Christmas Day

Matching pj's that they were able to open on Christmas Eve. I had told them they could open one gift on Christmas Eve knowing that I would give them pj's. J asked if it could please not be something to build. After opening that gift, Miss K was ready to start on the rest of the gifts under the tree but we told her she had to wait until the morning.J asked why we wrap things in the stocking and I told him next year I might not do that. I know the debate about wrapping or not wrapping stocking gifts.

I was excited about my gift.

I had to check and make sure it worked. It works and I am enjoying coffee.

We finished up and then headed to see grandparents. Notice the smile Miss K gave.

We stopped to see Grandma/Great Grandma depending on who you ask.

Then it was to Grandma's house and visit with cousins.

Yes, there are boys there and there is one boy missing. I have 3 brothers. My father has 1 brother. My grandfather was one of 5 boys. Boys run in the family.

It was a fun day with family.

Delaware Museum of Natural History

Because of Miss K's therapy schedule as well as preschool schedule we don't have free days for field trips or other adventures unless there is an early dismissal. The other week was one of those days and so I decided to take the children to the Delaware Museum of Natural History. They had a dinosaur exhibit. I can't say it was anything super exciting. J would probably disagree as there was a video game of you being the dinosaur. I think he would have played that all day if he was allowed.

We got there and I don't think there was anyone else in the museum. Later a few younger children came. There was a page of things to look for in the museum and J did that. I will include that in our portfolio.

The nature corner was actually the most exciting place. The fun thing there was the children got to pet/touch a ball python. The snake was a bit soft if you can say that about a snake.

It was a fun morning, we enjoyed looking for the various things. I think we will go back again. There are other places that we want to go to on the days that we have free to go explore.

Christmas Photos

After our Christmas tree was up, I decided it was time to attempt some Christmas photos.

Last year after Christmas my mom bought a beautiful dress for Kylie. It needed a sweater or stole to go with it.

It is still a challenge to get a good picture of her. There are lots of attempts of photos that will get deleted.

I then tried to get a picture of both children.

Then I got one of just J.

I want to get some of these enlarged and put in frames. I will say that the thrift stores are the best places to find frames.

 

Christmas Preparations

We are having fun with Christmas preparations.

We made gift tags. Mama did recruit help for this activity.



I don't think these gift tags are going to be displayed in any magazine but the children enjoyed it and we do have gift tags.

We decorated our Christmas tree. It is a real tree. After years of living overseas, we enjoy a real tree and the wonderful smell.

The pickle was hidden in the tree.

We have had Christmas programs -- Miss K's preschool, AWANA, and Church.

We decorated our gingerbread houses. It is a tradition at Grandma's house. We use up all the candy from all the other holidays and have fun.

Miss K really did stick with the decorating and was quite pleased with her house. I will also add that she did consume some of the candy in the process.

We have baked cookies and eaten cookies so time to back some more.

We enjoyed a Christmas walkthrough program with some friends.

We mailed our cards except for a few that I need to mail.

I have been busy sewing. I would post pictures but I do think that some of my family reads my blog. Maybe if they ask, I will give a sneak preview.

I have finished my shopping and still have a few things to wrap.

We have read some of the Jesse Tree readings and enjoyed putting the ornaments on the tree.

We just have 2 links left on our paper chain.

 

Happy Birthday Master J

Last week Master J celebrated his 10th birthday -- double digits.

We opened gifts, did some school, went to Miss K's Christmas program, and had a nice afternoon at home.

Mama surprised him and invited some friends with their 4 boys and 1 girl over for dinner. He didn't have a cake with candles that day but did have candles to blow out when we took cupcakes to Grandpa and Grandma's.

Ten things about him.

1. He has three things that he doesn't like to eat -- shrimp, mushrooms, and black olives. He says there is more but his mother limits him to just three things.

2. He is very warm blooded and doesn't wear a coat most of the winter. Must be the Ukraine blood in him.

3. He is good at fixing things.

4. He does a good job helping in the kitchen.

5. He is improving so much this year in school. He still loves homeschool.

6. He loves to climb trees.

7. It has been wonderful to hear how Bible truths and sticking and how he remembers things.

8. He has removed Maine and Colorado from his list of places where he wants to move to because he says they get too cold.

9. He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

10. He is my son born in my heart and with lots of paperwork.

This is just our 3rd birthday to spend with him. I am sad at times that I have missed parts of his life but love that I can spend time each day with him teaching him, playing, laughing and just enjoying him. This year has been a year of growing for him in many areas. I am thankful that he is ours and look forward to what God is going to do in his life this next year.

Easy Banner

I was tired and bored with all the Christmas gifts that I have been working on for weeks and weeks. I think at times I have project ADD. So the other day I decided to make a banner. I got out the scraps from J's bed quilt. I have already used some scraps for a smaller quilt which is on the stack of things that need to be quilted. So from the scraps I was able to make this banner.

I got the pattern from here. I did this the easy way just one layer of fabric and used pinking shears. It does give a nice addition to his room.

Getting my money's worth out of a pattern

Last year I bought a jumper pattern. I made this jumper for Miss K. I made it big and she is still wearing it.

Then in the spring my mom came for a sewing day and we made these.



My mom got a bit creative on the back.

This was just plain and bright for summer.I had found the main fabric on a remanent bin and thought it was cute. I needed some other fabric to go with it. The top and the small bottom print came from some fabric from a friend at church. I bought just enough of the strip for the bottom.

When my mom came she brought her sewing machine. She got that 46 years ago and has been sewing and creating on that for all these years. I learned to sew on that machine.

I decided to make a jumper for Miss K for Christmas. I had an idea in my head and it just didn't quite work to use the same pattern. I then took a jumper that I had gotten at Goodwill and used it as a pattern but adapted it a bit. I might need to adjust the shoulder straps a bit.



Miss K practiced spinning.

I like this but I am sure I will make a few more out of that other pattern before she outgrows that pattern.

Sweet Siblings

J is reading a book to Miss K. It is one of those times that you know they both do love each other.

Pumpkin Pie

For a fun Thanksgiving treat I decided to make Pumpkin Pie play dough. I found this recipe. Miss K has enjoyed playing with it and it really does have a nice pumpkin pie smell.

• 1 cup flour


• 1/2 cup salt


• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar


• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice


• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon


• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil


• 1 cup water


• Food coloring (6 drops of red and 15 drops of yellow)

1. Combine the dry ingredients in a nonstick saucepan. Add the oil, water, and food coloring and whisk until smooth. Stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, cook the mixture over medium heat until it forms a ball, about 3 to 4 minutes.


2. Turn the dough onto a counter, let it cool slightly, then knead the dough until it has a smooth texture, about 1 minute. The dough will keep up to a week in a ziplock bag.
   
    
   
    

Pretty Flower

I am catching up on a few blog entries. Miss K had a Thanksgiving program at her preschool. Pretty Flower was her Native American name.


For some reason when she see the camera aimed at her direction she thinks that smile means to stick her tongue out and put her hands up. Getting a nice picture of her is a challenge. I am hoping that she outgrows this phase quickly.

I did manage to sneak a picture when she didn't know that looks good. We are thankful for the preschool that has accepted her and given her an opportunity to learn in that environment. Miss K loves her school