Anti- Perfectionist Christmas

This year I have let go of the inner perfectionist a bit and it is so liberating. :)  See my stocking hangers with yet again no photo inside (5 years?), usually I hang three but couldn't find the third and didn't bother to look for it (though I have all the stockings).  One thing I love about Christmas is that decorations don't have to be perfect because they are temporary!  I love how homey and cozy my house feels, especially at night, during the Christmas season. 

My hubby, who has been a little distressed by my attitude this year, has taken on the role of perfectionist in my place.  He spent some good time creating a Christmas letter like this classy vintage example and it looked fabulous (I was going to send the photo card out without a letter, this was heresy in his mind, so he took over the job, which in fairness, he did last year too).

In place of neighbor gifts, we got together as a neighborhood and donated to a charity.  This has been a relief, though I do love giving neighbor/friend gifts and hope to be back up to the task at some point in the future.

For a fun tradition we did last year, called "Gift from the Heart," see this post.  It was such a good experience we are doing it again this year (late as usual).

 The tree with no star and eclectic ornaments and a line where our arms could no longer reach.  With no presents underneath the tree yet.  Normally we try to get them wrapped in advance for increase of anticipatory childish delight, but we've been behind this year.

 One of my favorite ornaments, an egg we bought in Prague at the Christmas markets when Isa was a baby.  And note the gold-ish plastic ornament we paid pence for :) in England when K was a baby; we didn't have hooks so we used paper clips which are still in use.

 I love all the ones with photos on them!  Cute sideways smile.  So fun to see how they've grown, though it makes me sad, too.

We get ornaments from family in Maine each year, these are some of my favorites too.

 Vintage decorations that were my grandmother-in-laws. :)  And some seconds we bought at the Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent.  And quintessential Dickens.

 This is what my living room looked like on one busy day this month.

While little ones play happily, oblivious to the mess.

My very favorite decoration, given by my mother-in-law the Christmas before she passed away.

What are your favorite traditions?  Do you have a pretty tree or an eclectic tree like we do?  Or maybe you can pull off pretty and eclectic? 

Happy Birthday to Me

This picture just makes my heart melt.  And my frosting.  And my candle wax.  And just in case you are wondering, those cute little sticking out candles correctly represent my age-- the big 3-6.

I've been having a little mini mid-life crisis (nothing major, I promise) over the last few months, though I haven't mentioned it to anyone.  I have never had a mid-life crisis before, this is a first for me. :)

Up until this year, I always told myself that relatively speaking, I was still young (and still am! I hope to live to a ripe old age).  That I have lots of opportunities still ahead.  And I have reminded myself of all the people who have accomplished important things in their 30's and beyond (this woman inspires me!).  But for some reason, turning that leaf over into the upper 30's has had me panicking a bit.

It doesn't help that I have started having arthritis in my hands.  I wondered why my joints frequently felt achy and stiff until it hit me that I am already getting arthritis.  Ug!  Already?

But seeing my kiddos being so sweet and thoughtful makes me realize that it has all been worth it.  (remember last year?)  Aren't they so sweet?



Here for your laughing pleasure, a poem I wrote the night before my 30th birthday.  I never have been able to tweak it quite enough to like it (except for the end), but you get the picture. :)  Any suggestions appreciated, as always.  :)


On the Eve of My Thirtieth Birthday

I held you till you fell asleep

Your little body curled up to mine--

Still.

Then, reluctant arms

Put you to rest;

I looked over to

Your sister, sleeping

Like an angel

In her three year-old

Dreams.

When I looked in on

The big(ger) boy,

His legs propped like the poles of a tent,

Red cheeks from the uncomfortable heat

Of winter colds.

I held his hand for a minute

Or fifteen,

Smoothed his soft-straw hair,

Remembering our

Buddy-hood.

Felt his little heart beating in his chest,

Remembering the first time I heard

That sound,

An inauguration into the most

Beautiful

Awe

Of Motherhood.

Life Lately

I've been so busy!  New calling and a busy time of year!  But it's a busy good.  I've actually really, really simplified this year.  Or just really lowered my standards. :) It has been such a relief.   Going to blog about it some time before I die.  But not today, because my photos are uploading so slowly.  Even with the simplifying or the lowering my standards down to the bottom of the barrel, my feelings of peace alternate with mild panic attacks.  Prepping Christmas, especially with five kiddos, is a big deal. 


Went to see downtown all decked out for Christmas.  A cold but enjoyable night!  The kids loved riding the train.  :)


Aunt time over Thanksgiving.  This one is a precious commodity since we don't get to see her much.


This little zombie bookmark has been sitting around since Halloween until I recently put him away.  He makes me smile.  So cute!




Somebody got strep.  Poor girl.


Sick.  We got to have a quiet Sunday afternoon nap together.  You all know how good I must have looked.


First time to the Symphony.  It was magical!  The little girl on the right had a skip to her step and kept smiling.  She probably enjoyed being in the city at night.  We got seats on the highest balcony, and she ate it up.  Didn't hurt that they were playing Debussy and Ravel.  Ahhhh... It was so beautiful. It was a bunch of classy elderly people and....us.  Just to be fair, we got fussed over a couple of times by said older people, some of whom drew in a sharp breath of surprise when they found out it was this girl's first time to the symphony.  And we got super cheap seats ($9, right?) through Travelocity (what?  seems a little weird, but I'll take it).  Great even though two of us were sick.



Simplifying by making ginger people (this one is literally a ginger person...just for you Tia) instead of a house this year.  Was easy--my husband bought kits and the big kids each decorated their own with very little help.  Fun memories.

What is one of your Christmas traditions? 

Thanksgiving Number 1, Part 1

I have been putting off posting my Thanksgiving photos because I have been too busy to sort through and edit them.  But still feeling a little sad over the weekend's news, I remembered that many of the Thanksgiving photos were of my six year-old.  Been feeeling extra thankful for all these little ones.  Enjoy some photos of just plain old childlike play-- they are therapeutic for me. 

Are you ready for Christmas?  I've sure enjoyed this busy but wonderful time of year.

I found these girls anxiously awaiting the arrival of their dad, with all their self-packed things.

A little boy in heaven at Grandpa's farm with train in hand.

 In Grandpa's new self-made greenhouse.  It was nice and toasty warm and my kids were fascinated with it.  Notice they took toys and coloring things because they wanted to play inside.  I love these photos of childlike, quiet play, without realizing they were being observed.

 Don't be jealous of how glamorous I look when I sleep.  Ug.  Thanks to my hubby, I got a nap on Thanksgiving!  He helped with the cooking, too.  Is there anything hotter than a man in the kitchen? 

I heard some muffled cries for help.  They had gotten locked in. 

More to come later!