The quiet after the storm

It is about 4:30 in the afternoon, the 2 oldest are with friends for the day, the middle 2 are playing upstairs with some new craft supplies and the 2 littles are still sleeping. Besides the howling wind the house is quiet. The calm has started to set in after the holiday crazies. Dinner is simmering on the stove and I feel content to sit with the quiet for a few moments longer. These moments are rare around here and I intend to enjoy every second. Quiet is really restorative in its own way, my mind is at peace. I am planning some new projects for the new year, new rhythms and routines. Quiet needs to be more a part of the everyday norm, at least for a little bit each day. I'm praying for a more quiet and gentle spirit. After the crash I just heard from upstairs I may need to pray a little harder. Off to assess the damage....

Snowflake Saturday!!

We awoke to the promise of snow, and lots of it. The first REAL snow of the season. We have had a little before now but not like the promise of 12-24 inches. The kids are in heaven and are patiently awaiting the accumulation. So to pass some time before we can pull the sleds out I decided we should make our inside window look a little like the outside window. We got out the scissors, tape and white paper and started cutting. I wanted to try these big snowflakes that I have seen floating all over blog land and the kids like to make any kind of flake. Before long my floor looked like the ground outside and we had a table full of unique snowflakes. We hung up an extra set of twinkle lights and strung the snowflakes. Just perfect, everyone was proud of their creations and I loved how the big snowflakes turned out. Now for a little hot cocoa and a peppermint stick.... a tradition in the making.

photos: kitchen window, before and after snowflake Saturday

Elf In Training

I have the sweetest little babe on earth! I'm the mom so I am allowed to say that. Little Miss Maggpie is just adorable, at 2.5 months she is filling in so nicely. Her cheeks are getting so chubby that I just want to eat her up. She smiles so easily and is so mellow. I love how she snuggles in to nurse and is so content. She can sit up in her bumbo now and holds her head very steady. I just can't believe how fast time flies with a newborn and I want to freeze her right now, I need of few more months of fresh baby! We are so blessed by her!

Photo: little miss maggpie after max added his santa hat, so sweet!

Winter's arrival

As I was working in the kitchen early yesterday morning I heard squeals of delight coming from upstairs. "It's Snowing !!" Max was yelling at the top of his lungs. I looked out the window and had to search the sky to see the few flurries that were making their way slowly to the ground. It didn't matter to him how little was falling he was just thrilled that he might get to go sledding. I tried to tell him as only a grownup would that it might not accumulate but he didn't want to hear it. I will be able to sled and play in it later today, he was certain. I continued working getting ready for our annual tree trimming, baking cookies, making food and more flakes started to fall. I couldn't help but be excited. The temperatures were hoovering around 34 degrees so the snow was wet and clinging to all the trees, it looked beautiful. Throughout the afternoon the kids were in and out, Max had to get the sleds out and he did play for a few hours outside. He was not happy when I called him in to get warmed up and to change. He begged to go out again even as the temperature dropped, he loves the snow.

We had a lovely evening with family and friends as we celebrated the start to the holiday season. Lots of yummy food and drinks. Kids running crazy around the house as the snow continued to fall. We ended up with a few inches but everyone made it safe to the party and home again. It was a wonderful time and the twinkly lights look magical with a snowy coat.

I am grateful for waking up this morning to a white winter wonderland, Max will be thrilled!

Progress

The decorating has begun!! I love Christmas and can hardly wait to get the decorations out. I try to add a little bit at a time and savor it but I usually get started and can't stop. The mantel is about finished. I have a few garlands up and I am trying to decide on how many of the decorations to bring up. I will admit this year I am doing a much simpler decorating scheme. As much as I love to decorate holding my scrumptious little baby takes priority and there are only so many hours in the day. But I am making progress and really like what I have accomplished so far. Tomorrow I will be putting up the small trees in the kids rooms with their twinkly fairy lights. That is one of my most favorite things to do because one of my most favorite memories from my childhood is having my own small tree in my room to decorate. I think having my space decorated was so special and I want my little clan to have that memory. So here's to progress and may it continue!!

Advent begins

The season is upon us, the first candle on the advent wreath has been lit and we may have snow before the end of the week. The kids are already starting to get excited and are filled with anticipation for all the fun things we do in December. First up is the annual tree trimming here at the house. I have been cleaning, cooking and decorating for a few days now. I pretty much have a schedule down after doing this for quite a few years now and things are moving along fine. My attitude towards it all is what has really changed over the years. I used to stress and scream(the two go hand in hand with me:( ) and practically melt down if things weren't perfectly the way I wanted them, I would have a cow if anyone touched a cookie tray before the first guest arrived. I know it wasn't pretty. It's a whole different story now. I do what I love to do to get ready for the party, I make the food I can't imagine not having then I let the rest go. Oh it's still not easy to do, I have to take big deep breaths on a regular basis and remind myself what is important. It is more important to have fun while preparing for the party, that is what it should be for me. It is more fun to let the kids help decorate even if it isn't the way I would do it. It doesn't matter if someone is sneaking bites off the buffet before the guests arrive, who will really notice?? And because I have changed my attitude, laid off the perfectionism and decided to enjoy the process and the party the whole thing is a lot more fun. I love seeing everyone and having everyone to the house. So as advent begins I am trying to be more conscious, slow down, enjoy the moment and make memories with the littles. I Love Christmas!! I want to be sure that is what they remember, the joy of the season, the celebration of Christ's birth, not the crazy lady (AKA Mom) pulling her hair out trying to get it all done. Live, love, laugh and make memories this holiday season!!

photo: Maya asleep on the couch after too much work decorating:)