2012 christmas season: december 6th

take a much needed nap under my christmas quilt.

this was a christmas present to myself. i had about ten things i should have done for the twenty minutes my three children were all sleeping at the same time and instead i took a nap. and an awkward posed picture of myself doing it.

2012 christmas season: december 5

stock the candy dishes.

that's right, i said dishes. christmas candy is definitely part of the holiday experience for me. growing up, i don't remember ever having candy just sitting around the house during the rest of the year, but at christmas time, we had a special santa candy dish that my mom always kept stocked. i don't remember her putting any limitations on it, either (i'm not so free with my small children), but i could be misremembering. in my defense, i also don't remember going nuts with it. but i could also be misremembering on this.

reese's peanut butter cups are essential, as are york peppermint patties. and cadbury recently started making a christmas version of their mini eggs that are dangerous, but also necessary.

2012 christmas season: december 4th

throw the kids in the car and drive across town to get a boxwood wreath.

i had to call three trader joes to find this one, but i finally did. i was a little disappointed with how small it looks in the space once i actually got it up there, but i still like it. i love greenery inside (which is why i didn't put it on my front door. i never see my front door). i'm done decorating now.

i mean it.

2012 christmas season: december 3rd

make gingerbread nativities.

diane mostly just licked the sugar off some extra gumdrops while i made hers.

close ups of madeleine's:

 

rockin' around the christmas tree

and some other ones, too.

posing for diane, who was taking pictures with the tripod.

2012 christmas season: december 2nd

add some stars to the lineup.

2012 christmas season: december 1st

start the advent activities.