December Daily - Day 21 & 22

It is going to be hard when January comes along and I am not posting every day! When our Internet went out yesterday, I realized that I have become what Dave calls a "junkie." I think he is right.

Well, yesterday we woke up to find... nothing. Hardly any snow, clear roads, and rain. So, we were surprised when several of our family and friends called us to make sure we were careful going to church. It was a clear ride all the way. What we came to find out was that west of the church was ice and snow. Our teachers, worship leader, and other workers weren't able to get out of their driveways. So, one of the guitar players led worship, Ethan sat in service, and we all just had a good time of fellowship after service. There was only about thirty people in the service. As the evening went on, we had a couple of friends over for dinner and the weather started to get worse. It hasn't stopped snowing since. We now have over a foot of snow.

Dave and I talked about going into town today since there would be no way I could drive into town while Dave was at work. So, Dave found the chains and worked hard getting them on the car. Ethan loved the sound of the chains and had to drag them loudly across our tile floor. At the same time, Deb called and we had a small chat while the clanging continued. During Ethan's nap Dave and I went outside and played in the snow. It was great alone time that we really needed and it was so much fun! I made my first real snow woman that was taller than my knees. Afterwards, when I saw the pictures I remembered how talented my husband is. His photos are beautiful.

When Ethan woke up we drove into Stayton to get groceries and things I needed to finish my Christmas projects. It was such a mess and coming home was even worse. I am so glad we made it safely home.

Look at this sequence I did when Dave was throwing snowballs at the window...

Ethan dragging the chains around the house.

I love this picture. We haven't had one taken together in a long time!

December Daily - Day 20

Today has been clean-up/catch up day. I have been working on a Christmas present for Ethan's Sunday School teacher these last two days and I wanted to share! This doll was made by Ethan and myself. Ethan's craft two days ago was to make the buttons and the heart for the doll. We used shrink film again. I used a circle punch and a flower hole punch to make the buttons. I drew the heart and cut it out. Ethan colored them with a pink color marker. I kind of wish I used white for the buttons instead of clear because it is hard to see his art. But, they are so cute! The next two days was spent sewing all the pieces BY HAND! Mind you the last doll I made was the first thing I have ever done by hand before. I have always used a sewing machine. I stayed up late last night to finish sewing all the little pieces. Today, I put the whole doll together with the sewing machine. During Ethan's nap I finished her apron, sewed her collar, glued the heart and button on, and painted her face. I would have to say that this was the most rewarding project I have ever done. I have been wanting to make a little Black Apple Doll ever since I saw Emily Martin on Martha Stewart when we were at the coast this summer. This was my excuse to do one! Tell me what you think!

If you look closely you can see Ethan's art on the buttons!

Hand-painted her face! I haven't done that since high school, I think. I miss that!

Ethan's heart!

Back of dress, apron, and collar.

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.