In past years, the girls have purchased gifts for each other. This year, I chose to take a handmade route. Holly made Greta a plate through a company called MakIt. I got together some friends and we put in a big order and got the cheapest plate price. Holly had made a plate like this at the end of preschool last year for herself and Greta has been very envious of it. I think she'll be thrilled with this gift. It was a little painful making it with Holly - she didn't seem to want to put in the time and effort I wanted her to put into it. But it turned out so cute anyways. I'm excited for the girls to exchange their gifts. Greta and I will finish her gift for Holly this week before school's out.

I'm not sure that we'll always take the handmade route... but as long as I have ideas and the energy for them I think I'll shoot for it. It's a harder thing to do with Holly because she's in school. But easy to do with Greta. We'll see!

I’m not exactly big,
And I’m not exactly little
But being Five is best of all
Because it’s in the middle.
A person likes to ride her bike
Around the block a lot
And being Five is big enough
And being Four is not.
And then she likes to settle down
And suck her thumb a bit,
And being Five is small enough,
But when you’re Six you quit.
I’ve thought about it in my mind -
Being Five, I mean -
And why I like it best of all
Is cause it’s In Between.

- Dennis Lee

I've had the hardest time finding a photographer in the bay area that's within my price range and takes photos I like. So... since I love taking photos anyways, Conor and I did them ourselves! I took these back at the beginning of November but have felt tight-fisted and hoardish about them because I love them so much. I made floral crowns for the pictures, partially because I wanted something a little special and partially because I figured if the photos didn't turn out at least they'd have that one great detail! I think the photos did turn out well thank goodness. Bonus, you can't tell that Holly cried in the middle of the session! The family photos and ones of Conor and I were tricky with a remote and no one behind the camera. Maybe we'll get better over the years. I really love my family. And I really love these photos.

Merry Christmas from the four of us to you and your loved ones!