Christmas is Coming

 Dev and I have really tried to put the focus of gifts into "experiences" but in all honesty- childhood Christmases still need some tangible "stuff" in our opinions. Although my boys are sadly getting to the age where they would rather be with friends, screens or nose deep in a book(ok, that isn't sad) I'm still a huge fan of toys. It's true. I love toy stores and could spend hours inside one- not so much a toys r us, but magic little gems that are hidden downtown. Here are some faves, tried and true.

Teepees: 

It's the cool thing to have. I'm a big fan if you have the space. My ultimate, no questions asked, is francieandco.etsy.com

Amazing. Details details details! 

 They come all the way up to 8ft. She's in Provo and local pick up can be done so you can save on shipping. 

Bikes:

Training wheels are about to be vintage I think. Balance bikes are the way to go. You completely skip training wheels and get your kids on 2 wheels way faster. The first few rides will be insanely slow and you will think it will never work- next thing you know your 2 yr old is zipping away. 

Maileg. It's official- I am pretty much hooked and in love. With absolutely everything they do. Matchbox mice, bunnies in princess gowns, kitties in pajamas and in bedding that makes me swoon. They are heirloom quality and so cute and just beautiful! 

Some from Ps birthday. Check out maileg usa.com to see it all. 

I love lego- all of it. I won't blog about that. But equal in awesomeness is snap circuits. Totally geeky and fun and despite what the box may say- I think it's good for kids 3 and up. My boys still really enjoy this ( if friends aren't around and screen time is used up) all the sets work with eachother and unlike lego- one set has a ton of projects and have great instructions. 

Next:

Quercetti FILO lacing. Love international toys and thank goodness for YouTube so I was able to figure this out. Preslie and Zane both love. Just poke into the frame. (Watch the YouTube instructions) really fun, for hours! 

Tinker crate. The gift that keeps on giving. I ordered and have only gotten one so far- saving it for christmas, but the kit looks great and the prices are pretty awesome. The monthly subscriptions we have done in previous years have been fun and something to look forward too. 

Getting excited for the most wonderful time of the year! 

Jam Packed

Jam packed.

That's how I feel! Between kids, PTA, 2 days a week work, primary, and just life stuff- things are BUSY. Oh and I'm in the middle of trying to get a new super indendent for our school district because ours is lousy and I've had it. Rally the troops!!! 

However, I can't help to just feel incredibly grateful. This last month has been dotted with funerals and heartbreak and moments of just overwhelming "holy crap- this is TOO much! and sometimes I get focused on the bad- but then in the safety of our home, when we are all together, I feel like all is well. Thank goodness for the moments of clarity and the chance to re-focus. 

Anyways- trying to think of where to begin to catch us up... 

We squeezed in a few more camping trips, the boys are doing great in school and received awards for math (Zane) and reading (Brody). Preslie turned 4 and it was a great day until she had a total heartbreaking meltdown over the fact that she didn't get a unicorn, a" REAL unicorn that was alive" Brody was so kind and eased her sadness by telling her she should just ask Santa for one.  

We've had our first snow and have accepted the fact that we have a cat- Jingles, and my front porch has the most ridiculous cat shelter set up to accommodate jingles in the winter. Free to good home!!!!! I will pay you to take this cat and let him inside. Poor guy. That about sums it up. 

Preslie and one of her favorite little friends 

Black Island Farms 

Mutton buster 2015. There is a really good chance that Zane will be a real life cowboy. 

Oscar not ok with Jingles

SNOW! Nov 9 2015 

Cupcake baking party 

Halloween 

Garth Brooks Concert! Oh it was so good! And so loud! It was like 3 hours of garth greatest hits karaoke and we knew every word. 

Jingles 

Music program 

Tea with P

For a while now Preslies fave thing is to have tea parties- usually it's me and her, maybe some dolls, and sometimes a friend. Well I decided to do a really big, fancy, tea party. The planning started months ago and as time went on it just kept getting more and more detailed and involved.... :) and I loved every bit of it. It was SO fun!! 

Invitation prep.... 

They were too big to be in envelops- so boxes it was!

Inside... 

Outside. 

Hand delivered to 9 little friends, accompanied with a dress for each girl. 

It just kept getting more ridiculous :) 

Individual cupcake stands with pearls, and mini fabric bunting, and a multitude of doilies. 

Devin and I started decorating the night before and then the morning of Tea day, Dorie came over to help. We worked until party time, we had bunting, more pearls and lace, birdhouses, and so much tulle, like 12 bolts. Yikes! My neighbor asked if there was a wedding- that was a proud moment and I knew I was on the right track. 

This was our little photo prop corner.. Because I hired a photographer :) 

The party started and we made glitter dough (Playdoh and glitter, it's magical if your 3 and 4) 

Then moved on to painted nails... 

I recruited some older girls to help 

Some girls painted their own :)

Next was decorating  party hats with flowers, bows and ribbon. 

It was nearly tea time, so we added some fancy accessories...

Feather boa's and clip on earrings for the non pierced.

Tea Time! It was actually pink lemonaid, but we had a lesson in how to curtsy, and how to sip with our pinkies up and dab with the corner of our napkin.

Very ladylike. 

Delicious cupcakes made by Kirstie! 

Fancy fruit- thanks Julie! (Found these great picks at the bakery surplus in SLC) 

After tea we danced a bit, did some twirls, visited and lauged and giggled. 

Love these sweet little friends! They were all kind and polite and had such a fun time. 

I'm already planning next years.