December Daily 2013: In Progress

Three years ago I completed my first December Daily album. The next two Christmases included a lot of tears and, honestly, I struggled to find the heart to complete them. I have several pages done in each and might someday, but not now. I did manage to make a book last year about our elf's adventures. Dylan loved that. Still does.

This year, I was determined that December would be better and we'd have a completed album. Well, it had it's bumps too (really, when doesn't life have a few downs mixed in?) but I'm focusing hard on all the highlights and making strides in finishing this album. I'm about halfway done with a third of the pages completed and the rest in progress.

I'm making the album entirely digital again with plans to print it as a Shutterfly photo book. Here's a peek at a few of the completed pages.

Did you make (or are still working on) a December Daily album this year? I'd love to see. Feel free to share a link in the comments.

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Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate

Trent surprised me a couple months ago by telling me he bought the three of us tickets to Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate! We used to love going every year. It was quite often his birthday gift to me. Then we stopped going when Dylan was born and began waiting until we felt he was old enough to sit, watch and enjoy. What we didn't do (unlike our trip to Walt Disney World last May) was tell Dylan until we were in our seats. He was so excited and pretty much captivated the entire show by the performances.

Here's a small taste of what we saw (all photos SOOC) …

A Very Merry Unbirthday with Alice & the Mad Hatter

Halloween fun with Sorcerer Mickey & Jack Skellington along with other Disney villains

Valentine's Day Ball with Disney Princess including Dylan's favorite - Ariel

Eyes focused on the rink and enjoying a new Mickey Mouse glow necklace (Party City $2)

Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch

Chinese New Year celebration with Mulan

Winter Wonderland with Buzz, Woody & Jessie

Grand finale

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Preschooler Pieced Christmas Tree Cards

Today is the Christmas celebration at preschool. We'll be leaving work early to see the kids do a small show (a carol or two perhaps?), have some snacks and, of course give the teachers a gift to celebrate the season but also say thank you.

While I love Pinterest and crafting, I keep things simple and give the teachers a gift card. I did want to do something special though. The idea quickly came to me - have Dylan create a card for each of them.

After preschool yesterday, he and I went upstairs to our craft room where I spread assorted supplies out on the floor. I grabbed 2 blank white cards, a bin of scrap paper, his scissors, a glue stick and stamping supplies. I loosely showed him the idea of how to create a "tree" with strips of paper by laying out various pieces on the floor. Then I helped him select papers from my scraps. We both cut several strips, but he did the rest. He chose the pieces, glued them in place, inked the star stamp and stamped them. Inside he added a sentiment with a "Merry Christmas" stamp and stamped 2 flowers just because he liked them.

Me? I proudly watched and grinned. I love that he enjoys art so much and was impressed at the beautiful cards he made. Inside I wrote a simple note to each teacher expressing our thanks for all they do in the classroom and wishing them a Merry Christmas.

What do you do for teacher gifts?

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Blessed

What a roller coaster of emotions the last twelve months have been. Our lives are in many ways vastly different than I imagined them a year ago today. And this month? It's been harder emotionally than I could have imagined.

Today marks one year to the day since I heard words that would shock, sadden and crush me. Nothing can prepare you to both see your baby on an ultrasound screen for the first time and hear the words "I'm sorry" all in one breath. Since then, we've prayed for healing and slowly began moving forward.

We found joy again and celebrated our family of 3 with a trip to Walt Disney World. A needed break from the every day and a chance to be together. Just us.

We celebrated again when we got another positive only to find ourselves grieving again. We pushed forward.

We celebrated our precious son and his 4th birthday. What a blessing to have such an amazing, sweet, loving, healthy child.

We went on our annual beach trip with friends. One that wasn't supposed to happen as we should have been home with a newborn. But again, it was as needed as our Disney trip in our healing. We kept moving forward one step at a time.

Last month Trent & I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary and 14 years altogether of knowing, loving and supporting one another. We took a combined work/leisure trip to England. A first for both of us. Again, something not likely possible had events been different over the last year.

Thus, as challenging, frustrating and even heartbreaking at times the last year has been, I felt strongly about the selection for our Christmas card. I had been working on and off with my dear friend, Nila, for months to schedule a time to have family photos taken. It's something I always seem to procrastinate on and I truly wanted & needed to celebrate us. The three of us. The blessed, loving, precious family we have. If anything, I have learned even through my grief and tears in the last year to be grateful because we are truly blessed.

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The Tree was Trimmed

We bought our tree on December 1st. Added lights the next day. And then finally got around to the ornaments yesterday. It's been a busy month already so we intentionally saved the ornaments to a day when we had time to devote to them.

I set up the DSLR on a tripod and used the timer to take a few photos trying to get a picture of all 3 of us for our December Daily album. The only shot that had all 3? This one and it cracks me up.

I guess Trent & I didn't realize that we were actually in the shot plus we were laughing at the fact that every time Dylan heard the camera timer beeping speed up, he stopped and posed. So much for a "natural shot."

My other big achievement of the weekend - a new handmade tree skirt.

I've wanted to make my own tree skirt for years but the project kept hitting the back burner only to be forgotten for another season. This year I was determined it would happen and went shopping last week for fabric. Pattern is by Amy Butler Design. I opted to leave off the buttons and used white fleece instead of wool felt so it is machine washable.

It took a good part of two days. A bit of frustration at times as I read and reread the instructions. One section seam ripped and restarted. But it's done and I absolutely love it. So nice to finally have this project completed and able to enjoy for many years to come.

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December Daily: days 1 - 3

A small glimpse of the first three days of our December:

How has your month started?

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Friday Freebie: Christmas Elf Calendar

Our Christmas Elf, Christopher Pop-in-Kins, will be returning soon. Dylan is already excited. Last year was our first year so it was a new experience all around. One thing I didn't like - a bit of evening stress when trying to determine where our Elf might be the next morning and/or what he would be doing.

This year with experience under my belt and a few new ideas added to my board at Pinterest, I sat down to create a calendar with a daily plan. No more 11pm panic attacks this year. It's all laid out and ready for us from when he returns on Sunday through Christmas Eve.

Download the Christmas Elf Calendar here. Or, if you want to create your own options, download a blank copy here. I hope this makes your holiday season a bit easier and more enjoyable too.

Have an Elf idea or a photo to share? Feel free to leave me a link or share it on my Facebook page.

Happy holidays!

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Holiday Gift Idea: Mabel's Labels

A few weeks ago, Dylan's preschool had a trike-a-thon. Parents were encouraged to bring their child's trike or bike and helmet. While they were organized by class, there were obviously still a lot of bikes and helmets. Looking for an easy way to label both, I turned to our handy Sticky Labels from Mabel's Labels.

I've shared in the past that I love these labels. They are cute, durable and have almost limitless uses. With the holidays quickly approaching, Mabel's Labels has a Stocking Stuffer Combo to allow you to easily get your kids' stuff labeled and knock another item off your shopping list.

The Stocking Stuffer Combo features 6 sets with 1 bag tag and 5 labels for $5 each. Don't forget to order your Holiday Return Address Labels too. Both items are only available through December 31, 2013.

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Do You Believe?

Yes, I'm talking Christmas in October.

Last December, our elf Christopher Pop-In-Kins surprised Dylan with a gift that included a plush elf. He liked it then, but, like many toys, was eventually sidelined and ended up in a bucket of stuffed animals in Dylan's room. Until this summer.

A couple of months ago while playing in his room, Dylan rediscovered his plush elf and suddenly that toy has elevated in status. The elf is carried all over the house. The elf is propped up to watch TV. The elf sleeps in Dylan's bed (often tucked in with an extra lovey). The elf traveled with us to the beach in early September. The elf was even given a name - Abby - and Dylan explained to me that the elf is a girl.

All was happy until the morning he woke and showed me that "Abby has a hole." Sure enough, the seam in the back was coming apart and there was a hole large enough for a preschooler's finger to fit into. Coincidence? Hmm.

I suggested we sew Abby back up good as new and Dylan's immediate response, "he [everyone is a 'he' still] needs to go back to Santa to be fixed." Um, ok. What was I thinking? Of course, like her buddy Christopher Pop-In-Kins surely Abby can pop right back to the North Pole and see the big man in red for an official fix.

A couple days later, Abby wasn't seen at bedtime. Dylan didn't appear too concerned and I didn't bring it up. The next morning when I went to wake him for school, something on the dresser caught my eye and as he woke, I asked him what it was. There was Abby good as new. And a very happy little boy who believes in the magic of Christmas all year long.

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Christmas Elf 2012 - the Book

After Christmas I spent some time on Shutterfly putting together a photo book of our Christmas Elf's adventures this year. Dylan was sad to see Christopher Pop-In-Kins leave. Our photo book arrived a few days ago and now he has a fun reminder to enjoy year round.

Front Cover

Page 1 - the arrival of Christopher Pop-In-Kins

Hanging out in the playroom and emailing Santa.

Snow and Magic Elf Dust recipe (credits to Joni at Six Cherries on Top for the idea!)

Christmas Day - Christopher left a photo & note with Dylan's stocking

Back Cover

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Santa's Magic Key

I saw the idea of Santa's Magic Key last year on Pinterest and meant to make one. The poem is the part I really love as it combines the magic of Santa with the real meaning of Christmas (find it here from Michelle at The Picadilly Post). I don't recall ever questioning Santa getting into a home without a chimney when I was little. I certainly didn't expect my almost 2 and a half year old to question it last year when our home didn't have a fireplace much less a chimney. I simply thought it would be fun and cute. And while we now do have a fireplace, it is gas so we still don't have a chimney. Thus, I finally finished this project!

I purchased the key last year at Michaels. I tried to find the dollar bin option mentioned in Michelle's post, but didn't have luck. Instead I found one in the jewelry section. It was a little bit pricier but not too bad with a coupon. Since I was never fond of the brass color, I used some bronze spray paint left from my bathroom hardware project to paint it.

The tag I made with fabric from my stash. I ironed freezer paper to the back, cut it to 8.5x11 and slipped it into the printer paper tray. I created a tag outline in Photoshop and added the poem plus a Santa graphic from Sara Schmutz's Jolly kit. I printed it to the fabric, peeled off the freezer paper and cut out the shape. Punched a hole in the tag using my Cropodile and added an eyelet (my scrapbooking stash pays off for all sort of crafty projects!). Then looped a red ribbon through to hang it on the door Christmas Eve and called it done.

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[almost] Wordless Wednesday: Elf Fun

Day 4: hiding in Dickens' Village

Day 5: looking down from cabinets in the kitchen

Day 6: swinging from the dining room chandelier

Day 7: leaving magnet messages on the fridge

Day 8: playing with pinecones in the foyer

Day 9: hanging out in the family room

Day 10: reading to toy friends in the playroom

Day 11: perched a top our Christmas tree

Linking up to Wordless Wednesday and Sarah Halstead

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Holiday Express

A month or so ago Trent purchased tickets for the Holiday Express at Pullen Park. Our first time going and we all enjoyed it. Dylan participated in several crafts (his ornament received a spot on the tree the moment we got home!), we rode the train, saw Santa (Dylan was so excited until one of the kids in front of us screamed while his mom forced him to sit for a photo - then he was terrified), we watched part of the Grinch on a big screen, and looked at the lights.

The photos barely give a glimpse into the fun. This is a definitely family tradition for years to come.

Supplies: Pressplate No 27 by Paislee Press; Christmas Magic kit by Karen Funk; Everyday Life by Karla Dudley; Century Gothic font.

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Friday Freebie: Santa Photo

Each year we've managed to join our playgroup for a photo with Santa. This year we had 4 of the 6 moms & kids and, once again, the boys didn't want to be "alone" with the man in red. Forget how excited they were moments before. ;)

Although Dylan looks less than pleased in the photo, it's a favorite of his. Every time he sees the photo, he grins and exclaims "Santa!" Then names all of his friends. Maybe next year the boys will brave the photo without their moms? Maybe.

Supplies: Santa Photo template; Merry Little Christmas mini kit and paper set 3 by Erica Coombs; Messy Cursive - Holiday word art by Robyn Meierotto; The Basics - Patterned Brads by Sande Krieger; Century Gothic font.

Now the fun part ... I'm sharing the template I created for this layout with my readers! It contains 10 layers. The large photo mask on left is sized to fit 5x7 Santa photos. Use the 3 smaller masks for photos or papers. The template free for personal use only.

Click here to download the Santa Photo template 

Hope your holiday season is off to as fun of a start as ours is. Enjoy!

Have you missed one of my previous digital freebies? Click HERE to find them. And, don't forget to subscribe to my feeds so you won't miss future freebies!

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There's An Elf in our House

On Saturday a special package arrived for Dylan.

Inside he found Christopher Pop-In-Kins! Dylan pulled him out before we realized that we aren't supposed to touch him (oops!) but we figured it must be okay this one time since Christopher needed to come out of the box. I set him up on the mantel where he could keep an eye on us and be safe from accidental touching. We don't want him to lose his magic!

Then we cuddled up on the couch to read the book and learn about our new elf. Dylan has been quite intrigued by him. We've never had an elf visit before. I assured him that it is ok to talk to Christopher, but that Christopher won't talk to anyone except Santa. Dylan has spoken to him several times. He's welcomed him, said good morning to him. And, there have been a few apologies for slightly naughty behavior.

We're curious to see each morning where our new friend is hiding. Yesterday we had to really hunt and finally discovered him high on a bookshelf in the playroom decorating Dylan's little tree. This morning he was a little easier to spot (although it still took Dylan a few minutes of checking other rooms) and even brought us a treat - snowman donuts!

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