Christmas Craftiness

Our backyard is home to this towering pine.  While I apparently missed the crafty gene from my mom, I still have thoughts of being able to make something pretty.  Something for the house.  This tree is my inspiration.  Kayla and I watched a couple of youtube videos on making your own pine roping.  Looks easy enough, we thought.  So we got some florist wire several weeks ago.  I got up the nerve to try a few things.

I love looking at this on my table.  Nothing fancy but really, a few sprigs and some fake berries are enough in themselves.  Jack says it's my masterpiece.

This might be my favorite.  It's the first thing I tried, just to get my feet wet.  I wasn't sure if it was really pretty or really tacky.  Brian's mom and dad voted for pretty.  I think I agree.

The best part was Kayla, Sam, and I trying this together.  Sammy helped clip more branches.  Then Kayla and I spread newspapers on the table.  We cut a long piece of wire to fit our stair rail then we started tying.  It's a little flimsy but we like it.  

Decking the halls is proving to be lots of fun this year!

Rainy Wednesday

I am enjoying these dark, rainy days.  They're cozy.
I am struggling a bit, however, to enjoy the antics of four cooped up kids today.  Sigh.
So, we went to the rec center this morning for the first time.  It's free!  A big gym with basketball hoops, plenty of room to run, and a track on the outside for walking or running.  I think it was good for all of us, me included.  There are lots of older people and we saw our elderly friends from church there.  They go to exercise three days a week.  Maybe we will time our future visits with their's.
On the way home, we picked up "Santa Buddies" from the library for the kids to watch after quiet time and some McDonald's coffee for me.  Some time in front of the Christmas tree with Miss Read's Christmas Tales  sounds good to me.

Christmas Question

Sammy was supposed to be asleep when I went upstairs last night, but he wasn't.  I tucked him in again.
As I was leaving his room, he said, "Mom, why did Jesus have to die?"
I knelt down beside him, wanting to say the right thing.  Knowing the answer we've talked about before and overwhelmed by his question at the same time.
"God knew we couldn't save ourselves.  Jesus was the only one who could because he had never, ever sinned.  He died for our sins so we wouldn't have to."
Sammy was quiet, then he said, "So that little baby never sinned?"
"Never, not once."

My hope for Sammy and the other kids is that they wonder at the baby Jesus but that they also keep looking, to the cross.
There is so much more to Christmas than this world offers.
So much more.

p.s.

p.s.  Bedtime kisses from Sam and Lucy were extra sweet tonight, with all the sugar still on their cheeks.
I'm getting ready to watch the Christmas episode of Lark Rise to Candleford.  I don't know why I'm doing this because I think that one is very FREAKY with all the "wind do blow" business and because Brian is gone for the evening.  But, I love Lark Rise and I want to watch a Christmas show.  So there you go.  I'll have to leave some lights on when I go to bed.

Gingerbread House

Our kind neighbor gave the kids a gingerbread house kit just before Thanksgiving.  Putting it together was our special December 5 activity from our mitten countdown.  I have to say I was a little apprehensive.
Me and four kids and loads of candy.
But, it was really fun.  Lucy ate a LOT of candy.  Every time I told her no more, she said, "OK Mom."  Somehow she ended up with more anyway.  Part of the fun, I guess.

The temptation was too much.

Shepherds and Wisemen

I loved...
the dim lights and the candles in the windows,
the little angels tugging at the tinsel wrapped around their heads,
the shepherds and the wisemen,
the young voices singing, some loudly, some barely at all.
I loved hearing children proclaim the good news.
The little mishaps and the smiles.  Sometimes I think the imperfection of it makes it most endearing.
It just seems like "the" way to welcome in the Christmas season- to sing together, to listen together, and to be moved to worship in our hearts.
I remember Lucy singing, "Come and worship, Come and worship" over and over in the car and I am reminded that this is where Christmas truly is, in our worship of this baby king, come to save.

It's December!

It's December 1st!  The kids just canNOT wait any longer to decorate.  So today, the tree goes up.  Actually, it is up, just not decorated.  We're waiting for Brian to get home.
Isn't this little mitten/stocking countdown cute?  I take no credit for it.  A sweet lady from church made it for us.  Inside each one is a slip of paper with something fun to do... drink  hot chocolate, make Christmas cookies, etc...We came up with some ideas of our own, too.
Everyone's getting so excited!  Lucy points at all things Christmas and says, "Kissmas!"
Tis the season!