This isnt Max's first snow, but it is the first time he is seeing it and knows what it is. Though it was freezing cold on Saturday morning, I bundled him up and let him run around the front yard while I was getting us ready to head to the pharmacy - our big trip of the day.
I cant wait for the snow that we actually get to play in, shovel, and maybe even go sledding. I know he will love it.
I havent been terribly good at taking pictures lately - feeling a bit disconnected with my camera. I mean I totally missed Theo's Six Month post. (Poor guy ... I'll have to make it up to him somehow.)
Anyway, Christmas came and went in a flash this year. Probably because I was knee deep in making gifts, one that is still sitting on the kitchen floor that needs finishing, and each time Max walks by it asks when he can play with it. Soon... I hope...
The few moments I really wanted to get on camera I found myself just being a part of the moment. For example, Max picking out the cookie, plate and cup for Santa. Then putting them under the tree. Then putting the Santa key on the front door knob (because we dont have a chimney). It was a precious moment. One I know I'll remember for ... well, ever.
(max noticing a bite taken from the cookie, the letter Santa left and noticing the giant pirate ship and not sure he could touch it.)
We headed to Grandma's house for the day and to open gifts with the cousins. Im sure Kelly has a better picture of these four. Love them.
When we got home later, I made sure I got a picture of them in front of the tree. I am so so blessed to have these two in my life.
The horrific events at Sandy Hook Elementary last week has really shaken me. I am constantly thinking about those kids. I am finding I am hugging Max more throughout the day. Today I went to daycare three times, where I usually just go once, to see Theo. I piled everyone in the rocker tonight and we hung out just a bit longer than usual.
Those families have all my prayers this holiday season. There is nothing I have or will do that is as important as spending time with my boys and praying for those affected.
I've been avoiding the laundry, dishes, lunches and bottles tonight. Christmas is crippling me - just with all the things that I need to do, what I want to do with Max and Theo. I want to make it special for them.
I read about this little girl tonight and broke down. Look at her innocent face.
I literally just want to bring her home. Yes, Yana has Downs Syndrome. Yes, it would be an tremendous amount of work and would probably kill me financially. I just cannot fathom the care she is receiving if its true about the orphanges.
Jeannett at Life Rearranged is raising money to assist Yana's forever family. If you can find it in your heart this season, can you join me in donating to Jeannett's cause? It wont be me bringing her home, but I want to do what I can to make sure she does get a chance to be with people who will love her, care for her, make her smile, laugh, and make Christmas special for her.
When I think of Christmas, this is what comes to mind. Fabulous evening gowns, men in tuxes, christmas music playing (sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, etc) looking out the window at the city skyline from one of the high rise hotels, sipping old fashioned cocktails.
I have these evergreen shrubs in the backyard that are totally overgrown and the flower bed is a giant mess,and every year I say I am going to rip them out and plant something more appealing. Well each year comes and goes, and I never get around to landscaping this particular bed. Then Christmas comes along and I am very thankful I didnt rip them out so I can make myself a fresh wreath for the house. Or use in a centerpiece.
And apparently I have a weed that sprouted red berries ... lucky me!
And here it is with the infamous No-Nap Max, as you can see sleeping at 4pm. Le sigh.
**theo is getting his very own 'uggs' ... or these booties which the pattern is labeled, Baby Uggs.**
This year I decided for a couple of reasons that I would do my best to make gift giving special. I'm not sure if others feel this over-commercialism of the holiday. I do especially when I see all the sales for items so so cheap that it makes me wonder exactly what it costs to make these items - you know t-shirts, shoes, electronics, games, etc. And the over-abundance of these items in the stores only means an over-abundance of items in people's houses. And which means half of this stuff will be in garage sales this summer.
So when it came time to start thinking about gift giving, I really wanted to do something from the heart, something handmade. Yes, this is taking up a HUGE amount of my time. We are talking late nights, ignored children for an hour or two on the weekends, lots of trips to the thrift and craft stores for supplies. But I think in the end the receivers of my gifts will appreciate these more than a gift card, or something that they would never use.
What are you doing for gift-giving this year?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After the holiday, when everyone has received their gifts I will post everything I made.
The holiday cards have been ordered. The 'elving' has begun. The holiday music station on Pandora is getting plenty of play time. The holiday movies (Christmas Vacation, Elf, White Christmas, Deck the Halls) are in the DVD player. The magic seen on Max's face when he looks at the tree, priceless. The joy Max expresses as we drive home in the dark, and says, 'Look at THAT house!', priceless.
'Tis the season.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ps - Thank you to my niece for putting up and decorating the tree for me. Its beautiful. You cant see it but there is a section on the tree, bottom left, where Max added ornaments. Like 8 ornaments on one branch. I will take pictures and savor this.
Each year I receive several adverstisements in the mail from Shutterfly, Snapfish, Tiny Prints, Minted and a few other online places for christmas cards. When I flip through the beautiful pages I see these awesome pictures that coordinate with the card. So when it comes time for me to put together our christmas card, the anxiety jumps like six levels because it has to be perfect.
Well, this year it will be nothing of the sort. Getting a two year old and an infant to look at the camera at the same time is close to a miracle. To get a two year old to smile nice and not with some phoney smile all the while saying, 'CHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSEE'.
I was able to get a picture that will suffice for the card. Its not my favorite, but taking these photos this morning was awesome...just see these:
