Almost Christmas

 Just a little taste of our pre-Christmas fun....



Marcos the Elf came to visit and help Hannah behave before Christmas. One morning he brought a Christmas tree for Hannah's bedroom!

And speaking of Santa, he borrowed a car to parade thru Mom and Dad's neighborhood and throw candy.

Well, his elves were throwing candy...

...and Hannah got a bunch!

We followed Santa to the community center for breakfast. He knew Hannah's name!!!

And he knew Pawpaw! He even knew Pawpaw was on the silly list!! (Yes, Hannah checked)

Hannah also had a mini-dance recital.

She was the star, of course!

Hannah got to come to work with me (which she calls her pre-k school) for Polar Express day. We wore PJ's, had hot chocolate and popcorn, and watched the Polar Express movie.

The next day was Winter Wonderland at my work. Hannah and I did face painting.

And I finally got to see Santa. (I was on his good list.)

A weekend of completion

 I had a fabulously productive weekend. To start with, I finished THIS! And I couldn't be happier. I'll have to get some pictures of it on someone because this doesn't show the full effect of my fabulous, big, warm, cozy shawl.

I got a little obsessed with the feather and fan "border". I based the shawl on a pattern I love, Multnomah, but when I got to the feather and fan I just kept going and going and going. I ended up with wonderfully long tails that make it great for wrapping and tying. 

 Next I totally reworked this hat. I had made it based on a pattern, but with different yarn and needles. So my size was WAY off, even though I thought I'd allowed for the differences. The hat ended up about half an inch above Hannah's ears. This version fits perfectly.

 

And then I finished this hat. No pattern, it's all improvised. Hannah modeled it last night...

And this morning I added the ears. This picture is the closest to the actual color. It's a lovely greenish grey. 

Woohoo! three finished objects on one weekend! And that was besides washing 5 loads of laundry and making cornbread to eat with the butter beans my friend Amy cooked in this...

Yummy!!!

A wonderful weekend indeed!

Pumpkin patchin...

 Last Thursday was First Thursday in Buda. The art project for the month was pumpkin art so Hannah and I, along with our young friend Loralei, set off to carve the perfect jack-o-lantern. Here is a step by step in case you want to make your own.

 First you pick the perfect pumpkin. If you are 5 that means the one that calls to you. that does not mean it necessarily fits any of the grown up standards of a perfect pumpkin. (Peace dude signs are optional).

 

 Next you cut off the top and take out the guts. If you are 5 this is the best part and takes a loooooong time.

  

 And finally you carve the perfect face. And then you have Matilia the jack-o-lantern who you then insist sleep with you every night. If you are 5, that is!

Meet Hannah....

 ....daughter, animal lover,

 soccer star,

 stylish dresser,

 kayaker, water lover,

 dare-devil,

 adventurer, best friend,

and future star of the TV show "Hoarders"....

This is a small sample of the more unusual "treasures" I found when changing Hannah's sheets this morning. That's one of my (favorite) shirts, two autographed CD cases, a picture of me and friends at a high school dance, a knitting stitch holder, a pocket coin with a prayer, a die, a charm bracelet, my tweezers, and a paint brush. And let me stress, that's not all that was in her bed, that's the UNUSUAL!!!!

Experiment

The experiment: for one week I collected everything out of Hannah's pockets and saved it in a cup. At the end of the week I photographed this. Keep in mind that this includes 3 days of no pockets! That's mostly rocks, a couple of pinto beans (uncooked!), a penny, a charm from a necklace, in the top left is a piece of plastic tubing, and in the top right is a little ball of wool from the floor of the knitting store. And although the week is over and I have no photo, I will let you know that today's treasures included a pecan, tiny pieces of paper, and a feather. Love this little scientist!

Mr Clown

 Mr Clown is the mascot of Hannah's kindergarten class, the Marchese Clowns. (Be sure to check out the blog too!) Last weekend Mr Clown got to come home with Hannah. Our assignment was to have adventures with Mr Clown and record them in his journal, which came home with him. He also had three books and a toothbrush, because you know bed time stories and dental health are very important!!

First off we made a stop at the Yellow Sweater. Hannah wanted to buy yarn for her annual winter hat. Mr Clown helped check out the options.

  

We chose this lovely combination that we are both very excited about. It will be knit with two strands held together.

On Saturday Mr Clown attended a birthday party for Hannah's friend Vivienne (center). There was a pinata, cake, playground, and lots of friends.

  

This lovely gem was taken Sunday morning at Namah and Pawpaw's house. I cropped it, but don't worry, I kept the full original just in case it needs to make an appearance in 10 or 15 years! Mr Clown had to do EVERYTHING Hannah did, including potty. 

So naturally, since Hannah needed a hat, so did Mr Clown!

 Sorry for the low quality pictures, all were taken with my camera phone. We loved having Mr Clown for the weekend and hope he comes to visit again soon!!