Christmas on a shoe-string: we're on a budget this Christmas, as I am sure many people are. We are desperately trying to get into a house and I can't think of a better reason to be "tight." But we are still decorating and making Christmas things. Last week, we made this banner for oh, about .25 cents. But besides how easy it was to make, it is super functional and fun to double as an advent calendar. I cut out 25 triangles , strung them together with yarn, and stuck a sticky label on the back with a christmas task. Tonight, the task is "make wassail." Tomorrow, it's "Dance like snowflakes." This is a wonderful month. And the ceiling is looking festive: and the simplicity is inspiring me to be even more frugal and grateful for what we do have this year. What are you doing for DIY decor?
Gerber Baby.
Ella started eating rice cereal (which is comedy at it's best) and on the box, I saw her twin. Little Baby Gerber. If I were a die-hard, I would have tried a bit harder to get Ella's mouth to open a bit more. But this is basically why I can't get enough of her cuteness. It's too much sometimes...we all go a little nuts over her. This morning it was her coos, yesterday it was her cheeks, and the day before, it was her awesome thighs. The loving never ends. And truthfully, I am just glad we already have a portrait of Ella...completely free of artist fees:) Ya, Ya. It's on a cardboard box, but we're on a budget these days.
I spy with my little eye...
A cute elephant and bunny. Can you see?
On Ohdeedoh this morning.
And can I tell you how much I love that ceiling?
My wild thing.
{pic from my sister's phone}
So I got to thinking: my posts have been rather gentle and warm and fuzzy lately. I haven't been getting you behind the scenes that much...which is probably a good thing. Life with 3 under 4 has been a rather big adjustment for us. Well for me, at least. Things really do have rough edges around these parts though....on many levels. Let's start with Ella's do: a good metaphor for my life at the moment...wild but fun. I got my hair cut the other night, and my hair dresser insisted getting the flat iron onto her mohawk (Ella has naturally curly hair + mohawk. We love it.) Ironically, my hairdresser was sporting a "messy" mohawk too. (Please don't bring that hairstyle back!) But oh...she looks so cool. Rad even. She is a rather darling Rock Star, I must say.
I'm going to make this her official 5 month picture.
This morning's top 5 reasons why I love being a mom:
1. Waking up this morning to bed full of children who love snuggling me and the baby....and manage to make it a pleasure to get up for the day.
2. Listening to my 4 yr old sing "One short day in the Emerald City" from Wicked last night over and over again until she finally fell asleep.
3. Having the excuse to not do laundry yesterday because I visited a friend with just as much newborn sleep deprivation as I have.
4. Watching my kids make what toys they don't have out of paper and scotch tape.
5. Eating Ella's cheeks all day yesterday, and waking up to see that she still has just as much cheekage today. Yummy.
I love my job. I love my kids. The little moments of beauty far out weigh the chaos, and I just love observing these little people learn about their world. And I love their world. I love to be in their world.
My goal for today: to crouch down a little lower, and view the universe with a bigger heart and bigger eyes. And maybe, if I'm lucky, trick all the kids into taking a nap!
Happy December everyone!
Cyber Monday Deals & More Christmas Stuff
I've never gotten Christmas ready so fast in our house. The day after Thanksgiving, we put up our tree. It feels wonderful!
Last year we moved over Christmas (please...I beg you...don't ever try that!) and so this year, I'm ready to really enjoy every single day. Even if there are still a few boxes of Christmas decorations that got lost in the move. Humbug.
But really, I wanted to say, Hello! Happy Christmas season! Lots of new fun things going on the shop!
(Insert sad sigh) The Snow on Snow print didn't make it to a card this year. The order came back faulty, and well...no time to redo. More Humbugs.
And this card which is a personal favorite (I'm still convinced my kids are going to stay in size 3)
But, on a Happy Note:
I'm joining the throngs of Cyber-Monday fanatics and offering
FREE 2010 CALENDAR with $40 purchase! (savings of $24!!!)
FREE CALENDAR MONDAY ONLY!
So I guess it's official: Christmas is here. I just love every bit of this season, and this year is extra special: We aren't in the throngs of boxes and get to enjoy the smell of pine and the sight of twinkling lights. I love it all.
Click here to go to the shopping.
Thank you.
I am still digesting my Thanksgiving dinner, as I suppose you are too. But while these lazy days last a bit longer, I wanted to pop in and say Thank You for all the blogging friendship and support! I love reading all your lovely comments, and wish I could respond to each and every one. I try to...and I am just thankful this weekend for all your kindness! I am thankful this season for really the good, wonderful people in my life.
Progressive Pioneer posted an interview with me on her blog. She asks some really great questions, and it was actually quite a good experience to answer back. It gave me some time to reflect on motherhood and my business, and everything in between. It's a journey which still keeps me on my toes!
Wishing everyone (American and not) a wonderful weekend.
xo
sarah jane
The gift of perspective.
It was painting time with the kids yesterday, and there were papers all over the floor to dry. "Let's hang these up all over the house, Mother!"
I love that she calls me Mother
"Sure. I'll cut the tape for you. Put them where ever you want."
She was giddy with excitement (as usual) to find the perfect spot for each of her masterpieces.
Minutes later, I went to my bedroom to feed the baby, and I looked across at my door, just a step away, and I saw this: taped up on my door at Addie's eye level, a masterpeice.
It was one simple brush stroke, maybe two, but some how (can you see it?) it is the face of a woman....with an almost DaVinci expression.
Ok. Let me help: I am being told it's not as easy to see as I thought. Thus my post on perspective:
Did she know? Could she see it? Did this face just appear from her genius, or was I, in the artistic mood of the day, looking for her face?
She is perfect, this face, and it was all with a swift brush stroke of a child. Age 4 almost 5. And it stole my breath away.
Spontaneous and miraculous beauty.
It is for me, the perfect gift of this Thanksgiving Holiday: Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Do you see the beautiful face, or is it just a splash of muddy green on paper?
It's all in how you look at it. And this weekend, I am grateful for the choice.
Enjoy your day of Thanks!