So, the oven was fixed in time for me to stay up late two nights in a row to finish baking. But who knew in the end, the oven would be the least of my worries ... 5yo started having acute asthma attacks. So Wednesday and Thursday saw us at the doctor's office for him. And the steroids were given to him in full force - which, I mean, really, have you seen what giving a kid steroids can do to him? And then give it every 4 hours (around the clock) and mix it up with Christmas excitement? Um, yes, wound up/hyper doesn't begin to cover it. But he could breath, and I'd take that trade any day! Christmas eve he threw up all over his sister. Awesome. Or, you know, not, so him and I stayed home and husband took the girls to the two places we were all supposed to go. I can't lie, it made me so sad ... in 13 years of dating/marriage, we never had to split up like that for Christmas eve. But in the end, all of that aside, Christmas day was wonderful and lovely. Everyone was healthy and happy, and we were all together to celebrate and enjoy. And no, there were no handmade presents for my children under the tree. But the world didn't end. I actually got to sleep a bit over the week (and really, can I tell you how glad I am that I decided to not push it before the asthma attacks - because those led to some long nights and if I hadn't slept before all of that, Christmas day would have been a lot less wonderful for me! The whole season was full of wonderful moments - baking together, caroling (which was a blast!), lots of cuddling and hanging out, and just wonderful memories all around! And today, today I'm going to the doctor for the 8yo because she has a very bad ear infection that started in the middle of the night. So real life comes a knocking again. But I'm very glad we had Christmas. We are blessed beyond belief!

Brandie - I thought you would get a quick out of this. The Twilight Saga + Crafting = win win in my household http://www.itsafullnest.com/2010/12/23/twilight-saga-movie-marathon-six-hours-of-crafting/

I LOVE these Valentine's, fom 24-7-365 and DesignMom! http://24-7-365.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavish-me-with-praise.html http://www.designmom.com/2011/02/get-your-valentine-make-on/#more-9378

I wanted to share our homemade Valentines that my sons and I made. http://www.oboyorganic.com/blog/valentines-with-helping-hands I love making our holidays something special by creating homemade gifts, decorations and cards with my boys. They take ownership of their work and is VERY proud when they are finished.

love might be where you find it.....

do you celebrate valentine's day? or do you eye-roll the holiday?

we'll celebrate.

i'll celebrate anything, really.

life is too short to give up the small celebrations in life--valentine's day, a lost tooth, a good grade, a clean bill of health, finding a twenty in your coat pocket.

http://applesinwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-might-be-where-you-find-it.html" target="_blank">http://applesinwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-might-be-where-you-find-it.html

Fun with our paper punch - for Valentine's Day!

We decorated these little notebooks - and my soon got to help. We were both sticky. Thanks to www.creativemamma.com for the Valentine's Day templates.

Sums up my early November feelings....

Speaking of handmade holidays ... I need some really easy gift ideas I can make for people this year. I just don't have the energy to do much, but I want to do something! Help!

Homemade gifts are special because they're personal and come right from the heart. And what's better than a food gift? Everyone loves gifts you can eat (there's no explanation needed as to why!). Putting together a homemade food gift can be as easy as mixing together a few pantry staples, like our homemade holiday pancake mix or hot chocolate mix. The recipient only needs to add the rest of the ingredients to complete the recipe. Other gifts can be used right away during the holidays or after, like our vanilla sugar or breakfast granola.

Awesome Gingerbread Houses (from the blog Grinning Cheek to Cheek) I love the traditions created by Christmas and all the things that go along with it. One of my favorite things is to make a gingerbread house. However – I saw this gingerbread train set and since Andrew is SO into trains – I knew it would be perfect! So here is our Train from Christmas of 2010. I filled the inside of the ‘car’ with chocolate chips to look like coal – but I shortly thereafter caught my then almost 2 year old sneaking bites of coal, and had to empty it. So TO get your brain mojo going on your next creative Gingerbread Project, I figured I’d show you some cool gingerbread houses I found! See the gingerbread houses here: http://www.grinningcheektocheek.com/awesome-gingerbread-houses

How to make your own wreath Mother Nature Network - If you'd like to make your own wreath for Christmas, there’s a good chance you have an abundance of plant material growing just a few steps from your front door to make a unique sign of the season. Take a look around your yard or garden for the amazing number of plants that make colorful berries in late fall and early winter and for those with foliage in interesting shapes, colors and textures. Here’s an example of some plants to look for: Hollies, especially variegated ones Cypresses, junipers and similar evergreens (look for stems full of berries) Nandina Magnolia trees Pine trees Eucalyptus trees Japanese maples with red or yellow branches Winterberry Native and ornamental grasses Beech trees (the leaves stay brown through winter) Boxwoods And if you want to give your wreath a regional look, choose plants that are native to your part of the country. For example, if you live in the South, what could be more Southern than magnolia leaves? The easiest way to make your own wreath is to buy a wire frame from a garden center with the greenery already attached. If you want to make your own wreath from scratch, arts and crafts stores usually sell bare wire frames. Christmas tree branches, boxwood stems, magnolia leaves and vines are popular base materials. The only equipment you will need to get started is a pair of clippers, thin green florist wire and a little imagination! Continue: http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/stories/how-to-make-your-own-wreath?hpt=hp_bn12