Laowai

We’re ready for Christmas around here. I’ve gotten all my trinkets out and I’ve carefully placed them around the house. 

Every year I get these cardboard trees out. I made them a few years ago – one for Claire, one for Bea. They fit together like a paper doll and the girls each have a small collection of cheap toys and mini lights. I keep thinking they well get tired of them but they don’t. I usually let them decorate their little trees while I set up the big tree – it’s the very first thing they get to decorate and they are so excited! We put the trees in their bedrooms and I turn the lights on every night while they fall asleep.

Here they are decorating our big tree. Bea and I tried to make a garland of marshmallows but we only ended up with a short string because it was a sticky mess. I hate sticky… but I like the look of marshmallows strung on bakers twine. Maybe if I freeze them or let them get stale before we string them.

I set up my collection of little houses and Christmas trinkets in my newish cabinet. I tell the girls they can play with mom’s toys but the have to leave them on the cabinet.

This year I added the little santa (below) and the house shaped mini shelves that I’ve been collecting from Goodwill. I’d like to make some more cardboard houses with the girls. 

So the stocking are hung and all these sparkling jolly objects have put me in a mood that should last a good long time.