A Black and White Christmas

None of our pictures turned out very well from Christmas--there wasn't enough light and then I turned on the flash and got red eye.  So thank god for black and white photos, they look so much better!

 Our Christmas eve was very mellow, we just got Chinese food and the kids hadn't taken naps so they were in bed pretty early.  Brendan and I put Christmas presents under the tree, filled stockings, and watched TV.  I was in bed by ten. 

The next morning we slept in until 7!!  Brendan and I were actually up before the kids were, which NEVER happens.  Ingrid was all excited to see presents from Santa, even though they were wrapped in our wrapping paper and she watched me put them under the tree.  That girl WANTS to believe!  She opened her stocking and was like "Santa has our same wrapping paper!  Cool!"  Even though I've told her many times that Santa's not real, this year she has chosen to believe.  There is apparently nothing I can do about it.

The kids played with their toys and we ate cinammon rolls and lounged the morning away.  I cleaned, getting ready for our family to come.  It was definitely the last party we will have until Ingrid's birthday in May.  We had three big get togethers the past month, which was just too much!  I was pretty glad when everyone left, I just sighed a huge sigh, poured a huge glass of wine, and said hooray for Christmas being over.

We took down our tree the next day.

Now we are back to normal, except both kids have pink eye.  We generously gave it to our neighbor's kids, too, so at least they can come over and play without us worrying too much about spreading it around.  We have another long weekend and then back to for real normal on Wednesday when Brendan goes back to work and Ingrid is back in school.  Ahhhh, new year!  What will it bring?

Christmas Getaway

First of all, IT SNOWED!!  I was thinking it probably would never snow around here, we always seem to be just out of the range of wherever it is snowing...But it snowed the other day, and Ingrid was so excited!  We had to go out and play in it while Otis slept.

When Otis woke up, he wanted to join in the fun, so we made a snowman.  I have no idea why Otis is pouting here, though!

Anyway, the snow was the perfect backdrop for our Christmas getaway.  Brendan had some vacation time left so we got a suite at a hotel about an hour north of here.  It was awesome!  They have a waterpark so we got to go swimming and the kids went down little water slides.  The place was all decked out for the holidays,  it was gorgeous!

 Our room had a little bunk house for the kids, with bunk beds and a boat-shaped bed.  They loved it!  I loved the fireplace!  We had such a good time, it was really relaxing and fun.  We went to the local children's museum one day and had the place to ourselves.  It was super fun, so much to explore and play with!  Ingrid loved the grocery store and the doctor's office, which always makes me laugh.  "Come play store with me, Mama."  Uh, no thanks, I actually have to do real grocery shopping every damn week--it's not that fun.  They had a cool net thing to walk out over the whole first floor.  Ingrid was a scaredy cat but Otis ran full speed onto it!

 We stayed for two nights and it was perfect.  Just enough time to go swimming, eat out a couple times, and best of all, the last night we were there, guess who showed up??

Ingrid was beyond excited.  The cool thing was they had a group of carolers on the balcony singing holiday songs for awhile before Santa showed up.  We just sat in the lobby dancing to music, then went up to put pjs on and when we came back down, there he was!  Otis was more into Mrs. Claus, the little flirt!

We had a great time, this is definitely going to have to become one of our holiday traditions!

 

Shows, Trees and Cookies: Our Traditions

Last weekend was full of Christmasy things.  Saturday I had a show at the local Waldorf school.  It was a HUGE difference from my country club show a couple weeks ago!  The people were all pretty much hippies and actually buying for other people, not gaudy baubles for themselves.  I did really well and had so much fun, I will definitely be doing it again next year!

The day was so fun in part because I was with my friend Melanie.  She has helped at shows before, and I love to spend the day, sans kids, with her!  She is a great salesperson and always helps so much!  Another thing that made it fun was the music that was playing on the stage behind us.  A couple ren-faire looking guys were playing strange Turkish instruments and there was a belly dancer.  Again, completely different than my experience at the country club, lol! 

Sunday Brendan went out and got our Christmas tree.  I was upstairs napping with the kids, and I heard some commotion but didn't think too much about it.  When I came downstairs, there it was, our wet and cold tree!  After letting it dry, we started decorating.  The kids were in heaven, they just thought it was so cool to hang the ornaments!

 I had to laugh because the tree looks like it's about to burst through our ceiling.  It was a bit taller than Brendan had expected, so he had to cut off the top and now it looks jammed in there.  There are also some nice streaks on the ceiling from the branches scraping!  It wouldn't be a real tree without a little bit of sawing and cutting to make it fit in the room, right?

 After the tree was trimmed, we sat down (at our new dining room table found at the thrifts!!) to decorate our cookies.  This year I went the easy route and bought a bag of sugar cookie mix and a can of frosting.  Usually I do things from scratch but after seeing how well they turned out, I think I am going to be a mix cookie gal from now on!  I let the kids have two cookies at a time, gave them a hunk of frosting and a knife, and then we had sprinkles and colored icing to finish them off.  Otis just wanted to eat everything, and Ingrid was very meticulous with her sprinkles. 

 And now we have a couple more exciting weeks ahead!  My mom comes in on Thursday for Otis' birthday, which we will have a party for on Saturday.  Then next week we are headed off to a resort an hour up north.  They were having a "Santa Special" where all their suites were super cheap, and they have an indoor water park, too!  So we get to put the kids in bunk beds in a separate room and enjoy the fireplace after having fun at the waterpark.  I think this will also turn into another holiday tradition for us!

The Mice in Our Garage

The other night I drove Brendan's car, which we park in our garage.  I never ever go in our garage since I never ever drive his car.  So I had no idea we had critters in the garage.  When I came home, the headlights showed me lots of little ones running and hiding.  I didn't really think too much about it, it's a garage.  Then Ingrid wanted to get the Christmas stuff out.

 

One box made it inside when we moved, but somehow one got left in the garage.  I opened it up and found a bunch of red fluff, which I couldn't figure out what it was.  It was everywhere!!  And then I saw the poo.  And then I saw the holes in the stockings.  Those little f'ers chewed through five stockings, a vintage tablecloth, and some tissue paper.  Ingrid was a bit upset she didn't have a stocking to hang up.  Luckily she knew we have time to get more.

 

Luckily she has a mom that sews stuff :) 

 

That night I set out to make some new stockings.  These are the ones I made when she was small.  These are the ones I made this week.

I like them so much I think I might make some to sell at the show I have next weekend!

 

Speaking of shows, the one I did this week was at a country club and it totally made me laugh to be there.  It was just kind of fancy and not really my style.  Oh well, I like how my table turned out and it's always good to get another show under my belt.

 Holidays are so busy, it's nice to keep doing things but I think I will like the chance to breathe after they are done!!

 

Ingrid the Photographer

My inlaws got Ingrid a really cool digital camera for Christmas.  It was the favorite thing she's gotten, by far!!  Today she kept going around the house taking pictures, and I have to say, I really love seeing life through her eyes.

Today she played fabric store with my scraps, and then took pictures for a couple hours.  She is totally my daughter...

Here are a couple shots from her little camera.  Who knows, someday maybe she'll get one of my old ones to use for real!

Happy Christmas!

We drove five hours to Gramma's house for Christmas this year.  It could not have gone much better, except the fact that Ingrid got sick and Otis refused to sleep.  But other than that, it was awesome!  It snowed so we got a white Christmas!

We got to see lots of family.

 We got some fun stuff (like a Dustbuster for me, seriously the highlight of my day!) 

My siblings and I chipped in for a Kindle Fire for my mom.  She was amazed, although she cried at getting a calendar with pictures of her grandkids, so I guess family wins out over technology.

It was just so cozy, sitting by the fire, watching the kids go sledding, eating crap food, and relaxing.  Thank you to my mom for letting us all crash and for feeding us.  It was fun!

Whew!

What a long, draining week or so it's been!  I'm glad that it's officially Christmas vacation, no more school runs for a couple weeks, and we leave for my mom's on Friday.  I am so ready to relax and eat junk food!

So the Fat Man turned one.  He is a year old, it's amazing.  He started out so wee and quiet.

And now he is huge, hard to hold for too long without a carrier, as loud as his sister (LOUD) and he is the biggest flirt.  Seriously, this kid turns on the charm for anyone and everyone.  All the nurses in the hospital were in love with him.  We were at the fabric store the other day and he was waving and smiling and clapping his hands for all the people in line at the cutting counter.  He is a ham. 

He is still around the 21lb mark, he is cruising on furniture and will walk with anything that moves.  He still loves his sister, although she is starting to get sick of him following her around.  Get used to it, Ingrid, he isn't going anywhere...He now models my bibs for Applesauce Crafts, and look how well he does it!  Of course, when I actually feed him, I never put a bib on him, despite the drawer full of them.  It never crosses my mind.

As the year comes to a close, I think back to what our life was like last year and how much has changed in a year.  We are back in Milwaukee, our son is not a tiny little thing we're scared to hold, Ingrid is in school full time (her choosing-she can go half days but doesn't want to!) Brendan is in a job that is stable and not a two year thing.  We have come a long way this year!  Can't wait to see what next year brings!

It's December?

I still can't get over the fact it's December.  Otis' birthday party is in a few day, his actual birthday a few days after that.  It's snowed a couple times, but nothing to write home about.  It's December, I am amazed.

We have been bunkering down in the house most of the time.  I took Otis out for a walk to the post office yesterday and realized we haven't been outside for a long time, other than walking to and from the car.  Sad, isn't it? 

Things are gearing up for Otis' party--I have all the goodies, made a couple tablecloths, ordered the cupcakes and food, have the favor bags ready.  I can't wait!  Now if only my camera will work...It's doing its thing again.  *sigh* I have to send it in after all.  Just please please please, camera gods, let it work for my son's first birthday party!!

Well, off to make a Christmas garland for a custom order.  And I'm already planning ahead to Valentine colors, too!  How's that for thinkin' ahead?  Get all my garlands for the holidays made right now, then next year I'll be all set.  It's not just a hat-rack, folks!

Thankful

I'm thankful for these guys right here! 

Once upon a time I was a single gal that was often bored and wondering what I was going to do with my life.  Now I have a great husband, a sassy little girl, and the cuddliest baby boy.  I'm thankful that everyone's healthy (minus some snot) and that Brendan has a job and we don't have to move this winter.  I'm thankful that this December I won't be in the hospital on bedrest!  I'm thankful that I got into Art Vs Craft this year and I can hopefully sell a buncha junk and use the money to get my family nice presents for Christmas (something we haven't had money to do in a few years!) 

I'm thankful all year long, but today I'll take a break and tell the world.  I love my family.

The Best Christmas Ever.

It seriously was a great Christmas this year!  Brendan's parents came over from Wisconsin and it was the perfect day of relaxing, eating food, and watching A Christmas Story.  They came from their hotel this morning and we opened presents, then they all went swimming at the hotel pool while Otis and I hung out cleaning and nursing and sleeping.  Once they were back we ate a huge meal and then hung out playing with Ingrid's new toys and asking each other Trivial Pursuit questions. 

Ingrid got two drums this year!  One an old school Fisher Price, and one a real true bongo set from Grandma and Grandpa.  It was so cute, we had gotten Brendan's dad some homemade guitar picks so he was playing the guitar.  Ingrid got her drums and sat down right next to him, and Bob and Kathy sang songs while they played.  We are so going to be the Partridge Family.

And Otis was a little sweetie all day long.  I had to try to wake him up, which is SO HARD!!  He just will not wake up no matter what you try.  But once he did wake up, the little genius finally figured out how to latch on properly so I don't even need the nipple shield anymore!  I am just amazed how this whole nursing thing is all coming together.  I was so worried I wouldn't be able to do it, especially since he's a preemie, but he's just gotten the hang of it so quickly.  And when he's not nursing, he's sucking his thumb...something I'm not sure I like.  Ingrid never ever sucked her thumb, but Otis does it all the time, it's kind of cute.  But you can't take a thumb away like you can a pacifier.  That's a long way away, though, no need to worry myself now, right?

Overall it was just a great day.  Tomorrow Brendan is taking Ingrid to swim again, then they are all going to the Henry Ford Museum, which means Mama and Otis get a big chunk of the day to ourselves!!  I envision a nap and working on Otis' cross stitch birth announcement.  Good times.  Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, too!!!

Thrift Gods

Boy were they shining on us yesterday!  I went to Salvation Army with the intent of getting another pair of maternity pants, since my ONE PAIR is wearing on my nerves and they're constantly dirty since I never wash them...But alas, only acid washed jeans available.  No thanks.

However, while going through the kid section, we found not only some great vintage clothes, but a piggy bank from 1973, a Fisher Price drum from 1979, and a modern day Dirt Devil vac for Ingrid!  She helped vaccuum today, it was cute :)

The drum is a Christmas present, something we had on our list to get her.  Yay!  And the piggy bank is because she's obsessed with money lately.  Grandma sent two dollars in her Halloween card and ever since, Ingrid has been asking every day "do you have any  money for me?"  At least she wants it to save, right?

We just had the best time there, I really do love those days when Ingrid plays nicely and I get a chance to look thoroughly. 

And today my wee one made me happy by sitting next to me while I organized my fabric.  She had the scrap box out and kept exclaiming "I have a wipe made out of this!  I have pants made out of this!"  We sat for an hour going through everything and now I have a list of more items to make, Christmas presents to make, and things I need to get at Joann.  Or should I say "need" to get?  Lovely day so far.  Just lovely.

The Neverending Weekend.

I am thoroughly enjoying having a four day weekend!  So much has gone on and we still have one more day!  Our Christmas was so much fun, I was all excited just to see Ingrid's face when she woke up and saw her presents under the tree.  She was very into opening presents, but she really wanted to play with everything right away.  We had to remind her there were more to open and she'd have plenty of time to play.  She got her tricycle, which she LOVES, and a baby stroller, and a talking Lola doll, some books, a toy toaster and microwave, a bag of blocks, and a little boat that you wind up in the tub.  I had found tons of stuff shoved up in my closet that I'd gotten way early and then forgotten about until I cleaned my closet three days ago, so she got more than we'd planned on getting her...

After play time and bath time, we headed out to my brother's house.  It was a rainy drive, but Ingrid slept and watched a dvd and we made it in good time.  I have a huge family, three siblings with their spouses and they each have two or three kids.  So the house was filled and Ingrid was a bit intimidated at first.  Then she found the kid's play room in the basement and we didn't see her all afternoon!  I had to chase her down to see if she wanted something to eat.  After a lot of begging by my four year old nephew, it was time to open gifts.  And not a moment too soon--Ingrid got really overwhelmed and tired and wouldn't sit in the same room as the whole family.  She begged for her blankie and wanted to go sit with only me, she was so tired, poor girl.  We quickly opened gifts and then she started saying bye bye to everyone, a good clue that she's had enough...

The ride home took forever, but alas, we made it in one piece.  We all passed out right away, at 9pm!  Long day.  Good thing Christmas is only once a year, it's exhausting.

So today we got to play with all our new toys!!  Ingrid got finger paints and a big roll of paper so we laid out a vinyl tablecloth on the floor and went to town.  I think Ingrid still needs a couple more months of maturity before we try this again, though, as her fingers went from paint to mouth a few times...That kid eats anything.  She didn't seem to into it, I had to keep showing her how to smush the paint around and she just kept giving me this look like "why?" 

Then later we were hanging out and I looked over to see this:

My little acrobat.

And now it's time to rest away the evening and gear up for another day of playing (and picking up) blocks, listening to talking Lola say the same six phrases over and over, and hoping Ingrid doesn't decide to climb any higher than the tricycle.