Commenting Challenge Day 4 - Christmas Gifts

                             

 Todays topic is Christmas gifts. This topic is a little daunting. I have only just started to think about gifts and really don't have much on my list yet. 

I like to get something practical and something fun for JJ. A few years ago I gave him a chainsaw. This one was a winner because it was both practical and fun. He has been asking for a chainsaw since he was 2 years old. Yes, you read that right... he was 2 years old when he started asking for a chainsaw. I think this freaked his parents out (as it would any parent) and they never got it for him. On his first Christmas as a father, I figured he deserved a chainsaw. He has gotten good use out of it.   

                                                 

This year I am going to get him an edger.  He loves his power tools and the one we have needs to go. He has the hardest time starting it and once it starts it usually conks out.   The fun gift... i have absolutely no idea. 

The kids will probably get toys and books. I want to get H and indoor trampoline. 

                                                     

He is a typical 2, almost 3 year old boy, and has a lot of energy. We have a lot of thunderstorms in Florida so he can't always play outside. I think this will be a good way for him to have fun and get some energy out without wrecking the house.  He got a tool set last year and loved it so much. I would love to get him this nice wooden tool set & work bench. I like to buy toys that will last and that we can keep around for the (future) grandkids. 

                                        

A is a little tougher. This will be her first REAL Christmas. She was 2 months old last year and just sat there. This year she can move and will have a small idea of what is going on and actually be able to play with her presents. I like to buy presents that she can grow in so most of her presents will be more for her when she is 2 than at Christmas when she is newly 1. 

                                         

I think that a little Kitchen set is a must! I want her to be able to use her imagination and H loves to play pretend as well.

                                                

Maybe we will get her a little doll and stroller set so that she can build her caregiver side. I think that is something that every little girl needs. 

As for my mother & sister, we have started an unspoken trend of making things. So... now that someone has gotten me stressed out about Christmas, I will be scouring Pinterest on stuff to make. 

My Favorite Christmas Present: I don't have any pictures of the present (my mom has them). When I was 10 years old I became very big into Samantha the Original American Girl doll. My heart broke when I figured out that she is discontinued. 

                                                 

Anyway, that Christmas I got the Samantha doll as well a stand and numerous outfits. I was in heaven! I didn't think that it could get any better. The last present I opened was from my Aunt Laurel. Aunt Laurel has yet to get married and doesn't have any kids, so my sister and I got to spend a lot of time with her. I absolutely adore my Aunt Laurel with all my heart. So, since Aunt Laurel didn't have any daughters,  she gave me a doll from her childhood that she had saved for her future children. The doll was/is in excellent condition and even came with a change of clothes. Even at 10 years old, I knew how much that doll meant to her and what it meant that she wanted me to have it. 

I get tears in my eyes now just thinking about the love I felt that day knowing that Aunt Laurel thought of me as a daughter and entrusted me with something so precious from her childhood. 

That doll sat on display in my room until I left for college. I have both the Samantha doll and Aunt Laurels doll safely preserved and in storage for A when she gets older. I can't wait to gift her with 2 dolls that have such special meaning to me and my family. 

JJ thinks that dolls are incredibly creepy and has said numerous times that A will not have dolls. I just laugh. The poor guy is going to freak out when I have him build shelves to display dolls in A's room :)

What was the most meaningful Christmas present you have ever given or received? Also, any ideas on present to make for my sister?

KK

Day 3 of the commenting Challenge - PINTEREST!!!

                            

We are on Day 3 of Jenna's 4th Annual Commenting Challenge. The topic for today is Pinterest. A Pin you have actually completed or ones that you want to complete. 

I tend to Pin a lot but rarely complete them... I am trying to get better at it, I swear. (You can follow me on Pinterest HERE. I have made some recipes off Pinterest but there is actually 1 project that I pinned and completed. 

It was around Christmas time and I was trying to find something to go up on our mantel with the Nativity scene.  I came across this on a blog that I follow, I heart nap time, and fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. I HAD to have it in my house. Here is the pin.

Via

                                             

I love the rustic nature of the stained pallet and the sparkly star about the nativity scene. It was just what mine was missing.

This is a fairly easy DIY and only took me 1 night to complete. All you need is some spare wood. I actually went to Lowes and just got some flat pieces of wood (they were really cheap).  I already had the dark stain (I can't remember the name).  I picked up some Martha Stewart craft paint at Michael's.  I got a gold and a gold glitter for this project.

I had my husband cut the boards all the same length and then we nailed them together alternating the way they lined up. I them used my stain and put about 4 coats on the wood until I got the look I was going for. 

When it was time to add the star, I went online and googled "star stencils" and picked this one:

I printed it out on regular printer paper and went to work. I used a straight edge knife to cut out in the inside of the star; then I taped it onto the wood where I wanted the star positioned. Here is how mine looked:

I apologize for the awful photography. This was taken late at night with my phone. 

I then painted the star with the plain gold craft paint. I did several coats so that it would be really gold. Make sure that you tape the pictures down tight. I got the picture as tight as it would go without ripping and I did not have a problem with paint bleeding through or going outside the desired area. Once that dried I put the gold glitter paint in the center of the star. I wanted it the glitter to make the star appear to sparkle and add movement like the star was still guiding the wise men. 

Here is my finished product:

Seriously, please ignore the mustard looking walls (they are not mustard) and the awful photography. 

I am extremely happy with the finished product. I love it and can't wait to get it out of the attic at Christmas and put it up again. Every time I look at it, I smile :)

So... that is my most successful Pinterest project!

Have you had any success with a Pinterest Project or recipe lately?

KK