Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone had as wonderful a Christmas as I did. I was really excited about this Christmas because let me tell you - Santa Did Well. Ethan got tons of Star Wars guys, and Katie Belle got a giant doll house. And while I'd love to give you some details, I don't want to put out any spoilers on the interwebs. But all I will say, is that Santa does not pay full price.

Or even half price.

Really, Santa sometimes only pays pennies on the dollar of what I would have to pay. So the kids scored big time this year.

Homemade Gifts, 2010

Welcome to Homemade Christmas, 2010! This is my third year to trade homemade gifts, and I love it for a number of reasons. Before I get to the gifts that I made, I'll tell you what we received. From other family, we received a car-cleaning-kit, homemade jams & honey syrup, chocolate rugelach, and a some framed photographs. For 2 years, I have been meaning to make vanilla, but it requires a bit of curing (recipes range from 2-6 months), so i never get started early enough. I was originally inspired by this beautiful post (from Design Mom, complete with instructions). And then by this gorgeous presentation. Mine weren't quite as glamorous, but still, I was pleased with the results.
I also made some Blueberry Jam (made with blueberries picked from a little Amish boy we met this summer). And I threw in a few chocolate chip cookies, because it was looking a little sparse. Then, I made these fabric buckets based on this tutorial. You might remember this one I made a while back. Pretty much all of this was done before October, so it was not a mad dash to finish with 3 little ones on top of a cold, busy Christmas season. What fun! I'm already looking forward to next year's projects (If we do this again next year).

Tutus and Cowboy Boots.

KB picked out this outfit all by herself. She put on a tutu and boots and just danced around the kitchen forever. Being a kid is so much fun.

School Program

Christmas has been loads of fun this year! Not that I haven't enjoyed previous Christmases, it's just that finally E & KB can get excited together, and there's something so Christmasy about that. They were in the school program together. Both mostly stood there (we're not a family of performers), but they were really cute when they stood there. Ethan was "disappointed" that the sticks he got were blue, not red. KB calls per pigtails "curlies." I don't know where she got that, but it's so stinkin' cute.Katie Belle cried when Santa appeared & Miss Julie held her tight to keep her from the big scary man. He did give her "candy corns" though (candy canes). So maybe he has redeemed himself.

2 Months

Picture taking is not easy with my first 2 children. So it comes as a surprise that every time I put the baby on the floor to take a few pictures, the kids are lining up to get their picture taken! It usually starts out something like this:Happy baby laying on the floor. Then, Katie Belle wants in on the action. So she snuggles up next to her. Then Ethan is next in line. They are vying to be in the middle of the photographs, so we move around so everyone gets a chance to get in every position possible in the pictures. And just like that, HEY! THEY ARE ALL SMILING! It's a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!
Next, I ask them to move back and whatever they do, "DO NOT TOUCH THE BABY." Whatever. I give up. Looks like she likes it anyway.

Test Run: Yoda Oreos

I can't believe we're approaching Ethan's 5th Birthday! The years pass so quickly. It is unbelievable to me that he's turning five. That means he's halfway to 10. And that means he's halfway to 20. AAAHHH! Ok. Moving on...This year, guess what theme he picked? I'll give you a clue. This week we tested out a recipe for Yoda Green Tea Oreos. Instead of food coloring, it calls for Matcha, a green tea powder. I called around & finally found it at Teavana. I sent my husband for it, and it cost a whopping $40. Yikes! If I had known, I wouldn't have bought it. (I only needed one tablespoon!) But we did, so we'll be drinking lots of ceremonial green tea in the near future. Any of you ever used Matcha? Have any good recipes that use it?
And now, a retrospective glance at past birthdays! I started the blog shortly after E's 1st birthday, so it's fun to take a look back.
Ethan Turns One
Ethan Turns Two
Ethan Turns Three (The Blowout): Part 1 and Part 2
Ethan Turns Four

Snow!

How unexpected! Yesterday it snowed all day. Although we can't build snowmen, it was enough to get outside & play for a bit! We rarely get snow this early in the year, so it was a fun surprise!

Learning to Give

We have a lot of toys. Yes, E plays with almost all of them still, but the stash is only getting larger. So as we approach Christmas & his birthday, we decided to get rid of some. I wanted E to play a role in choosing some to give away. So last week, when his room was looking especially crazy, I decided that we would get started.After several hours (full of complaining about getting rid of his toys), this is what he comes up with:
A small pile of trash, beat up toys and undesirables. I know it's a process. I'm sure I'm the same way, just about different stuff. I want to give away my crummiest possessions. And even then, I cling too tightly. Funny what you learn from your kids, right?

Breakfast with Santa

This Santa pic isn't the world's greatest picture of the parents, but it's the best we've got of our kids with Santa this year. KB did not want to sit in Santa's lap.
E on the other hand was excited to tell Santa about his pillow pet. Several days later, we talked about writing Santa our letter. E's response? "Why don't you write him? You know I want a pillow pet, and besides...I don't know how to write."

Groundbreaking

E & KB go to the same preschool where I went many years ago. They are finally building and moving the school to a new facility! Ethan got to take part in the groundbreaking last week. Look at all those sweet kids with their hardhats on! Ethan was so excited to be one of the first to dig. What an exciting event!

Sisters

So sweet - Sisters!!! I see lots of baby dolls in their future. Hopefully, we'll skip over all arguments about clothes & boys! I love pigtails. I wish they lasted longer than 30 minutes!

Putting Up the Tree!

The best time of year is here! We've had fun putting up the tree. This has been a super-fun Christmas season already, and it's not even December!!! E & KB are giddy with delight, and are begging to open gifts already. (I vividly remember the feeling of waiting to open gifts. It was so hard!) Yes, I have the gifts wrapped & under the tree already. I have been squirreling away gifts all year long. 25 Days to Go!

Hot Honey Lemonade with Ginger

You know what is yummy, and feels great on the throat? This drink from Martha Stewart. You should try it.

1/2 cup ginger simple syrup (see below)
4 TBLS freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp honey
3 cups boiling water
12 whole cloves
4 lemon wedges
12 honey-drop candies (I didn't use this.)

Pour 2 TBLS simple syrup in each of four heatproof glasses or mugs. Add 1 TBLS lemon juice, 1 tsp honey and 3/4 cup boiling water to each. Stir until honey dissolves. Stick 3 cloves into each lemon wedge; drop a wedge and 3 candies into each drink. Serve immediately.

Ginger simple syrup (MAKES 3/4 CUP) : 4 ounces fresh ginger, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup granulated sugar

In a small saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve, discarding ginger. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie

Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? We had a nice, relaxing day with my parents. We rotate Thanksgivings between Lance's folks & mine. When we spend the day at my parents, I try glean as much information about the meal as possible from my mama in anticipation of the day that I will host the feast at my house.

My mom always made turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato, and cranberry sauce (and sometimes tofurkey)! Sometimes a few other things thrown into the mix. My mom cooks a mean Thanksgiving meal. This year I made this recipe for Pumpkin Pie, sweetened with Agave Nectar. It's so good, and not too sweet.

What about you? What do you traditionally eat? Do you travel? What are your traditions?

PUMPKIN PIE w/AGAVE NECTAR (and Whipped Cream)


2 cups pumpkin puree*
(or 15 oz. of canned organic pumpkin); 
1 9-inch pastry crust; 
¾ tsp pumpkin pie spice; 
1 tsp ground cinnamon
; 1 tsp salt
; 1 tbsp melted butter; 
3 eggs; 
¾ cup agave nectar; 
1/3 cup whole milk; 
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream



Real Whipped Cream Topping
; 1 pint heavy whipping cream
; ¼ cup agave nectar
;1 tsp real vanilla



In a large bowl, blend together two cups pumpkin, spice and salt. Beat in melted butter, eggs, agave nectar, milk and cream. Pour filling into pie shell.
2. Bake at 400 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Refrigerate until serving.
3. To make whipping cream, pour one pint of whipping cream into chilled mixing bowl and add agave nectar and vanilla. Beat with chilled beaters until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until serving.

* Pumpkin puree: preheat your oven to 450 F. Then, cut the top of the pumpkin off and remove the seeds and membranes. Cut pumpkin in half and place it face down in a baking dish. Add about a half an inch of water to the pan to keep pumpkin moist. Bake about 45 minutes until fork tender. Scrape the soft pulp from the skin into a food processor or blender. Pulse until pureed.


Christmas Flashback - 2008 & 2009

Approaching Year 3 for Homemade Christmas. I love, love, love that my family supports this idea! It has been so rewarding for a number of reasons. The siblings on both of our family sides exchange handmade gifts. Here is a flashback of past gifts I've given. Homemade Granola Cereal.
Chocolate Chip Granola BarsFriendship Soup Mix, with Cornbread Mix
And Coasters! I can't wait to pull my gifts together for this year!
Gifts that we have received: Candles, Paintings, Christmas Wall Hangings, Candied Nuts, Pancake Mixes, Spiced Tea Mixes, a Draft Dog, eco-friendly home cleaning kit. I'll post my Christmas gift after the holiday!

The Many Smiles of Jewell

She is smiley. For real. This is what greets me every morning after her morning feeding. I have never seen a more smiley baby! The downside? (yes, there is one!) The downside is that it is hard to get anything done when she is smiling like this. Really? How can I leave this face to go fold laundry?

1 Month

The baby is 1 month! I can't believe it. I got these great stickers (12 Months worth) from Sticky Bellies. They would make a great baby gift for someone who is having their second child, once they have all their basics covered. What a cute way to track the months as they pass!They like her. Can you tell?

Miss Smiley!

Jewell is the smiliest baby I've ever seen! She greets us each morning with a huge grin. I can't believe it has been a month. She's such a joy!

Halloween

Have I really not posted pictures yet of Halloween? Here are our Jedi & Cupcake at Trunk or Treat. Cute, Right?
And this is our first family outing! Yes, of course I know honey. Sorry it was the best picture I had.
And here is our wonderful life group, our small group at our church. We love these guys!

Big Happy Family

Still having lots of fun these days!

International Adoption

We have a couple of dear friends who are adopting internationally & I'm excited to follow their stories. Jaime & Murray are adopting from Ethiopia. Rachel & Darren are adopting from China. This Sunday we are remembering Orphan Sunday, so I'm thinking about ways I can support just a few of the 147 million orphans in this world. What about you? Are you adopting? Do you have thoughts on ways we can support some of the world's orphans? Do you have any thoughts on how to support friends who are going through this process?

First Bath

Her cord fell off! So it's finally time for bathtime. The first bath in our house was a major event and everyone wanted to watch! There were lots of arguments about who got the best spot in which to view the event. I think Jewell even enjoyed herself!