Cookies & more!

I have felt pretty jipped this Christmas! When you move 1 week before Christmas, that means the entire month of December is spent packing, moving, unpacking, and trying to dig yourself out from the mess you've created!  We don't have the tree up, we have'nt done a ton of baking (like usual), and I wanted to wrap the presents all fancy, and when I realized there was no time for that I ended up throwing them in a christmas bag with some newspaper in place of tissue paper.  Jipped.  However, yesterday Ingrid and i found some time to make Mexican Wedding Cakes (or whatever you call them in your house).  She wore the apron that I made for her when I was pregnant with her....and it was so strange to now see this little person waking around holding her kitchen utensils pretending to bake with me.  Where has the time gone?  She did a great job "helping" mommy-what a joy to be able to stay home with her.  

How cute is she in her apron?  And those piggy tails-I can't handle the cuteness!!

She has sweetheart written all over her face!

Someone is eying the cookies...

 "Helping" Mommy (she is pretending to put stuff in her bowl and mix)

"Yes, I think I'll have some" (note: egg free cookie dough!:)

 Love her!

Caught in the act!

Turning into such a little girl...

The end product!

But wait!  We forgot we still hand Ingrid's presents to wrap!  So last night Michael and I put the little one to bed, and stayed up to wrap her presents.  I will be the first one saying that I loathe the materialism that surrounds Christmas.  It's not all about the "perfect" gift, and what the marketers want us to spend money on.  In fact, we always thought we would get our kids maybe 1 gift, but more so want to encourage family volunteering.  That is still the way we feel, but with some Christmas money we got in from grandparents, we decided to go a little beyond our "1 gift" rule.  It was too fun picking out little presents for Ingrid...especially because we know that this year-she will actually get involved and enjoy playing with them!  I got my chance to do a little "creative" wrapping.....

This was my first official "craft" with Ingrid.  Yup, still too young!  We made a Christmas card for the grandparents, and traced her hand (which she hated).  She did enjoy trying to put the stickers on...and coloring is always a fave!

Nap Time Project

Yesterday I shared this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKVpKx5qMAg

Well today during nap time I gave the little slippers a try, they are so fun to do!  I was surprised at how easy they were, even for me!  So I only did 1 slipper, as a "trial run".  My counting was a little off, and the slipper turned out to be a little bit bigger than the video demonstration.  There are definite imperfection, but tomorrow I plan on giving it another try-and will hopefully come out with two slippers that are the same size!  

As you can see, I didn't even bother attaching a button or sewing in my left over string...definite dry run! 

Wordless Wendesday

Funny Jokes

Big Muscles

Silly Faces

Sweet Child

Happy Spirit

Fellow Crocheters......

I thought I would share this awesome link for all you crocheters out there.  I think this is an amazing video, especially for those of us (ah-hem, pointing at myself) who really have no idea what they are doing.  These are adorable little Mary Jane slippers that I plan on trying out tomorrow during nap time! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKVpKx5qMAg

Composting.

We love to compost!  Well, I should say Michael loves to compost...he is the one who always bring our compost outside at night.  It's a great way to replenish the soil while avoiding having your biodegradable waste sit in a landfill.  Here is an article with simple compsting tips.  

(My little "tip"-don't waste your money on a composter.  Even if they are made out of eco-friendly materials, think about all the energy that went into making the actual product, and shipping it to where it needs to go-kind of defeats the purpose!  Just use chicken wire to designate a composting area in your yard)

http://www.howtocompost.org/

Blessed

Update

Note to self:  Never move in December in MinneSNOWta.  Were we insane?  Maybe.  Well, we are officially moved in to the new house, and LOVING it!  It reminds us so much of the apartment we brought Ingrid home to.  It just feels like home.  Not to mention we finally can sleep in our own bed (or a bed, for the matter) and have our dresser to help the overflowing closet issue.  This move has been so much easier than our last.  In fact, we've only had less that 48 hours in our new house, and it's all pretty much done (minus hanging curtains and wall art).  I've even baked cookies, made home made bread, and done 2 loads of laundry.  Phew.  Ingrid is doing well in her new environment.  I think she already knows she is home.  Here are a few pictures over the last few days.  

(PS-If you need me, I'll be napping.......until Christmas)

(back at the old house)  

Ingrid enjoying a cookie(s).

(yay, we're in the new house!)

Ingrid LOVES to brush her teeth!

Ingrid is a "big girl" now, and enjoying meal time in a booster, rather than a high chair.