New Year's Tree

I decided to extend the run of our Christmas tree by turning it into a New Years Tree, which is easy since it's artificial.  This essentially involved lots of glitter and curling ribbon. 

 Glittering some wooden stars.

 2012 cut out in cardboard.

 Nate with the finished tree.

The finished 2012.

I used pink, turqouise, and silver curling ribbon.  I bought wooden stars and put silver glitter on them then taped curling ribbon to the back to hang them.  I also used silver balls and ornaments we already had.  I cut the 2012 out of cardboard, glittered it and hung it with curling ribbon.  Here is a breakdown of what the project cost me.

-3 Things of Curling Ribbon- $1.56

-Ornaments- Already Owned

-Glitter- Already Owned

-12 Wooden Stars- $1.51

-Cardboard- Came off of toy packaging

Total Cost: $3.07!

Manassas Train Station

We recently went to visit with some family friends in Manassas and made in impromptu stop at the Manassas train station.  They have a small visitor center inside the old fashioned station.  There are also two train cars that you can get up and close too.  Nate was really excited to stop there.  It was only fair since we made him go shopping later in the day.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle All the Way

After watching Caillou many, many times Nate was really set on going caroling.  Considering we know almost no one that lives around us, I really wasn't up for that.  But we found an event at Caledon Natural Area that offered a "hayride", caroling, and a Christmas story.  It was great and fulfilled Nate's wish for caroling.  The wagon was decked out with Christmas lights.  We rode through the woods in the cold frosty air.  Afterwards we went back to the visitors center for hot chocolate and a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas.  It was a wonderful night.

Being Silly

Bread Maker Attempt #1: White Bread

For Christmas I received a Cuisinart Convection Bread Maker and tonight I gave it it's first try.  Nate of course had to help and luckily it's soooo easy.  All you do is put the ingredients in and press some buttons and wait for some bread.  I know I'll need to tweak some things, but first I just want to make a run through the recipes that look the most interesting.  I eventually want to make a good sandwhich bread, but I know that is going to take a lot of trial and error.  This is going to be great for our New Year's detox.  I'm picturing some fresh baked bread and homemade chicken noodle soup in my future.

 Nate helping me bake.

 The viewing window on the bread maker.

The end result.

Zoolights

For the third year in a row I took Nate to Zoolights at the National Zoo in Washington DC.  We love this event and all that it offers.  The zoo is decorated with all kinds of Christmas lights.  There is a model train display in the visitors center.  For a small fee you can ride a little train around the lion and tiger enclosure or ice skate on the plastic ice rink.  The best thing about Zoolights is that it's free to get in.

These are a few of my favorite things

I was truly blessed this Christmas and I'm very thankful for everything I received.  These are a few of my favorite things...

 I always look longing at the Martha Stewart glitter at the craft store.  I think some new years decorations are in the works!

 I heart this Vera Bradley saddle bag.  I like across the body bags, especially with a 3 year old to chase after, and this one is a beautiful print.

This was one gift that I was not expecting, but was pleasantly suprised to get.  I'm moving away from processed food and this will make a huge difference!  Bread is one thing that Nate will eat and I'm already thinking about the things we can make.

Merry Christmas

I love Christmas.  It's my favorite time of the year.  Having a little boy who loves it just as me is just icing on the cake.  Here are a few special moments from our holiday.

I really made a point this year to emphasize that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Jesus' birth.  We went to church on Christmas eve and Christmas morning.  We had a cake for baby Jesus and we talked about why we celebrate.  That being said, Nate was still showered with gifts.  We had a great holiday.