Catch-all Christmas Tree

This last minute craft was a hit! I simply cut out Christmas tree shaped pieces of construction paper. Here's Treyton with good ole' friend Seiban.

Then I raided the house for "flair": pieces of tin foil, string, hole-punched holes, marshmallows. The kids happily decorated their trees in fashionable styles. Speaking of fashionable styles, notice Galina's boa. Fancy!

The marshmallows were a hit. I told each they could have 5.

Galina's were gone in an instant.

Here are the finished products. Seiban's went home with him before I remembered to take a picture.

Can you guess whose this one this is?

Galina the opportunist!

Smile

Normally, this is the look I get. Sweet as that is, lately I have been seeing something I like even better.

She's starting to smile!!!!!

Finally, a little kudos for my work. (Immediately following this shot she was smothered in kisses; I couldn't control myself. It happens a lot when I'm around her, poor thing.)

Then there are these.

Kicking baby legs - it doesn't get better than this!

I'm finding myself enjoying the little things about Brielle more and more each day. Third time parenting is wonderful. I know it's a fleeting phase so I'm soaking it up and feeding my soul.

God's precious gift to me.

He's Come a Long Way, Baby!

I had to chuckle, under my breath since we were in church. There sat a young couple a few rows ahead of us. They had a baby....I'd say 8 months old. Anyways, the little guy started fussing and the mom was trying to console him to no avail. That's when she leaned over to her husband who was staring at his little man and whispered something in his ear. His head disappeared as he bent down rustling through the diaper bag. Up he came with a Bible. Very sensible, I'll admit. It was sermon time afterall. But Mom, with baby boy's volume and kicks escalating, shook her head and said something else to her hubby. Down he went again and this time came up with a bottle. I determined that the mother had said, "Can you get me the bottle," whereas the husband first heard, "Can you get me the Bible?" I turned to my husband who was listening attentively to the pastor and ignoring my lips pushed together in a suppressed smile.

He has come a long way.

Four years ago he probably would have made that same mistake. Now, if our baby was fussing in church, I wouldn't even have to lean over and ask for a Bible/bottle. He'd get it to me before I'd even have to ask. That's what 4 years and 3 kids does. It made me realize how far we'd come on this parenting journey. Yet, in reality, we've only just begun. I wonder if anyone with teenagers was watching us?

Galina Monroe

We actually had plans. Homebodies by nature, we revolted and went out to a little Christmas party our friends' church was having.

What fun! We donned our Christmas clothes, our party personalities, and hit the road.

Look at these two. Melts my heart.

And this one.....can you get any sweeter?

Speaking of sweets we headed to the cider/cookie table for some vittles.

Sugar cookies with frosting are one of life's greatest pleasures.

After singing a few Christmas songs, our little firecracker had to wander.

What's this?

Hmmm....

I think I like it...

Look at me!

Twirl, twirl, twirl in my pretty dress.

Whee....Marilyn, you've got nothin' on me!

HAAAH HAAAAAA! (If you know Galina, you know this noise she makes.)

Hello people....the attention shouldn't be up front but back here...ON ME!

Shake, shake, shake your groove thing!

The wonder of Christmas can appear in the simplest of ways: even a heat register of all things. Don't be too busy to miss the magic of this time of year.

Dentist

This was a good way to start. Treyton & Galina had their first dental appointments last week. With a fun filled waiting room, they approached the dental chair in a very chipper mood.

Miss Kim was sweet as she introduced the kids to Mr. Thirsty and the race car sounding device.

Love the sunglasses, don't you? Miss Kim was looking for Diego in Treyton's mouth at this time.

As Treyton went off to get X-rays of his teeth, Galina popped up onto the chair ready for her turn.

The dentist came to listen to all her jabbering. What a fun lady.

This dentist has actually appeared on Oprah! Yes, the Oprah. Incidentally, meeting her is about as close as I'll ever get to someone famous, I'd say. Second-hand stardom.

But who needs fame with the enormous amounts of blessings I've got?

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17

Praise You, Lord!

Hand Me Down Hat

My niece, Madina, gave some hand-me-downs to Galina. (Try to keep their names straight when spending a week together.) Galina, my fancy one, adorned this hat.

What a hat can do in a 2 yr old's life is like diamonds when you're 30.

It even works with no clothes on!

But not in the bathtub....I'll spare you. :)

Cotton Ball Snowmen

Snowmen are so fun. In fact, I sort of collect them. There are several snowfriends decorating my house this time of year. And the good thing is, you can keep them up until spring. Those smiling friends help keep the winter doldrums away.To make the craft, take a toilet paper roll and glue or staple a piece of black paper to the top. (Stapling works better, I found.)

Then put some glue on the toilet paper roll and stick on cotton balls.

A hint: do the glue in small "patches" so kids don't get their fingers full of glue and become frustrated.

Then sing "Frosty the Snowman" through the toilet paper roll.

Next cut out some boots.

Glue them on the roll.

And add a face: We used hole-punched scraps for eyes and nose and a piece of pipe cleaner for the mouth.

A snowfriend! How cute.

But not as cute as this!

Thanks for the darling outfit, Aunt Karel.