a little catch up

the list is long, so a list it will be! thanks a.borealis for the idea!

• our first christmas as a family of four was pretty dreamy. a quiet morning just being together, savouring the gift opening (which was extra quiet because of the cloth bags i made for wrapping instead of paper!!)
• its a little overwhelming to think about the new traditions we get to start with them. exciting and overwhelming. i want to be intentional, but am feeling like i am just one step ahead (and sometimes completely winging it) and just can't find the time to think ahead.
  
• hubby and i generally don't exchange gifts. i have not kept up on my mending very well, so i worked hard to repair a stack of his pants and wrapped those up.
• i was surprised to receive a gift from him - a sewing table with a lift!!
  
• so great that the thing that has kept me sane this winter, sewing, is something that he appreciates as well!
  
• i have been wanting a sewing machine for years, and "sort of" shopping for one, for years. i finally got one and LOVE IT! i have a whole list of projects and photos to post, at a future date.
• this winter is way more fun with kids. they both love being outside. claire understands the value of mittens now. they "work" together to shovel and create, and eat snow.
• it has been really cold, so our outside time is limited.
  
• but, we have had really fun craft time
• hubby built the kids a work table for christmas. it is white board, so they can color on it, and magnetic, so they build all kinds of structures with these sticks and balls i got free at the BD&A sale (where my sibs work). it has a little lip, so things don't roll off the table. AND, the legs are adjustable so the table can become a vertical work board!
  
• it was the hit, coming second to the green nail polish jack got in his stocking :)
• claire's fav gift was the orange. ahhhh, love the simplicity of my food lover.
  
• hubby grew up with a fun tradition that we started in our home: his grandpa would re-stuff the stockings at new years, filled with fruit and nuts! the kids loved it!!
• both kids really latched onto the santa part of christmas. i am not into santa, and certainly didn't initiate the conversation, but am not going to tell them it is a lie and prevent them from using their imagination (or shaming other kids from believeing) the concept is awfully close to believing in an unseen God!
• but...this santa thing just isn't quitting! just this morning we were sitting on the bean bag and claire glanced over her shoulder towards the fireplace, "santa coming down the fire pit?" she asked with a hesitancy.
  
• since both the kids have expressed a bit of concern for this, we have responded that all stranger, and friends for that matter, knock at the front door for us to let them in. it is really disturbing to think of a stranger coming into your house while you are sleeping - even if it is to leave a gift! and for our family....and who knows what jackson is thinking about our real life home invasion...it puts a whole new spin on this santa coming down the chimney thing. boo.
• claire loves baby jesus and "jope-seff"
• she sings "silent night", "frosty the snowman" "jingle bells" and "happy christmas to you" constantly.
• every time we see a home decorated with christmas decorations, the kids yell, "CHRISTMAS!!!!!"
  
• chores! jackson is really loving having chores! he thinks it is so cool that he can clear the table and wants to help load the dishwasher too! he is my square folder (folds any clean laundry that is a square shape) and claire is the sock matcher.
  
• they still like to destroy a pile of folded laundry, but...i'm trying to look at the bright side of things.
• speaking of bright.....it has been a long winter. i know, i just said it has been great, but it has also been long. as much as i anticipated it being difficult for me, and have tried to be proactive about my mental state, i have really been battling. depression? maybe. seasonal affective disorder? probably. it is so hard to get enough sunlight, hard to remember to take extra vit d. and, still not getting enough sleep. and, only wanting hot beverages i am sure i am a little dehydrated too.
• ironic that we just finish The Long Winter in the little house series. we have certainly related to the ways that laura describes the isolating feelings of a cold, dark winter.
  
• and reminded us how many resources we have! stores to buy food, instead of starving. transportation, instead of being trapped for days inside. community, instead of seeing only family for an entire winter!!!
• seriously, how did Ma do it? four kids, teeny tiny house. did she battle with depression?
  
• supper club has been a lifesaver! i don't have to think about what we are having for dinner every night. dinner prep is simple. other people's food taste so good!
• jackson is really into writing notes to people. he has spent hours carefully drawing a picture, making an envelope and using his own tape to secure the note. we address and stamp and mail the little treasures to special people on his mind.
• i really hope to get back into regular blogging.....ni-night!