Hump Day Nuggets: The Good Old Days

There is something about this time of year that always sends me back down memory lane. Perhaps it's the deep traditions I remember from childhood, the new ones we're making with our own family, the twinkle in my girls' eyes, or just that I'm getting old. Dang if that's it.

I love reminiscing. As a child I often watched old home videos, just for fun. I still sip on wine and read my old blogs some nights, to remember what it was like last year, last month, last week, when time seems to so quickly fly lately. I feel like it grounds me to so presently remember the past, where I'm from and from where I've come. It's helped me to do some soul searching and changing. I'm a big fan of memory lane.

This time of year has always been so special to me. The first snowfall, the first Christmas cookies filling the house with good smells, decorating and scheming and anticipating. In college, late nights studying, writing and painting (some of my favorite nights truth be told). As a newlywed in the hustle and bustle of all families christmas. As a new mama to my new first littlest love, spending her first christmas in our little apartment with a quiet tree and a bursting heart. Last Christmas with my two dumplings and my happy family, sharing in the love and joy of this season all together.

Each year really just keeps getting better. I've found my personal zeal for the holiday quite shifted. Instead of me gazing in wonder at the tree and the empty hopeful stockings, it's my girls eyes that light up with joy and anticipation. I love getting to create that joy with them, for them.

I love that our traditions are almost equal parts Jesus and Santa. Ainsley knows the nativity story by heart, for her own curiosty in the sweet baby Jesus cannn't be satiatied. She LOVES the Little Drummer Boy and the animals staring in awe. She loves the mother Mary, and totally gets needing to care for her little one. Louise mostly loves to make all the animals kiss baby Jesus. louise is all about kissing these days.

I love that all Ainsley wants for Christmas is "a treat mama, like chocolate, or OOOOH, maybe a candy cane?" There are few moments thus far in my parenting life that I've been willing to say "I did somethign right there" but my child's sheer joy and gratitude in the simplest SMALLEST gifts is one. she gets what a big deal it is, that it's somethign special. I love that about my girl.

So despite the rain and gloom and hurry scurry, there's lots to love this time of year. I'm pretty in love with it all.

Nuggets::

Morning Louise. One of my favorite times ever.

::morning dynamic duo? also pretty great::

Nuggets:

We had our first snow last week. Well, first dusting. Just a half inch of the white stuff was enough to set the girls in winter motion. Full on snow suits, snow angels, teeny tiny snowmen and red cheeks abounded. It was a great morning.

Nuggets:

I took Ainsley to her first ballet, the Nutcracker, with Auntie Sonya this past weekend. She was absolutely entranced. I think we may have a little ballerina on our hands.

Nuggets:

Baking and cooking are still two of our favorite long afternoon inside activities. I just can't get enough of my girls vying for position on the step stool, focused and hungry to help. Simply can't get enough.

::on the menu this week? spritz cookies,

gingerbread play dough, caramels and english toffee hence ALL that butter::

Nuggets::

My sweet Louise. Now that she's officially done with morning naps we spend Ainsley's playschool mornings just the two of us, erranding and playing. What a special time it has become for just me and my girl. I love her to pieces.

::taking advantage of this unseasonably warm weather at the park::

I just can't get over how much she's grown (up) in the past few months. She such a little girl now, a sweet moving talking little girl. We have such fun together. I'm one lucky mama.

Nuggets:

Christmas came early at our house today. After all the presents had been thoughtfully bought, wrapped and budgeted for one of my FAVORITE kids clothing lines was on sale on zulily. So I did what any rational parent of two woudl do. I went nuts. Well, not nuts, I filled up my virtual cart and literally spent a half hour agonizing over which items to keep, how much we could afford. I ended up with some amazing stuff. New dresses for both of my girls, new pants, a skirt and a shirt for Ainsley. I always buy a size up from where they are to make sure everything fits and lasts as long as it can. We were all pretty excited upon the arrival of that box this morning.

Nuggets:

I feel like we're on the horizon of some new big stuff. today ended a great semester at musikgarten, and with it we're looking forward to the new year. New classes and schedules, new friends to meet and make, work to do. Ainsley's amazing playschool teacher commented on how ready she thought Louise was for playschool this next fall. I can't even fathom her being big enough to ever leave my side. But somehow she will be, just as Ainsley is now, independent and big and smart and free. We've exited the baby years, with long nights and snuggles, full on into the big kid stuff. I haven't had time to stop and really ponder all that's changed in our lives. I'm so thankful for it all, and yet again trying to focus on the here and now. Because it's pretty great.

Happy hump day out there!

Permission to Sit and do Nothing

Here I sit during another naptime after a full morning, tired and frazzled. It's been that kind of week(s).

Aside from Louise's teething and oh-my-goodness-my-baby-is-now-a-toddler struggles, I'm staying up late to work on things, Ian's working long and hard, leaving him frazzled too. I've had to remind myself lots that these are the days that we can shine. Being uber productive and filled to the brim, yet I find myself so flustered and scatter brained that everything feels cloudly and time is flying by.

I am particularly frazzled because this is my favorite time of year. Old movies to watch, cookies to bake, seasonal crafts to make and books to read. I feel like the days are moving too fast, too full to really stop and enjoy.

So the last few days I've made some changes, granted myself the right to just SIT and do NOTHING. Instead of getting frustrated and trying to wrap presents or knit or sew, or organize or clean with the girls underfoot, I'm just WITH them. We dance to tunes, color slowly and purposefully, talk and pretend and play. It sounds so simple and obvious, but it's made life so much better.

I'm trying to focus, something I've lacked a lot lately. One thing at a time. I know the things that need to get done and I know myself well enough to know that they will. Right now my girls need me to be a fun mama, to enjoy this precious fleeting time of year and life with them. My husband needs me to be on, because he is SO on with his own stuff, and he always backs me up when I need to get MY stuff done (for instance, after staying at work until midnight and getting up with Louise at 6 he insists that I go running tonight "I got this. You'd better be in running shorts when I get home." what a guy I married.)

So after the girls went down for their naps and I washed dishes, switched around laundry and knitted a few rows of Ian's sweater I gave myself permission to make a cup of coffee, spike it with some delicious nog, look over the cute photos of my girls enjoying the first snow of the season that I took this morning and write this blog. Because life is too short and precious and fleeting to be ON all the time.

I hope you all take a moment today to just BE and ENJOY. I know I sure am.

Hump Day Nuggets: Eight Years

I had a whole post written for today. It was good. All about a new groove I'm searching to find for myself, the self of me that's still wholly mine. My plan was to tweak it tonight after the girls fell asleep, add some nuggets and "bada-bing!" done. Then Ian came home and after exchanging our typical smooches and smiles he looked me in the eyes and said "happy eight years".

Eight years? December 7th. Eight years. Eight years since I said yes to being his and he to being mine. Eight years since the moon eyes across the cafeteria and obvious "accidental" encounters in the dorm halls. Eight years since this journey with the man of my dreams began. Amazing.

So of course my mind was sent reeling down memory lane. Fondly remembering that flutter of new love and excitement. Reminiscing about the dates spent in painting studios, sipping coffee, and pretending I liked film noir as much as he did. Feeling thankful for this amazing love that I've found, this easy comfortable amazing love.

Eight years.

Eight years later I still feel every bit of that flutter. Truth be told most days around 3pm, just before the girls stir from their naps, just when I decide that I've done enough to mark naptime as productive, I stop. I pour a cup of coffee or tea, sit, and think for a moment about my man. Not as a dad, or even a husband, or a scientist, but Ian. Smart, handsome, kind, steady Ian, and how utterly blessed I am, and the girls are, to have him in our lives, for ours.

It's been an amazing eight years.

Nuggets::

We're finally able to get a few things done to the house that have much needed doing. One was to remove the mulberrys that were taking over our back porch. The tree guys were amazing. in and out and cleaned up in under a half hour. The girls LOVED watching all that loud chainsawing action.

::and I love watching them share the stool::

Nuggets::

Louise is erupting. Literally, new words and tricks and and preferences emerge every minute of every day. I am totally in love with this adorable hands on all smiles and chatter chattering 15 month old of mine. Can she stay this way forever?

::totally into cutting out graham crackers with Ainsley::

::giving me a little sassy sweet face, after chattering away::

::look mom, I'm behind the kitchen, you can't catch me!::

Nuggets::

I found my old camera in the basement (aside, you know you need to do a good clean out when you find an old fully functioning camera in your basement that you didn't even know still existed, yeesh). It's become Ainsley's camera and she LOVES having it at her beckon call. I need to upload her latest photos, but here's a group shot she took on a typical auntie sonya's over for dinner night. Those are some of our favorite nights.

Nuggets::

Ainsley went to her fist movie this week! Ian and I both wanted to see the muppet movie and we decided it'd be a great first film for our girl. We all three held hands, nearly skipping down the street. We bought the biggest popcorn and coke that money can buy and munched and laughed away. She did so great, fell asleep for 20 minutes on Ian's lap and then woke up laughing and clapping at the finale. Ah, another sign my girl is growing. I saved the ticket for her baby book. Of course I took no photos. The theater was too dark for Ian's camera phone.

::a few morning shots::

Nuggets:

the girls are really getting into the christmas spirit with me. Louise is enthralled with the bright packages and paper, definitely choosing which package should be wrapped with what. Ainsley has single handedly cut and taped most of the presents. They are such little helpers.

::snowscapes with tempera paint and christmas tree branch stamping::

::the magic of the christmas village continues to entrance::

::blurry I know, but I had to include it because check out their expressions, they WERE playing nicely with the village, then promptly began devouring the gingerbread house. Louise at the whole gumdrop roof section in about 30 seconds. Is it wrong that I'm a little proud?::

Ah. What a great day. Happy Hump Day out there!

Things Loved Lately

I've totally fallen off of the things loved bandwagon. I have enough new favorites stocked up to warrant a post, so here we go...

The Library:

I am a total children's book fiend, exhibted by our ridiculously large collection formed mainly from when I was pregnant with Ainsley and would waddle loyally through the tight isles of our local thrift shops grabbing anything I could get my hands on. But lately I've wished I had been a bit pickier in my selections. A lot of my "finds" have ended up as collage material or cutting practice. So now that I'm salivating after quality books that I a. can't afford and b. have no time or means to methodically scour any stores for, I've turned to our library. Oak Park has this great system where you can borrow books from libraries all over the city picking them up right at your local branch. We've SO enjoyed reading our new jems and now that Christmas is coming I can finally indulge the girls in a few of their (and my) new favorites.

Covergirl Lipgloss:

This new stuff is amazing. I've been hankering after a little lip color lately and this provides just enough that I don't feel too done up at the grocery store of music class, but enough that Ainsley notices and wants extra lip kisses so that some color will rub off on her little buds.
J.R. Watkins:

I've been on the vinegar and baking soda only cleaning program for a while but was in the mood for a change for a moment. This stuff is awesome and smells great and safe for the kids.
Costco:

Seriously this place deserves it's own post. I buy all our milk and eggs here, baking staples, big blocks of yummy cheddar cheese, hebrew national hot dogs, dishwashing detergent, saran wrap, mexican coke and toilet paper and paper towels. We save so much money by shopping here once a month and stocking up. I really can't say enough good things. Oh, and their take and bake pizza is one of our "mom doesn't want to cook tonight" night staples.

TJ's Potsticker and Birds Nests:

Our other "mom doesn't feel like chopping or sauteing or thinking about dinner" meals. Louise would eat the whole bag of dumplings if I let her and Ian feels the same about the birds nests.

Acorn Slipper:

Louise just grew out of my favorite toddler slippers but as winter is just knocking on the door she needed new ones that fit. I LOVE these slippers, so soft and they stay on and are great shoe substitutes for errands when she's just going from the carseat to a cart and back. Stonz Booties:

Just had to make one more nod to these amazing boots. Perfect for new walkers or mobile crawling dumpling this winter. We got the liners for those extra cozy days and she's been wearing them ever since we got them just for romping around even without snow. My new favorite baby item for sure.
Outside Baby Gear:

I stumbled upon this find on zulily when I was desperate for a new patagonia down coat for Louise (who fit into none of Ainsley's old ones) but of course couldn't afford it. After a quick search I read some rave reviews and decided to take the plunge. So glad I did. Her coat is the new favorite (Ainsley even squeezes into it somedays because she loves how warm, soft and ploofy it is) The gloves have been perfect for the cold weather and I anticipate their greatness continuing to shine through the long wet cold winter. Love love love this stuff.

Ikea Christmas:

I am in love with all the finds I found at IKEA for Christmas, particularly their cute simple CHEAP wrapping paper. I am very into the whole red and white thing this winter. the girls have LOVED helping me wrap. Ainsley has made most of the cuts and tap placement choices herself and Louise has very definitive opinions about which papers to use. I'm loving this season with my girls.

So there are the favorites for now. I know I always appreciate hearing about great new finds out there. Let me know if you have any!

Manic Monday

Typically the weekend leaves me at least moderately relaxed and rejuvenated. I am ready and rearing each Monday morning, pumped for a full fun week with my cantankerous twosome. Today I feel no such thing.

Perhaps it's that Ian and I have been GLUED to netflix the past two nights OBSESSED with Breaking Bad (oh my goodness SOOO good) staying up WAY past our bedtime. Perhaps it's that every extra "free" iota of mine has been spent in fast forward mode, knitting, or sewing, or wrapping or addressing. Perhaps it's that Ian's been working more, needing to run in even on the weekends leaving me far more "on" than normal with the girls. In any case, I'm starting my day feeling tired and lackluster and WHOA, long week ahead.

Even so I'm thankful for all I was able to get done. The girls each have a new pair of soft winter pants. Ainsley's party guests are one favor closer to a full party bag. Our first Christmas cookie tin is full and our freezer is STOCKED prompting me to not buy one single grocery item this week (well that and we splurged on sushi last night, partly to "pay" Auntie Sonya for watching Louise while Ian and I took our big girl to her first movie and partly because we've missed sushi in our lives dearly). I even delved into Christmas wrapping (because it's getting impossible to keep Ainsley AND Ian out of the back room) and began the never-ending task of addressing Christmas cards (I sat down wondering how many I could get done before the girls needed something and I did 4, FOUR!!! hahahaha, really? all I can do is laugh)

::Ainsley new favorite twirly skirt, the Christmas tree skirt,

she figured out it's glory all on her own::

::making graham crackers, rolled, cut in festive shapes and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, MMMMmmmm good::

::new pants!, Louise's are 100% reversible flannel and cotton from an old shirt of mine and some leftover curtain fabric::

::Ainsley's are made out of an old knit shirt of mine,

the legs are the arms and then I concocted a seat out of the body fabric, SOOO soft::

::yay pants! and play dough of course, Ainsley was making me a birthday cake, because now that her third birthday is fast approaching, EVERYDAY is someone's birthday::

So this morning we are totally OUT of our groove. Louise had her 15 month check up. She was NOT a fan, very aware of the shots to come and weary of our friendly doctor. But Ainsley was a great big sister, right by her side, telling her it'd be ok and not to worry. She even sang her the Mr Rogers' song Be Brave and then Be Strong while rubbing her back. If I wasn't on mama alert overload I would have teared up big time.

Louise is starting to taper off on her growth trajectory, settling into an average height and weight (45th and 60th percentile respectively). I remember with Ainsley as soon as she figured out walking she lengthened and leaned and her sister is right there with her.

It's so bizarre and wonderful to have two little independent girls on my hands, moving where and when they want. At the same time I'm realizing how blessed I've been that Louise was such a mellow baby. Now that she has opinions and a little mind of her own (not to mention a strong right hook) errands and plans and really getting ANYTHING done is nearly impossible. On Friday we went to Costco and for the first time LOUISE was the antagonist, swiping and swatting at Ainsley's poor head the whole time, then LAUGHING and doing it again. Ainsley is doing well with the fights that she puts up with and truthfully? I guess she had it coming to her after all those months of knocking Louise over. The girls continue to play so much together. Ainsley requests that Louise dance with her all the time. She dons her Christmas tree twirly skirt and floats around the room while Louise waves her arms and shakes her legs to the beat. I am loving these ages.

So despite the exhaustion and bustle today has been good. I am so thankful for effortless naps (Ainsley nodded off while I read her favorite The Paper Princess) a quiet house and a moment to myself. For while my hands will be flying, desperately knitting those never-ending arms on Ian's sweater, my body will be resting and my mind will be calm. Happy Monday!

Elving

To elve. To scurry and hurry and sneakily make merry, to hide and to smile mischeiviously with knowledge of secrets and making and gifting. Elving.

I'm all about elving in this house lately. Learning yet again how to do it with two now much more observent and alert litte ones underfoot. In a single moment I get totally overwhelmed by all that needs to be done, then simultaneously smile and brighten with this heavy load of doing and making for the ones I love most. Ahhh, elving.

I thought I'd share some of the elvish tricks that I'm most excited about this year, and oh there are many.

HBO's Classical Baby:: For Louise, but both girls should enjoy. Beautiful images and music to calm my little ones? Music to my own ears and I've heard rave reviews. Can't wait to try it out.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren:: Ainsley's first chapter book. I can't think of a more appropriate one can you?

Yookidoo Spout N Flow:: My mom has this toy for her tub and Louise (and Ainsley) are going to squeal with delight. I had to search a bit to find it, but I know it's well worth the effort.

Orchard by Haba:: Let me start off by saying that if I had all the money in the world I would buy every Haba toy in creation. They are beautiful, simple, educational and well made. Too bad the price reflects their quality. I saw this game at our local toy store and couldn't resist. It's very "hi ho cheerio-esque" but Haba style. I can't wait to play it with Ainsley.
My Little Sandbox Fairy Garden by Be Good:: This is THE toy. The one that Ainsley played with for a solid 15 minutes while adults happily, freely browsed. She was entranced. My mom distracted her and I swiped it. They also have a more "boy" version with trucks. I can't wait to ultilize this for quiet time this winter, neither can Ainsley :o)
Anorak/Ploc Magazine:: I stumbled across this UK publication on one of my favorite craft blogs (ohdeedoh.com) After finding out that their Christmas bundle was a steal and shipping mere dollars I jumped and am so glad I did. It just came in the mail today and it's unlike anything I've seen. Beautiful original illustrations, age appropriate activities. I may have to get a subscription if this stocking stuffer goes over as well as I think it will.

Heyday Buttons:: My handmade buttons from etsy came today!!! Now I officially have to make these sweaters for the girls. If they don't make it under the Christmas tree you can rest assured they'll be on the table Valentine's morning. could I have found a better match for Ainsley's crazy bright yarn choice? I think not. I'm SO excited!!! Is it obvious?

Birthday Banner:: I made a bunch for family members 4 years ago and have yet to make one of our own. This year is the year! I cut the fabric this morning. Such a simple cute way to decorate for special occasions.

Felted Nativity:: If I had all the time in the world this set would have greeted the girls this morning right after turning over the first day of the advent calendar. Oh well, maybe next year? It's too adorable not to make.

Swoop Bags:: I found this pattern on pinterest. It's a large drawstring circle bag that holds all those crazy to clean up toys (blocks, legos, cars and shape toys). You simply undo the drawstring to lay them out, then swoop it closed to clean. I may not get them done for Christmas but these are definitely on my list this winter.

Tinkertoys:: One of my childhood favorites. I found a huge bag at a consignment shop for $4. Merry Christmas Ainsley and Louise!

Gathering Bags:: These flexible strong bags act as tote and storage. The handles make them easy to carry and their size is great for toys or nature walks or whatever little ones want to put in them. I hope to get one done for each of the girls.

Legwarmers:: Louise still fits into her baby pair but my tights and dresses only Ainsley May needs at least one to keep those calves warm this winter.

Princess and the Pea playset:: I found this once on etsy and have been inspired to make one for Ainsley. She is slowly but surely gravitating towards princess stories and I'm keen to keep one step ahead of her to provide a mama-approved way of delving in. Perhaps not for Christmas, but a book and a craft winter activity? I think she'll get much more out of it if we do it together.

Mugs:: I got these two matching espresso cup sized mugs for the girls on etsy. Ainsley was so keen to sip on tea and hot cocoa last winter from our little ornament turned mug that eventually cracked from all the use. I can't wait for these two to be loved and used just as much!

Digthischick apparel:: Hands down my favorite shirts. This shop on esty is where I got the girls adorable Valentine's shirts last year, Louise's MN shirt and Ainsley's rainbow shirt. This Christmas they'll each get a new lusciously soft hand appliqued gem. The one shown below is Ainsley's. I only wish they came in adult sizes.

Christmas Thrifting:: I've been so pleasantly surpised by the quality goods I've been able to find for the girls at thrift shops. A backpack full of wooden blocks for Louise (for $3), buttons and clasps and vintage fabric and felt for Ainsley's quiet book, the smallest cutest ballet and tap shoes EVER for eager Ainsley ($2 each). We have some local gems but most things I found at Once Upon a Child which are all over the country. I LOVE consignment for so many reasons, if you haven't checked out a store yet for your own little ones (or yourself!) I highly recommend it.

Clearly I'm focused on my girls this Christmas :o) Well that, and all those adults I'm elving for read this blog. Good stuff all around this Christmas season. I'm soaking up every minute. How is your elving coming along these days? Merrily I hope!