Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

It's been a few years since I've written. Thought I'd give you a shout out this year...I'm pining, and you're my go to guy for those little treats that I just can't justify acquiring for myself. I mean, you have ALL those elves and everything...this should be easy peasy for you. I would be so thankful and so happy if your sled stopped at my house and you came down the chimney....wait, don't go down the chimney...you'll just end up stuck in the basement....use the key on the porch.

Have a good month Santa,

Love, Jen

My List to Santa

The Cricut Expression...aka, the Crafter's Holy Grail

Frog Tape....we all have our quirks

Crocheted washclothes....these are awesome and I've used mine up (you've got some crocheting elves, right Santa?)

Chalk Ink Markers....I have an expanding number of cool chalkboards and these are terrific!

The mini circular saw...enough said...oh wait...if you find a palm sander laying around the elves' workshop feel free to toss that in too :-)

Slippers....my feet are cold

And finally.....a trip to Michael's, the week after Christmas so I can snatch up all those awesome 90% off deals....and if you could keep away all those gals with the pointy elbows that would be great!!

The cookies will be waiting!!! :-)

The Tooth Fairy

Apparently, with kindergarten, so brings the loose teeth. Just a few short weeks ago Marshall noticed his VERY FIRST loose tooth. Where does the time go? Didn't he just grow those teeth? Alas, with the imminent tooth-losing event threatening to happen at any moment we needed a way to communicate to The Tooth Fairy that a tooth was indeed lost, and hidden under a pillow....so.....The Official Tooth Fairy Pillow was constructed. A boy tooth for Marshall, a girl tooth for a very sweet classmate who is also about to lose a tooth. There are little pockets on the back of the teeth to keep the "real" tooth safe.

Marshall's question to me....."what does The Tooth Fairy do with all the teeth she collects?" Hmm....might need to Google that one. ;-)

The Pillow

Handmade. Is this something most kids know anything about anymore? I've always...ALWAYS (just ask my parents) prided myself on MAKING gifts. There is just something special about the anticipation of awaiting the look on your gift recipient's face when they open a gift that you know you have put careful consideration, time, and love into. Marsh attended a classmate's birthday party this week....fun event for him. When we received the invitation I pondered long and hard about what I could MAKE for this little guy's gift. Boys are definitely more difficult than girls, but certainly not impossible.

This pillow is what I landed on. Marsh has one similar to it and enjoys it, so I decided to go ahead and give it a try for this birthday gift. I have to admit I held my breath a little as the birthday boy tore into the bag....hoping (praying) he wouldn't spit in disgust at the thought that Marsh had given him "home decor" on his very important day.

To my delight (and I have to admit, surprise), the pillow seemed to be his favorite gift, as he expressed a heartfelt thank you for it and how it would "go" with his room. The birthday boy's mom even waxed on about how it was handmade and that I'd taken the time to MAKE something for him. I assured her that I enjoyed making his gift and was glad he enjoyed it. In fact I ran into mom out and about today and AGAIN she mentioned how much he loves the pillow and carried it around all night.

Makes you wonder, huh? At our very core, what we want is to know others care for us and that we're worthy of time and energy being spent for our benefit and enjoyment. Sometimes we need to take a step back and think about what will benefit our little ones...more money being spent on plastic from a faraway land or a gift crafted from things we already own, with love and care.

Well, I'm off to make a few more Christmas gifts for the special little guys in my heart.

More photos soon....hopefully my kids don't read my blog ;-)

Goodbye Fall

Fall is here. Okay, really fall is almost over. Did I just say that? Where did fall go? Is fall hiding under a rock? Behind that tree? Under the bed? No, it's really almost gone. Dare I say, I even saw a commercial the other day for a CHRISTMAS MOVIE! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the holiday season. I would marry the holiday season, but I'm already married, so that's a no go. So anyway, I think Fall gets shortchanged.

We did something about that a weekend ago....a long walk at our local state park with two super fun little boys. A farewell to fall.......here we come Rudolph!

Halloween 2009...so far

"Mummies" for the kindergarten Halloween party today.....I didn't even eat one (should have)

The rockin'ist pirate on the block

Somewhere in uncharted waters the pirate comes upon a tribe of crazy two-year old natives....and parties down with them for a while.

And the crazy two year old changes into a sweet, soft puppy...

Backseat Driver

Marsh--Driver Since Birth

Today we had a special run to make to town....to deliver the pickup truck to Daddy. As two little boys clambered into their seats in the back Marsh pointed out to me that he'd never ridden in the truck with me driving. To that I reply " Well I don't really drive the pickup that often anymore."

Uh oh....wrong thing to say.

Marshall gets a worried face and says "oh no, can you drive the truck?"

Yes, don't worry.

Marshall, leaning over the seat, assesses the situation. "Well Mommy, it looks to me like everything is pretty much the same as in the Durango...you put your feet on those pedals and steer with the steering wheel. You're going to do fine."

Thanks Marsh, I'll do my best. ;-)

My Little Gem

Happy Fall from the VanOorts

After, first (because that's best anyway, isn't it?)


Before.....let us have a moment of silence for the best invention of the 20th century



....spray paint.