ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

In an effort to be creative, I made some origami cups three years ago for our Advent Calendar. I wanted something that would be big enough to put a couple of treats in as well as a note. I bought packets of christmas paper, and then made each one different with some scrapbooking stuff I had. Of course, I would do it differently now that Pinterest has upped the ante with beautiful Advent Calendars there to view. But the kids love that each one is different, and that they hold something special inside.

Day 2: Choose a favourite Christmas DVD and watch as a family (with a small container of bubbles each).

What child doesn't love bubbles!? 

Delighted, both boys headed outside to blow bubbles. Noah is still learning how to aim his breath the right way, and so took a little practice. But he tried and tried until he literally ran out of bubble mixture!

Madison still has most of his mixture, and felt that riding his bike would be more fun than the art of blowing bubbles (especially seeing he mastered that a few years back!)

The boys both had such a big day on Saturday, they put themselves to bed after lunch. Yes, you read right. They put themselves to bed. It seems miracles do happen sometimes!

That evening, we chose Shrek The Halls, a movie which the lads just love. Plus it's short enough to still have an early night. Win-win.

I just love nights when we can all hang out together. Especially cuddling together under a big blanket! Good times don't get any better than this.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

Like the Advent Calendar that I've just put up on our dining room wall, I wanted to record the 25 days of December, leading right up until the big day.

And as the lads open up their calendar pocket each day, I want to record a bit of what we did as a result of the note that was placed inside that day.

Day 1: Put up the Christmas tree (With a small lolly each as well).

And Christmas tree putting up and decorating, we did!

The boys were so excited to put up the tree, which of course waned a bit when it took so long to get it up! Of course, what they really want to do is decorate the tree, not install it! But we got there eventually. Four hours later (yes, four hours!) it was done. The kids' enthusiasm had petered out by hour three, which was better than I'd expected. And being the control freak I am (okay, only slightly freaky), I was able to even out the lop-sided baubles on the tree in their absence.

When it was all finished, they sighed. I sighed. And we even had a short moment to put on the lights before heading out the door for our next appointment - the school family picnic.

After much fun and frivolty at the picnic, we arrived home exhausted, but not so exhausted we couldn't enjoy a short time in front of the tree with the lights on.

And when our teeth were brushed, our pajamas on, we sat and cuddled in front of our lit tree. We talked about our day - the highs and lows, and gave a prayer of thanks for protection, and so many blessings in our lives.

Then we fell asleep. Yes, in front of the tree. The perfect ending to a wonderful day!

A LITTLE FOOD CLUB 'SUP

It's been a while between Food Club blog posts, but here is just a sample of what we enjoyed a couple of weeks ago. It was a Fancy Finger Food night, complete with chicken mince sliders, mini pikelets, pastries, polenta, stuffed mushrooms, cheese dips and petite fours for dessert (including macaroons, mini cheesecakes and chocolate hazelnut mousse teardrops.)

I'm not going to lie, it was all amazing. We loved it so much, we've decided to do a Christmas themed Finger Food night in a couple of weeks! Just before the big day. I promise to blog about that also, as I know it will be worth sharing!

THERE GOES OUR LIFE.

Forget the daredevil who dove to earth from outerspace to break the sound barrier. I think that life regularly breaks the speed of sound and light, it flies by so quickly without even trying.

So, here we are in November, I'm thinking about the year that's almost been. And how I've spent it.

What have I done exactly?

1. Slept more. I've had a slept debt which I'm still paying off. Which also probably explains my lack of blogging this year.
2. Done the school run. Which takes much longer than I always thought it would. Why didn't someone tell me that my life is going to be a big school run for the next 12-15 years?
3. Bought not much. This buying nothing new has been awesome in so many ways. And a struggle in less. But only a month to go before I can technically purchase new things. Not that I will.
4. Exercised more. I dumped my membership earlier this year (see above point), and replaced my gym with outdoor exercise. The fact is I've been running for the first time in my life, and it's changed my whole body and how I feel about myself. True story.
5. Watched my children grow and grow. It's obviously the same for every parent. Our kids are bigger than they were last year. But Prep really changes children. They go to school in oversized uniforms, and don't want to leave their mum. And in a matter of months, they've outgrown their uniform, are reading billboards, making responsible decisions, and actually helping around the house. Where did my five year old go? And don't get me started about my two year old. I think I might actually cry from his super fast growth spurts and large, comprehensible sentences.
   

Of course, that is just a minute teeny-tiny part of my life this year. And there's so much more. But now I'm wondering how I can recall all of those wonderful memories, when I hardly took photos, and didn't write it all down. And slept so much more.

Isn't that what happens? One day you're planning for someday. And without ever really noticing, someday is today. Which was now yesterday.

There goes our life. Much too fast.

FANCY PANTS [THE WHITE BOLERO]

Here it is. The white bolero jacket I was telling you about that Brotherhood generously sold me for just $2 on their half price day. How can they justify a 50% off day when everything is so cheap already? It blows my mind.

This jacket still had its tags on, so has never been worn. And this is even better, because I'll be able to wear it throughout spring and summer too! I thank that lovely person who decided to send in their unworn jacket to Brotherhood.

It can't be helped, there are so serious happy dances around here, when you find something you have actually been wanting to buy, and then finding it's just a couple of bucks.