merry christmas!

The tale of the above puppy is an interesting one. Her name is Saucy (according to Aurora). She was supposed to be a Fancy Nancy dog, but Santa found another that looked just the same (no more Fancy Nancy pups in his workshop, I guess). Anyway, Aurora did in fact "fall in love with him" (her own words), but initially, when I said "Wow--you got that Fancy Nancy dog you wanted!", Aurora said, "No, this isn't the Fancy Nancy puppy, this one was on another aisle." You cannot pull anything over on that girl. But the look of love tells me it's OK anyhow.

Aurora found the snow out in front of the Norwalk Aquarium a couple days ago irresistible. More shots from that trip another day . . .

early christmas, and a day of construction

Nana and Baba came out from Houston to celebrate Christmas with us before we head up to the great North Country (where it is snowy white now, yay!). They came bearing oh so many wonderful gifts, and Nana almost even managed to stick to the regifting/handmade/vintage maxim we set for ourselves this year. Thanks for the loot you wonderful grandparents!

The most delightful gift, though, was that Baba and Tim constructed this awesome playhouse for the girls! I hope you enjoy getting to take a look at the construction process!

what do you do with a kazoo?

craftapalooza

Crochet, printmaking, we're having fun! That hat on Laurel is the first I've made in many years. It's a little lumpy but she still looks cute in it! I learned to crochet the summer I met their father, so it is a fun skill to return to now! I did spend way too long last night trying to master one of the more complicated stitches, though, and pretty much failed. So I guess I'll just keep it simple, or see if You Tube can help me!

Here's hoping you are indulging your own crafty inklings this holiday season!

SNOW!

Sara called at 11pm last nite to say its snowing its snowing its snowing! We were asleep of course . . . but look what we woke up to!

love letter

So the rain and sleet are falling and the thunder rumbling. The Christmas tree is lit and glowing. I am so grateful, so thankful. And for some reason I want to address my two ladies, in all their loveliness (I guess it might be because I just read soulemama's letter to her tiny one . . . ).

Miss Aurora, I love your laugh. And the way you adore the darkness of black ink. And how your face lights up over stuffed animals, however homely they may be. Your gangly feet. How you always ask about a new word when you hear it. I adore your affection for our critters, the way you hold the chickens close to you and pat them on their backs. The way you tuck Zeppo gently beneath a blanket. I love how you wear pink and sparkles as if they were a religion. Your obsession with cat-mice. The faint dusting of freckles on your cheeks. How your hair kinks up after we wash it. The concentration in your eyes as you do your "work." The radical creativity of YOU is astounding. I love you as you come into your own in this moment, swinging high, with your long, restless legs stretched out before you.

My Laurel Bean, you are beyond darling now. Every bit of the earth that you step on becomes new under your feet, which are unsteady, like those of a little sailor on this earth-ship, the decks bucking beneath you. You say "hi" to us each morning, scooting around the bed, the seats worn right out of your pants. You are a cautious daredevil, not wanting to walk until you were sure, but wanting to climb like a monkey now and always. You are beautiful, your sweet pert face both absolutely present in every moment and completely timeless. Your occasional word is always a surprise, like "strawberry" or "definitely." You can make a friend with anyone. Your gift in this regard astounds me and humbles me. That fearless smile. I love that you are here, that you are healthy, that you are ours--or, more accurately, that we are so helplessly yours--for this fleeting moment.

cookie decorating playdate!

so exciting!

decorating the tree!

I will always remember Aurora decorating this year's Christmas tree wearing a tropical tunic, black tights, and one fuzzy blue sock!

laurel mama lovefest

I can't get enough of her right now.

and here comes saint nick!

The holidays are such a blur, I can't believe we've already celebrated both Thanksgiving and Aurora's Birthday! But last night I decided to move on to the next festive moment and churn out some felt stockings for the fam. I am so thrilled to have a mantle to hang them from!

the little cowgirl celebrates birthday number four at the little buckaroo ranch!

We are in a hundred-year drought and have had record high temps this year, but of course on Miss Aurora's b-day party-day we have 58 and drizzly! But it was wonderfully memorable. The chill brought everyone out around the campfire, and made the coziness when we came back home (with the relatives) all that much more delightful. Aurora had her very first pony ride today and took to it like a true Texan. She also loved feeding the goats and petting the soft snuggly rabbit and tiny bantam rooster (they said they had the only friendly rooster in Texas but they were wrong! our Pepper is still awful sweet . . . )

Aurora's favorite gift might have been Frederico ferret--from Laurel! She also got lots of fun games and arts and crafts materials, a pop-up book about the desert, some red cowgirl boots . . . the list goes on!

I had fun making the cake and arraying it with a little pond and fence and trail, and plastic animals from Michael's. Aurora was sweet and gracious and held it together with great composure through the whole party, which is tough at her age! We were all thrilled that she was happy and enjoyed it all, as we had a turnout of almost 40 folks and she could easily have been overwhelmed!

Enjoy the photos!