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celebrations
The Christmas season has official begun in our home. Aside from the advent calendar, we have been holding off on decorating our home for Christmas. Last year we got anxious early, and started decorating right after Thanksgiving. But this year we decided to hold off a little longer. The anticipation for a three and a half year old is just too much. We’ve already had several crying fits–"I can’t wait THAT long until Christmas…" or "But I just want my Christmas presents now…" Now that the number of days until Christmas is within a range that she can count to, it is much easier to wait.
So Saturday we made the short trek to our new favorite Christmas tree farm. It is an old red barn in the middle of nowhere surrounded by fields and fields of Christmas trees of all species. The trucks in the parking lot have bumper stickers that say things like, "Real trees make scents" and you are greeted by friendly tree farmers who give you an axe, a tree sled and a cup of hot apple cider.
This year as we started the hike up the lane into tree wonderland, a scene straight out of the pages of Martha Stewart, both girls were hit with a blast of arctic Wisconsin winter wind that sent Emma screaming and Mary gasping for breath. So we parted company with Dan, who made the hike into the woods alone, while we girls headed for the warmth of the barn to pick out ornaments. I’m not sure who had the harder job–Dan cutting and hauling a chubby balsam fir down the snowy lane, or me, trying to keep two toddlers occupied inside a barn filled with fragile tree ornaments, glass bulbs, porcelain angels, and customers milling about holding cups of hot cider.
I don’t know the struggles Dan faced out in the field, but I had my hands full. Both girls decided to test out some of the wooden toys for sale in the shop, in particular the wooden fishing poles. Any long wooden stick in the hand of a 20 month old who’s killing time in a room of fragility is not for the faint of heart.
From there it was Emma’s urgent need to use the bathroom which meant trudging back outside in the snow to the outhouse. Yes a real, hole in the ground, don’t lean too hard you might tip it over, outhouse. Of course there was some trauma when emma peered into the hole and began asking questions. But the real trauma hit, when her cheeks hit the toilet seat which was covered in a thin film of ice.
But, as you can see in the picture above, we came home smiling. A stop at a little deli in town for soup and grilled cheese sandwiches smoothed over an eventful morning. I’m thinking next year, we might just send Dan out for the tree all by himself, and we’ll wait at home with hot chocolate and carols. Or, by next year we’ll learn the art of Christmas tree cutting in Wisconsin:
–everyone wears a snowsuit
–mittens for all
–find some of those hats for the girls that only have holes for eyes and mouth
–bring scissors and twine to attach the tree to your car
–stop at the gas station in town for bathroom breaks
–choose to cut on a day when the temp is above 20deg.
–handcuff children before going into the ornament shop
The Christmas season has official begun in our home. Aside from the advent calendar, we have been holding off on decorating our home for Christmas. Last year we got anxious early, and started decorating right after Thanksgiving. But this year we decided to hold off a little longer. The anticipation for a three and a half year old is just too much. We’ve already had several crying fits–"I can’t wait THAT long until Christmas…" or "But I just want my Christmas presents now…" Now that the number of days until Christmas is within a range that she can count to, it is much easier to wait.
So Saturday we made the short trek to our new favorite Christmas tree farm. It is an old red barn in the middle of nowhere surrounded by fields and fields of Christmas trees of all species. The trucks in the parking lot have bumper stickers that say things like, "Real trees make scents" and you are greeted by friendly tree farmers who give you an axe, a tree sled and a cup of hot apple cider.
This year as we started the hike up the lane into tree wonderland, a scene straight out of the pages of Martha Stewart, both girls were hit with a blast of arctic Wisconsin winter wind that sent Emma screaming and Mary gasping for breath. So we parted company with Dan, who made the hike into the woods alone, while we girls headed for the warmth of the barn to pick out ornaments. I’m not sure who had the harder job–Dan cutting and hauling a chubby balsam fir down the snowy lane, or me, trying to keep two toddlers occupied inside a barn filled with fragile tree ornaments, glass bulbs, porcelain angels, and customers milling about holding cups of hot cider.
I don’t know the struggles Dan faced out in the field, but I had my hands full. Both girls decided to test out some of the wooden toys for sale in the shop, in particular the wooden fishing poles. Any long wooden stick in the hand of a 20 month old who’s killing time in a room of fragility is not for the faint of heart.
From there it was Emma’s urgent need to use the bathroom which meant trudging back outside in the snow to the outhouse. Yes a real, hole in the ground, don’t lean too hard you might tip it over, outhouse. Of course there was some trauma when emma peered into the hole and began asking questions. But the real trauma hit, when her cheeks hit the toilet seat which was covered in a thin film of ice.
But, as you can see in the picture above, we came home smiling. A stop at a little deli in town for soup and grilled cheese sandwiches smoothed over an eventful morning. I’m thinking next year, we might just send Dan out for the tree all by himself, and we’ll wait at home with hot chocolate and carols. Or, by next year we’ll learn the art of Christmas tree cutting in Wisconsin:
–everyone wears a snowsuit
–mittens for all
–find some of those hats for the girls that only have holes for eyes and mouth
–bring scissors and twine to attach the tree to your car
–stop at the gas station in town for bathroom breaks
–choose to cut on a day when the temp is above 20deg.
–handcuff children before going into the ornament shop
celebrations
We are in the process of a little advent catch-up around here. Today we finally made the salt dough ornaments, which will be painted after naps. But, if I completely get caught up with the calendar, this afternoon we will also have to bake ice cream cone cupcakes and make playdough. I’m hoping that since I let Emma play with the left over salt dough that maybe she’ll let her mom slide on the playdough. But probably we will be making a big vat of playdough tonight as well. I think next year, I’ll add some cushion days….like, read a book, watch a video, build a tent with the sofa cushions…. Even so, I’m still enjoying the excitement that greets each tear of a new link from the chain. (and then I get a little panicked when I see how short it is getting and think of how many unfinished Christmas presents are waiting patiently for me in the craft closet…)
SEWING ADVICE NEEDED:
Speaking of projects, I would like to make big floor pillows for Emma and Mary. I’m looking for advice, recommendations on fabric. I think that wool felt or fleece will get "pill-y", but I like the softness of them. Any ideas, advice would be appreciated.
Well, I sat down at the computer meaning to balance my checkbook and pay bills. I thought a diet coke and a good CD would ease the pain of the task at hand. Dan was laid off again this week. It has been touch and go, since I last wrote about him being laid off. He got more work, but was laid off again on Monday because there are no carpentry jobs right now with this company…just in time for Christmas.
Obviously, Mary has other plans for my time right now…she’s calling to me from her crib. Guess I’ll just have to set the old checkbook aside for now….
We are in the process of a little advent catch-up around here. Today we finally made the salt dough ornaments, which will be painted after naps. But, if I completely get caught up with the calendar, this afternoon we will also have to bake ice cream cone cupcakes and make playdough. I’m hoping that since I let Emma play with the left over salt dough that maybe she’ll let her mom slide on the playdough. But probably we will be making a big vat of playdough tonight as well. I think next year, I’ll add some cushion days….like, read a book, watch a video, build a tent with the sofa cushions…. Even so, I’m still enjoying the excitement that greets each tear of a new link from the chain. (and then I get a little panicked when I see how short it is getting and think of how many unfinished Christmas presents are waiting patiently for me in the craft closet…)
SEWING ADVICE NEEDED:
Speaking of projects, I would like to make big floor pillows for Emma and Mary. I’m looking for advice, recommendations on fabric. I think that wool felt or fleece will get "pill-y", but I like the softness of them. Any ideas, advice would be appreciated.
Well, I sat down at the computer meaning to balance my checkbook and pay bills. I thought a diet coke and a good CD would ease the pain of the task at hand. Dan was laid off again this week. It has been touch and go, since I last wrote about him being laid off. He got more work, but was laid off again on Monday because there are no carpentry jobs right now with this company…just in time for Christmas.
Obviously, Mary has other plans for my time right now…she’s calling to me from her crib. Guess I’ll just have to set the old checkbook aside for now….
everything else
This month’s self-portrait tuesday theme is reflective surface. This picture is taken in the spoon that just stirred up a little honey in my nightly cup of tea.
More self-portrait bloggers here and here.
This month’s self-portrait tuesday theme is reflective surface. This picture is taken in the spoon that just stirred up a little honey in my nightly cup of tea.
More self-portrait bloggers here and here.
