Conor and I stayed up late last night talking about Christmas and what we liked and what we wanted to change. Talks have continued into today. We had a lovely Christmas. Unfortunately, Greta was grumpy because a) we woke her up early (she likes to sleep until 9am) and b) she has a never-ending cold and c) she's teething. But Holly was extremely excited and has acted out like crazy today - a true sign of a spoiled Christmas right? Not all bad. Our kids are pretty loved! We're still in the early years of Christmas with children and we're slowly forming opinions on how we'd like Christmas to go down. One thing that must change is stocking stuffers - less candy and nick-nacky things. Greta's stocking was perfect. It had puffs, a colorful, cute car and a baby doll. Simple, yet effective. Holly's stocking had too many little things in it. She became bored with it before everything was empty. 

Do you do analyse Christmas? What worked perfectly for your family this year? What will you be changing for 2012?

The aftermath!

This is Conor and my 6th Christmas together as a family. And this is the first Christmas that we'll have coordinating stockings. Very exciting. Of all the Christmas things I slashed, I kept stockings as a must. I knew I could finish Holly and Greta's stockings, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to whip out Conor's and mine. But, I finished Conor's today, so that's three down, one to go! Yay! I keep reminding myself that last year was different because I only had one child and because I was pregnant. I can move mountains when I'm pregnant. It's incredible. 

Holly's in progress. It's finished now.

I love that Holly is wearing her and Greta's stockings! I remember doing this when I was a kid!

These little things are our touches of Christmas (besides the tree of course). Nice and simple. We could use a little more, but I like the idea of accumulating year by year. I think I'll spray paint our nativity figurines glossy white, either before I put them away or next year. I had grander plans for this year, but alas, I have two little children and I can't do it all. And that's okay. In the meantime, this is our little Christmas!

I love this poinsetta! And I love having something alive and fresh in our home. I'll have to find a full-time plant to replace it in the new year.

It's no secret that I love matryoshka dolls. I seriously love them. This year's ornaments for the girls are handmade felt matryoshka dolls with embroidery. They turned out darling! I feel like each one clearly represents the child it belongs to. It took a little while to make them, but it was worth it. Holly loves playing with hers! I'd like to make some for Conor and I, but that's being thrown onto next year's pile. Whew, next year's pile is becoming huge!

Tutorial here.

I made the girls Christmas dresses from some fabric that I've had for a while. I think they turned out pretty cute! Holly's nursery leader thought it was funny that Holly was wearing holly. It was really fun to make these dresses and to dress my girls up. Just don't look to close. I cut corners for sure!

I think I need to tack the collars down...

Rearranging ornaments