Hot Cocoa Swap and the end of another week.

I think the timing of this will be perfect. We can all use a pick me up after the flurry of holidays. The Hot Cocoa Swap sign ups start December 16th. Check it out. Leave a comment there that I sent you, and I get an extra entry in their contest (Dec 1-15). Sign up on the 16th, and it could be me sending yummies to your home.

And to add some sunshine to the day (it's raining here)... A sunflower from my friend's yard. I took this last week when we were playing in their backyard.

I guess I don't get this because it's not often like this. But in other places where it's really winter...do you have to leave the lights on all day just so you don't feel like you're in the dark? I feel like every light in the house is on...and that just makes me think of an old country song. Do you know which one I'm talking about. It always makes me laugh. M and I have an inside joke with this song, because a neighbor got carried away with those solar yard lights...and now their "front walk looks like runway lights" =0).

It's funny how I know the words to that song...even though it's been years since I listened to Country all day long. Just after I got married, I was convicted about what I was putting into my head. Since then, it's pretty much been all CCM when I get to choose, and I'm even more careful about the kids. I can still sing "Don't give up...don't give in...don't step aside...don't run and hide, You've got to just hold on...and Keep your eyes on HIM." And that was from a musical when I was in probably in 3rd grade. My current kid favorites are Steve Green and Hermie and Wormie. I love that when these songs are in their heads...they're memorizing scripture. We also really love this CD from CEF. I don't think that it's ironic that I have a better day when my disc changer is loaded with these CD's. I think I need to order more for stockings.

Knitwise: I knit away on my fingerless garter mitts last night. I have less than 10 rows on the 2nd mitt and I'm starting to worry that I may run out of yarn. This can not begin to be a trend for me. I just can't live with one skein projects taking me too much yarn. And these mitts are in KPPPM. There's no way I'm getting more of the same yarn. I don't even know if I still have the ball band.

On Morestripes, I've finished the front and back!!! =0) Now I have to sew and cut the steek. I'm excited more than scared, but I need another adult in the house if I'm going to pull out the sewing machine. Then all I have to do is sew up the sides and put on the ribbing at the neck and arm bands. I hope to be wearing this soon.

I bought this pattern. And I think I already have yarn that will work. I hope to start this just after Christmas...and then I'll have a white sweater for spring. When I'm always looking for a little something to wear with a sundress or just over a tee.

Nativity

Tammy asked this question, "What are your favorite ways to get ready for the holidays?" on her blog this morning. It was such a good question...I decided to post here.

On a radio program (probably Focus on the Family) the year we got married, I heard about a family who collected nativity sets. Then on Christmas Eve, the Mom and Dad hid all the baby Jesus figures. When the family returned from the Christmas Eve service, the kids had to hunt for them, and replace the correct baby Jesus before any gifts could be opened. They were talking about how their kids were in college and still insisted on the hunt when they were home for Christmas. I decided right then that I wanted to collect nativity sets. But, only one per year.

This year I set up a wood nativity in 2's room. And the boys have our playmobil set in their room. The little people set is by the fireplace. And my big glass set that was a gift is still waiting. We also have a nativity calendar with soft people to velcro up, and a Veggie Tales set (I love the pea in the wagon), and a hand carved wooden set that came with paints to "paint your own" but I've left it as is. This year, I've ordered this set.

I really want to add photos to this for my family memories...but for now...I'm a bit behind.

I'd love to know..."What are YOUR favorite ways to get ready for the holidays?"

Come on down...

You're the next contestant on the Price is Right...Sorry...feeling a bit silly today =0) I closed the contest and drew names (can't do anything in my house if we don't do 3). I just haven't had time to post. Send me an email with your addresses (my email is on the profile page)....

And the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

I love those little fingers. Each kid drew a different winner in the contest. But in my book...we're all winners every time we focus on THANKFULNESS! Now I'm off to decorate for Christmas. I can't wait to start the Christmas music...but I always wait until the day after Thanksgiving.

Colors

I was taking photos in the yard on Tuesday to make color books with the kids. There is a color page to go with each of the colors, and I had stickers too. We've been talking about mixing colors. We'll print these photos for their books. We took picture of --

Red..

Yellow...

Blue...
Orange...

Green...

Purple...Brown...

Black...
and it wasn't on the list but...PINK...


This is the same rose. The 2nd photo I took on Tuesday. The first one is from last weekend. I love how roses open up. Nancy's brother gave her a November Rose. If no one's given you a rose lately...consider this one from me to you. Hugs-XOXO

THANKFUL!

Yes, it's my crazy life. But, I'm THANKFUL that I can be a mom to 6, 4, & 2!

Monday, when I was calling Dr's to find someone who would see us before the holiday, Nana came and took 2 for a special trip. They were heading to Great Gramp's so that he wouldn't be alone for Thanksgiving. They'll spend the day with my Gram's sister and her family. 2 will be the princess...she'll be the only little one. All of my mom's cousin's kids are in college.

Tuesday we visited the orthopedist (a different one) for a cast. When M had 4 at the ER, only the radial bone was broken. About 2 hours before the cast appointment, 4 & 6 had a fight over a soccer ball in the backyard. When they re x-rayed 4's wrist. Both bones were broken. M & I think he broke the 2nd bone in the backyard...but we'll have to pick up the x-rays from the hospital to prove it. I'm having a difficult time convincing this one that he can't do handstands coming off his bed with a broken wrist. And yesterday...he showed us that he can still ride his razor with a cast. OY! It's going to be a long 4 weeks until our re-check.

We had an amazing day yesterday at our Co-op Thanksgiving Party. We had a pot-luck last year and enjoyed it so much we did it again. I will say that our party was better than the real Thanksgiving for me. And it might be this year too. The highlight of the afternoon is the leaf pile. C (our host) decided to collect her leaves (and the neighbors too) for the week leading up to the party. The kids had so much fun jumping in and throwing the leaves.

She sent each of the kids home with a goodie bag too. Perfect for taking to our family celebrations today. There were dried apricots, pretzels, raisins, stickers, a maze book for the big kids, and a turkey craft. I know...I homeschool with a bunch of over achievers. When I catch up, this will all be on my other blog.

This morning, we had our traditional Holiday French Toast. I'm totally missing 2...but I know how important this gift of time was to Nana and to 2. Nana appreciates the hugs of little ones as she's getting over her loss. 2 loves her Nana lots!!! I'm often reminded this is pay back. I was that close with my Gram. And I want that for 2 as well...so I'll let them have all the special time they want. 2 is so precious...I can't keep her to myself.

This afternoon, we'll head over to M's sister's house. She's cooking the turkey. Which is a good thing...because if I was in charge, we'd be having PB&J's. I just couldn't do the cooking this year. I'd rather color with the kids than eat an elaborate meal.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

(This craft is from last year, but I didn't know about blogging my photos then. And I'm not totally crazy. We did the hands one day in the back yard...a big piece of paper...paint in a paper plate...kids in their underwear...and they ran in the sprinklers to get clean. The feet a different day...one kid at a time...and I just traced 1's foot...no paint for her. Then we assembled these another day. I think the craft took 2 weeks. Just so no one thinks this earns me a Supermom award.)