Anyway, I had a great time. I am not a huge fan of having the same crafty things in my home as everyone else, but I also never make the effort to do anything creative like this on my own. So I am willing to be a typical mormon mommy if it means completely finishing two projects in one morning (while chatting with other women) and having no mess to clean up afterwards. I even went so far into the stereotype to choose two projects with, Dun dun dun......vinyl.
This one just makes me smile every time I see it. It is somewhat sloppy because I did it second and was in a hurry, but the kids and I adore it. It is a Christmas countdown. It is supposed to say countdown on the bottom, but the lady who did the vinyl accidentally made the word too big, so she is supposed to get us new ones. I used a blue Christmas theme so it would go perfectly in my front room, and I think it totally does. Yes, I am a big cheeseball.
Can you believe Christmas is so close? I am pretty thrilled about it, and it helps that I am totally on top of things and my shopping is almost done.
As a side note, I know that a lot of moms out there get all frustrated about the commercialization of Christmas and how it makes their kids get the gimmes, but I love it. The only time we buy our kids toys is Christmas and their birthdays, so it is always our chance to get them the things we know they have been wanting all year. We keep it under control too, because we have learned that if we get them too much they end up ignoring half of it. Santa gets them each a larger gift (something like a bike if they need it, but that is usually the biggest thing they will get unless it is a group gift like the trampoline last year) and then a smaller gift. Mom and Dad get them a medium size gift and a new pair of PJs. Even though we are about 10 times better off now than we were Colin's first Christmas, it worked then in our budget and it still works now. I like it. It is plenty because they also have grandparents who get them gifts.
Let me say here that this isn't some strong philosophy that I am dedicated to. If you go crazy at Christmas, or if you scale back even more, I am totally cool with that - I think every family finds something that works for them. And there may be some Christmas in the future where we will feel like doing something outrageous or a year when we know they kids need less. Just thought I would share what keeps this mommy happy and sane during the Christmas season.
Anyway, my Christmas lights are getting up in pieces every day and then on Sunday we will decorate our tree and watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional together. I am sure hot chocolate or egg nog will be involved. I love this time of the year!
