The kids strike out on their own - by Sandy

This year already has a new twist - the girls are making their projects without any help from Mom & Dad. Last year Maggie was commenting that they never get to surprise everybody at once on Christmas morning because they always need help either making their projects or getting the supplies. We talked about making things from stuff we have in the house and about asking other adults for help or a ride to the store. We also agreed to give them some "Christmas cash" so they can go buy supplies without having to ask for money.

Well, it's worked because both girls have already been busily working on a mysterious project, and we (Mom & Dad) have been banned from the cubby under the stairs.

Mom's curiosity is peeked - by Sandy

This project the girls are working on has peeked my curiosity. They have not needed any adult help (that I know of) and have requested some really odd items. I know they've been calling family members trying to locate some of these things but I don't know if they've found them.

So the burning questions are:
What can you make with empty bottles and pistachio shells?
Why does a bottle need to be blue?
What will they do if they can't find this stuff?

So many questions, and so long to wait for the answers.

Whispers of Christmas - by Sandy

It s beginning to look a lot like Christmas la, la, la. Okay, I can't carry a tune but I like the song and yes, my house is already beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Around here the first signs of Christmas are whispers, closed doors and do not peek signs posted around the house. Because we make our gifts, we really have to respect people’s privacy and accept secrets or we won’t have any surprises on Christmas morning – and I love surprises! And I love the quiet beginnings of this season.

The carols are here - by Sandy

It has begun! The kids wore us down and the Christmas carols are blaring through the house. We usually put a "not until after Thanksgiving" restriction on playing Christmas carols but they wore us down and we relented (although only on a limited basis).