Decembering

This has been one of the lowest-key approaches to Christmas I can remember. Maybe because I did all my shopping online in a 3 day blitz, maybe because I still haven't wrapped anything so am just assuming I really did get everything I need, maybe because there's not one big thing I'm really excited to see if the recipient likes...I don't know, it's been really calm. And pleasant.  Henri is home this week which is wonderful. I've really missed her. I have hopes and plans for starting some new traditions on Wednesday but have also been a parent long enough to know my dreams will probably not translate to reality, and I'm fine with that. I was invited to a party that evening but I think I'll use the time once the kids are in bed to have my own reflection time, do some candle watching, probably knit. Because I have (re)discovered the joys of the super bulky weight yarn. Waaaaaay too much fun. My apologies to any who will be gifted the fruits of my labors. It's really hard to resist making  a zillion hats or scarves or what-have-yous when it takes just a few hours and Ravelry is so well stocked with new ideas. My poor sweater, the one that was supposed to be for last spring, sits collecting dust while I'm enthusiastic about these unnecessary projects.
Anyway, what have we been up to? Hm. Henri's Christmas program at school, lots of baking for various school and church events, helping out our older neighbor, making and delivering fudge to the neighbors (and finally meeting the newest ones), library trips, Christmas cookies and Lessons and Carols at church, babysitting, sweeping up pine needles countless times a day (never had a tree shed this much!), knitting, shoveling, farm visiting, trail wandering.

On the latest visit to Drumlin Farm, Hudson decided he does indeed love sheep. We are trying hard to convince Steve of the immediate need of owning a small hobby farm. ("think of the savings in yarn!" is the newest tactic...)

Oh little boys. He is solidly in the joys of the 3rd year, but he still has his mama moments. 

Trying to get him out in the "woods" as much as possible. The first 10 minutes he wants to go back. Then he finds something that piques his interest and we explore it a bit. And then he's off, and an hour later I'm the one begging to go back inside and he's having fun. Wish we lived where it would be feasible to kick him out on his own each day, but having a little area down the road is a fine substitute for now. 

Some of the cowls I've forced on poor souls in the name of Christmas charity :D

Forgive the background; Henri ready for her program and Hudson in the most adorable coat ever. He looks like a little old man, especially when I button it up and do the belt.

She (and her entire class) was a sheep. A rather grouchy one. She says she was just bored, haha. Anyway, she performed well and knew all the words and hand motions. 

The biggest reason we still have a 30 year old, falling apart, cheap table: I don't want to worry about ruining a nice one. And when you're fine with your kids using Sharpies, I think it's a safe bet that tables will get ruined. 

We replaced the seal on our freezer door. What You-Tube declared was a 3 minute project somehow took 3 hours and the seal is still suspect. At least it's not moldy any more. 

And thankfully it was below freezing so we could just put all our stuff outside. 

Babysat a sweet 6-month old. Hudson was in heaven, that boy adores babies beyond reason. He was positive I know nothing about caring for kids and was adamant that only he knew how to feed, change, wipe up, entertain L. So he did the work, all I had to do was keep Hudson from loving on L too hard and give him some breathing space once in awhile. Within 3 minutes of his arrival, Hudson was saying "Mom, we need to get one of these. Can I have one?". Ha. Nope. Sorry. Henri maintains the same attitude she always has; babies are fine, she just doesn't see the thrill but she's willing to put up with them. 

Lots of slush to shovel

More woods walking after school. I've switched the schedule so that we play outside the minute we get home, otherwise there's no daylight for it. 

The "creek" is still running. 

Had an extra fussy afternoon so I stuck him back in the Lillebaby. They must put some kind of baby ativan on it or something, because it remains the single most effective way to chill both my kids and put them in better moods. He snuggled down for a bit until he could face the world again, and then hung out for another hour until I kicked him off. Kid is getting heavy!

Our first attempts at bath bombs. Used too much water, and they kept rising. I'd stuff them back in the mold, and 10 minutes later it would be dripping off the counter again. They finally calmed down and hardened, and the second batch went more smoothly. The kids are enjoying dropping them into water to watch the fizzing. 

Hudson's last class of the semester, he'll start right back up again in 2 weeks, same time and group. I hope same group at least. Because he's especially fond of Ella. They sit on the balance beam together and hold hands while the teacher explains the next move. 

Last day of school lunch! (Henri was in pj's because they had a pj party at school...)

Neighbor gifts

This amazing cookie recipe I found on Pinterest (of course). Very Christmasy with honey, nuts, orange zest, ground cloves, and cinnamon all wrapped in a flakey pie crust. Many involved steps that was totally worth it. 

Last night's hat. Supposed to be a gift, but it's so warm and soft that I wore it all day today.

We've been doing this together for so long now that we even coordinate our clothing color scheme without conferring.

Beginnings of December

And here is some of what we've been up to since coming home. It feels like it's been a super busy week, but on paper this coming one is a lot worse. We shall see!

The pine allergy/sensitivity has been in hyperdrive this season

Despite all this, still didn't have the size I needed. Oh well, forced craft shopping is never a hardship ;)

Cowls for everyone!!! I'm following this pattern, and knitting with super bulky is supremely gratifying. 2ish hours on the needles and you have a finished product. 

Tada! I personally like cowls better than scarves because I never know how to tie scarves, and these you just slip over your head and you're all set. 

Watched a friend for a few hours. 2 kids is sooooo much easier than just one! They kept each other very entertained. 

Tree shopping. 

Hauling the harvest home.

Trader Joe's upped their price this year, but the boxwood wreaths were still reasonable enough to warrant the purchase of two. 

For the first time, we bought a full sized tree. It smells great, and with the addition of a few garlands and balls from the dollar store looks pretty filled out now.

The living room.

THE tackiest item I've boughten this year (so far....). From the Dollar Store, those lights are blinding. Going to have the kids decorate them at playgroup as part of our crafting party. The parents should love me. 

Cocoa and The Grinch. 

And then today, the reason for the busy week; decorating the church. We generally have this down to a science and are done in a few hours at the most. Today it took 5, and I have no idea why since we didn't do as much as we have before. Anyway, the theme this year is "music".

Maybe part of it was the wreaths required handling 4 separate times??

Shane "helped", lol

The horn was a thrifting find this summer (yes, we plan our church decor out at least a year in advance).

The finished front. I won't say I was right, but I have been begging to hang stuff high on the organ for years now and I'd say I was justified (for scale, the top of the organ enclosure is about 40' up). 

Simple front.

Our lucky iron fish arrived! No idea why I never got Hud one since he's been chronically anemic since he was little, but hopefully this will solve that. 

Tonight we went to an Indonesian concert. Over 2 hours and the kids did fantastic! We followed it up with a stop at the African food festival being held in conjunction but the food was way too spicy for the kids (awesome peanut sauce though!) and it was already past their bedtime. So, smoothies and a stop at TJ's for popcorn for Hudson. 

Hen's favorite was the dancers.

Afterwards they let everyone come up on stage and play the instruments since they're pretty indestructible (you play them by hitting with a hammer). The huge gong was my favorite. All in a all a very fun and exhausting day.

Thanksgiving in VT

Rather behind on pictures, so here's a dump of them divided over two posts, and somewhat out of order:

Holiday haircut (and red sparkly heels. the boy has flair for sure).

Yeah, I went back and bought 5 cartons with intentions to do the same every week they're in stock so it'll hopefully last us all year; insanely good!

Hudson helped me peel eggs and then decided he likes them to eat. Hurray, we can add another food item to the "tolerated" list.

To the immense joy of the kids (and ok, the adults) there was about 6" snow to enjoy.

As always, the homestead looked gorgeous and was thoughtfully decorated. 

This might be more "whimsy"...

Kept the kids, and the aunts, occupied on Thanksgiving while the adults cooked and set up.

After meal chatting

Steven and Siena treated us to a musical evening

Stopped at Yarn and Yoga for the second time in two days. One simply can never have enough yarn. Plus, their shop is welcoming and friendly and that can be rare in a yarn store.

He's just a lump now

The place settings for the feast

Really out of order, but once home we got a bunch (haha) of discounted bananas for the freezer and Hudson helped me put them up. 

My movie-watching knit project was this hat

This is before I did the edging and ties. Both kids claimed to love it so they picked out their own skeins and I hope to have them made for their solstice gifts.

Before we ate and ate and ate. 

Tintin isn't really a read-aloud, but Siena was super patient and explained all the word bubbles for Hen

So much to get into at Gram and Papa's

I'm sure it goes without saying that all had a lovely time. The kids shared a (huge) air mattress and loved it. We played plenty of Settlers and other games, cleaned up some trees in preparation for New Year's bonfire, and generally practiced gluttony to an embarrassing level.  Thanks for having us, Mom and Papa!!!