Merry Christmas Card

Every year, I get a Christmas picture of the boys taken at the Superstore.  I don't take it seriously.  They might wear red, I try to brush their hair and they pick whatever props they want. 

I expect the shots to be terrible, and I pick the best of the worst.   It goes in the Christmas card. 

Except this year.  I forgot to make the appointment until it was too late.  So I searched for a family picture on the computer.  AND COULDN'T FIND ONE.

Ok, I found one.  From Easter.  I don't even have the same haircut. 

So instead, I did this.

It says: "Wishing you moments of peace in your house, too"

I think Jake hates it.  But our friends and family love it.  And so do I!!!

(proven here and here)

Here's to a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

During which time, I might know a mother who runs to the Superstore for a belated Christmas picture that could look terrible.  ;)

Holiday Downtime: 5 Amazing Netflix Documentaries

It's the homestretch to Christmas.  A couple more days, and that's it.

It's over. 

What to do on those nights when the holiday movies aren't on tv and neither are any of your favorite shows?

Netflix.  Docs.

These are my five recent faves that are available in the US AND CANADA!  (Those of you up here with me know that is not always the case...)

Bill Cunningham New York

"We all get dressed for Bill." - Anna Wintour, Vogue Magazine

This documentary is based in my favorite city in the whole wide world.  But it's more than that - it's about a fixture in and the character of that city.  Bill is an unassuming, humble artist who simply loves fashion.  Not the celebrity or the attention, just the clothes.  This film shares a part of New York that I'd never really paid close attention to, and introduced me to someone who has dedicated his whole life to it. 

Blackfish

Sad, yet eye-opening.  What struck me most about this film was its attempt at being objective.  The presentation of the history of captive whales and the bloodline to the main character.  Though I knew theme parks weren't the best habitats, now I can tell you why.  This film moved me and changed my perspective, which is why it should be shared.

Brooklyn Castle

Uplifting, hopeful, heroic.  It's that inspirational story of the less fortunate working hard to change their future.  But the difference here is they are doing it themselves and within a public school setting.  I will never look at chess the same way again.  And now I really want my kids to play...

Bully

Oh I cried.  And you will, too.  But that's why you need to watch this film.  Life isn't the same as it was when I was growing up.  Environment, circumstances, cultures - they are all different.  It is mortifying to think this actually happens today in our schools and neighborhoods, but it does.  Being aware of it and communicating with others can make a world of difference. Watching this documentary reminded me to keep this discussion going with my own kids.

Undefeated

You don't have to like football, you don't have to like an underdog story, and you don't have to like feeling good after watching a documentary.  But you will get all three.  It's a story of a school who's football team never (NEVER) had a winning season, but a volunteer (VOLUNTEER!!!) coach changed all that.  And their lives.  It's hard to believe this is a real story.  It's stayed with me since I watched it.


Happy Holiday Netflix-ing!!!!

Holiday-ing Around Here

We don't really go all out.  There are 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  And we're away for both.  So we have two small bins of stuff and a tree. 

Translation: the kids do the decorating. 

My 1% is the niche above the tree.  This year, I found two glass trees at CB2, which were the perfect height and depth.  I only stopped in early November to measure them, but the salesperson said they sell out immediately, so home they came.  True to his word, they are gone!!!

But, as with children decorating, that cute little snowflake in a globe was vetoed because he had to come down and live with the other closer-to-the-touch decorations.  

Here is the other 99%. 

Pseudo-chocolate advent calendars - check.
Random statues, globes and mini-trees grouped together - check.
Stockings that can't be left alone* - check.
Random reindeer in the corner because he can't stand up - check.

*They lasted about 5 minutes.  The next day, George pulled on one as he walked by, causing the reindeer holder to fall, dent the floor and break into a million pieces.  Lesson learned, next year we're going with command strips.

Last but not least, although we went with the broken-tipped silver star on the big tree, warm-hearted Henry didn't want our homemade star from nobody-knows-when-it-was-made to go unused.  So he wrapped it around the top of the mini-tree on the table.  Which is in everyone's way when they eat dinner and want to watch the end of Spongebob ;)



Here's to the holidays of 2014.  And maybe next year George will finally learn not to open multiple random numbers on his advent calendar and run out of chocolate with 9 days to go. 

Merry Christmas ;)

Inspiration: Boys Bedroom

When I walk down the hall, I love to peek into their room.  Natural light bounces off the white walls.  The dresser is still in good shape.  And it's so small, it only takes 3.0937523 seconds to tidy everything up.

But this wall?  I'm stumped.  They need more storage, now that Lego and Skylanders are a major part of our lives.  And I need a place for dirty laundry.  It just has to be shallow and it can't be another dresser. 

Pinterest to the rescue...with its partner in crime, Ikea.  

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I'm kinda in love with this set up.  The double-wide Ikea shelves would fit between the door and the wall.  Hanging shorter shelves on top towards the wall would help the narrow entrance to the room (because of the bunk bed).  And I'd use these adorable bins under the lowest shelf. 

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This set up is a close second.  Ikea's shelving unit or wall cabinet would do the trick.  Stacked or spread out, the cabinets have major potential. 

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And then there's my absolute fave.  Maybe it's the yellow brackets?  Or the chair?  Or the plants?!?!  Or the fact that I can close my eyes and see this in their room just like it is. Right. Here.

Suddenly, I picture Henry balancing on that chair's edge while George hangs from the bottom shelf as Jake cheers them on, racing to see who can get their toy down first...  

So...maybe it's a mix of all three.  With the rule: shelves are for toys, not boys ;)