A New Christmas Word

B and I have invented a new Christmas word, inspired by The Muppet Family Christmas.

fraggle (verb): To pass on a possession to someone else who would enjoy it (in some circles also known as regifting) ex. This sweater doesn't really fit. Maybe I can fraggle it.

Feel free to use as needed. And remember, always watch out for the icy patch!

Sometimes you wonder

On a pair of size 2 pajamas a friend bought E, "Contains small parts. Not suitable for children under 3." Anyone else find this kind of curious?

Cookie Baking

Last night was our annual cookie baking night for Brent's family. You know it's a good night when your daughter ends up covered in flour and clutching a stick of butter in her hand.

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth and Mommy's bicuspid

I've had some inquiries as to whether I am still alive, and yes, I am; just trying to finish all those Christmas crafts (like the hat I made Ella above) and working on a deadline for work and dealing with a teething baby and a broken tooth on my part. I really wish "getting a crown" had a different meaning! Will report back soon, until then, here's a little elf to keep you company.

Another Instance of Good Crafting

My husband knit me this beautiful scarf for my birthday. I love it! His friend Sarah from high school created the pattern and it's published on knitty.

Good Crafting and Bad

My mother's response to my last post: "So I made clothes for a red dog with a hole for his tail and he went to first grade and sat under your desk."

Can you find me and my red dog in the picture?

My mom was a great crafting mom. It all began when I insisted that Clifford, my stuffed dog, needed blue jeans, and in order to have the proper fit, there had to be a hole for his tail. She also made him a monogrammed sweatsuit. She made a whole wardrobe of clothes for my dolls when I was a little older including: a pinstripe suit with a vest and bowtie and camo shorts and a jacket. This was an instance of good crafting I appreciate even more now that I'm a mother myself.

Of course, I have also read of instances of bad motherly crafting. I once read this whole exchange with a mom on craftster.org. Her daughter wanted a Backstreet Boys lunchbox and so she was asking advice on how to make one. People suggested that she get a blank lunchbox like you can find at craft stores and find Backstreet Boys stickers to put on it. To this she replied, "No, no. I don't want to buy a blank lunchbox. I was hoping to make it out of a big ice cream bucket or a cereal box." I appreciate recycled crafts as much as the next person (maybe even more--my koolaid pouch purse has gotten a lot of attention). But when it comes to your adolescent child, please put down the cereal box and go out and buy them the lunchbox.

I obviously have a lot to live up to in the family crafting department. (My mom made the clown outfit I'm wearing in the picture too), but I am trying to stay attuned to when a little handmade creativity will be a blessing and when I should step away from the glue gun and go and buy the lunchbox.