not so much calm, but merry and bright we can do!

a smidge from around here… these days before christmas!

…anyone else hoping their tree withstands another year of kitty cat torture?! we have one that climbs up in it and one that chews the light bulbs!

…my sweater of survival this year, oooh, baby! it’s warm and chunky with glorious sleeves that are puffy enough for my liking but stay out of the way of all my doings… it’s been on sale! i am fully regretting not getting it in the oat color before it sold out.

…need i mention that i am approximately 99% puddle of meltiness these days? my bunbuns. i love them so much. it’s been hard to drag them all out the door every morning, cold and sleepy. it’s been hard to try to give the newborn the focus he deserves while not frustrating the other two too badly! the house is anything but holiday perfection. but oh my. at the end of the day i just still can never get enough of them, and they remain very much on the nice list!! sparkle sparkle fa-la-la!

…luca’s little handmade ornament arrived to match the ones i got for his siblings when they were babes! so sweet and simple. i actually order the baby one, but request the writing on the newlywed one, fyi!

…maddalena made a christmas picture to send to our trash man [who left a card with his address included… kinda guessing he wants a special something else, ha], and i think it’s THE CUTEST EVER. i don’t even wanna send it to him, i just want to save it!! but. send, we shall!

…matching jammies are my fav. matching jammies at christmas are my favorite of favs!!! right??! rocco and luca are precious in their red truck christmas jams, sissy in her pretty nightgown! it should also be noted that the newborn was on his third set of pajamas by the time we hit the hay that night. 😉

…all i want to do these days is be cozy by the tree and put on a christmas movie. tis the season! we’ve watched elf three times. the [original] grinch twice. and a charlie brown christmas! THE BEST.

…also, i fiiiinally landed on some pillow shams for our huge swing bed pillows. it’s taken me forever! absolutely forever. but these seem really well made! here’s hoping i don’t regret all the white, but oooh it’s become such a snuggly spot!

…rocco and i made some salt dough to play with and also make ornaments and a little luca footprint. 🙂 salt dough: 1 cup salt, 1 cup flour, 3/4 cup water. if it’s sticky, add flour! if it’s crumbly, add water! dry it in the oven at 200 for a couple of hours. then paint or glaze!

…honestly, this is a tough season to be getting it all “right!” the pressure of home, school, and holiday everything makes me want to buckle at times, but today i’m making myself relax and take in the season. the season of christmas, and the season of having small children. these are the best times, so, say it with me, people! we do what we can… it is what it is… whatever happens, happens. not to be passive or apathetic, but to remember that you do your best and life goes on! if you have a fear of failure like me, you need this, too. 😉 [ps. embrace the failure, it’s character building!]

MERRY MERRY!