Christmas recap

The festivities are over, the tree has been taken down and the decorations have been put away, but the memories remain.  We had such a lovely Christmas!  Family, friends, fun and food--waaaay too much food!

Thomas, Ka-Chow...meet Baby Jesus

Waiting at the top of the stairs

It was the year of Thomas

Hangin' with the cousins

Homemade gifts

This Christmas season has been more about the homemade gift than in years past.  Partly because I started getting ideas (mainly for the Noodle) back in September, but also because I'm finally beginning to feel a bit more confident in my abilities.  I knew that I wanted to get her some more babydoll "accessories" (i.e. baby blankets, burp cloths, clothes, sling) so that was easy.  I had made this scarf for myself and thought that others would like it since you can never have too many scarves!  I also found this incredibly easy tute for a flower pin and after a few trials and errors a few more gifts were made.  This hobo sack was also easy to whip up and I foresee more of them in my future.  Since preschool is pretty militant about treats (allergies, etc.), I thought we'd go the fruit leather/sticker/homemade crayon route.  Note to self:  next time, don't use the good pots.......Finally, the Noodle's birthday crown was fun to make and the best part is that she can wear it over and over again.  So dear readers, was it a handmade holiday for you?

***The Noodle has 2 baby dolls that she plays with and so I made 2 of each thing.  I thought I'd go with coordinating fabrics and since blue is the Noodle's fav color, that was the starting point.

***If you hover over the caption, it will take you to the link, when appropriate.

burp cloth, wipes/wipe holder, changing pad 

 Hooded blankets

 baby doll sling and how to wear/tie a sling

 baby doll soft, lovey blankets

 

These were suppose to be sleepsacks...but I ran short of material...so another set of jammies.

***The Noodle is craaazy wild for minky material

 
baby doll jammies made from 0-3 mo. onesie

 

Big Baby modeling her new jammies.

baby doll dresses--I asked which material the Noodle wanted me to use a few months ago.  She choose the crab and 4th of July print

 

scarf

 Flower pin

(ummmm, hello?  lint brush?!)

 

Hobo Sack

 DIY molded star crayons

Birthday crown

 baby highchair--designed and made by Daddy

Merry Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
                     --Isaiah 9:6

Advent chain--Day 24

"Visit the market and have Christmas tea"

We are fortunate to have a market in our city, which is based off of those in Europe.  Like many large U.S. cities, ours grew thanks to immigrants.  It is always a treat to go down to the Market, wander around and pick up goodies.

Later on in the afternoon, before heading to church, we went over to Lollie and Papa's for Christmas tea.  I love this meal--all kinds of sinfully delicious goodies to consume, like trifle, Christmas cookies, finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, fancy cheeses, scones, tea and best of all--champagne!!  My belly is hurting just thinking about it again!

After tea it was time for church.  It is always such a beautiful service.  I love the carols, the candlelight, the decorations and of course, celebrating the birth of our Lord.

We finally rolled home, got jammies on and read the Nativity story from the book of Luke and of course, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  After setting out the cookies for Santa and the reindeer food we headed up to bed.  It was a perfect Christmas Eve (oh yeah, with the exception of the plugged up, temperamental kitchen sink that J went head-to-head with 2 different times during the day!!).  Sweet dreams!

Advent chain--Day 23

"Make birthday cupcakes for Jesus"

Red velvet cupcakes, green frosting and red sprinkles.  Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Advent chain--Day 22

"Make reindeer food"

Santa always gets cookies and milk, but what about his poor reindeer?  They're doing all the hard work, climbing to the tops of the trees and to the tops of the walls before they dash away--they need a little sustinance!  I've found that this recipe does the trick: 
-1/4 cup dry oats
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-Handful of green or red sugar sprinkles

This little poem will also ensure a visit from the Jolly Ol' Elf and his trusty helpers--Magic Reindeer Food Poem:
Sprinkle on the lawn at night.
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to my home!

Advent chain--Day 21

"Celebrate the Noodle's birthday!"

Today the Noodle turns 4!  However if you ask her, she'll say that she's turning 5 and going to Kindergarten.  I keep telling her "NO WAY!!  Not yet!!!!!!"  She just giggles and looks up at me with those beautiful, almond eyes.  What a goofy-ball!

On Daddy's way home from the gym this morning, he stopped by Dunkin Donuts and picked up some munchkins for her (anyone else see the irony in that?!) for a special birthday breakfast.  She and I spent some time at the library and then snuggling by the tree as we read all her new books.  Then, late in the afternoon, Lollie, Papa, Grandma and Grandpa came over for dinner, cake and presents.

A few weeks ago, I started asking the Noodle what kind of a cake she wanted.  She kept saying a "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo" cake.  Now when asked to clarify further, she was never very specific about whether she wanted a fairy godmother cake, a pumpkin/carriage cake, a Cinderella cake or a princess cake--just Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!!  Ack!  Finally I started dropping hints that perhaps a Thomas cake would be cool.  Jackpot--so easily swayed, thank goodness.  When she saw me looking at Thomas cakes online, she got very excited, until mean 'ol Mama had to burst her bubble, that try as I might, there was NO WAY I was going to be able to recreate a train with cars in the form of a birthday cake.  Ace of Cakes I'm not.  When she woke up this morning and saw what I had created, she was thrilled none-the-less.  Gotta love her!!

After the cake, dinner was easy--Hello?  Chinese take-away?  Rice, noodles, chicken with cashew, beef with broccoli, Kung Pao chicken and Daddy's homemade jiaozi dumplings.  De-lish!!

As far as presents go, there was a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Some homemade gifts, some store bought, some practical and a little nod to the tech-y (thanks Uncle and Aunt C--what a hit!).  I'd say that we have one very happy, content little person...and she is snoozing away, thanks to all the excitement!

4th birthday letter to the Noodle

My dear, sweet, Chinese Noodle,

Today you are 4 years old!  I can't believe how big you are getting.  There are so many wonderful things that we cherish about you:  you love to eat rice and noodles but are wonderfully willing to eat almost anything we have at meals(with the exception of green peppers, acorn squash, string cheese and brussel sprouts); you have a memory like an elephant and you remember some of the craziest details--things I had forgotten a long time ago; you love to read and are quite content to consume books by the stack; each time you go to sleep you want either Daddy or I to sing 2 songs to you--while we're singing, you just gaze up in our eyes and listen; even though you're an independent little person, at times you love to pretend you're our baby again and be rocked in our arms--you just laugh and laugh;  you are now willing to say grace with us before eating, even though you've known the prayer forever--when you say it, you always say it at the top of your lungs (endearing...most times);  you are very reserved and shy during new or larger, unknown situation--then you have the most stoic look on your face and you cling to our legs; around the house, you love to be right where we are and often we trip over you because you are our little shadow; your stubborn streak is making itself more evident, but thankfully we can go a few days at a time between bouts of it rearing it's little head--when it does, though, Watch Out!--you've been known to throw some doozies in the temper tantrum department; after you're completely spent, you want nothing more than kisses and cuddles;  whenever Daddy is working on a project you are his right-hand girl...I don't know who enjoys it more, you or him?  Your little personality is such a joy to us!  I love to see how God is developing you and molding you into the person He has planned.  Each morning I pray that Daddy and I would be given the guidance needed to raise you to be a strong, loving Christian girl who brings a smile to God's face.  Such a huge responsibility!!  We love you so much and feel honored that God has called us to be your parents.  Happy Birthday Love!

Advent chain--Day 20

"Re-tell the Nativity story"

 The choir of angels (with a little help from Daddy)

Deck the Halls

The tree is glittering....

 The Noodle's favorite ornament this year--Mulan

 Our first Christmas after we were married, we didn't have a tree topper and decided to make an angel together.

 The pickle ornament...do you have one on your tree?

 Uh...someone missed the memo about looking but not touching!

the house is decked out...

Just tried my hand at these glitter trees...easy and just enough bling!

the stockings have been hung...

 the cards have been mailed...

and the cookies have been baked...all that's left to do is wrap!!!  How are your preparations coming?