Coming Back

I can't believe it has been so long since I was here.  It seems like the minute December 1st hit my life went in hyper speed.  With a husband deployed and the holidays looming I honestly couldn't find a moment to check in. So what has been happening here?

We started off the holiday season by making some salt dough ornaments.  This was a lot of fun and the girls had a great time helping to make them and then painting them with a couple of friends. Sorry no pictures of the finished ornaments.

I decided to have a Craft and Cookie Decorating Party for the girls and a few friends this year.  What a fun day.  I just love hearing the conversations that girls have, it is really quite funny.  They made 3 different ornaments; the felt candy cane mice, clothespin reindeer and trees made from actual twigs and beads.  I had one other project prepared but they were ready for cookie decorating and hot cocoa.  Nothing better than amping up a bunch of girls on sugar and then sending them home with their parents. I sent mine outside.  I'm no fool! :)

There was some crafty giving this year too.  I crocheted both scarves for the girl's teachers using this pattern for the scarf but used a different pattern for the flower (sorry no link) and I added a button to the center and also one on the opposite side so that the scarf could be held in place.  The girls and I made the sugar scrubs for their Girls Scout leaders and teachers.  We tried some homemade lip balm but it didn't work out.   

  The girls made thumbprint cards for all their gift giving.  I gave them a few ideas but I love seeing what they can come up with on their own.

Amongst all these activities I also hosted a Cookie Exchange with a few of my friends (sorry no pictures, I was too busy hostessing), an annual Gingerbread House decorating party at our friends house, Christmas present shopping, Christmas movie watching, and lots of hot chocolate, coffee and wine drinking.  Both girls ended up sick on Christmas but they got open their presents while their daddy watched via Facetime.  It was a busy month and am glad we had all the activities and time with our friends to keep us busy but I am happy that things are slowly getting back to normal.  What ever that is. :)