Preparing for 2009

I'm not big into New Year's Resolutions only because I'm not good at keeping them. It's not that I don't consider them but follow through is often difficult.

This year my focus is on home management and getting better organized. Here are some sites I've recently come across.

From Simple Mom here are Reflection Questions for 2008 to help prepare yourself for 2009.

Here's a good Master Checklist - again from Simple Mom. You can't make changes to it but you can at least get some ideas.

If you need a suggested booklist for 2009, here's one from Mt Hope Academy. I always like to see what others are reading - especially to their kids.

One thing I'm working on this weekend is a home management binder. Here are some ideas of things to include in it.

Some FREE do-it-yourself planners. Gotta love these.

Happy Birthday Mickey!

Wow, How can you be 4 already! My little darling.

Mik (as Mason calls you), Mickey, Mickey Mouse, Mikhaila, Doodle Bug.....

we LOVE YOU!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Fantastic Christmas! Hope everyone had the same. Lots of Playmobil....which we LOVE! Mommy got a guitar. Find the earplugs! New oil paints for Mommy - yippee! Clothes for Daddy, and just so no one feels sorry for him, he loves getting clothes!

Hi to Heidi, Wayne, Jeremy, Toby and Miranda in Australia. Hope you guys have a fantastic New Year! Hi to Oma and Opa in Germany. We missed you this Christmas!

Health and happiness to everyone for 2009!

Tradition #3: Present Opening

I'm jumping the gun a little here but I'll back up in the next post! The first gift the kids open is Santa's. In the past we've always had this one out of the box and/or assembled. This year they will open this gift and while I'm getting breakfast ready they will do the assembly with Daddy! I've heard rumblings from some Elves that they're getting Playmobil! This way they can savour Santa's gift! When the present opening starts we open one present at a time. I divvy out a gift to each person and they get opened one at a time so that the present gets our full attention. We make sure that the kids know who the present if from since some are from special relatives who are out of the country. We try to take a photo as well to share with the missing relative or friend in a thank you card. By opening them one at a time this slows the process down. It's also a chance for the kids to see that it's not just about them but about everyone being appreciated on Christmas.

Last year we put some of Mickey's gifts away after Christmas because she got a fair bit between her birthday and Christmas. Throughout the year we pulled them out and she loved the idea of a new toy in the middle of the year. We may try to do this with both this year. We'll see what a sales job we can do!

Tradition #2: Baking

Baking. Lots of Baking. We cannot have a Christmas without pressed shortbread cookies. You need a GOOD cookie press for these. A good one will cost approximately $50 (perhaps more). Lots of fun for the kids to decorate. Here's the recipe:

Mrs. Mac's Pressed Shortbread

1 lb butter - softened slightly
1 tbsp shortening
1 cup icing shortening
4 cups all purpose flour

Cream butter and shortening. Mix in icing sugar. Gradually add flour. Sometimes it's easier to mix with your fingers rather than a beater. Use a cookie press. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet after they've been decorated. Bake at 300 degrees F for 13-15 minutes.

Amy Butler Fabrics

I've been feverishly working on some Christmas gifts which I still can't show. I will however show a photo of some of the fabrics I've been using. I purchased them from ETSY and love them. They're Amy Butler fabrics and I'm in love. I just may take up sewing on a more regular basis! Yah, right!

Wooden Snowmen and Easy Christmas Tree

A easy craft that looks good too!
1) Cut square based blocks of wood in different sizes.

2) Drill holes 2/3 the way down on both sides (for the arms)

3) Prime and paint white.

4) Place a sock (kids size) on top. Knot end.

5) Take small branches and hot glue into the holes.

6) Tie a small piece of ribbon above the holes/arms.

7) Using hot glue, glue buttons down centre.

8) Glue on a nose (orange pipecleaner would work)

9) With a black felt tip marker, draw on the face.



1) Take a wooden skewer and place in square of plastercine

2) Cut out 6-8 concentric circles in green felt or bristol board.

3) Centre the circles on skewer and place them on from large to small (to form a tree).

4) Decorate!