19 - company christmas party

Anderson thought the party was thrown for him, because later that day he said, "that was a nice party that Anderson had, with all those kids". He also had to take his new excavator to bed that night.

New phrase that I never thought I'd have to say before becoming a mother:

"please don't excavate your sister."

18 - packaging

I believe that you can show someone how important they are, by putting the time and effort into making their present beautiful with lovely packaging. It really isn't about how much money you can spend, but more about a gift where you gave of your time and focused on the little details to make them feel special.

17 - handmade

Looking back to 2006, this is the first year Kris and I did a handmade Christmas. We were full of ideas, and pretty much did every idea we had that year. There was a full day of planning, then shopping for ingredients, then shopping for packaging, then, I'm sure a few days of creating and packaging. There were late nights, takeout food, freezing rain, brimming laundry baskets full of goodies, it was the Great Caramel Disaster of 06, melting fruit jellies, apartment stovetop not reaching candy hard ball stage. Oh my, it has been quite the adventure. We keep up the tradition each year. But with every year of experience, we simplify and keep just the very best: the tried and true stuff that people keep talking about and that doesn't rely on a candy thermometer. Tomorrow I will share all the lovely packaging we did that year.

16 - post office

The post office is a bustling place this time of year. We just picked up some packages from out-of-town grandparents. Anderson was so excited to open them. I asked him what he was doing, "I'm just waiting, Mom, I'm just waiting."

15 - oranges

and i found all three of them hiding beside the tree,

sneaking oranges before dinner was ready.

14 - lunching

three children under three. birthday lunch success.

13 - ginger bread house

...and Daddy has a team of supervisors for the ginger bread house building and decorating.

also.......

~ This morning's moment~

"Anderson, what do you want for breakfast?"

"Um, how about my ginger bread house!"

"You can't have that for breakfast."

"Too much sugar, mommy?"

"Yes, too much sugar."

12 - tree lighting

Last evening, we bundled up for the annual community tree lighting. Earlier in the day, with our noses pressed up to our windows, Santa rode by our house sitting on top of a firetruck. I love living small town within our city.

11 - cookies

As I headed out to do my annual Christmas baking with my good friend, John and Anderson did some baking of their own. There were no objections when I suggested putting on the matching aprons. I'll take those days while they last. Funny, the first time the festive aprons were actually used, was for father/son baking.

10 - wonder

Did you ever wonder what was going on inside those little houses? Or if passengers were hopping on and off the train when you couldn't see it in the tunnel?

Wishing you all the wonder and magic of the season.

9 - photoshoot

So the holiday photoshoot is done and printed and making it's way onto cards. Here's a peek at it, well...kind of.

Now, imagine two little ones in front of a blanket that is lighlty taped to the fireplace, me holding the camera in one hand, trying to get their attention by not having my face pressed up behind a camera (there's no viewing on the screen while shooting - think viewfinder only, so I just hope I can keep them in the frame), and I'm trying to keep them on the backdrop and wishing the darn backdrop won't fall down.

And I think I had a sore throat and face, from all the crazy sounds, talking, faces and gestures I made to get everything just right. They are lucky that their photomom sets up her lights and does this only once a year. I know, I should do it more often...no, I shouldn't.

This particular shot was a nice accident. She just made it in the frame, just exactly enough that I couldn't imagine this photo any other way.

8 - decorate

7 - tidy

Old toys become new again, when we purge, declutter and organize. Anderson said,"look at all my new toys", because they were all visible. When there isn't chaos and clutter, I notice a huge difference in him: more calm, quiet, and imaginative play. And Maeva, well, she just likes to crawl around with some random toy hanging out of her mouth. So silly. So funny.

6 - time for...

Holiday baking!

5 - tree

We keep it really simple. Drive down the street, pick up a tree at our local grocery store, drink some egg nog, then wait for the branches to fall into place.