Busy, Busy, Busy

Gosh, we've been busy lately.  Too busy, as I'm sure most of the world has been, what with all the holiday nonsense going on.  Last week, we were busy preparing for Christmas.  The weekend was busy celebrating with family.  And this week is turning out to be just as busy, as I try to organize my house and find places for all of Laci's new things.  I've also gone on two shopping trips in an effort to restock my kitchen with food that has more nutritional value than sugar content.  Fortunately, I've taken pictures of almost everything we've done, with the exception of grocery shopping (I'm pretty sure I don't need to photographically document that), so I can record for my posterity exactly how crazy the holidays have become.

Just a few of last week's highlights: 
I baked sugar cookies, and then Ryan (and others) ate about half of them before I could even get the icing on.  I wrapped a mountain of gifts and then stacked them vicariously on the dining room shelf so little fingers couldn't rip them open.  And I made a practice batch of the Pioneer Woman's version of Parker House Rolls, since rolls have become the item I bring to dinner each year.  They were buttery, and delicious, and much more work than picking up a package of rolls at the store.  If rolls are my responsibility next year, I think I may take the easy way out.

Somewhere in there, I managed to also feed my child, although clothing was pretty much out of the question most days.



Each year, I try to do at least one handmade gift.  I never succeed in hand making something for everyone, but I think, over the years, everyone has received something I've made.  This year, I wasn't very good at planning ahead, so I did a little semi-homemade gift and I think it turned out alright.  Just a few fleece blankets from Walmart (just $3 each), and some felt and embroidery thread that I already had in my stash, and...

Walaa!  Three little personalized blankets in under an hour. 

Laci helped too, by becoming completely engrossed in the TV and being content to wallow in her own mess while I crafted away.  Sometimes, she knows just how to help me out.  Of course, this is certainly not all of the time.  In fact, most of the time while I was baking and crafting, she was whining, crying, and fit throwing, but we both survived.  And to top it all off, she ate a bunch of beads, which made for very festive diapers over the next few days.

And, as if I didn't have enough on my plate, I decided to turn my front room into a studio.  I bribed Laci with ornaments, lights, and a stuffed snowman, all so I could get that one priceless Christmas picture.  Or at least one that was worthy of printing for family.  Yet again, I wasn't organized enough to put together a card, but I'll just have to accept that I may never be one of those moms that sends out the Christmas card to family and friends each year.  I think I can accept that, I think.

Anyhow, the bribery and the furniture rearranging paid off when I was able to capture this one.  Pretty, isn't she?

I think preparing for the holiday is at least half the fun:  the baking, the crafting, the picture taking.  It's exhausting, but worth it.  The shopping part isn't so much fun for me, but also, very worth it in the end.

For our holiday celebration, stay tuned...