Saturday, December 12, 2009

Joy in little things.

Once again I am full of randomness. If I could just get on here more often it might help but I think I am finally catching up. This should mean that if I am able to post again any time soon I can start telling you about some of the other things going on here, like in my head, however that is heavy and not all sorted out yet.
That can wait though because I just want to get the photos updated and share the fun stuff!
We will skip the daily struggles and little fights and mess and just focus on the joys right now.
So....


A few weeks ago we got to meet a little friend and his mama (also a blogger).
This guy is almost a month younger than Hudson and bigger. Well taller anyway and a bigger head too, though Hudson has all the plumpness going on!


We stuck them on the floor and watched them roll around and giggle as they checked each other out. Little people are soooo cute, I am just in love with them!


And then there was a birthday or 5, but this birthday was for my cousins little guy and she was going to be in town from Idaho for it.
My Aunt called and wondered if I could make a cake, cowboy theme. Oooo, I love to make cakes so I started to come up with ideas.
Of course they all involved fondant and lots of color and little detail and well .... I had never worked with fondant before and wasn't even sure where to get it. I had watched quite a few cake competitions and cake making shows though on Food TV, how hard could it be?
Ha, ha, not as easy as it looked!


For my first attempt I think it turned out fine, but I know what I would do differently next time, there is a learning curve for sure!


I was a little nervous about it, I could just see the imperfections and seams and yikes, how would it even taste?! I am soooo not a professional!


And then I remembered that there had to be something messy for Tucker to dig into and get all iced up and covered in cake, this was his first birthday after all and his first cake experience!


He wasn't so sure of the whole thing once he saw it.


And then wouldn't have anything to do with digging in and getting messy. He wanted to be fork fed! It was a hoot watching my cousin beg him to just dig in already!



And then there are paintings. A few more completed and this time dropped off at the store.
They are up for grabs still if anyone is interested....and they are over here for more info.


And Hudson. He cut another tooth yesterday and has had a few whiny days this week. Not what we are used to at all but totally understandable once I stuck my finger in his mouth and felt that second sharp little tooth.
Explains all the drool too.

However this does not explain why suddenly he doesn't like his car seat so much anymore.
Hmmm......


"Cheeeeese!"


Ha, ha, Ethan. This is his painting face. Kaitlyn has her thing where she opens and closes her mouth with ever chomp of the scissors on paper, but Ethan, he has a painting lip that he flaps as he paints.


I seriously cannot get enough of it!


And Em. Don't you love catching people off guard with crazy shots that you can use at their wadding, I mean wedding?


And then she tries to redeem herself.






First snow day! We went over to a friends parents place to play on a fresh snow hill.


For a cold day it was still worth it.


There is no better way to take advantage of the white stuff!


Now skipping on to the next thing and I cannot think of a graceful way to get to this.
Ever take a shot like the one above. Where your colour is all off?
I used to always plop photos into photo shop to fix but over the last two years have been doing the easy stuff in iphoto.
Before-above.
After-below.
Edited in iphoto.


Princess.


And over a week ago now we headed out to another relatives place...my second cousins, who is only 10 days older than Kaitlyn! I know, weird, but we have some generation gaps here.
Her mom, (my friend) made them edible peanut butter play dough to play with and eat. It was funny to watch because my kids just could not grasp the idea of eating play dough.


In other news around here we have been getting ready for Christmas still. Slowly.
It has been a bit of an experience, even the whole idea of the celebration and the decor and the stories. I understand why some families do not celebrate at all, I also understand those that do and the whole range in between. What a lot to think about and sort out mentally....or just not think about and have fun!!

So we got to work with polymer clay building teeny tiny little animals and people and a manger, which had the star broken off of it right away before it was even cooled completely and snatched up by little hands.


I had the idea of giving the children one each day leading up to Christmas as an advent type of adventure instead of chocolate.
The idea lasted one day and they were swooped away before all the faces or eyes could even get painted on.
They are just too much fun to play with every day as a set.


The tree got set up and decorated.
Hot chocolate and stories by the fire soaked up.



And of course there have been a few tragedies including collectible ornaments. At first we were upset but quickly realized that they are only little material possessions and although we find them pretty and fun they really do not mean much. So the playing ensued. And that is so much more worth it! Getting to play with special things that you only get to see once a year is well, special!


The rooms have been decked out with lights.
And sleepovers have been....interesting.
A few nights ago Dave ended up in Ethan's bed and all three children were in bed with me. Every time I woke up I was between different children. It was kind of strange and not so fun and I had a very stiff neck but it was snuggly and I won't complain about that!


The manger scene has had many interesting and colourful visitors.


And Hudson again, look at those legs. Munchable!


Village painting with a lot of help.
I have yet to complete one piece since having children, but have about 20 started ones with very colourful splatters all over them in an box.




Another painting completed and delivered.


A few favourite ornaments.



And the seasonal sewing has begun. Last year I was on an owl theme and this year for some reason we have ended up with monsters instead.



And they are going over well.

And that is it. We are into the seasonal swing of things. Not sure exactly what I think of all the aspects of these holidays but for now am focusing on the fun things we can do and making memories with the children. Right now it is all about them and being at home....and I am loving that!
Happy season folks. Whether you celebrate in one way or another or avoid the whole thing and just relax, enjoying the Lord and thinking of His birth and life and death and what it means. However the children keep reminding us that Santa is going to come out the "fire pit" and Ethan asks every other day or so if he came yet, because "he will!''

Ahhh, and then I just want to have fun with the whole thing and watch their little faces!
So I think I will.

Now I am going to light a fire, my fingers are numb and the children have finished rearanging the newly set up village, time for hot chocolate and some snuggles!

7 comments:

The Chatty Housewife said...

Hey, I can claim the cuteness in that first pic, it's my nephew! I can't believe he is bigger than your cute Mr. Chubbs!

Is that tree ornament a pickle?!

lynne said...

Happy Christmas my dear. It all looks very beautiful. Enjoy yourself x

Unknown said...

Love the cake! Is there anything you can't do? ;)

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Too much to comment on! first of all, the cake, WOW. After seeing your first attempt I may never attempt another ;)

And it sounds like you have been dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. You didn't ask but here's my two cents. God wants us to have fun. Period. End of story. If celebrating Christmas creates lifetime memories for you and your children then you win. You all win.

Love you! And hope to see you soon!

The Chatty Housewife said...

Hey, about the Christmas thing, here is an article that a friend posted on her blog recently that I thought was interesting and good. I don't judge people for their choices surrounding Christmas, because there are so many different beliefs. Your house looks so cozy, lovely and like a perfect place for little ones to form their holiday traditions, whatever you decide they should be.

The Chatty Housewife said...

Oops, I forgot the link!

http://www.biblebb.com/files/tonyqa/tc04-168.htm

BeachMama said...

Great catch up post Anna, love it when I get to peek into all of your creativity.

Don't worry about the kids and Santa, you are teaching them all the meanings of Christmas, they will get it.