Much like childbirth, the assembling of a 200-page Blurb book last-minute is pain that is quickly forgotten. One would think after last year's insane rush to beat the shipping deadline I would have learned my lesson. I even made a New Year's Resolution to progress little-by-little through the year...did I keep that resolution? Ha.

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In fact, before the holidays get in the way lets just review how pathetic my resolution keeping has been:

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1. Let the people I love know that they ROCK. I tried, hopefully they felt it, this will be a carry over to next year - its a good one.

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2. Cook more - include children. They aren't making anything french yet, but at least they can properly break an egg (sorta) and measure (sorta).

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3. Keep to our budget vigilently. Thanks to my gallbladder going bust, thus went the budget.

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4. Complete a triatholon. I'll blame this one on the gallbladder, too.

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5. Continue to develop my sugar cookie skills. Certainly have not explored this to the extent I had hoped. Haven't had a cookie cutter out in six months. Sigh.

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6. Work on our yearly Blurb book monthly. Fail. But here it is, all done. (At least a preview of the first few pages).

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7. Pottytrain the little one. SUCCESS. Finally one I can check off with a resounding - you betcha!

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8. Pass the PE (Professional Engineer) exam. Postponed until April (types while biting nails...)

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9. Learn to sew. Fail. I'm not precise or patient enough for this one. At least not yet.

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10. Get the children to sleep, everynight, alone, all night. Success. Except for the "alone" part. But at least its on our floor and no longer our bed.

If you're looking for a bizarre assortment of gifts that would make a mom of two little princesses in your life happy - here you are. Although your recipient may not be as nerd-i-fied as this one. {Making a wish list for one's self feels so incredibly greedy and selfish, but my mom assures me that it is infinitely helpful for a Mom of no-longer-littles.}

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1. Little House on the Prairie DVD set. This is no small prize, a full 60 DVDs highlighting every episode of the series. Me and my girlies could have Little House marathons for days-on-end...we could even dress in our pioneer costumes to set the mood!

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2. World Map. Nerd alert. I really enjoy maps, and have been known to give them as gifts to an unsuspecting father of mine. This is on the top of my list for the simple fact that I want to point to where things are. I am a nerd, and I am visual. I need maps in my house.

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3. More Sleep. Not pictured, because clearly I need more sleep. Totally skipped an entire number. And numbers leads to letters which takes us to...

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4. Alphabeasties: And Other Animal Types. Fonts and graphics combine to create a zebra made of z's. An elephant made of e's. And a mother of littles smiling at pretty pictures that can inspire both art and learning in two princesses.

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5. A Child's Day: An Alphabet of Play. Again with the alphabet, it's just so darn important. And these prints were recently featured on DesignMom. Again the art is beautiful and the fun of learning letters is all the better.

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6. Blender. Otherwise known as Homemade Frap Machine. Yes, yes I have high hopes of blasting my family out of bed in the predawn hours before work as I cunningly defeat the Starbucks addiction wizardry by creating my own frap in the comfort of my once-quiet home.

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7. I'll Be You and You Be Me. From the same author as A Hole is To Dig - this 1950s reproduction is calling my name. These illustrations are precious and the title alone makes this a must-read.

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8. The Little Yellow Leaf. The fact that amazon introduces this book with this sentence is what sold me: "The human capacity for volition and fear of the unknown is central to this tale." I, too, have the capacity for volition and a fear of the unknown - as do my children - and together we shall journey with the little yellow leaf to see what can be done about it.

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9. Big Susan. Another winner from the 1950s - which we have been reading on loan from my friend. The girls are on their second-read-through of this small chapter book. I love when a book resonates with my kiddos while allowing me the courtesy of enjoying the beautiful illustrations. Its a win-win.

I conquered the wreath tutorial from the Long Thread. And I am happy.

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It took way more ribbon than I anticipated, though the tutorial is very clear and specific - I just thought she surely couldn't be serious...she is... save yourself the two extra trips back to the hobby haven and buy the specified amount the first time.

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I initially had visions of two matching golden homemade wreaths hanging in my kitchen windows over my pear cafe curtains to make the most warm and golden Christmas kitchen. After draining the whole of KC of all golden grosgrain ribbon to be had I decided this would instead make a lovely Christmas gift (now the question is...to who?). The windows will have to be adorned with children's paper snowflakes again this year...sigh.

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A few more shots of all my efforts courtesy of the Handsome on-site Project Photographer:

thanks B - I love you

I so desperately want to create some homemade Christmas gifts. Perhaps one of these will fit the bill. Perhaps. And just perhaps one will be made tomorrow. Now which one will it be?
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1 \ 2 \ 3 \ 4 \ 5 \ 6 \ 7 \ 8
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Here's a hint...
{1} to compliment my pear cafe curtains
{2} for someone who might be lonely
{3} because they are awesome
{4} to spread Christmas chear
{5} for my nephew, I LOVE this one (the idea and the kid)
{6} just to see if I can
{7} for my girlies, not gonna lie
{8} who doesn't love a babooshka

Lisa at the Red Thread is so creative, and the fact that she is experiencing the world from a whole different angle (read: Australia) her projects always bring unique touches that are not as common around these parts. Like these awesome Sweetie Beans that snuggle up perfectly in a little one's arms (honestly, they're perfect sized, check out her blog!) I can so see my little J cuddling one up as she tucks into bed.

1. To Write Love on Her Arms t-shirt. TWLOHA is a group dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. A majority of their financial support comes from the sale of their t-shirts. Read about their vision, see the store, buy the t-shirt. $17.00
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2. Two Futures Project t-shirt. 2FP is a movement of American Christians for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The t-shirt reads 'disarm' and is sure to spark lots of conversation. Read about their vision, buy the t-shirt. $20.00
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3. 350.org t-shirt. 350.org is an international campaign dedicated to building a movement to unite the world around solutions to the climate crisis. Read about their vision, see the store, buy the t-shirt. $18.99
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4. Made by Survivors bracelet. Made by Survivors is an international organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and modern day slavery. Items sold in the store are made by survivors of slavery with the hope of eventually establishing a sustainable income. Read about their vision, buy the bracelet. $28.00
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5. Charity:Water water bottle. Charity:Water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. One in six people on the planet do not have access to safe drinking water, many women and children. 100% of the cost of the water bottle goes to fund freshwater wells. Read about their vision (watch the video while you're there), see the store. $40.00
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6. FEED bear and bag. FEED works to create good products that FEED the world. Because hunger and malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, malaria and TB combined, and tonight 400 million children around the world will go to bed hungry. Purchase of the bag will keep a child fed in school for a year. Purchase of the teddy bear will provide three nutritional supplements to hungry children. Read about their vision, see the store, buy the bag, buy the bear. $35 / $35
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7. Heifer International animal. Heifer works to end world hunger and poverty as well as care for the earth through a set of global initiatives in the areas of agroecology, animal well-being, gender equity, HIV-AIDS, microenterprise, urban agriculture and young people's initiatives. Heifer's online gift catalog offers a variety of animals you can gift to a family in a developing country. Read about their vision, see the online catalog, buy the heifer. $500.00
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8. Project Concern animal. Project Concern is a non-profit health and humanitarian aid organization dedicated to preventing disease, improving community health, and promoting sustainable development. Read about their vision, see the online catalog, buy the flock of hens. $50.00
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9. TOMS Shoes. TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Read about their vision, see the store, buy the shoes. $54.00

We arrived at the Plaza Art Fair about 4 hours too early. Early enough to watch the behind-the-scenes set-up of all the artists booths, and receive plenty of 'get lost' glances from the friendly artists as a bonus. The Humane Society had not even brought the puppies yet, so we were without much to do at...that is except make several trips to the Johnny-on-the-Spot (if you think they're gross when you're alone, try taking one of your precious children, girls no less, in to sit on one of those stink holes, ugh).
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Yet, we were determined to make a good time of it, and at last we spotted ZOOM, the brand new toy store just in time for Christmas shopping. The girls marveled at the life-like baby dolls, the great puppets, and then...then they found the Calico Critters. A table full of them was on display and they were all-about the little bunny families, mice families, bear families and matching tiny furniture. We had the sales clerk bring the box with the large house so the girls could take a look and after seeing that the house had lights that actually worked, they ditched their previous plans of Barbie house and accessories for Christmas and now we are all about Calico Critters!
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B was totally enthralled with the model animal display and took numerous pictures of all sorts of creatures, the coolest by far being the flying squirrel.

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