65 days....

I created a list in this post of all the wonderful things I was going to do in the countdown to Christmas.... have I done anything since then?

Mmm... I've made six cards. I don't know how many I need to make (because I haven't written the list of who I need to send them to), but I have made six.

I have covered a journal (shown in the previous post), and created my journal template pages for writing stuff on.

I have driven myself slightly insane, worrying about making this year the "perfect" Christmas, when reality is it doesn't need to be a perfect Christmas, just memorable for the kids!

So, let's talk traditions. A post over at 2peas got me thinking about our Christmas traditions (and also got me dwelling on Christmas and feeling the stress already!)

• We started a new tradition last year of going to the Carols by Candlelight in the school grounds around the corner - a picnic in the park, singing and fireworks, too. (this year I'm going to try some of the tips for taking fireworks photos - some of mine weren't too bad, but some were truly awful!)
• We have an old tradition of watching Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve, then the kids leave out lemonade and a biscuit for santa, and carrots and water for the reindeer before heading to bed.
• I always put the star on the tree, the kids decorate it.
• We always ask people who are joining us for lunch to bring an ornament to put on our tree... not sure where this one started, probably something Chloe and I did when we were on our own, and it's carried on from then.
• Photos with Santa are a must! I get one of each of the kids individually and together... it's great to see how much they have changed from year to year.
• Food traditions include buttermilk hotcakes with blueberry sauce for breakfast, and pavlova for dessert, with mum's homemade shortbread and chocolate fudge for snacks.

Writing this list has made me realise there doesn't seem to be many of hubby's traditions in here... I'll have to nag him to share, and we can incorporate some of them this year...

This post has taken hours to type today - between phone calls, collecting cars, kids getting home from school, and a baby that has been out of sorts for days (and has had no sleep today, making her even more pleasant to be with!), I don't think I've shared the thoughts I originally had when I started... any way, please share your Christmas traditions, or lack there of, and countdown with me to the big day!!

78 days...

Until the fat man sings!!

This year, I'm planning to take Shimelle's "journal your Christmas" class... It was around that time last year that I first discovered Ali Edwards, and I loved what she was doing, and want to have a go for myself. I have lots of projects in mind for this year, so I'm hoping that I can actually keep up with my ideas - here's my list for future reference.

1. advent calendars for all the kids. I'm thinking of creating library pockets on canvases for each of the kids, with small "jobs" to do each day to get ready for the big day.
2. Christmas cards. I'd like to make each one individual and different, but that's unrealistic. Last year all I had to do was stick photos to cards, and couldn't even manage that, so this year I'm going to make it easy - probably a photo of the kids, or a really simple design, and mass produce the same cards for everyone.
3. Christmas stockings. Chloe has one buried somewhere in storage, made by an aunt, Douglas has one somewhere in storage made by his mum, this year I want to make stockings for everyone. Yes, I have a full house, so that means 8 stockings, and yes, I am crazy, but I can do this!
4. Decorations for the house. The kids can help with this, it can be part of their advent "jobs" listed above.
5. Teacher gifts. Again, advent jobs for the kids, simple decorated candles, probably.
6. Grandparent gifts. More advent jobs. Simple decorated frames probably - I bought cheap IKEA ones a few weeks ago, so they will probably do something with them.
7. Eventually, I have to start shopping for presents. I have the big present for the big kids sorted out (we like to give them one big things to share - last year was a swing set - and a small pile of other stuff, books, cd's, pens and paper, a couple of toys, etc.) And then I have to decide what to get DH for Christmas. Last year I bought him a pile of stuff for our new BBQ, but I think the joke sank (he can't cook, so I was trying to get him excited to try)
8. That's about all I can think of for the moment, but I'm sure I'll add to the list as the day gets closer!