What a perfectly cold, cozy, crafty weekend we had. We got the outside of our house decorated and even got some snow! Real live snow. I woke up on Saturday morning & saw it when I looked out the front window. Parker was sleeping on a chair (where he fell asleep the night before, watching a movie), heard me, and popped right up. Then before I knew it he was dragging Mary-Kate out, bedhead and all. At 6 a.m. on a Saturday. But I didn't mind because I was almost as excited as they were - snow changes all the rules.
I was even giddy about going to school on Saturday - because it was my LAST DAY! I really cannot convey to you how good it feels. I didn't care what grade I got, what comments my professors had (we don't take any tests or exams in this program; just do lots and lots of projects and had to turn in a final portfolio in each class), I just wanted out. But it turns out I got three A's anyway - holla!! :) We only have a month off before we start the same schedule again with the same teachers, same times, same classmates (really do love that) and I am going to be relishing every free second I have. Below is my final math manipulative project - we had to come in and set up on Tuesday and wait for our professor to come by and grill us about what we had, how we'd use it, etc. I thought I would pass out before he got to me.
The kids can't understand all of the "fun" things I've had to make and buy this semester. "But... those are... wait..." :) And ohhh kids, it will only get worse once I have my own classroom. :) Over the weekend we colored and colored in my new coolest coloring book ever (and yes I said MY book; it killed me to have to share), and Mary-Kate and I made some of the cutest felt ornaments you ever did see. They were so easy and fun - I love felt! No hemming = the perfect sewing project. I found the pattern for the peppermint candy ornament here (and I would love to make enough of those in different colors to do a whole tree of them!) and the others here. No, they're not perfect; you can't look at them too closely - but isn't that what homemade ornaments are all about?
Their surprise in today's advent was a box of the most adorable foam gingerbread boys & girls. I had thought it was so perfect because it had a boy and a girl; turns out it had five of each. So Parker & I both did a couple and then MK went to town on the rest. Watching her enjoy things like this as much as I do... nothing in this world could make me happier! And yes, she was wearing a winter hat inside. A hat she wore when she was one year old, no less. Someone had to take over with the crazy get-ups once the Mormons moved back to Utah. ;)
I had lots of big plans with things that I wanted to make to sell in my little shop, but it's just not happening this year. Just like my dreams of having all of our presents under the tree wrapped in the same gorgeous way... it's just not happening. I don't think we're even going to have any wrapped gifts under the tree this year... and oh how I love wrapping paper and ribbons and tags! I've never been able to follow through with the "one gorgeous paper" thing because I can't ever commit to any one paper! I do have orders for dresses and necklaces piling up, mostly for strangers - which makes me a nervous wreck - so I better get on it. Now all that time I've spent stressing & crying & hating life over the last four months can be used in December for good and not evil. :)

