dear santa

Yeah…not too into writing a letter and convincing Santa how good she's been this year. Straight to the point.

Over the weekend the playroom got out of control. I was trying to take the dogs out and Hannah and Joseph had set up barricades of various toys. In my typical fashion, I mentioned we should get rid of some of these toys (I might have said "this junk"), especially if we wanted to make room for the new toys we might get for Christmas. To which Hannah quickly responded, "I'm not getting a new toy… I'm just getting an Anna costume and a brother that doesn't whine." Well, that would be nice…

For tradition's sake, I thought I'd post our wishes for this year. Truly we don't need anything, but there are several things we would like and enjoy. :)  The kids aren't really talking about anything except Hannah mentioning letter c below, but I know my babies well and things that would make them very happy. {As usual by the time I do this post, most of these things have been taken care of.}


For Hannah Monkey:

{a} Doc McStuffins nightshirt. {b} art supplies. {c} Frozen's Anna, coronation gown…has to be the coronation one. {d} accessories like this hat from Old Navy and this headband from Children's Place (they have lots of pretty ones we like). {e} Nod bean bag chair. {f} Dollhouse. {g} Minnetonka boots like her pink ones in Dusty Brown. {h} kids picnic table for the backyard, a wood one with an umbrella like this would be perfect! {i} Sofia DVD. {j} cozy slippers.

For Josey:

{a.} lantern. {b} Nod bean bag chair. {c} Team Umizoomi DVD. {d} construction equipment like this wheel barrow and excavator. {e} boots. {f} trailer for the tractor. {g} slippers. {h} vacuum, a real one (what can I say?). {i} wet floor sign (seriously, a favorite thing when we go out). {j} superhero capes (both kids would love these). {k} umbrella.

As always, Joe is exceptionally hard to buy for as he rarely ask for anything. I struggle to come up with a collage each year for him…never happened last year.

For Joe:

{a} trip to the New York Marathon…his running goal for 2015. {b} sunglasses. {c} Wahoo KICKR bike trainer. {d} casual shoes for work and play. {e} reflective socks like these from ICNY. {f} knuckle lights. (Notice the theme? We want him to be seen, and be able to see, while running in the dark of morning.)

And for me:

{a.} herringbone Toms. {b.} this cuff. {c.} these earrings (they were on here last year, too!). {d.} Cinda b Vacationer II duffle. {e.} Keurig 2.0. {f.} boots. {g.} this handbag. {h.} gift cards are always wise (Athleta, Zappos, Ballard…). {i.} Fiesta 9" luncheon plates (turquoise, poppy, tangerine, peacock, scarlet) for kids to use. {j.} these earrings.

And that's that.

I am pretty organized this year and have my shopping finished, save for a few small things. Decorations are up and around the house. Presents are wrapped and under the trees (yes, plural…we have 4 total).

We have been reading our Advent storybook and following along our Advent calendar and "lighting 'em up" (an idea made popular by blogger/author Courtney DeFeo), that is, sharing God's love with others through big and small acts of kindness. We try never to walk past a ringing bell without dropping in a little something.

We are filling up our Sparkle Box. Do you know about this book? It is so, so good. All about teaching children the true meaning of Christmas and doing for others and presenting that as a present to Jesus on His birthday. Joseph is a little young, but he's picking up on it. Hannah is crazy about it… She so enjoyed helping me at the DFACS foster children's Christmas party on Thursday.

Heart of gold, that girl.

So, while the "wishes" above are exciting and fun, we are trying to keep in mind the reason for the season. Hope you had a great weekend. Blessings to you and yours!

(…and GO NAVY!!!)

dear santa...

 Did you see this on Facebook or Instagram?

 The words of a four-year-old. Santa letter dictated to me... Can't make this stuff up. #outofthemouthsofbabes

Seriously, though. She said it. I wrote it in pencil. She traced and signed it "Love, Hannah". The funny thing is, as her daddy said, she's usually a pretty good girl. She's honest though. Sometimes she's not really good. I love it...and I'll keep it forever.

As for a wish list...

For Hannah and Joseph:

{a.} rain boots (done and done). {b.} Toms. I am pretty sure Hannah would flip out over these. Toms are good for both kids actually. They wear them a lot. {c.} bikes (Santa is done). {d.} puzzles for my puzzle prodigy (60-100 pieces). {e.} umbrella (so she will stop using mine and bumping into things (also done). {f.} FN books for our fancy Hannah. {g.} Freight Train. We checked this out from the library and it was Joseph's favorite. {h.} step stool like Hannah's for Joseph. {i.} US wall map (must have Savannah, Seattle, and Cincinnati. Do not want one with too much clutter). I love this one here. Dad? {j.} Duplo set. {k.} additions to their Thomas train.

I believe most of these things are covered, but for tradition's sake I thought I'd add a wish collage to the blog. If you are eager to buy for my children, check with me. Or, better, buy a gift for another child in their honor. They have plenty!!

As for Joe and me... Well, a successful surgery on Monday and easy recovery is at the top of our list...along with a MacBook! There are a few other wishes, too, so if I get my act together I'll add below.


Update...


Some birthday/Christmas things I might like:

{a.} linen hemstitch napkins (flax, letter B) {b.} these pencils from etsy. {c.} twine (lots of fun colors; available on Amazon). {d.} puffy crossbody (I like this one in black from Vera Bradley but not too picky, just something easy and casual). {e.} Ugg Ansley slippers (Zappos, light grey, size 8). {f.} sphere place card holders from PB. {g.} clam shell (Ballard, here). {h.} preserved boxwood wreath(s), large (west elm) {i.} cleaning tools. I love this duster and broom from Crate & Barrel. {j.} lip line perfecter (Sephora). {k} Obagi vitamin C serum, 10% (Amazon). {l.} luggage rack. {m.} vintage jewelry (long necklace, these earrings I saw on etsy, or anything else fun). Gift cards to PB, Ballard, iTunes, etc. are always welcome. :)

I will try and muster up a collage for Joe.

Now, way more importantly...

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Advent! Please try to do/read/find something that continually puts you in the right frame of mind, and refocuses your attention on what this season is all about. I find that this is a daily challenge as it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle...spending too much money, going too many places, getting too few hours of sleep... We have to train ourselves and strive to make Christmas about Jesus, because, essentially, you have to be counter-cultural. As I've read recently, "Christmas is not your birthday!" Amen to that.

dear santa

I wasn't going to do the wish collages this year, but due to demand - ok, not that much of a demand, but by request - here it is!

For Hannah and Joseph:

{a.} a Power Wheel for two. {b.} Fancy Nancy (Already bought the Christmas one.) {c.} Little Lamb Bible {d.} Sperry top-siders in linen/oat (7 toddler). {e.} Thomas Wooden Railway for both kids. We've got track and engines for their big present, but accessories or buildings would be fun. {f.} Little Tikes Cozy "Josey" Coupe. {g.} rain boots for both H+J (Hannah - size 8, Joseph - size 6). I like the yellow, but Hannah says she wants the pink...of course. Dad, this is right up your alley. {h.} Kelly's Kids footless tights. She has red, so any other color including white or black would be great! {i.} Toms. We love the navy cord for H and the ash canvas for J. {j.} Dr. Seuss Bright & Early collection for Joseph. {k.} Superbook Bible stories.

As for me, a few items have reappeared from last year, but there's new stuff too. Overall, a good variety of wishes! Merry Birthday/Happy Christmas to me!

{a.} Wine coaster. I like this one from Pottery Barn and this one from Crate & Barrel. {b.} Timex watch from J.Crew. (Yes, on the list again this year.) {c.} Everyday wine glasses (Oregon all-purpose from C&B). {d.} iPad (I think I'm finally ready to jump on the Apple train.) {e.} Turquoise flats size 8. {f.} PB Classic bath towels in white or sandalwood. {g.} Williams-Sonoma soap/lotion set for the kitchen. {h.} PB linen tissue box covers (Want two different styles so probably giftcard best for this one?) {i.} C&B Bali dark placemats {j.} Frames. These and these are some that I have and like a lot. (Want for several purposes, so again, gift card maybe best!)  {k.} Ugg Bailey Button grey boots. (Size 8. Please order from Zappos!)

Still working on Joe's. Will update this post when I can! Any questions, let me know!


UPDATE!

Finally, what you've all been waiting for (all three of you)...Joe's wishes!

{a.} Triathlon race shorts (Zoot, medium). {b.} ingenuiTEA teapot. {c.} Pro-Form Tour de France training bike (one can dream). {d.} Dress shirts (tailored fit, button-down collar, 16-33) {e.} Shoes for work. He likes the Clarks Verro Genuine and Real (brown, 9.5). {f.} Sperry Top-Siders. {g.} Suits. He needs a couple, preferably taupe/gray. {h.} Matcha tea. {i.} Pants. These in stone and these in dark brown and possibly the carbon or ecru.

Obviously I've done some shopping, so check with me if you choose to buy from the above.