New Traditions

Chris has been talking about doing this for awhile. His family painted their own ornaments when he was growing up. So we decided we'd try it this year. Everyone got to choose their own white plaster ornament and we set to work. Dillan was beside himself with excitement. Seriously, Mommy never EVER pulls out paints. He's only ever painted at school. This was rare, indeed. His technique: dip the brush, dab or brush one stroke to his ornament, wash the brush, pick a new color, repeat. His ornament is in the shape of a house. Every window is a different color. It's merry and bright!



Leah was excited as well. She mostly loved dipping her brush in the dirty water and the purple paint. Her ornament is a teddy bear. She diligently painted her bear's face over and over and over again in purple. I resisted the urge to help her. And resisted. And resisted. OK, eventually it got to me, and I tried to help her. She freaked when I tried to help her dip her brush in a different color. She held a death grip on her brush and screamed when I tried to help her paint the body of the teddy bear. I let it be, finally. She would have painted all night, if we'd let her. But I didn't do anything to either of their ornaments except maybe dab at some of the mountains of paint glopped on in certain spots. It was all I could think of to make sure they dried!


Leah holds hers and mine (a penguin).
Dillan holds his and Chris' masterpiece (a kitty in a stocking)

Chris and I eventually set to work on our ornaments. For a guy who claims to have zero artistic talent, his turned out great! Better than mine. He must have the patience. I got too frustrated and impatient to finish. But they're done and adorning our tree in all their glory! (When the kids aren't taking them down and moving them around, anyway).

Jammies on Christmas Eve has been a tradition since before Dillan was born. It's so easy to find snuggly jammies, and usually the kids coordinate a little, but I've been feeling the urge lately to better domesticate myself, so I thought I'd try something new: Sewing.
Thanks to the example and encouragement of a friend, plus the expertise of my wonderful mother, I went to work.
Picking out fabric was tough. The boys in the house are big sleeping heaters at night, so fuzzy cuddly warm stuff was out. Cotton it was.
Mom helped me lay out and cut everything.
The sewing part was simple enough. Of course there's no reason to look too close to see all the imperfections, but that's why they're PJs! Thanks for all your help Mom and thanks Crystal for the inspiration!