bah humbug

“what kind of tree is that?”  yes, gideon had to be won over.  but it was free.  hubby climbed to the very top of the catalpa tree for it.  $40 for a christmas tree didn’t resonate with me this year.  neither did getting down the christmas boxes (with the vintage ornaments that jehu was fond of eating last year).

so we just made them out of paper.  and pine cones.  although i’m afraid the boys weren’t as interested as i hoped they’d be.  they just wanted to play with the rotary paper cutter and the exact-o knife.

but they do like raiding the paper cones after dinner for chocolate.  i’m not sure this would be a good tradition to perpetuate.  plus, the tree doesn’t stand a chance against mommy.

my favorite ornaments were the seed pods that came attached.  i just slathered them in glitter glue.  very fun.  and the boys enjoyed hunting pine cones during their trips to the park.

and acorns.  they actually look more like acorns when you just glitter the cap.  but we found that out too late.

we also made a mile of circle punch garland.  i got a punch at michael’s and laid it to all the christmas cards i had saved over the years.  then the boys colored the stickers we used to attach the punch outs to thread.  it turned out very neat.

the next best thing is that i don’t have to water the stupid thing.  it doesn’t shed on my floor and the kids can’t brush against it because it’s too tall.  last year we had tinsel smeared all over the house.

i might have a hard time setting the torch to it come new years.  but my husband is kind of excited about the prospect.  and actually, before i even got married, this was my christmas theory.  make all your christmas ornaments with your kids and then have a new years bonfire.  unfortunately, i hit a few providential yard sales later in life, and it couldn’t be helped.

jay-foo, jay-foo, it could happen to you.

the little bugger is three.  ohhh.  this year we did the perfect cop-out birthday.  we went to the library.  i did most of my prepping the night before, since i have not been in the birthday mood for quite some time.  even so, everything seemed to turn out nicely.  i just wasn’t sure if it was legal.

we reserved a room at the new library branch under the auspices of “mommy’s mornings” (a play group i belong to).  except technically, i think you’re supposed to be a genuine non-profit if you want to abuse the facility in such a manner.  as we did get some prime “librarian” looks through glass while the mad proceedings were going on.  “is that a birthday party?  do we allow birthday parties?”

here is baby girl.  and me putting on my party face, “oh my goodness, did i bring enough scissors?  bah, i forgot the paper, where’s the paper?  wipes?  no wipes?”  (this is why my husband hates parties.)

but i must say, we did have fun.  you can watch the video here.  there were 26 of us all together with four babies in the mutant slug stage.  you know, where they just smear themselves around the floor looking for outlets and the like.  it was very cozy.  albeit somewhat loud.

we made crafts for about an hour and then grammy read everyone stories.

she also made our dinosaur nest cupcakes with candy rocks and popcorn flavored jelly bellies, which i don’t recommend, mind you.  they were just the only ones that looked liked eggs.

but i do suggest you check out martha stewart’s christmas crafts.  i found all kinds of goodies there.  i imagine everyone already knows about the cool paper globes but the paper cones are fun too, especially when you fill them with candy.   we also made the circle punch garland and glitter pine cones and i have my eye on the felt cut outs and beads for fun snowy day projects.  this button wreath is kind of irresistible too.

and now that that’s over with it’s time to clean up this house which seems to have gone belly up.  that, and find a christmas tree before it’s too late.  those things do seem to sneak up on you.  but thanks to all you who came and especially to my relatives who show up in force to get things done.  happy birthday jehu!