December Daily - Day 19

Finally! A real snow day! We had so much fun after Ethan's nap playing in the snow. We walked around our house, tried to make a snowman, kick the snow, sat in the snow, made snow angels, and had a snowball fight. I am too much of a new-bie in photography to take good pictures in the snow. Since Dave was at work he couldn't set the camera for me. So, these are the only pictures that turned out. I'm ok with that. It meant I had to put the camera down and just have a good-ol' time!

December Daily - Day 18

Well, I got my snowman! It started to snow a little here today. Josh came over to get gifts for Sarah to take with her to California tomorrow for Christmas. Before he left he asked if he could shovel my driveway and make a pile for Ethan to play in. Of course! So, when Ethan woke up from his very long nap we went outside to play. I dressed him up as warm as I could and went outside. It was very cold but I don't think Ethan really cared too much. It wasn't until I showed him that he could drive his train through the snow that he began to play.

December Daily - Day 17

I couldn't help having a bit of fun today! We have been in the house for about two weeks so today I took a break during Ethan's nap and took some pictures for my album. Dave has really helped me learn how to use levels in Photoshop and so I was able to do a little practicing. I think these turned out way better than the other black and whites. I might have to try and do those ones again - they were a little dark. I like these...

We all got new haircuts on Monday. Including me! All done by yours truly.

A little Christmas Cheer.

This will go nicely with Ethan's photo of half of his face! ;)

Last night I stayed up until 12:30am working on these little cuties! I have a few of my vintage shirts that have torn and I didn't want to throw them away. So, I thought to make a few mini Black Apple dolls with them. I sewed my first rag doll and it took 2 and a half hours. Although, half an hour was used to take out stitches in a leg and another half an hour was spent looking for the needle that I dropped.

I love the results of my first one although my second will be done a little different now that I know what I am doing! I still have to paint her face.

December Daily - Day 16

Today we just played "catch up." I actually enjoyed cleaning my house and getting it back into order from the last week. I still have Mount Everest to fold and put away, but other than that it was a pretty productive day. Ethan even managed to get some Christmas letters written and colored. Later, we also made Christmas tree cards. When I tell Ethan that it is Craft Time he doesn't get excited, in fact he sometimes runs away! But, when I tell him we are using glue he runs to the table yelling "Glue! Glue! Glue!" I think I now know why - when he had a bit on his finger he licked it off! Maybe glue really does taste good.

I give Ethan a Q-tip with a recycled container filled with glue which helps with small motor development.

The green one is mine. Ethan would have nothing to do with the green. Only red for him!

December Daily - Day 15

All I have to say is that today was kind of a let down. I mean Salem and Portland turned into an ice rink and what did we get? Just strangely cold weather! Don't get me wrong... I don't want anyone hurt by this weird weather. I just want to make a snowman! I know it's not over so all I am asking is can I make a snowman with my Ethan? I would be fine with even a tabletop one!

The photos are of Ethan making Christmas tags! See even my little guy can do it!

December Daily - Day 14

Even though we are still down and out, I feel like I am getting somewhere with my Christmas to-do-list. Last night I had a blast wrapping gifts. Each little box is a project on its own, but so much fun! Sorry if there are so many photos, but since I have been slow on photographs this week I loaded up today!

Inside a Black Apple gave these tags free this week on her blog!

I love this cute box I downloaded online! It was a little harder to put together since it is so small.

Ethan's wrapping paper looks so cute! This is painted with a thread spool.

A simple box downloaded online!

I love this package tied with red ribbon and an ornament hanging from the bow!

This is another one of Ethan's stamped with his boy figure stamp.

I downloaded this too! It's a card and I enlarged it, cut it out, and made a slit where the ring should fit. It is so cute. A little freaky until I got some more gifts under the tree. For a while all I had were hands sticking out under the branches.

This was the hardest one. I found this online as well. I am using it for an ornament until Christmas. It's just too cute!

Tonight Ethan wanted to play "tent" but the three of us couldn't fit very comfortably. So, Dave made this huge "tent" and as you can see used chairs, a boot, and an end table to make it work. We all played inside together and it was such a sweet memory. Dave caught Ethan reading inside the "tent" later.

December Daily - Day 13

We were still sick today. But, I think we are all coming down with a head cold too. Ethan and I snuggled during Story Time. He wanted to read One Mitten and afterwards I reminded him that he had his own mittens just like the story. I put them on him and he was so serious while looking at the book and again at his hands. I had to capture it fast so my pictures aren't so good. I still think they are cute.

In the evening Ethan was eating his dinner when he asked for some cheese. Later, when he was playing he said that his cow was hungry and he went and got his cheese off his plate and fed the cow.

Dave caught this awesome photo of Ethan playing blocks at the window - his favorite place to play. He just knocked his tower down.

December Daily - Day 11-12

The last two days have been a challenge to say the least. I have never had a flu like this one! My nose has a bruise on it from hitting the trash can so many times! Dave stayed home yesterday, but after three days you have to go back to work. So, Dave went to work today sick himself! Poor guy! We were all feeling a little better this evening. But, we are trying to take it slow. I am hoping to go into town tomorrow morning - we have to! The weather report might keep us home the next week! Our little town is the first to start getting bad as you head east. So, we better stock up on milk and diapers! I am looking forward to having pictures of snow this next week!

December Daily - Day 10

Today, Dave stayed home another day to help with Ethan. He ate a little today, more than yesterday. His liquid intake is more as well. It makes me think he is on the mend. As for me... well, I now have it! So, the real test will be tomorrow when I am all by myself with a toddler. Dave helped with the pictures today. I have been learning Photoshop on my own and edited these photos... I continue to remind Dave that "I do listen when he talks" and so have been practicing what I hear about photography on my own.

December Daily - Day 9

Last night I stayed up late working on a custom order and didn't get to bed until 12:30am. An hour and a half later it started. Yep, the first time Ethan has been that sick! Dave helped Ethan while I stripped the bed, gave baths, washed hair, load the washing machine, and so forth. This went on for three more times before dawn. Then, it was time to get up. "Hello day," is how Ethan welcomes the mornings. I wasn't ready to say "hello."

Dave took a sick day - I guess you can have up to three paid sick days to stay home with a sick child a year. Boy, did I need Dave's help. I got quite crabby by about 2pm. But Dave was in such a great mood that he decided to make bread in our new/old retro Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer that Dad got for us. Free of course! It worked great. But Dave used a recipe that made 4-6 loaves at once. I so wish I got a picture of the dough flowing and rising out and over the mixer. Man, I so wish I did...

I am ok with the fact that I didn't get any photos for my December Daily album today. I can use some of my home decoration photos for today and still feel good about not missing a day! It's ok to call today a "sick" day.