Handmade Happiness

Every Christmas I try to make the girls something by hand, something that they will love and remember fondly. This year I made Gabby a pretty red sparkly cowl to wear since she was constantly stealing mine and I made AJ some pretty little dolls to go with her doll house. I think that these little dollies are my favorite gift overall that I gave this year.

It was so much fun to paint the dolls like her favorite princess (although she pointed out that I forgot one or two, lol!). Here they are in their new home…

I love watching her and the other two girls play with the house. They have the dolls in a jacuzzi outside, cooking for a party, and just being nice… it is really fun to see. (Moira also got a doll house from a friend, a Little People one, so she can play with dolls as well!) AJ was really excited when she came down and saw her new house set up and the box of dolls waiting for her. =)  I also got something handmade from Klint- this necklace I have been eyeing for over a year!! I looooove it, it’s dainty and perfect for a mama of three girls!

 

Did you give or receive anything handmade this Christmas?

 

 

Merry Christmas from All of Us Here!

Wishing you all the very best Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Today…

photo by Gabby from here

I am finishing up making this… isn’t it pretty?

I am looking forward to sharing some of these traditions with my family for the Winter Solstice.

I saw this and knew that it would be fun to make for my fellow homeschooling mamas…

My girls are going to make these!

Read this… every child deserves parents like this who advocate for them and their individuality.

And then make some of these…yummo!

This is another wonderful thing to make for the Solstice, they smell wonderful.

…finally, some wisdom from a bear of “very little brain”

What are you up to today?

The Adventures of Vicki

This year I decided to add a new member to our Christmas traditions- Vicki the Elf!

(Isn’t her skirt cute?! It is a Christmas scrunchie!)

Vicki came home with me from the store and the girls found her driving our car!

So far she has gotten into quite a bit of trouble….

She decorated the Christmas tree with the girl’s underwear!

She made a mess cutting out snowflakes.

She had a snowball fight with the Lego dudes and Klint’s Battle Beasts, went on the computer and typed a letter to the kids…

Made a bed in a box of Kleenex and roasted marshmallows over a candle!

We don’t have Vicki here to spy on the girls, personally I think that would creep all of us out. (A Christmas version of Chucky if you will!)

She is here to cause mayhem and add a bit more whimsy to the season. I hate hearing parents using the Elf as a tool to manipulate and guilt their kids into good behavior, it takes away some of the magic. (We didn’t even read or show the girls the book that came with her) I love coming up with things to do with Vicki and seeing the girl’s excitement when they find Vicki… =) There are tons of great ideas all over the web, many of which are so creative and fun. Yay for another Christmas tradition!

More pics to come soon I am sure!

ps: Elves LOVE video games and maple syrup!

Monday Loves

How is everyone’s Monday going?

It is cold, wet, and grey here… but it is Cleveland in November, so that is pretty normal.

Here are a few things that I am loving this chilly fall/winter-ish day:

 

I want to make some of these felt critter cases for my girl’s iPod and Droids- cute and easy!

Did you know that if you blow bubbles when it is below freezing they freeze and shatter? Homeschooling project!

I adore this galaxy manicure…

and this glittery galaxy playdough!

A cute way to count down to Christmas with the kids, use cotton balls to make a beard, add one each day. =)

Finally, I am totally smitten with this little toadstool fairy home!!!

 

What are you loving this Monday?