An early visit from the Western North Pole?

Our town had a Christmas Party of sorts not too long ago. There was some very yummy hot chocolate, cookies, fires to warm oneself by, a tree lighting ceremony, some caroling children, a cheerful Christmas Song singer, lots of local people visiting and a visit from a "Frontier Santa" (whose outfit was really cool and isn't shown very well in these photos - he had spurs and bells on his boots and a leather pouch and was very "old west") who rode in with "Mrs. Santa" on a horse drawn carriage. We aren't certain what happened to the reindeer, exactly. But, these visitors came to see the children (and adults) in our town and talk about who was naughty or nice, what kinds of things were wished for this Christmas and there were pictures and candy canes for all the children.

Trees need hugs... or just lots of sparkle!

Our artificial tree went to the dump. The pre-lit part of the tree would not light. Kind of makes the pre-lit part a bit frustrating. Anyway, we were in the market for a new option for a Christmas tree this year. Pops and I found a fresh cut tree and brought that home for this year. I am sooooo looking forward to sweeping up pine needles over the next month!!

Pops and I seem to have a bit of "Bah Humbug" in us this year and couldn't rightly care less about having a Christmas tree or other decorations, but those crazy treekids of ours are living up to the tree theme of the family. THEY wanted a tree more than I can describe and weren't "ok" with skipping on the tree for even one year. So, they were super excited about the tree that we brought home - even in its "Charlie Brown-ness"!!!

We had made our attempt at setting up our 2009 Christmas tree on the first Sunday of Advent as I had a "new idea" for this year's tree... Last year after Christmas when everything was on sale, I bought new ornaments and a tree skirt (that Blossom thought worked well as a girl skirt or as a princess cape... who needs a skirt on a TREE!?!!).

I bought a large selection of silver ornaments and then 4 small tubes of very small round simple plain balls in pink and purple... 3 purple and 1 pink tube. The plan was to put up one tube of colored ornaments each Sunday of Advent as we would also light the candles in our Advent wreath. A lovely plan to do a bit of decorating and preparation each Sunday as we got closer to Christmas... and our tree would be more and more colorful as we approached Christmas! A lovely plan... right? Well, it would have been if our pre-lit tree would have LIT!

We are still going with this plan for decorating our tree, we just were several days late in getting the tree up and the first round of ornaments put on. So far, we have put up all the silver ornaments and two tubes of purple ornaments.

This Sunday, we will add the tube of pink ornaments and the treekids are very excited!! Christmas is coming ... it is right around the corner!! I need to get organized... Here we had a baby on the way and this is the first year that I was not nearly ready for all things Christmas just before Thanksgiving! Maybe the baby will help??? Or if he won't help (he slept through 99% of the tree decorating)... maybe this creature will help with other preparations since decorating the tree wasn't up her alley (she slept through only 75% of the tree decorating)!!

I guess I'll giver her a break... she is considered geriatric and all. In just two short months she'll be nine years old. I don't think that she has drank the water from the tree stand, so that deserves a "break" and she can opt out of all holiday preparations this year. But, NEXT year... she better pull her weight!

Babymoon

I think that I will just say that I am on Babymoon... kind of like a honeymoon - but it is just me and baby hanging out A LOT 'round the house. We have been venturing out now and then for various errands and appointments. Those days seem to be stressful and I hole up afterwards and catch up on my rest. So, know that I am still HERE loving on my snuggly baby boy.

It seems that I have plenty of things to blog about, but here's the deal... if I have something to blog about - that means that I spent my computer time DOING something instead of being at my computer! I have some pictures to load from my camera and will do that soon so that I can at least share those with you all!

I am thinking about blogging - but trying to find the new rhythm of my life! Will update sooooooon. I PROMISE!!!!!

My Daybook, Entry #11

FOR TODAY
Tuesday, Dec 1, 2009...

Outside my window... Chilly!!

I am thinking... about a "blog name" for my new precious treekid! We worked on a birth certificate name from April until about an hour after he was born... I don't plan to take eight months to choose a blog name... but I'm open to suggestions! I'm looking for a tree related word that begins with a "B". I have a few ideas, but would love to hear any suggestions!!!!

I am thankful for... children who love books!!!

From the learning rooms... I believe that we are STILL "officially" on a baby break.

From the kitchen... Hmmm - maybe we'll come up with a plan after a bit!

I am wearing... Tan cords, a cream sweater (that I dribbled a bit of salsa on this morning as I ate a breakfast burrito), my maroon slip on Mary-Jane Clarks and two bracelets - one "made" by Blossom and the other a new baby gift from Pops!! :)

I am creating... not much - but dreaming up stuff that I will be working on with my sewing machine soon enough!

I am going... to try to be patient. That is so much easier said than done - but, I'm trying!

I am reading... some picture books that the treekids brought home from their trip to the library with Geemah!

I am hoping... to remember to sleep more - go to bed earlier and remember to take an afternoon nap!

I am hearing... a noisy machine.

Around the house... We tried to set up our Christmas tree on Sunday evening. It is a pre-lit tree and half of the tree would not light. Pops took it to the dump and we now need to find a tree. Pops is thinking a real tree this year since we do live in an area of many Christmas Trees!!

One of my favorite things... home. Quiet peaceful home.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Slow week. Baby Baptism on Saturday evening at 5pm!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

To read more daybooks or to join in the fun, head over to Peggy's.

Raindrops on Roses

...and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things...

I love Julie Andrews in "The Sound of Music." (I hope you do, too, as this song now is stuck playing over and over in your mind!!) Today, I was remembering that song as I was enjoying one of MY VERY favorite things...

The treekids have a mild obsession with temporary tattoos. I guess they are like stickers - but they last longer? I am not sure why they like them so much, but it is one of THEIR favorite things.

I am not fond of tattoos. However, I know without a doubt what kind of tattoo I would get if ever I were to take the plunge. As a nursing mom - who truly enjoys nursing her babies, I find that there are many little things that I really enjoy about nursing. I like the closeness of the baby. I like the way that the baby is dependent on me to make all the nutrients for him or her. I like how simple the process is - not having to cart around formula and such. There are many many other things to like about nursing one's babe as well. However, there is one thing that I LOVE - absolutely without a doubt, L - O - V - E, love...

Ear prints.

Yes, ear prints on my forearm. A mom who is nursing her baby has the baby facing her chest instead of facing the ceiling, so, the side of baby's head is resting on the forearm at times. When the baby lays in this position long enough, an "ear print" is left on the arm. When you lift your baby, you notice this imprint left behind from your precious bundle. Perhaps you've had a print before and you never noticed. Perhaps you've seen the print but it didn't make an impression on your heart the same way it did on your arm.

Today, I noticed my first ear print from my newest bundle of love. His first noticeable mark. When they are so small, with soft and flexible ears, many times their ears are bent and don't leave a mark. Or the cartilage is still so soft that not much of a discernible ear mark is left. But, today, this evening actually... an ear print was left on my left forearm and I grinned... from ear to ear!!

So, in light of the treekids loving their temporary tattoos, I have to admit, that I, too, must like them. I don't know what it is exactly for me, but there is nothing quite like a "temporary tattoo" left behind from baby's ear. So, if ever I decided to take the plunge and get a permanent tattoo (don't look for this to happen in any foreseeable future!)... I would have one of my favorite things put on my forearm... a baby ear print.

So Very Thankful

for all my "butterballs"...

Large

Medium

Small

X-Small

Each of my treekids is such a blessing and enriches my life every day!! And without Pops, none of them would be possible...

I couldn't be more thankful to God for my family - what a treat they are!!

GO - kiss and hug all of your "butterballs" and don't forget to love on the one who you share them with!!!

Sleep...

when

the

baby

sleeps...

.........ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........