Advent Wreath

Okay, it's a little late in the game since advent started on November 30, I know. But...we've been doing readings for each Sunday in advent and I have been puzzling over what to do about a wreath. Then I found this little book at our library and LOVE it: Christmas Crafts for Everyone.
The first copyright date is 1932 and it focuses more on the advent aspect of Christmas, the waiting for Jesus' birth, than it does on the commercial part. The author went to Europe and researched the many traditional crafts revolving around advent. From sewing to paper crafts to baking, it's wonderful. Especially if you're looking for something more traditional.

So, in the book I found a recipe for a danish baked advent wreath. And I tried it. And it was so fun! Mind you, this is my very first attempt at this type of thing.

The wreath before baking. I plan to do several things differently next year, among them using a larger baking sheet, but this sufficed. And, I forgot to take pictures of the step-by-step, oh well.


The finished wreath...hmm, a bit lopsided! I will also try to obtain a larger platter. Oh well again! I'm thrilled with how it turned out anyway.

I seriously doubted my ability to take a bunch of evergreen branches and somehow maneuver them into a functional wreath; following a recipe seemed more doable considering my seriously limited abilities as a "craft-type" person.

It's About Time

I guess I ought to start moving that Halloween post a little further down the page since Christmas is nearly upon us. I'm sure my loyal readers (is it three now?) have missed me. Incidentally, there's a crumb or something underneath the space bar on my laptop, making this a challenging post indeed.

The only reason I'm finding time to write is because I forgot to take my night-time Thera Flu at a decent hour. And since my body is a little bit wired from the day-time Thera Flu it was tough to fall asleep. So I'm waiting for my night-time dose to kick in!

I would here like to give a little "TheraFlu" plug. Have you heard of it? Have you taken it? The night one tastes better than the day one, but it's an amazing invention. My throat felt like sandpaper, my head pounded, my nose ran, and then - nothing! I keep thinking I'm totally better until I forget to drink it and the symptoms begin to return. Anyway, if you must be sick, be sick with TheraFlu. It'll get you through. (did I just write a jingle?)

Holidays are upon us and I'm still going to class twice a week with church stuff two other nights a week and homeschooling during the day and trying to maintain a home...I confess, just the laundry is getting done, and only minimally - so don't drop in for a visit. Basketball practice starts next week (I'm so excited, the boys haven't played sports yet!) So that's what's up and how did we get so busy?

I will make an effort to write more, but I can't make promises. I do have some post ideas though...

Halloween '09

We had fun, that's for sure. Alice in Wonderland (aka: my niece, Aubrey) came over to trick or treat with our two knights and lion. Aren't they all so cute? The boys always love it when they get to see Aubrey, so this was an extra fun night.

The kids made off with a lot of loot, and we all had fun watching Daniel try to understand the concept of getting candy at each house and not eating it. Okay, when you're a baby you get to eat a lot of it.

Once home, Charlie and I might have confiscated Daniel's - but he's still enjoying quite a few treats.

Special thanks to my dad for making the knight's helmets. Super cool!!!

What Did They Hear?

I often wonder. I say many things, but what do my guys hear? For instance, this morning we needed to strip the beds - a task they've done many times. Not unfamiliar. I made sure they were looking at me and gave them their instructions:

"You need to take your sheets off your beds."
"Yes, Mom."
"You need to bring the sheets to the garage."
"Yes, Mom."
"You need to put the sheets in front of the washing machine, NOT in front of the garage door."
"Yes, Mom."

Great! Mission accomplished. After some further directing as to Which went out and Which stayed, we were on a roll.

Some time later I went into the garage to change loads and what did I trip over walking out the door? That's right. The sheets. ALL of them.

New Skills

An admiring brother looks on as his big brother rides faultlessly around the block (on his bike, withOUT training wheels):

"Wow! Charles sure is a good ride-biker!"

He is, Thomas. He really is.

Keep the little one happy

As a last resort on our drive home from the Central Coast to see Charlie's family, Daniel was the recipient of a chocolate lollipop. His hair also received some of the candy, along with his entire face, and his hands up to his elbows, and the list goes on. Note the madness of his hair: that's matted lollipop. When I handed him a wipey to see what he would do, he dutifully wiped his knee. So effective!

Of course, a picture doesn't do it justice, but there is a lot of stickiness on that little body - trust me!

Don't Be This Guy

When a sweet (perhaps the sweetest) almost-six-year-old rides past you in a wobbly fashion and proudly says, "I can ride my bike now!" don't be the guy who says:
"Wow. How old are you?" "Five and a half, almost six!" "My daughter learned how right when she turned five. I just took off the training wheels and off she went!"

My son, completely absorbed in his new-found bike riding joy, didn't hear our neighbors comment. But his mother did. She said, "that's great. They learn so fast." She wanted to say, "why don't you just knock him off his bike and step on him! who cares about your daughter right this second? why do you feel compelled to make my FIVE YEAR OLD son feel like he learned to ride a bike late?" (she might even end that tirade by sticking out her tongue).

What kind of person wants to make a little child feel like less than he is?

While we're at it, don't be these people either:

The complete stranger who walks past on a neighborhood walk. The boys all wave cheerily at her. She seems cheery herself: "Hi boys! Did your mother put your sunscreen on this morning?" What? What happened to, "what a great day for a walk!"? are you the sunscreen police or something?

or the complete stranger at church who comes up to admire your newborn - or so you think. She actually accosts you with: "where's his hat? what were you thinking? it's freezing out here. he'll catch his death!"

These are all comments that I receive freely from certain people. But it's not the general public's concern as to whether my children have sunscreen or hats on OR NOT. The general public should just admire my children and move on.