Angel?

Looks can be deceiving.

Four

Ollie is FOUR!  You can tell by the pure silliness.  This morning he said: "We can eat cake for breakfast and then eat our breakfast for dessert!"  We celebrated yesterday with cake and presents because today was church and the Christmas service in which the kids participated. (I use the term  "participate" very loosely.)  Ollie received some new Crocs and a Deluxe Marble Race.  He got some special cards and gifts in the mail from Grandma Verna and Great Grandma Rowe.

Ollie's cake is a dinosaur (what else!) created from three cake pans of different sizes.  It was fun to make and I was happy it actually turned out okay.  Cakes are not my specialty.

Christmas Stockings

Since I've made everyone else (well, not EVERYONE) Christmas stockings this year, I decided my own children needed new ones.  They each already had one that I've handmade, but I was never personally satisfied with them.  So this was the year.  Clara's is a dark green with white snowflakes with glass buttons in the center.  Ollie's is a heather blue with a decked out snowman.  Isabel's is a deep plum/wine with a Christmas tree adorned with buttons.  All have hand embroidery around the top and their name across the foot of the stocking.

A Generous Friend

On Saturday morning we headed to the huge Galleria Mall in Dallas.  They have a cool play place for the little ones and even an ice skating rink!  But these were not our reasons for going.  Clara had been invited to meet our church friend and Sunday school teacher, Sue, along with Sue's granddaughter, Lexi, at the American Girl Doll Store.  Sue loves the American Girl Dolls and wanted to buy one for Clara.  An offer that could not be refused!  Clara and Lexi, only about 2 months apart in age, had met one other time and really hit it off.  They were glad to see each other!  Clara's first choice on doll was Kaya, Native American doll.  Apparently, she was a popular one because she was out of stock.  Smart Clara, she had a Plan B.  She chose Josephina, the Mexican doll.  We came home and got busy making some extra clothing and accessories for her.  The doll came fully dressed and with one book.  I made a wool poncho, a skirt, and altered a baby shirt.

A Few Random Things

We did a small bit of Christmas decorating.  It seems pointless to have a tree in our tight apartment since we will be in Kansas for our Christmas holiday.  The kids enjoyed rediscovering all the ornaments and lights and nativities.  The past 2 days we have made a fire because it is actually cold enough right now.  We still haven't turned on our heat even though it was 29 degrees this morning.  I think being on the second floor, sandwiched between 2 apartments helps with this.

After reviewing my web analytics for my etsy shops I realized that I had 108 visits from Apartment Therapy yesterday.  One of my stockings made it on here! People keep buying and I keep making, but not quite at the November rate.  I've sold well over 150 stockings this year, not the mention all the other stuff.

Thanksgiving

Of all the things I'm thankful for, my family tops the list.  We always have a wonderful time when we are together.  Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us!  Thanks Verna for watching the kids while Damian and I went to a movie.  Thanks to Catia and Tatiana for playing.  Thanks to Grandma Rowe for a lovely visit.  Thanks Rick for meeting us in Dallas while you were here.