On the sixth day of Christmas....

I would love to put a photo of Bruce up.....but I have to be honest.  I fell asleep on the couch and only remembered in the wee hours of the night that we hadn't done anything!!! EEEEEKKKK!  So he was very un-creatively placed on top of the curtain.....not even photo worthy.  I seem to be falling asleep anywhere these days....2012 and all it's craziness is finally starting to catch up on me.

With that being said, we did get creative yesterday though!  After Day 5's situation, Macie wrote a letter to Bruce to apologise.  After seeing her beautiful writing, all my 'screamy-ness' (is that even a word) disappeared.  This kid continues to amaze me each and every day.

iPhone pic

So, thanks to Macie's beautiful Ma who purchased her these amazing books, we got set to do some Christmas Decorations. 

One thing led to another and we ended up making Christmas Cards for all her special people with the decorations....

Plans for today are PJ day due to a little cough from a little girl...and a fourth tooth for a little boy....and maybe because my body is screaming at me to STOP before another crazy weekend of photo sessions!  Four more sessions to go for 2012....my god - where has the year gone? 

On the fourth day of Christmas...

Bruce had a big date with Snow last night.....

I made the fatal mistake of leaving Husbo in charge of setting them up.  Thankfully I could hear nothing but cheeky giggles and must admit I nearly died of laughter too.....but Snow was repositioned to a more G-Rated suitable posie and Macie was amazed again this morning. 

Admittedly, Macie wasn't too impressed with Snow ditching her for Bruce....but when asked by Leanne from the Post Office on our trip to town she proudly pronounced that "Bruce is with MY Barbie". 

I am a little blown away by just how popular Bruce is!  So many people stopped us today in town today to ask what Bruce was up to!  It just goes to show how many people follow this blog....and I still can't get my head around it.  Thank you to everyone for your support...and your interest in our very small life at the Cottage.

Today, it was bribery & corruption for a special activity only once a certain little girl had a nap. 

I'm pretty sure that Bruce delivered the goods....

And now the er *ahem* beautiful Christmas tree is now hanging proudly from our Tree.

Until Tomorrow.....

On the second day of Christmas...

On the second day of Christmas, Bruce the Elf was found getting into the Country Spirit and bucking on Daddy's replica horses! 

 

And for the Second Day of Advent.....Bruce the Elf left a fun activity (which is so damn easy to do!)....

All you need is:
1.  1 length of paper that fits around your childs head (like a headband)
2.  1 piece of brown paper to trace your childs hands - as this makes the antlers of the reindeer.
3.  2 round black dots (I just cut these from black paper)
4.  2 small white dots
5.  1 big red dot
6.  A stapler
7.  Scissors
8.  Glue

Firstly, measure the long length of paper to fit your childs head and staple together.  Trace your childs hands and then cut them out.  Staple the antlers onto the headband and then add the eyes and nose to make your RUDOLPH!  So so easy and so so much fun!

The talk around the cottage is that Bruce the Elf has the hots for Barbie....in that case, I better go and make sure she is all dressed pretty for her hot date tonight!

Santa Drop-Off

Obviously the most important part of Christmas, is writing a letter to Santa.  So yesterday, I sat down with Moo and we got down to business.

She dictated, I wrote.....

and then she decided that she was too interested in cutting the paper to make paper chains. May I add, since when did my baby become so clever with scissors? Seriously, I was freaking out - blurting out random "Watch your fingers"...."Are you sure you don't want Mummy to do it?"...."Please be careful"......and she stopped....grabbed my face with her tiny hands and looked me in the eyes. She said very slowly and very careful "Mum - I.can.do.it". Enough said.

So today, while Macie played at Daycare and William didn't know what was going on, Santa came to visit to decorate our house and deliver a very special "someone" for our darling children.

He placed a wreath on the door, put the Christmas tree up, decorated and made the cottage feel very festive.

He left a special present under the tree.....a book explaining all about his special someone....

and I wonder who that special "someone" will be???

And for now....we are off to town to pick up Macie.  I am beyond excitement....and I know that she will be too!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

If I had to choose one of my happiest childhood memories - it is without fail, Christmas.  Each and every year. 

My parents used to create this magical, mystical and amazing Christmas for my sister and I every single year.  Everything we did was so happy, so fun and most importantly, memorable.

If there is anything I want to do as a parent - it is to create these same memories for my babies.  Obviously Willsy is a little young for all the hype but Macie is sooo excited.  We only have to see Santa in the catalogues and she goes all goo-goo!  It makes my heart warm and fuzzy to see her innocence in full force.

So, this year - I've decided to create what I always talk about.  I'm going to create MAGIC for my children each and every day of Advent.

Instead of just an Advent Calendar from the shops - we've created an Advent Calendar box. 

It will sit proudly in the house with a new activity, gift and note from Santa every single day for Macie and William.....and I've got a good 2 days to get organised before the 1st of December dawns on me.  I'm talking Christmas Craft, Gingerbread Houses, Paper Chains, Candy Cane Treasure Hunts, Santa Sightings.....and yes my husbo is rolling his eyes at me but then reassures me "The kids are so lucky to have you Han!". 

Not only will it create magic.  But it will also force me to step away from the hussle and bussle of life - and enjoy my darling children.

It's starting to feel a bit like Christmas here.....how about you? 

The end product.....a bit of mod podge and a few ripped up magazines and VOILA.  Lots & Lots of Fun. 

'Twas the First Week of Christmas....

I can't believe that it's the 6th December already.  I had huge plans of creating a special advent calendar with an activity for each day - but the time has simply got away from us.  We seem to be creating our own virtual advent calendar and filling our days with memories that will surely last a lifetime.  It's fitting to say we are a tad Christmas-mad here - but hey - I will use the excuse of "Santa is watching" for as long as I can....because for now - it's working!!

Over the last week, we have been crazy - here is a little snippet....

Wet Season has arrived for the summer so we recently spent a good 4 days inside with the rain.  As a result, here is some 'craft' that we did with Daddy.  Yes - Santa looks like he has spent a year with the Simpsons but hey - it's proudly hanging on Macie's door and she loves it.  The most entertaining part was watching Heath do crafts with Macie....a first with paint, glue and all the other little bits and bobs.  Definitely a man who likes to keep his colours within the line and his glue strategically placed....I swear he had a heart attack 10 times over!! 

The Christmas Tree at the Dalli Cottage is proudly up with it's homemade decorations courtesy of Macie.  At first she thought it was a "Jump Jump" (What The?) but thankfully we managed to convince her that everything was precious and we had to be gentle.  I am happy to report the tree still remains standing with no casulties.

We just got home from a few days away at my parents place - and that is where the Christmas magic really happens.  My beautiful mum is secretly Mrs Claus....and creates the most magnificent tree.  It takes nearly a whole day to assemble....but it is so worth it.

But it's at night where the magic really happens with the fairy lights on and each and every ornament twinkling with memories of our childhood.  Macie's reaction was "Oh Wooooow" - and it really is an "oh Wow" moment.  It is seriously magestic.

And we finished the weekend off with a visit to the Christmas Lights Wonderland which was just perfect.  We lost count at the amount of times Macie said "Oh Wow" and it felt like we were over in Europe....not in Toowoomba. 

It's simple.....we love Christmas here and I can't wait to see what the remainder of December brings us!  Lots of laughs, memories and good times....

Our little Bush Christmas Tree

It has been wet, wet, wet here the past few days and in between doing craft with Macie - I decided that I wanted to do something pretty for the front entrance.  I had something in mind & some spare felt....so off I went while Heath and Macie had some quality Daddy/Daughter time.

Here is my little "Bush Christmas" tree....

I decided that I love it too much to place it on the dining table as a centrepiece as Macie is a pro at climbing the chairs and residing on the table first thing in the morning.  I can only imagine what she would do to this beauty!  In her defence - she is in love with the Bush Tree too and keeps on telling me that I need to "Be Gentle & Careful"!!! 

It was so easy to make!  The decorations are just felt cut out into the shapes that you want and decorated as you please.  I used a sewing machine to sew them but you could easily hand-sew them if you didn't feel like pulling the machine out.  I stuffed them with toy stuffing which was fantastic and easy. 

As for the garland - I can see myself making this for my mum as I am in love.  Easiest thing ever!  Simply cut out the circles in colours desired and send them through the sewing machine - leaving a gap between each one.  It is so simple, so cheap....yet so effective!

I have declared tomorrow "Christmas Tree" day as we are planning on being away at my Mums for the 1st December and I don't want to miss the oppurtunity of having Heath home while it's wet.  Will report back with the handmade ornament tree....and all it's beauty I'm sure. 

In the meantime....here is a little snippet of the Christmas Stockings that were designed by my sister Emma and sewn by me!  Love Love Love them....and seriously considering making Heath & I one!!

The Countdown....

I am surprising myself this year with my Festive Season organisation.  In between photoshoots, trips to town, swimming lessons, and general craziness of life - I am actually organised for Christmas.  It is usually it's me running around a few days before Christmas Eve trying to find wrapping paper and Christmas cards - and usually posting the cards after Christmas because I was too slack to sit down and right them.  I don't know what has come over me this year....but I am liking it!

We have these beautiful Christmas decorations designed by Macie to hang on the Christmas tree this weekend.  Beautiful treasure....I know!

I have purchased all my Christmas presents but one, nearly paid off Macie's lay-by (to which I just had a look at the receipt and don't remember purchasing half of those things) and have even sat down at the sewing machine to start/finish on special Christmas stockings for both Archer and Moo.  Yep - I have been bitten by the Christmas bug. 

Since I have been taking so many photos of everyone else lately, I decided it was time to capture some Christmas shots of our own little angel.  There are some beauties that I want to save for some special presents.....but here is a little snippet of our darling girl in between the rain showers yesterday.  Be still my beating heart.

Christmas Craft #1

With Christmas just around the corner - I find myself engrossed with Christmas ideas, wrapping & all the other goodies.  I love Christmas.  Blame it on my mum who is seriously Mrs Claus in disguise as each December of each year she would dress our family home into a beautiful Christmas Wonderland.  It must have rubbed off because I really love Christmas too.

Last year I braved putting the Christmas tree up with my little demolisher child.  We had a few decorations that were casualties - and thankfully managed to keep the family heirloom ornaments safe.  This year, I don't think I will be as lucky.  I liken Macie to an "Elephant in a China Store" - she is busy, inquisitive and rough....and I love her for it.  Christmas is all about the kids - so what kind of a Mum am I not to put up the tree because I am scared what she will do?   So I have come up with a genuis idea to make some decorations to place on the tree and it won't matter if Macie decides to 'look' and consequently break them.   

So, we sat down this morning armed with buttons, felt pens, ribbons and paddle-pop sticks.  Christmas Craft Activity #1 to make Paddle-Pop Star Decorations - designed by Macie.   Very easy thing to make - cheap and tacky which is what Kids Christmas decorations are all about! 

Now - I don't want you to get the wrong idea that everything is always rosey around this cottage.  During the 30 minutes it took to make these darling little ornaments - Macie had 2 time-outs and I ended up finishing them while she went and played with something else.  Apparently in her books, 2 year olds are allowed to use hot glue guns.....but in my books, parents loose their children for doing stupid shit like that.  Try explaining that to a two year old!! 

I seriously find myself wondering if this "Time Out" business works.  Advice anyone?

I appear to have an extremely cheeky girl on my hands today.  With her Daddy working before the rain is due - she is clearly sick of looking at my face.  I really thought a Craft Morning would make it all better.....but with my dog-like barking it appears that I am a bit sick of her face too.  It's as real as it gets at the Dalli Cottage - and not all roses.  But I like real.  Real makes you appreciate the great days and forget about the bad ones. 

And it doesn't take long to forget.....because now I am off to make mini paper mache ornaments for her to paint during the week.   A mothers love knows NO boundaries.  I seriously love this kid so much it makes my heart want to explode even with the tears, tantrums and time-outs!