos - hers were far better than mine.
I also included a photo of our house outside on Halloween - Hubby and the big kids did a great job on the decorations.
So here you have them - enjoy!
Iron Woman's kids come over a couple morning per week and share breakfast with us. We call these the "Brady Bunch" mornings reminiscent of the ironic show. We enjoy these mornings and my kids very much look forward to them. Here are a couple photos - the first from our first morning together and the last from a recent morning. Now BB is old enough to join us at the table during breakfast. What's interesting in these two photos, too, is the different lighting. As the days are getting shorter, you can tell it is darker in the morning.
Whomever helps me set the table gets to designate where everyone sits. Of recent, one of the four year old girls is eager to help. Such power to determine the fate of where everyone sits, what kind of place-mat they get, and what design of cloth napkin!
Apparently, Hubby is semi-famous for his perfect toast.
The breakfast table conversation is also quite entertaining - oh what is important to 4-9 year old kids. I have taught them all my morning growl as well. That always generates a smile.
It can be hectic getting everyone going and then off to school but thus far, we haven't been tardy to school once - close a couple times, though!
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