12.19.2011

Her Party

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It was such a special party, with such a wonderfully nice group of friends.  I feel so lucky that Grace already has such kind people in her life.

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We decorated cookies, made bird feeders, and of course ate cake and ice cream.

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Later we went outside for a little winter gnome treasure hunt and then a game of "Mr. Fox" (great picture of me).

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(My 6 year old "Fox".)

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Aunt Katie came to help for the day too which was so great.

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When I asked her what her favorite part of the party was she said "all of it".  I guess it can't get any better then that right.

But I think my favorite part of Grace's birthday each year happens when she goes to bed.  Every year on her birthday party night she surprises me with some wise words of gratitude.  When she was three on the night of her birthday she told me she "loved and appreciated me".  This year when I went to lie down with her for a few minutes before she drifted off to sleep she couldn't stop talking about the day and how much fun she had.  When I finally insisted that we'd better stop talking so she can get a good night sleep she ended with, "Mom, you made my day so special. I know I don't always realize how lucky I am to have a mom who does so many nice things for me, but I'm really lucky." 

It's funny how some words can carry so much more weight then others.  Those words will somehow have the ability to carry me through all sorts of things- including a lot of not so good words that I'll surely hear again soon- but also new baby moments, sibling arguments, more birthday parties, and whatever else comes my way. 

I'm really lucky too Grace.  Happy Birthday and I love you.

Getting Ready...

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I had SO much fun decorating for this birthday party of Grace's.  The theme was "Winterwonderland" and we got a lot of inspiration from one of our favorite winter books "The Story of the Snow Children".  While we had zero help from mother nature (still no snow) we managed to make it look pretty wintery inside.  I think I might even leave everything up until Christmas.

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12.09.2011

Evening Sledding With Daddy

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A Little More About the Jams

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Last year I started a new tradition with our Advent Calendar (that is still being finished, slowly but surely) where on one of the days they get a new pair of homemade Christmas pajamas. 

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The gingerbread jams I made last year were flannel, which they loved the softness of so I wanted to do flannel again.  But then I fell in love with this fabric and so decided to try making some reversible ones that I found here (love her) and put flannel on one side. 

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This also allowed me to make them extra long so the cuff folds up, which is pretty cute.  And they should still fit them next year.

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For the shirts I just cut out one of those cute little reindeer and sewed it on.

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They wore them all day today so I guess they were a hit.

Reindeer Jams

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12.07.2011

Granola

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I don't think I've ever posted the recipe for this granola that we are all so in love with.  We honestly probably go through a whole batch in less then a week.

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It is especially Jackson's favorite (seriously he is an addict, can't start his day without it).  It is often what we make on our baking day together (like today).

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The recipe came from the book "Food to Live By" by Myra Gooman but we've changed it up a bit (most people would probably say we've made it more boring, I don't know, I guess I just like simple granola)

4 and 1/2 cups of old fashioned oats
2 cups of slivered almonds
2 tbsp of cinnamon
1 and 1/4 cup of maple syrup
1/3 cup canola oil (or coconut oil)

Mix oats, almonds and cinnamon together.  Add syrup and oil.  Mix well.  Place on baking sheet in over at 325 for 25 minutes.  Stir and put back in over for another 10.  Stir again.  Bake for another 5 or so minutes maybe stirring once more.  Watch closely at the end because it can burn easily.

Christmas Books By The Fire...

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one of my favorite things.

Hmmmm

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Is there any room for me in there Oliver...

12.04.2011

Weekend Highlights

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~ Sending the kids off to Grandma Lee and Papa's house for a whole weekend of Christmas fun (and spoiling- grandparent style).
~ Fabric shopping... all by myself
~ Out to dinner with Ryan at Luna Rossa
~ Followed by snuggling up on the couch and watching a movie
~ Sewing... all weekend
~ Sitting in front of the fire with Ryan working together on our joint Christmas presents for Grace and Jackson. 
~ Being back together again to hear and share the stories of our two days apart