The Halls Have Been Decked

Holy smokes! Christmas is just around the corner! We've been so busy around here, it feels like December is just flying by. I'd love it if December were 60 days long so that we could enjoy the season for twice as long. There are just too many holiday movies to watch and cookies to eat (not that I've had one second to bake any) for one little month.

I started decorating for Christmas the minute Thanksgiving was over. And we picked out a perfect tree for Z's first Christmas that weekend.

I've been keeping it simple with our holiday decor, partly because I'm kind of tired of some of my stuff, partly because we live in a thimble and too much clutter makes me crazay, and parlty because a curious little tuna I know is getting into everything.

And you know I couldn't resist putting up a little Christmas in the nursery.  It's a tradition in my family for the kids to have a little Christmas tree in their rooms. Each year you get a new ornament, and make some too, to add to it so that by the time you have your first tree as a grown up, you've got a nice collection of special ornaments. Our tree is lousy with ornaments from my childhood, which brings back so many memories each year when we decorate. I love carrying on that tradition with Z!

I couldn't wait to set up a little tree in Z's room at the first chance I got! She already has two ornaments to kick off her collection. The red and silver stars are a set from Target that we got to match the red on the big tree in the living room. I made a festive banner out of glittery scrapbook paper and baker's twine, and made a print for the dresser. With just a little more free time (bwahahahaaaa! free time!!! funny stuff!), Z's crib would probably be decked out in some kind of wash bunting or tinsel garland.

After much deliberation, we picked up the cutest stocking on sale at Pottery Barn Kids. We loved the Baby's First stockings, but wanted one that she could enjoy through the years. I think we found the perfect one! Since we bought it in-store, and not online, we couldn't get her name embroidered, so I made black felt letters to match our other stockings. Maybe someday I'll meet some fabulously talented person who can embroider all of our stockings, but for now, the felt DIY works.

Well, that's how things are lookin' around here. I'm hoping to score big at some post-Christmas sales. A holiday-themed pillow or two, or an advent calendar for next year. The next task on the agenda: some serious baking...if my little helper will let me!

Baby Tuna's Wish List

How is it possible that Christmas is two weeks away?! We've been doing our best to get into the holiday spirit, despite the warmer temps (my apologies to the rest of the country currently under a blanket of snow and ice - but is it too much to ask for some highs in the low 70's/upper 60's around here?!). Having a little one in the house sure helps you get excited for Santa's arrival. And as long as the big guy isn't looking during nap time, I think it's a safe bet that Baby Tuna is at the top of the Nice List.

We've held off on buying any new toys in the last little bit, knowing that Santa would hook Z up. And since she's only recently started getting into actual playing, as opposed to just chewing and drooling on everything, Christmas couldn't be coming at better time! And while there may be a box under the tree that's just filled with old catalogs and tissue paper (this kid loves playing with paper in the worst way!), there will be plenty of fun new toys for her to enjoy. After a lot of research (you know how we are when it comes to this stuff!) here are some of the items on Z's Christmas List.

1. B. Zany Zoo: I've been wishing for this gem for months now, and I'm excited that Z is finally old enough to have fun with it. We have some other B. toys and love them, so I'm feeling good about this one.
2. Octopus Alone: One of Z's favorite books, Little Owl's Night, is by the same author. I love her illustrations and this story is very sweet.
3. Kid O Go Car: I just think it's super cute!
4. JellyCat Cordy Roy Gator: I am obsessed with the JellyCat stuffed animals. In fact, the very first toy I bought for Z was a floppy JellyCat elephant. I think it's time to add another to her collection and, although it's super tough to narrow it down, I think the gator is the winner.
5. Anywhere Chair: I think the Hubs is more excited about this gift than any of the others! He's been wanting this for Z since before she was even born, if you can believe that. And when I found out that the slip cover was machine washable and it was on sale for Black Friday, well, sold! Could it be any cuter? And how can I get one in my size?
6. Boon Bath Toys: We are big fans of Boon and I'm always looking for fun bath toys that won't get too funky. And now that Z has graduated from the whale tub, these should be a fun option for her when she's splashing around.
7. Peek-a-Boo Forest: Cloth books = must haves for paper-eating little ones! And this one is just way too adorable to pass up!
8. Activity Walker: Something else to keep our little noise-making widget busy. And, even though she's not quite ready to give up the speed-crawling yet (thank goodness!), it seems like it will be a sturdy little walker.

I'm totally prepared for the wrapping paper and bows to be the biggest hit on Christmas morning, but these gifts should come in at a close second. Any other ideas for gifts for little ones out there? We'd love to hear it (Z's first b-day is coming up in February, so we're always looking for ideas!).

Thanksgiving Recap

Holy lateness! We've been so busy trimming our tree and decking the halls, I've totally been ignoring my little corner of the Web. So here's a quick recap of Z's first Thanksgiving...

Bright and early, we started the day off right: peppermint hot chocolate with tons of marshmallows!

I think I've mentioned before that our town hosts a 5K "Running for the Pies". Some pretty serious runners turn up for this thing, as well as not-so-serious ones. Some are decked out like it's the NYC Marathon, and others are dressed like turkeys, Native Americans, and even a banana. I wish I had gotten some pics of the runners. On the to-do list for next year!

One of our neighbors sets up a tailgate tent in his driveway, brews some coffee and sizzles up a boat load of bacon. As a vegetarian, I only enjoy the scent of bacon, and this year, we bundled up the bambino (it was wiiiindy and cold on Tgiving morning!) and walked ourselves down to Bacon Fest to  chat with neighbors and watch the runners go by. Z spent the time playing bashful with her new friend from down the street, while I was using her little body to keep warm!

We made it home just in time to see the start of the Macy's Parade and put the finishing touches on our table decor.

And yes, that is a monkey finger puppet on the pumpkin stem. He's made his way all over the house, and would you believe not a single person seemed to notice him during our Thanksgiving feast?!!

The weather was so perfectly cool, we threw open the windows and back door. Z was determined to figure out how to get past that pesky baby gate so she could play in the sunshine.

Ugh! That face kills me!!!

Our parents made the trip south for the day, and we had such a delicious meal! Baby Tuna enjoyed her first tastes of mashed potatoes and stuffing.  I'm pretty sure she loved them both!

All in all, it was a wonderful day. After our parents headed home, our little family put on our pjs and relaxed. We have so much to be thankful for!