Edgemont Christmas Eve

Look what Travis made!  It really was that magical.  The neighborhood here gets together to sing Christmas carols around the tree every year.  What an inspired neighborhood event.

Sledding Fun

We went sledding today. It was fun but oh so coldey! The kids loved then hated then loved the excursion. Maybe it's just me who thinks this video is hilarious. Does this make me a bad parent?

Christmas Blizzard

This morning we dug out the cars. My brother's work got cancelled. Wish we had brought more snow clothes!

Merry Christmas

Two videos that made me love Christmas even more.  I love you all!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Piratey Christmas Pigeon

If you haven't gotten me anything for Christmas yet, you can get me this.  He would make me laugh every time I saw him.

Doesn't he make you want to get your craft on?

New York

We're here!
Do I have any pictures?
Yes!
Of items to go on Craigslist for Amy!
Because Jesse is gettin' buzy.  And we like him that way.

I took the kids to the mall so we could check out the Lego store.  FUN!  ("It was like a dream!" says Miriam) Only, now we need to go to the city to the BIG Lego store because it will be even better!

It's free day at the Bronx zoo tomorrow.  And the Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty Cruise ship departs Thursday.  Won't you come with?

Snow Delay!

Am I the only parent who wakes up in the morning praying for a snow day?  The kids love school, but I love it when they're home and we get to have FUN in the morning.  Not rush, rush, rush. 

On Monday we baked some gingerbread cookies.  Today we shoveled snow and started making the steps from our back deck into a ramp for sledding.  So dangerous.  So FUN!  At first I was kind of bummed that our driveway is so long.  But then I realized that it gave us a whole lot of snow to use for our sled run.  Jesse wants me to come work out with him at the pool, but I think my 1 1/2 hour shovel fest will work for today. 

How is winter treating you in your neck of the planet? 

Teacher Gifts

We've done assorted gifts for teachers in previous years.  Or maybe we haven't done anything!  Yikes!

The girls have such amazing teachers this year, I really wanted to do something for them.  So I made these little lunch bags that I'll fill with a jar of preserves.  Even if your lunch is just pb&j, wouldn't it taste so much better in one of these?

I found the vinyl covered cloth very easy to work with.  I used scraps I had, and made a rectangle.  I first sewed on the binding, then cut the rectangle in half.  After sewing the sides and bottom together, I pinched the corners and sewed so that the bottom lays flat.  I've seen several patterns that have velcro closures, but decided to forgo.  It took me less than 30 minutes each, so not too time consuming.

Are you making gifts for teachers this year?  What will you do?

Giveaway Reminder and Winner is....

See my name on the tag?  My mom gave me this ornament for Christmas 1996.  I can't believe it's still intact.

Just a reminder that today is the last day to enter the CSN $35 gift certificate Giveaway!  You have until 12 noon EST. 

The Much More Giveaway dealio:
Tell me what you would buy at a CSN store  in the comment box.
+1 comment, Follow me and you can enter again!
+1 comment, Share this giveaway and let me know how you shared it in the comment box (the share buttons are at the bottom of this post).
That's up to three entries per person!  

Giveaway closes Dec 10 at 12 noon EST.  I will contact the winner via email and the winner will be announced Friday evening.

Congratulations to Sarah who was entry number 4 and random.org's pick.  I'll email you the nitty gritty.  xoxo.  and thanks to all who entered.  Hopefully we can do it again soon, soon, soon!

Getting the Craft on Early

It's never too early to start!

Neck Warmer Fun

It's so coldy here.  In our house, outside, it's just cold.  Jesse asked me to make him a neck warmer for when he goes running (which I think is crazy, but whatever).  And I could use one on our walk to school in the morning.  I found this tutorial online.  My fleece was the perfect width to make one adult size and one kid size gator.  Gwyn wore both for dinner.

*Remember to enter the Giveaway for a chance to win a $35 gift certificate to any CSN store by Friday Dec 10, 12 noon!

CSN Gift Certificate Giveaway!

It's been awhile, but it's Giveaway Time!  Just in time for some last minute shopping, a $35 gift certificate from CSN's 200+ online stores.  I've spent way too long just browsing their offerings.  Here's just a sampling that caught my eye.  

1.  Delsey Luggage.  Miriam needs a carry-on now that she's big enough to haul it.
2.  A set of these fab green cereal bowls.  Breakfast would be a pleasure
3.  Ok, so $35 wouldn't put a dent in the price, but doesn't that couch look so crisp.  It says "I am a grown up."
4.  Pizza kit for the kids.
5.  I LOVE this doll.  She is happy, bright, and looks like me!
6.  Miriam and Jesse would go gaga over this habitat.  Fish! Bugs! Plants! Triops!  All living on your desk!

Isn't the variety amazing! Don't you want to come over to my house and eat cereal in green bowls with me?

*CSN only ships to Canada and the US, so sorry my more international friends.  There may be international shipping charges to Canada. 


So here's the Much More Giveaway dealio:
Tell me what you would buy at a CSN store  in the comment box.
+1 comment, Follow me and you can enter again!
+1 comment, Share this giveaway and let me know how you shared it in the comment box (the share buttons are at the bottom of this post).
That's up to three entries per person!  

Giveaway closes Dec 10 at 12 noon EST.  I will contact the winner via email and the winner will be announced Friday evening.

Good Weekend

Happy Monday!  There's snow on the ground.  The sky is blue.  Icicles hanging from the eves.  And I've finally put plastic on the window by the computer so it's just a tad warmer in my corner office.  

I had a great weekend where I was reminded what Christmas is really about.  I tend to forget.  And get crazy.  And cranky stressed out. 

So with a new attitude of love and service, I've been updating my Christmas card mailing list (which really should be done more than once every 10 years).  Sewing mittens for Baby M.  Felting sweaters for future craftiness.  And the laundry.  I just need to find the twine (again.  It's always getting lost.) so I can dress up the jam jars for the neighbors. 

How was your weekend?  Did you do something fun?

Today is Friday

Today is done. Today is gone.  Hallelujah!
Some Highlights

*If the dramamine says less drowsy, that means it will do slightly less than knock you off your feet.  Just knock you to your knees and make you slur your sentences when the missionaries come over.

*The Nutcracker was pretty good.  Fritz stole the first act.  He was the best actor on the stage.

*Mim got to her party and back again.

*Dinner was not a quick vegetarian pleasure.  It was a long vegetarian pleasure, especially since I spent a lot of time yesterday prepping.  But it tasted good.  The missionaries liked it.  I thought it best not to mention the white wine (just a smidgen that got cooked out).  Speaking of wine.  Anyone need/want a cheap chardonnay?  It's white, but sweet.  Sauvignon Blanc is the dry one.  (this is a note to me for future reference)  It's also fun watching me search for the corkscrew, since I use it once every two years, it could be anywhere.  I think one of our subleasers left it, so I didn't even have to pay for it.

*Oooh, I almost forgot to add about how Mim almost gave the missionaries the complete lowdown on why technically I am unable to conceive.  That was fun.

How was your Friday?  Are you shopping this weekend?  We might antique and thrift.  I'll let you know if I find something magnifique.

Mom Gifts

 

It's a short list for the moms.  But 1/3 of it is bling!

1.  Stacker rings.  I love how the two without the stone are hammered.

2.  Wallets made from old newspapers!  So stylish.  Ecolicious, too

3.  A new engagement ring, because the first time was so fun.  Why not do it again!

4.  A nice little radio for the kitchen.  No more blasting the office radio so you can hear NPR over the food processor.  

5.  Muji calendar. I couldn't have Christmas without Muji.

6.  Pretty hankies because that's what we always got my dad for Christmas.  But shouldn't mom get them, too?

Presents for Jesse (for the next two years)

Merry Christmas Jesse!  Happy Birthday Jesse!  Merry Christmas 2011 Jesse!  Happy Birthday 2012 Jesse!

This is the first of the two kayaks he bought.  Ever so slowly, my irritation is healing.  (we already own two.  and we live in Indiana.)

But it's water under the kayak at this point.  He gets half the money back in the account within six months.  I don't buy him a gift for the next two years.  And we're good(ish).  

If you could have one present for the next 2 years, what would you choose?  Personally, I would get a super fancy sewing machine and an ipod touch.

Nutcracker, featuring my head as the nut

Mim and I are going to the Nutcracker this Friday.  With 178 other kids.  On three buses.  Three to a seat.  For over an hour, each way.  I can't wait.  I'm going to bring a whole lot of Advil.  Remind me to check on the logistics before I jump to chaperone the next field trip. 

If only this article in the NYTimes had come out 4 weeks ago. 

(It will probably be great.  But my tendency to migraines and nausea on buses has me a little concerned.)

Stocking Stuffers For Girls

You know that Santa always needs a little help with the stockings, right?  He's great at putting in the Lifesavers Storybook, the orange, that kind of stuff.  If I were a little girl, these are the presents that would make me squeal.

1.  Hemp Barrettes, how darling!
2.  Soaps with tiny animals inside.
3.  Charm Bracelet, sterling silver with the girls' name engraved on their first charm.
4.  Birdie Barrettes
5.  Tough Girl Belt.

I found all of these cuties on Etsy.  How's that for supporting small business!