Jan 06

Holiday daze

Yesterday was officially the last day of Christmas vacation (we extended it a bit because of Finley’s bday yesterday). I’m not sure I’m ready to take on a schedule again, have Kev back at work or get back into the grind of homeschooling. Once we start it will be fine- we will be back in the groove by Thursday. Although today was pretty good, maybe we will bounce back quicker than I think. Christmas already seems like a distant memory. Doesn’t it? We had a pretty low key Christmas break. It snuck up really quick and then slooowed down the few days we spent out in Massachusetts with family. The girls were at a super fun age this year for Christmas. Besides Rowan’s singed hair during Christmas Eve service there weren’t too many bumps along the way. One thing I really love about Rowan is that she is very grateful, she very genuinely says thank you for everything. She was very sweet opening all her gifts. Finley was also really into it as well. Tearing little tiny pieces of wrapping paper- it took her forever to open each gift. Every time she would get one unwrapped she would yell “OP, OP! (Open). She could have dragged on Christmas morning all day if we let her.

Being home with our parents was awesome. We are lucky to have both our parents live about 20 mins away from each other. We were able to get a few dates while we were visiting (free babysitting!!) which was a rare treat for us. Kev was also able to play hockey a few times with his friend Adam and I got to visit Amy at her beautiful shop in Worcester. We celebrated Kev’s Dads retirement, got to go swinging on the rope swing, ice skating with the girls, had a lovely NYE with friends and just enjoy time together as a family. I would do over these last 2 weeks in a heart beat.

Just stopping in to share a few random pictures from our Christmas today. Hope you all had a relaxing and wonderful time.

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christmas

Dec 26

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Card

Dec 26 | Lifestyle

I take Christmas cards pretty seriously. I’m actually super nerdy about them. I think about them months in advance- always trying to come up with something extra special. This year got away from me though. I thought it was going to be a wash but then one day as I was looking on Minted, I realized I had forgotten about the idea of a New Year card! Boom! Minted has such a great selection of New Years cards to chose from. I am pretty obsessed with all the foil stamped ones they have. Did any of you get Christmas cards from friends with the foil? We did and they were instantly my favorites. Anyway, we decided to go with one of their Booklette cards. We have so many friends and family members scattered across the country and Canada, we figured it was a great way to catch everyone up to speed really quick on our year. The quality of the cards can’t be beat (love the gold staples they used in the binding)! I am pretty smitten with how they came out! Plus! Don’t get me started on how excited I am that all the envelopes came addressed already!

If you didn’t get around to getting out a Christmas card- try sending a New Year card instead!! Best part about it? I would say any time in January is still an appropriate time to send one out! No rush needed. If you are interested in winning a $300 gift certificate to use on New Year cards from Minted, head over to Instagram and tag your favorite photo you posted this past year with #newyearswithminted to be entered. One person will be randomly selected from entries.

Here are a few more photos from our photoshoot for the card…

*This post was sponsored by Minted.

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Dec 24

Christmas Around Our House…

Dec 24 | Home Tours

As much as I would love to have decorations for each season or holiday, I usually don’t do much other than hang the few kids decorations we make during that season. Christmas on the other hand is the one holiday I do try to put out some extra little things here and there. This year a made a few popcorn and cranberry garlands which ended up looking super cute but oooh I hated making them. Why is it so hard to get the popcorn not to break when you stick the needle in it? Is it just me? I tried to keep things simple but festive. I loved using the Naptime Diaries Advent calendar prints around the house to decorate. I totally just used cute washi tape and taped the prints over existing pictures in frames. Well… Rowan and Kev have banned me from the upstairs to wrap presents, Finley is down for a nap, bags are packed for the weekend and the excitement is beginning to build. Yippie! It’s starting to feel super Christmasy around here.

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christmas

Dec 17

Crafts With Kids | Christmas Watercolor Cards

Dec 17 | Crafts with Kids

This is the simplest trick in the book, but it makes the cutest Christmas cards your kiddo can send to their friends and family. I remember watercoloring with rubber cement all the time when I was little but I totally forgot about it till the other day. Anyway, you can create a ton of cards quite quickly. All with their own unique look. Perfect even for small kids- let them just have at it!! Whatever you painted underneath will show through no matter how crazy their paint job is. Older kids could of course paint with the rubber cement themselves. I painted the scenes first for Rowan because it’s little tricky to see what you’re painting.

Materials:

watercolors (exact ones here)
paint brushes
rubber cement
glitter (optional)
Watercolor paper (we used this brand)

Directions:

1. Think of simple, christmasy designs to paint on the paper. You really are painting with invisible ink (so to speak) so the more detailed you get, the harder it will be to remember where or what you painted last. Apply a thick coat to the front side of the watercolor paper. Watercolors absorb differently to the front and back of the paper. The front is where it’s at. The overall outcome will not work as well if you use the wrong side of the paper (in our experience).

2. Let the rubber cement dry.

3. I explained and tried to show Rowan the pictures that I painted. Then I just let her go to town with her own ideas of how to paint the cards. You can also let your kid sprinkle glitter on the cards while the paint is wet. Glitter and I have a love hate relationship. It comes out only on special occasions. hahahaha.

4. Done! Let your kids write special notes on the inside and deliver before Christmas.

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Dec 23

Lulu*s Home for the Holidays

Dec 23 | Home Tours

I am blogging over on the Lulu*s blog today! I am sharing a holiday outfit inspired by our decorations around the house. Here are a few sneak peaks of the outfit and our Christmas decorations. Boy, oh boy! I love decorating the house for holidays. Head on over to Lulu*s to see more pictures and read all about where I got my inspiration!!