Tooting My Own Horn

**If your name is Marilyn (aka Grandma) or Warren (aka Grandpa), you may not read the following post- it'll spoil the surprise!!!**

There are many reasons for Todd to laugh at me. I seem to do crazy things regularly, but lately, he's had a TON of reasons. You see, I'm a tradition kind of girl. Note that I didn't say a "traditional" girl. No, no. I just really like traditions. For example, stockings were always important in my family, especially since my Nana knit a monogramed stocking for each of us. Some of the traditions I really enjoy are ones from my family, or Todd's, but we've also started our own. I love that I don't have to worry about what to buy Todd for Christmas because we do something together, rather than wrap something under the tree. Last year, we left Em for the first time and went out to dinner and a concert. This year, we're leaving the kids with Grandma and Grandpa and going to a luxury resort.

Some traditions are easy to keep. We add an ornament for each kid every year. Last year, we bought Em one, this year, the kids and I will make one. I also had planned to get a new pair of pajamas for the kids for them to open on Christmas Eve and a Christmas outfit. Well, that's where I ran into some problems. Who would think Christmas-y PJs would be hard to find? Well, since it's summer here, none of the flannel/fleece stuff from the States would work (I don't like my kids cooked well-done... maybe a bit rare, but not burnt!). My mom did send the kids some really cute clothes that matched for Christmas, but like a stinker, Cooper fit into his outfit last week, but this week, oh no! After realizing that Cooper was too big overnight, I went hunting... and hunting... and hunting, but all to no avail. I wanted a nice polo or something collared that would match Em's outfit. When nothing (and I mean nothing) could be found, I got creative and turned an old cardigan of mine into a light sweater-vest for Cooper and bought the pants (the hat wasn't outgrown yet).

I also raided Todd's shelves to see what he had that I could use for the pajama situation. I came up with a pair of red plaid boxers that had a small hole, and turned them into some shorts for Em. Then, I needed something for tops and found this adorable idea for a toddler's t-shirt. Cooper's hands were a bit tricky because they were so small, but I still love how they turned out. Everything fits a bit odd (again, I repeat that I sew straight lines well, but these projects were a bit beyond my abilities- you'll see in the Christmas morning pictures, I'm sure) but I'm still really proud of myself for the effort. Cooper's outfit was originally one of those gowns that infants wear, but, in true form, he outgrew it from the time I started until the time I finished. Think of a reindeer-chested mermaid and you'll be in the same ballpark as his first final outfit.

Their hands and a foot forever immortalized in felt... at least until they have to be washed, and then all the effort will most likely come unraveled! Oh well, they look cute for now.

Then, all that was left to fix the stocking issue. I can't knit. Correction, I can knit baby blankets in two colors (but not more and they generally fall apart within the first year of use). Therefore, stockings were WAY out of my league. So, I went to something I could do- felt. (I love the internet and how you can find anything, directions and all, that show you how to make something look great without all the creativity!) I wanted to make sure that Grandma and Grandpa had their own stockings for Christmas, names and all, so they'll open these Christmas Eve when the kids open their PJs. (Those are flowers, but in forrest green, it's rather hard to tell.)

I've been working on all these projects like a crazy person, but I'm happy they're done- yes, happier they're done than how well they turned out. I've been loosing way too much sleep trying to get everything done, but now that it's done (who am I kidding, I still have three more projects sitting on the kitchen table!), I'm patting myself on the back, then going to bed. So, sleep well friends! Hope your Christmas preparations are as... productive as mine!!