it's beginning to look like Christmas

In addition to the advent calendar we have been decking the halls and getting ready for Christmas around here.   It's soooo much fun with a baby that sort of gets what's happening.

We made a gingerbread house.  Jones sort of got it he kept wanting to take candies off and lick the icing off.  So about 1/2 the candy that went on came back off.  But he is very excited about his house and will point it out to me.

We decided not to get a live tree for fear Jones will knock it over and spill the water on the floor.  He's very into climbing right now so climbing our Christmas tree isn't something we want to add.  I thought we had a 8 ft fake tree in the garage from the days when I put up fake trees - apparently at some point we got rid of it the box was completely empty.  But we found a random prelit 4 foot tree I have never seen before so thanks to the roommate that left this behind.  We put it up together over two days.  Jones ate every bit of it up.  He loved getting the boxes out, helping dad fluff the tree, putting on ornaments, the lights, adding the star.  He is very interested in the tree and has been taking off ornaments and pointing at it and showing it to visitors.  He also loves the giant ball we hang on the fan.

28 - Return Work Equipment

Did this the other day.  I have been meaning to unload this box of 6 yes 6 unused laptops and old software for at least 2 years.  Finally returned and just in time for equipment recycling at the office.  

Crossing rando things off my big list every day!

663/1000

Ahhh November - I didn't do much better at remembering to put on my Fitbit or charge the thing but I did try and do more things and this resulted in more miles when I did have the thing on.  So in Novemeber I added 68 miles to the tally 663 (not including the last two days of November because Fitbit never sent me an email to add those to the tally).  Anyhow last month which is highly doubtful to add 300 miles to, but maybe 100? The weather is supposed to be nice and I have over a week off with Jonesy coming up.

Craft Project 3 - one hour basket

I swear I have done many craft projects this but somehow this is 3???  Anyhow in efforts to stick within our budget for Christmas I need to make some gifts.  I started these as a gift for jones's teachers at school.  I was thinking I could fill it with other handmade items like cookies, Carmel corn, ornaments by jones etc.  

I followed the pattern available for free on Craftsy.  It was a terrible mess!  Took me two hours I had to do seam ripping and I didn't use interfacing so it's floppy.  My next attempt I subbed in leftover batting for interfacing and didn't follow the directions instead I just did what I remembered working.  This second one is much better.  And it took like 45 minutes.  I need to make one more but I am now out of this leftover houndstooth and trying to decide if I cut into my fancy Japanese fabric or use some other duck cloth I have on hand that is a directional print???  Agh decisions.

Family Photos - November

Again in November I forgot about taking family photos but on Thanksgiving I grabbed my sister and gave her my phone.  We took these shots and which they aren't perfect I love it.  I am totally loving this project though and I think I may make yearly books from these and then next year as our family grows we can continue it with the new baby.  

17 Months

Again I was a little late taking these.  I've been picking Jones up from school and there's like 10 minutes of daylight left so it's hard to find a good wall in time.  I went with his school on a field trip so after yesterday's long nap I took him out to find a wall.  It was snowing but stopped before we took the photos.  This wall is in Fountain Square behind the Super Value thrift shop.  Anyhow a few things about month 17.

Dear Jonesy -

This month you weigh 26lbs.  

You discovered candy pretty much and now we are on the struggle bus to not let you see it at the store or anyplace because it makes you crazy.

You also love dipping sauces from soy sauce, to ketchup, to cheese you want to have dipping sauce whenever possible.

Your vocabulary has expanded dramatically I can hardly keep up with my list on the fridge but you are connecting words together and I find I can understand your jibber jabber.

Phrases you say "Bobbie at Home", "beed in the potty", "where's spot", "more wa", "more pehza", "more beans".  

We continue to work on potty training it you are scared to sit on many public toilets.

You often understand things I tell you like "we're going to the store", or "that's trash".  

It's great to be able to communicate with you more.

We started implementing timeouts when you do something you are not supposed to.  Not yet sure how successful this is.

Mommy likes watching you play pretend kitchen with bowls and spoons.

Mommy loves how you nuzzle your head in my neck and rub your hair on me when you are sleepy.

Mommy thinks it's so adorable how when you are in trouble you try to give me a kiss to make it better.  This is NOT good behavior.

Mommy likes playing cars or blocks with you.

Mommy thinks your more magical as your get older.

Daddy likes when you fall asleep on him.  

Daddy throws you up high in the air and you giggle so much.

Daddy loves the little sounds you make learn playing, eating and drinking.

Daddy likes catching you when you jump to him.

We are so excited to see what's next mister.

Lots of love, mommy

50 - Advent Calendar

I actually wanted to make an advent calendar last year but time got away.  But I got it done this year.  We opened the first two already.  Jones first reaction yesterday was "more". And he kept pointing to the calendar pouches which are hung in the living room.  

I made the pouches from felt and buttons.  They aren't sewn perfectly but they will be easy to replace if one goes missing or something.  They are all different sizes.  I hung them with ribbons and twine from my grandma's old stash. And I decided to hang them off of Dustin's old Hebron Walking Stick because let's be real he's not taking it walking in the woods.  I filled them all with little small toys and treats and some have cards in them that say things like "date with just daddy" or "make the gingerbread house" or "go pick out a Christmas tree".

So far they are a hit jones got a painting kit tonight and he is most impressed even not opening the paint part he's been fake painting Dustin's toes and the side of the sofa with the brushes.  

November Recap/December Hello

I set 5 little goals for November.  Sadly I didn't finish them.  But I feel pretty accomplished regardless.  

1. Blog Daily - I blogged 22 times not to shabby.

2. Make advent Calendar - finished I still need a few things to fill it then I will photograph later tonight. 

3. Childless date - done.

4. Random packages

5. Make pop tarts

Since I seemed to have some success with these things I felt like I need some December Goals too:

1. Make those pop tarts

2. Christmas craft with Jones

3. Work on Baby Thea's room

4. Send Christmas cards

5. Christmas activity with girl friends & silly Christmas Buns

6. Doughnut date

7. Add to my 1,000 gifts list.  

I am stopping at 7 although I easily wanted to add another 77!  Lol.

7:12 Sausage and Tortellini Soup

I usually make a chicken tortellini soup but we had sausage not chicken so I found another recipe.  We used this one from epicurious 

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/italian-sausage-and-tortellini-soup-2537 we didn't have zucchini or red wine and used chicken broth.  But we liked the soup maybe more than our usual tortellini soup, but we like spicy chorizo.  Next time we will probably add more broth as well.   

Play date 3 - Central Library

This morning Holly text for a play date.  We've been trying to hook up a date for several weeks.  But today we did it.  It was raining so we went for some free fun at the Central Library Kidzone.  Miriam and Rachael joined Jones, Ewan, holly and I as well.  The boys are literally almost as tall as Miriam and they are for sure heavier.  It's so neat to see them all growing up and interacting.  It's hard to believe that like 4 years ago none of my quilty friends had kids and now we have a pack of them. 

Jones was a little ornery wanting to take everything out and not being so good at sharing.  But he enjoyed himself.  Afterward Holly and I took the boys for Punch Burger where they ate ketchup with a side of tots and slider.