Christmas Vest

This vest was supposed to be a birthday present for Felix, but I couldn't get it done in time. I finished it on Christmas Eve instead. In other news, he is inseparable from his blanket these days. Makes a knitting mama happy!

Christmas at the McClains 2011

stamps + glitter + glue = Christmas Cards!

Henry and I love making Christmas cards. This is only the second year in a row we've done it, but I hope there are many more years to come where we sit for evenings on end around the dining room table making and creating together, everything covered in glitter. This year I added something new to our supplies: glitter glue! Henry was in heaven. These cards always end up taking so much time to make that I wonder why I'm doing it, or if anyone really cares or appreciates the handmade-ness of them. Honestly though, I do it partly to try to give everyone we love a tiny bit of "handmade" at Christmas, partly because I love the time spent with Henry, and partly because I just really enjoy doing it. I take pride in the fact that each one is different, and I spend an inordinate amount of time choosing which card should go to which person/family. I know, it's ridiculous, and I'm sure I will do it again next year!

 The one in the middle depicts, in Henry's words, "the manger and our garden next to my favorite place, the city." The day after this photo was taken, Henry made a whole series of "joy" cards.

Advent: a recap

 

 {preparing the house for Christmas}

 {a family walk}

 I took the boys to the Washington National Cathedral to get our Advent calendars and candles. We walked around the Sanctuary first, and when we entered the children's chapel, Jude said, "See Jesus! I see Jesus!" He pulled one of the little chairs up and stood on it so he could get a closer look. It was truly a religious experience for him and a wonderful one during Advent. He was also fascinated by the Creche displays and ran around to each one looking for "Baby Jesus."

 {Felix's birthday crown in the works}

My new favorite place is the Art Works Studio School. I take Henry there for clay classes on Mondays, while Jude and Felix go to the Toddler Art time on Fridays. Henry and I went to the art show/holiday party they had. Pictured here is Henry making a "bearded snowman." He also made an ornament out of corks, jingle bells, and paint that is hanging in the car. I put it there initially to dry on our way home from the party, but I just love looking at it while I'm driving so I think that's where it's going to stay. We also made several gift bags out of tissue paper and old Christmas cards. I just love spending time at this studio.

First day of Forest School. I take all three boys on Tuesdays, and just Henry on Thursdays.

We all LOVE it.

On Friday, I took the boys to the National Gallery to pick up some gifts for Dan. On our way in, we saw two police officers bringing their horses over to the fountain for a drink. What a wonderful treat for us to see!

Advent this year was definitely busier than last year - we were forced into inactivity having a newborn last December, which was such a singularly special time, having a newborn during Advent and Christmas  - but I still feel that it was generally a peaceful, and definitely joyful, preparation for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

 

Just taking a moment to reflect on how blessed I am...so much love and joy here (though not much peace! Maybe in years to come...)

I hope you, too, are taking part in the merriment and having a joyous celebration of Christ's birth!

Trains: At the Botanic Gardens

We always visit the trains at the botanic gardens a few times during the holiday season; this was our first time seeing them this year. We were joined by Henry's friend Alex - people often think he and Henry are twins! (Sorry I don't have any pictures of Felix; he was in the carrier the whole time.)