Christmas magic

I couldn't sleep Christmas Eve night after Josh and I filled the house with Christmas cheer for our good little girl and boy.  I just laid and listened.  I was waiting to hear the shuffles of slippered feet on the floor running around with excitement.  I heard nothing.  No one went to the bathroom, no one moved.  Everyone tired out from an exciting evening with family.

Just before the sun came up Christmas magic filled the house.

Emerson jumped on his mini trampoline.

Ida drifted off to dollhouse land.

It was a wonderful Christmas.

Josh and I gave Ida these mini Libby dolls to go with her dollhouse.

They were a HUGE hit.

I feel like a terrible mom.  Emerson just isn't even on the sewing radar.  Poor guy.  Does anyone have any great ideas of what I can sew for a little man?

fashion "Christmas ida" tuesday

This was Ida's Christmas day outfit.  I was so happy she loved the skirt I made her because I think I would have been devastated if she didn't.  Not that it was hard to make, I just loved the outfit so much.  I thought she would be more comfortable going the casual route on the big day to accommodate all the hustle and bustle of opening and playing with gifts, and besides, our Christmas Eves feel a little more fancy.

That is why I made her this dress for Christmas Eve.  I was thinking she would just wear a dress hanging in her closet, but I changed my mind that morning.  We were supposed to be at Josh's Aunt and Uncle's house at three o'clock and I started sewing the dress at eleven.  I just had to.  I couldn't get the idea of this dress out of my head.  I had seen similar dresses here and here and knew I could make one free hand.  And I did.  It isn't as polished as the inspirations, but I just love it.  And, we made it to Aunt Cindy's on time.

for my sister

I made an advent calendar. I saw this free printable avent calendar and thought I would like it better made of felt.  I do.  My seester liked it too.

I also made her a dish towl with embroidered owls similar to this one but I forgot to take a picture of it.  This one was for my college roommate.  Nothing compares to a handmade Christmas.....well, Coach purses do.

Oh, my brother liked his blanket.   

More handmade gifts tomorrow.

Christmas miracle

Santa came early. 

He was desguised as Josh's boss.

He gave Josh a new schedule.

Josh now has Saturdays and Sundays off.

If you are close to me, you know how important this is to me.

I feel pure bliss.

Prayers are answered!

In other news, the kids and I had a fabulous snowball fight a few afternoons ago.  When Emerson smashed me in the face, I remembered the day I met Josh, under the exact circumstance....a snowball to the face.  I shared our meeting story with the kids for the first time.  It was fun.  Emerson processed and then said, "Then he was your life?"  And so it was, and so it is, and yes, and he is my life.

fashion tuesday

Ida, Emerson, and I were wrapping Christmas gifts.  Ida mysteriously left, and returned in her Project Runway glory.

I guess it so happened that the bow was the exact same size as Ida's head.  She is so inventive and very in touch with fashion.  Could she be any more fun?

*Also, Emerson doesn't care one ounce about fashion.  This is why he has only been featured once during Fashion Tuesday.  But then again, he really doesn't mind.*

dear Friday

Dear HASBRO,

Two Christmases ago, Santa Claus brought Emerson Hungry Hungry Hippos.  Though he was a tad young at that time to play and completely understand the concept of why the hippos would actually want to eat white marbles, he has now grown fond of the frantic game and is lucky enough to have a sister to play with.  It is a great game.  

After reading the game's instructions, however, we would like to suggest the rules be changed, or rather, added to.  We couldn't find a rule regarding the blessing of the marbles before the hippos begin to devour them.  The kids suggest something simple, like what they say before playing, "Please bless the marbles.  O.k., go!"  As a devoted Hungry Hungry Hippo player growing up, I see where they are coming from.  

We hope this suggestion improves the health of your hippos.

Sincerely,

The Frakers

*Side Note* Don't tell your young kids what you got Daddy for Christmas......they don't keep secrets.

i'm taking my chances

Since I am sure my brother rarely looks at my blog, I will take my chances.

My little brother, Josh, was nicknamed "Skillet" by my oldest sister, Emily.  She, in fact, has nicknamed most of her siblings.  Josh: Skillet, Me: Mama, and Jacob: slim or yacob (Jacob pronounced with a heavy, very potatoy German accent).

Do you get the blanket?

It came to her one night last week while she tried to sleep.  The perfect gift, a blanket for his new apartment.  Isn't it so breakfasty?

Made by me, nicknamed by Emily, designed by my husband, the Captain (who is nicknamed by me).  Do you follow?

I posted this picture to tease my sister.

Can't wait to give it to her.  Until then, my lips are sealed!  It's VERY spiffy.

I will post pictures of the gift after Christmas.

fashion tuesday "mini-cycled"

I was done with it.......

Ida needed a gray one......

 

She looks better in it anyway.

What else don't I use in my closet?

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus

Josh was asked to play Santa Claus at our church Christmas party.  Ida "didn't like him like that" which I think was a nice way for her to say "I HATE Daddy in that outfit and I am going to cling to you, Mom, until this is over."  Emerson was extremely giddy whilst watching Josh try on the Santa costume at home, but things got a little less exciting at church and he opted NOT to sit on Santa's lap.  I think it was because he really didn't know if it was Daddy under that bowl full of jelly.

I couldn't stop laughing. 

I somehow persuaded Ida to try and enjoy the Christmas fun by making a list for Kris Kringle.

Daddy: "rocket or a movie with people and bees"

Mommy: "a dollie, the real kind or a baby"

Grandpa: treats (How does my dad always get assigned something edible?)

Auntie Em: "a fancy hat"

Uncle Chris: "a rocket to go up high in the sky with Daddy and then over to the airport"

When I asked if Emerson would like to help Ida, he so nochalantly replied, "I'm out of ideas."

some of the fine things

Hello, Christmas! 

The fireplace is a fine, fine thing.

And scattered around our house are the finest things I found at the dollar store, accompanied by some very fine gifted things, as well.  It is totally a make-shift Christmas.

Having two Christmas trees is awesome!

These stockings made by Grandma Alice are the finest things to hang from your Christmas mantle.

mushroom cottage

After making Ida's quilt, I have to be honest and say, I wasn't quite sure I really liked it.  I loved the concept, fabrics, and ruffles, but the scale seemed to be off.  I still look at it thinking, "Why didn't you just make the mushrooms smaller?"  Or, "You should have ruffle-fied the whole thing.  Why didn't you make the ruffles the main focus?"  It was a lot of work.  I just wanted and still want it to be perfect!

A few days ago, I walked in Ida's room and saw the kids playing with Ida's quilt in almost a board game fashion, assigning rooms in the mushroom cottage.  Oh, I feel better.  In the end, it is about how much Ida loves it.  She loves it...they love it!  Sometimes, almost all the time, it is best to just put my perfectionist eyes aside and enjoy.

Plus, Josh and I got the Pent House.  Sweet!  Poor Grandpa got the chimney!    

fashion tuesday---the hot mess

Three days without letting your mom take out your ponytails looks like this....ratty and snarly.  Let's not go out in public.

the short tale of one tree

Mellissa (on the phone with her dad):  "We got our Christmas tree today!"

Dad: "Really, did you have fun?  Where did you go?"

Mellissa: "We cut one of the trees growing too close to the house....."

Dad: "Oh, no you didn't!"

Mellissa: "Is that bad?  There was one growing right up under it.  Plus, we were doing the house a favor..it was way too close."

Dad: "Did you really?"

Mellissa: "Yes, the trip home was awesome.  Like only a few steps!"

Dad: "Jeez.  I bet Fraker liked that it was free."

Mellissa: "You bet!"

Emerson and Ida: "Grandpa, we cut our Christmas tree from the front yard!"

And decorated it beautifully, I might add.

p, p, p, pants

Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved looking in her closet.  She spent hours trying on clothes and changing outfits in efforts to make herself the fanciest little thing she could possibly be.  One day, the little girl declared with horror that the closet she so affectionately loved was being overtaken by.........p, p, p, pants!  What a nightmare!  She was so distraught.  What would she do?  Luckily, it so happened that this little girl had a mother with a brain full of crafty things and a magic sewing machine that could make the most beautiful dresses because it was on a "doll strike."
"Vuala"......
Dress #2 is finished and really different than dress #1.  Taking a break from making dolls has been heavenly.  Have I told you I love sewing again?  Dress #3 will be here before we know it.

To Be Continued....

fashion tuesday

Don't get caught in the wardrobe blues.  Get creative with what you have.  Wear layers to provide warmth and to ensure modesty.

Think outside the box, or inside the tub for that matter.

Don't limit yourself to beautiful wools, light linens, or patterned cottons.....plastic is a wonderful choice, as well, and comes in a large assortment of your favorite pinks and greens.

Seeing doesn't matter.  It just isn't that important.  As long as you are comfortable and look great, navigating around the house will work itself out.

Goose eggs compliment any outfit, really.  Go with it!