Yet more ornaments, indoor lunch, a tree story...and a giveaway!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 02:34AM First off, for the giveaway info, you'll have to read to the end of this post. Don't worry, I didn't forget. ;)
So, are you tired of ornaments yet? ;) Here are days 11, 12 and 13...on day 11, we made jingle bell Santa's from a little kit (okay, I did much of the making since this involved a hot glue gun, but the boys directed and loved adding these to their trees). On day 12, I let the boys do a bit of free-form ornament making...gave them a length of (coated) wire and a heap of beads. They liked making these spin so all ended up making similar ornaments. And on day 13, we brought back an ornament we made in 2003. Noah actually came up with the idea...well, he (at 3 year old, when we were doing these) saw a wooden train in a catalog and loved it so much it became the inspiration for our holiday ornaments that year. Here's the "plain" version (personally, I like the plain ones and this is what we did in 2003):
This year, though, the boys opted to paint their pieces before assembly...gives 'em character, don't you think? :) So, here are Asher's. He had fun mixing red and blue paint:
Here are Noah's:
And here are Micah's. I love how his train turned out (after considerable drying time...who knew paint could be lumpy? LOL):
In other news, I survived Monday's lunch hour. :) Fortunately, there were about 6 of us there to corral kids. We ended up letting them mostly do their own thing inside while monitoring for safety issues.
Also, we finally got our tree decorated! We picked it up on Sunday...well, Nathan and Asher picked it out. See, we got to the place (where we've gone every year but one since living in CO...nice local trees, freshly cut...good prices and nice service). We got out and wandered a bit and immediately decided we were not bundled up enough, despite the snow boots, double layers, winter coats, scarfs, gloves and such. It was about -2 degrees I think. Maybe a bit warmer but with the wind chill definitely colder than that. Anyhow, Noah then declared that he simply *had* to use the bathroom. That seemed like a good enough reason to get out of the cold so we trekked back to the van and over to the nearby McDonalds...at which point, Noah, Micah and I opted to stay indoors while Nathan and Asher went back to get a tree. They picked a good one. :)
So, we got it set up and got the lights up Monday. Tonight we got the ornaments on and decorations around the rest of the house, finally. Yay!! Will try to take some pictures later.
And. (Yes, finally, this is the giveaway part of the post, lol.) Since I'm in such a Christmasy mood now...and since I finally got my copies of my book today (Tuesday)...and since I just like you all...who wants a free copy of my book? Leave a comment here...tell me how you like today's ornaments and whether you've shipped all your Christmas packages yet (I'm nosey and it'll make me feel better if you haven't either, LOL). I'll pick a random winner Thursday at noon-ish. Woohoo!
Oh, and be sure to check back to see if you're the winner...the way this site is set up, you'll need to email me with your info. :)
Reader Comments (49)
Those ornaments are so cute--really like the train. I still have not mailed out my Christmas package yet and it is to my 5 year nephew who is hospitalized with leukemia--tomorrow for sure.
I love the ornaments! The train is so cute with the little pieces that make it up! I love that! The snowman is adorable, too...particularly Noah's with the hat almost over the eyes! I didn't have any packages to send out, but I'm not done getting things ready if that makes you feel any better! LOL!
I really love Micah's engine. It is adorable! (The other ornaments are very good also :) )
I do not have any packages to send either (like Jingle), however, I have a lot of cleaning and a lot of decorating still to do before Christmas Eve when everyone comes over and we open presents! I only know of a very few people who are completely caught up (and I am definitely NOT one of them! :) )
The kids ornaments are absolutely darling! I wish I had kids to do this with. I haven't mailed my packages yet. I did get some delivered this fall, but still need to send a box with the remainder. I don't even have my tree up yet! I am having a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit. Happy holidays and give those boys extra hugs!
I love those trains! Too cute! I am in charge of keeping all the kids busy on Christmas day and me thinks this would be a great project for a bunch of train crazy boys. (out of 8 grand-kids and cousins there's not a girl in the bunch!)
Thankfully I don't have to send anything this year but because of that I'm more behind than ever! For some reason in my mind I had more time before we make the drive home. ACK!!
I don't ship any packages - DH does for his family and of course he hasn't yet. I really like all the ornaments but I LOVE the train and free form beads - I so need to do this with my 3 year old next year!
Already being the recipient of the train in 2003, I'm a bit partial to them. I love the sprially ones that they boys made freehand -- see, they inherited some of your artistic talent! As for shipping, I do it the easy way and order things online that get shipped directly to you. No fuss, no muss!
I do love the ornaments - thos etrains are awesome! Natasha bought a twirly ornament at the Christkindlmart this year - it is definately a family fave.
Shipping - YES! Actually - did much of my shopping online, and not only has everything shipped, but most of my packages have arrived. Ihave a lovely pile of brown boxes in my room and it's driving everyone nuts wondering what is inside!
I love the little Santas! So cute! I have not gotten my Christmas packages mailed - I never get them out on time. My poor friends get New Year packages - or President's day - or Mardi Gras - or Easter - depending on when I get to the post office! They love me anyway! : )
Martha
I have loved all your ornaments. I have made a few with my daughter and bought several more kits to make some more, but we haven't managed to get to them yet.
I haven't shipped a single package. I'm still waiting on some gifts to come in. Thankfully, I have forgiving family and friends that won't kill me if our gifts are late!
What a cute idea to make ornaments with the boys each day! Love the little trains. Looked like they had fun with the painting part! LOL! As for shipping...don't have any to mail this year,as I sent some down with my son when he went to visit family for Thanksgiving. So can't make you feel better..do have one gift card to mail-does that count?? Thanks for entering me into your drawing. The book sounds fun! Barbara
Love the train ornaments! Even though my kids are 11 and 13, they still like to see the ornaments they made years ago. A few of them are even displayed PROMINENTLY on the front of our tree! And no, I have not shipped my presents yet (3 to ship) or even mailed my cards! (In my own defense, I'm still waiting for my dd's school pics to come-they were supposed to be mailed out to us today. :) )
Those are the ornaments that you will really treasure today and years from now. I have a special little tree that just holds all of my boys and families homemade ornaments. Some are 45 yrs old and made by my grandmother. These are the truly memorable things.
I love the train & santa.Looks like something I may need to show to my son.
I got my boxes out yesterday....only because it was getting to where I couldn't sleep worrying about if they would get there in time.
I love the ornaments, especially the trains. Those are such a good idea. I might borrow that as a project for my neice and nephew.
I have some of my christmas shipping done, but not all of it. Still have a few more cards that need to get into the mail too!!
Amanda, The ornaments are just precious. You all have been very busy! Isn't this time of year FABulous!! I especially love the train. My husband is an avid train collector. You should see the beautiful scene under our main Christmas Tree. I need to make some of those train ornaments just for him. He's been good! LOL It's great your boys are so creative, too. Thanks for the chance to get a copy of your book!
Merry Christmas!
I especially like the creativity of the free-form ornaments. I don't have any packages to mail this year, I am thankful!
I love the trucks, you can see each boy's character in their own creation. Karen
Those are so cute. The free style is awesome. With no school I might be borrowing a couple of your ideas. Thus bring to me to you question which is a big fat nope. I am lucky we have electricity. We got hit with an ice storm last friday and my little girl has not been in school since then. Thus leaving me very behind in the buying area and wrapping area of getting things ready for Christmas. I am actually getting very nervous and stress about the whole idea. Have a great holiday!
Cute ideas :) I just sent out my Christmas cards and i almost have all of my shopping done! wooohoo! ... now i want to get started on an advent calendar for next year. it will be simular to the one i had as i was growing up... a little felt tree and each day you can put up an ornament. thanks for the idea of a train!