Saying Good-Bye to Christmas and Hello to 2012

Did you see that? I think it was Christmas that just blew by us! Truly, it's a bit of a blur. It always is though. Each year, I am amazed by how quickly it passes, but I think life in general is like that.

I had the week leading up to Christmas off from work and needless to say, there was not enough time to do everything I wanted to do. I had an idea in my head of a perfectly balanced vacation; just the right amount of sleeping in, playing, singing, dancing, kissing, baking and visiting with friends and family, coupled with some "me" time and of course, some cleaning and organizing too. The cleaning and organizing didn't happen, but at least the important {fun} stuff was accomplished :)

My vision included some art projects, three specifically, but only one really came to fruition. We made salt dough ornaments. We simply painted them with glitter paint, but you can get fancy and stamp them before you bake them to give them a pattern and texture. You can even glue beads and buttons on them. The possibilities are endless. We passed them out as gifts from Matty:

I didn't have time to decorate my own, but I plan on doing this project again in the coming year, because they really can be made for any occassion. I think hearts for Valentine's Day will be next.

The other two projects were for me. Pretty little bits that I fell in love with on Pinterest. This yarn wreath...

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...and snow globes...

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{except mine were going to have deer like the ones here by Ashley of Under the Sycamore.}

Well my yarn wreath ended up barely touched, but it amused Matty:

And because I waited until the week before Christmas, Hobby Lobby was all out of deer and chopped snow, so the trees I purchased for my snow globes ended up on the Island of Sodor:

Oh well. Now I have plenty of time to get them done for next year!

My favorite part of my time off was sleeping in with Matty. We camped out in the living room one night...hubby took this picture early in the morning before he left for work:

Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve. After family left, we set out cookies, candy and milk for Santa and cheerios and carrots for the reindeer. On Christmas morning, Matty woke around 630. He still isn't at the point where he woke up and realized that "Santa" had visited. Of course I don't want him to grow any faster, but I am excited for the day when he wakes up and runs into our room full of excitement, wanting to go downstairs and see what Santa brought. This year though, we had to remind him that we should go see if Santa ate his treats...he's not really a morning person...

The wonder sets in.

He decided that he should eat what Santa didn't finish.

Next up: presents. It can be summed up in one word..."woah." That was Matty's reponse to almost every package he opened. His facial expressions, his every ooh and ah, were my favorite part of the day. There is nothing like Christmas through the eyes of your child...

Now it's all over and I am dreading the process of putting the decorations away. Mostly because I despise pulling the totes out of the garage, but also because I love the way the house feels so magical at Christmas. On the otherhand, I am looking forward to organizing and brainstorming some fresh new house decor diy projects for the spring.  This one has already caught my eye:

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Today is New Year's Eve! Can you believe it? I think 2012 is going to be awesome. I have a lot of personal goals, but I really need to write them down and organize them on paper because my mind tends to be a bit of a mess. I will easily end up overwhelmed with no motivation to complete any of them if I don't narrow them down and focus.

How do you plan on ringing in the new year? This afternoon, we are attending a family oriented nye party at a local arts campus and then probably grabbing take out and watching movies. Whatever you do, be happy and safe. Happy 2012!

Wordless Wednesday

Yesterday we prepared the dough, rolled it out and cut out our shapes. Today we decorate our salt dough ornaments :)

Wordless Wednesday

Twinkly lights are one of my favorite things about this time of year. We took a walk around our neighborhood earlier this week to admire the pretty scenery. Matty was thrilled and in awe. 

It's beginning to look a lot like....

Thanksgiving is over! I cannot believe it. It saddened me to take down my autumn decor this afternoon, but I am getting excited about replacing it with pretty Christmas items. {Although I am already making mental notes on what I want to do next Thanksgiving, e.g. a thankful tree, which you can see here, here and here.} There are so many things I am thankful for this year, one of them being that I have a vacation day tomorrow and plan on spending much needed cuddle time in pjs with my handsome toddler!

Although I hate saying adieu to all things fall, I look forward to welcoming Christmas.

Here are some pretty Christmas images I found on Pinterest for inspiration:

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What is inspiring you this holiday season? Have any toddler friendly Christmas craft project ideas? Please share!

Wordless Wednesday

Peeling carrots before 5 a.m. at my two-year-old's request. This is a first.

Come Back Here

Matty likes to run. And he likes us to chase after him. He also saves us time by yelling "come back here" as he takes off running. Too cute. I know one day that I will reflect on this and hear my little two-year-old mocking me and part of my heart will be calling "come back here" to those moments that passed way too quickly.

I love the sentiment expressed in Ashley Campbell's diy here. I definitely want to make it and hang it in our home as a reminder that "this too shall pass." As comforting as that statement can be in troublesome times, it is equally as important in regard to embracing all of the positive in your life. After all, that's what gets us through the tough times.

Today we "gained an hour." Nonetheless, I still have an unfinished to do list. Life can be overwhelming and busy, but I don't want to miss the moments that matter most. I want to be present. Easier said than done. It's hard to not feel guilty about not checking off as many items as possible on your to do list, but playing, kissing, hugging and loving should be at the top of that list! I constantly have to remind myself of this so that I don't just "go through the motions" of spending time with my guys. I want to devote quality time to them, shut off my mind and just. simply. be.

Wordless Wednesday

My Wordless Wednesday posts aren't normally very wordless and tonight's is no exception.  I think tonight's will be even wordier than usual. I'm just not good at posting a photo with no explanation, guess that's why I love writing!

Tonight, I'm posting a series of photos that I've named "Accidents Happen." For those of you familiar with Thomas the Tank Engine, I'm sure you know the tune. Perhaps you hate the tune. I'm quickly starting to.

Haha, actually I love our little routine that has recently developed as a result of the song. Matty makes me sing it while he gives each of his trains a chance to crash off of the bridge...

Unfortunately, we recently had a real life accident situation.  Hubby was in an accident during that crazy October snowstorm this past Saturday.  He was fine, thankfully!  And the funny thing is that he just admitted to me tonight that as his truck was towed away, in his head he was singing none other than... "accidents happen now and again, just when you least expect...if you don't concentrate on the thing that you're doing, accidents will happen just like that!" Gotta love that cheeky train and all of his pals. They sure now how to embed themselves in our brains {and our hearts too}!

Music Monday

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Last night at bedtime, Matty started singing along to "you are my sunshine" with me...we sang it over and over and it was just one of those emotional firsts that I will never forget. His cute little "...how much I lub you" got me all choked up <3

so tonight I give you one of my favorite versions of a sweet little tune that I can remember my own mother singing to me....

31

I'm one week into my 31st year and it's been a good one!

Although I had to work on my birthday, everyone made my day special.

I had lunch at one of my new favorite places, Blondies, complete with candle lighting and happy birthday singing.

When I returned to the office, I found flowers waiting for me from Matty; what a nice surprise!

I also received the prettiest vintage birthday card and handmade vintage flowers from my coworker and dear friend, Mary.

I ended the day with a family dinner and cake.

And they gave me a Cricut! I'm giddy thinking about all of the lovely projects I can now create!

During my 30th year, I learned that life with a two-year-old is challenging, yet absolutely the most rewarding experience. I am excited to continue walking this path with Matty and discovering who he is, as well as who I am, though I could do without the temper and the tantrums...and yes, I do mean from both of us. Mama can be just as ornery at times!

This Is Mine

We have been away visiting friends and family for the past ten days or so, but I am trying to get back into my "normal" groove, whatever that is. While away, I spent a lot of time hanging with Matty, and my three-year-old, neice, Vivi. I heard a lot of "this is mine," staking claim not just to toys, but to things like doors, stairs and even me! 

Well to all you admirers out there, I just want to say, this is MINE :)

One of my favorite moments that I captured while away. More to come.

Music Monday

"Now the sky could be blue

I don't mind

without you it's a waste of time"

Wordless Wednesday

Life is Peaches and Cream

I spent the day with my mom, sister, niece and of course, Matty! We started off at Strawberry Acres, a nearby farm, to pick peaches and ended at a newly discovered local gem, Blondies, where we had the perfect combo: hot dogs and cupcakes...who knew?! In between, we stopped at Toys R Us, Matty's first ever trip there. I need to take him more often. Or never again. Not sure which yet, but he certainly made his terrible two status be known.

Here are some pictures of happier times in the peach orchard :)