inpirational artwork

I have been really interested in inpirational artwork lately.  It probably is because I haven't felt like myself lately (getting better).  I decided that the things in my home should provoke positive thoughts and feelings.    Yes, I have been purging.  Here are a couple of prints I did from the comfort of my own home over the last couple of days.  The first one is a quote by Dr. Suess and it will hang in my daughters bedroom.  The second is a quote that I came across (not sure where) but created this one as close as I could remember.  This one hangs in the kitchen above my fireplace and I look at it everytime I walk by it.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

The big day has come and gone and it did not disappoint.  This is the first Christmas that Juliana may remember and she really had no idea what to expect.  We talked about Christmas, left cookies out and even left some food out for the reindeer.  The big morning finally arrived.  When J woke up, I was in the kitchen already.  It was still dark in the living room.  She came to the kitchen and saw her mailbox and in the most excited voice said "did Santa come?".  Before I could answer, she opened the mailbox where she found a new toothbrush, toothpaste and 2 hot wheel cars (I remembered these things as I layed down at 1am).  She thought these were her gifts and was so excited by the loot and I had to chuckle.  I asked her to go to my bedroom and I would call her out.  I needed to grab the camera.  With the camera in hand, I called for her to come in the living room.  She was so excited when she saw the puppy and the jewelry box (music box as she likes to call it) that Santa had left for her.  We then proceeded to open the gifts.  My little girl did not need any help this year - she unwrapped like a pro.  About halfway we decided to have a little fun with the paper.

When we were done unwrapping and most of the mess was cleaned up, Derek proceeded to start breakfast and Juliana needed a little quiet time to take it all in.  She layed on the floor and watched cartoons for about 45 minutes.  Grandma and grandpa joined us for breakfast and Cara and Chris also came for a visit.  It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful day.  Of course we were all spoiled.


                                                                     May there be

Do you see what I see and a ginger house...kind of.

We have a cat.  Our cat loves when we put up the Christmas tree.  He loves to make his way to the back of the tree and watch the action happen around him.  One night this week I heard my daughter say from the living room "mommy, do you see me?".  I went in the living room but didn't see her.  She asked again and I heard movement.   When I spotted her, this is where she was hiding along with our cat.  If you look closely and you will see her.

We have been decorating gingerbread houses ever since Jujube came along.  This year we had one of her little friends join us.  I borrowed this idea from one of my favourite blogs and gave it a try.  It worked perfectly.  I bought some graham crackers, icing. food colouring and candies from the dollar store.  I glued (using my glue gun) the crackers together and let the kids decorate them.  They were the perfect size and they had lots of fun.  I will be doing these again next year

First weekend in December.

December is certainly proving to be a busy time.  There are lots of fun activities going on.  I think we have done all the "planned" stuff and are now just focusing on getting ready for the big day.  We put up our tree and decorated it last night.  This morning I woke up to little feet running towards the bedroom and a little voice that said "mommy, come see the tree".  Oh...that can't be good.  The tree was down and there was water everywhere.  The tree has now been stood up (correctly this time...HA) and the area rug is drying with the aid of a shop vac and hair blower.  'Tis the season!

I have come to the realization that I will not be able to keep up with the December Daily on a daily basis but have been taking pictures and documenting.  My plan is to put it all together during the Christmas break when things have settled a little bit.  I decided on day 3 that I did not like the layout I had chosen and decided to create my own template similar to Ali's.  I have the 25 pages printed and have even created some custom transparencies using photoshop and my printer.  I am loving it.  I am the type of person that if I can't give 100% to the project then it is best to put it aside and come back to it.  I am looking forward to getting it all together. 

Most of the following pictures will be in my December daily but thought I would share what we have been up to the first week in December.

December 1st the mailbox made it's way out.  Juliana has been loving all the little surprises she has received and is just as excited as the first time anytime she finds a little treat.  Sometimes it's a chocolate, slippers, pens...just little surprises.

 
We received enough snow at the end of November to create a snowman.  PS - He is larger than he appears.  Within 5 days he was completly melted as we had lots of rain and some very mild weather.  November. 

My SIL hosted a pizza and Christmas movie night which was lots of fun.  We ate till we could eat no more then we watched a Christmas Carol.  What a great looking crew, eh? Hee hee!

Our local school hosted a bazaar.  We attended and had lots of fun.  J won a cake (Derek actually won...shhh!) playing musical chairs.  Of course she chose the smallest cake with the most sprinkles.
 

We checked out the chinese auction.  Lots of prizes to be won and we received one.

After the bazaar, we went to see Santa at the mall.  Juliana was so tickled when she saw him.

Sitting on the big guy's lap and telling him what she wants for Christmas.

Well that is our first weekend in review.  I need a nap now. HA!

A little of this and that.

Wow...it is so difficult to believe that it is December 1st.  I remember saying on November 1st that November is a month that flies by but I don't think I saw it.  Something happens to me when October rolls around.  I think I have so many things/ideas running through my mind as the Holiday season starts approaching.  I am sure many other people feel this way too.  Anyways, I am sure a "to do" list will help identify what my priorities need to be.

Today also marks the beginning of the December Daily album which was first introduced by Ali Edwards.  If you haven't seen this yet, it is not to late to join in.  It's all about documenting 25 days in December.  It's a great project which I am sure I will treasure for many, many years to come.

I thought I would share a few photos of the last few weeks since it seems like forever since I last posted.

The other night, Juliana prepared and served me a cake.  The cake is made of playdough and the toothpicks represent the candles.  It was so cute but I think she placed way too many "candles".  I can't be that old, can I?  She is really excited for her birthday this year and asked me on the way home tonight if she could invite her friend Audrée from school.  I told her we would see.  She said "you have to ask her mommy?".  She is growing up at record speeds.  I want her to stay 3 forever. *sigh*

I have been on purge lately.  The older I get the less "stuff" I want around and I want the stuff that is around to be meaningful.  I decided I would clean out our videos.  There were videos on shelves, in a wicker basket and in an ottoman.  Before Juliana came along, I would buy videos here and there.  Mostly older stuff that remind me of special times spent with special people.  The video cases take up lots of space and the videos are never in the cases they are supposed to be.  I purchased a DVD album and emptied the video cases.  We now have two DVD albums - one for our stuff and one for Miss J.  The attached picture does not show all the cases but it gives an idea of the amount of space something like this can take.  The black book beside it is where they are all located now.

I decided a while back that I would try my hand at crochetting.  Everyone seems to be doing it and I really want in on the fun.  I have been praticing lots and thanks to my friends and you tube, I was able to complete a little project.  This is just something I did for fun but I am proud that I was able to do it.  Oh, in case you are wondering, it's a wristband...hee hee!  If you want to place an order, let me know...HA HA!

On Saturday while we were out shopping, an elf ( AKA my SIL) had a package delivered to us.  It was waiting for us upon our return.  How exciting...until we saw the "no peeking" til December 1 sticker on it. hee hee!  Believe it or not, we did not peek.  I bet you are wondering what was in the package.   She made 4 pillowcases out of Christmas fabric.  They are so cute and the perfect way to kick off December.

Every year I dehydrate some oranges and apples for a garland that is placed on the top of our cupboards.  We have cathedral ceilings so the cupboards don't go up to the ceiling.  This year I wasn't feeling up to it so D decided he would do them for me.  Everyone has creativity within them.  Check out the snowflakes he made.  He sliced the apples then used a cookie cutter to make the shapes.  I think they are super cute and I am super impressed that he came up with the idea himself.

I bring J to daycare in the mornings and Derek picks her up.  This is the way it has been since I returned to work from Maternity leave.  If you have children (or a child), I am sure you remember all the stages that little ones go through - refusing to get dressed, eat, brush their teeth and their hair to name a few.  We are at an awesome stage.  This is what I have been experiencing pretty much every morning for the last month.  I think it's important to note that every night we put them away and every morning she pulls them all out and makes beds for all of them before we leave for daycare/work.  When she gets home in the evening, she tends to them right away.  It just melts my heart.  She is so good with them.

This is her doll Molly.  It's one of the first dolls she ever named. Here she is giving Molly  a snuggle and telling her she will see her after school.



 

A little sunshine created by my girl to end this post.  I will be keeping this drawing for sure.  Happy December 1st!