Many Thanks...and a Gift Card Holder

Hi again everyone. First I have to say Thank You to those of you who wrote me such great e-mails of support in response to my Christmas crisis. Your words of kindness and encouragement really touched my heart and helped me feel better. And you're right, I have many other things to look forward to and be thankful for. And in the grand scheme of things it is very minor. I mean after all it's not like I have some life threatening illness or can't put food on my table...let me get some perspective here! I just hate to spoil any surprise, especially Christmas. But I'm feeling much better about it and my son hasn't mentioned it again, so I'm sure it will all turn out fine.

He had a great birthday yesterday, by the way. We went to the Indiana State Museum, per his request, and it actually was really fun! I had never been there before and was expecting some boring exhibits about the political history of Indiana or something. But it actually had a great variety of things to see, hear, and interact with. Lots of authentic memorabilia of days gone by, etc. And they had a special exhibit about chocolate...now who wouldn't love that?! Then we went out to his favorite Chinese restaurant and back home for presents and cake. And at least I got to see his look of surprise with these presents because they were already wrapped when the present seeing fiasco went down!

Anyway, here is a gift card holder I made for the kids' teachers for Christmas. The inside holds the gift card and slides all the way out. All supplies to make it were from SU.

Just in case I don't get a chance to create and post anything again before the holiday I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Please be safe, stay warm, and enjoy being with the greatest gifts you have...each other. Mary

Christmas Oops!

Well, just about the worst thing that could happen at Christmas time did last night. My son saw his Christmas presents! And not just a few of them through the side of a bag or something. Oh no, he saw ALL of them... UP CLOSE!! Like he even picked them up and everything!! I couldn't believe it and I'm still depressed about it. We've been hiding the presents in the laundry room downstairs in the basement under a comforter. And the kids have been forbidden to go in there and aren't really allowed in the basement without an adult anyway. Well, today is my son's birthday so I was down there yesterday sorting out which gifts we were going to give him for his birthday and which ones would be for Christmas. Then I wrapped the birthday ones and decided to leave the other ones in their respective piles so I could wrap them later that night...without covering them back up. First mistake! I just figured we were all going to be so busy with other things last evening that no one would even think of going downstairs. So then after the kids came home from school I left them with my husband so I could go out to finish up a few last minute gifts. When I came home my husband dreadingly gave me the bad news. When he was upstairs playing with our daughter in her room our son (who is 9 today) went into the basement, into the laundry room, and looked at all the gifts that were displayed out for all to see. My husband only found out when our son came upstairs and said "Dad, come downstairs with me. I want to show you all these toys I found in the basement!" He said his heart sank. He tried to pass it off as nothing and quickly changed the subject. When he told me I cried. I felt like the joy of Christmas was sucked right out of me. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I LOVE giving gifts. Especially when I know the person is just going to really like it. And I felt like now there will be no excitement and anticipation for my son on Christmas Eve and morning. After all, that's the best thing about being a kid is wondering if Santa is going to come and what he's going to bring you. And now it's all ruined. I'm just heartbroken. I decided to talk to our son about it. I told him that Santa has been really busy and has a lot of toys to carry around this year. So he asked Mommy and Daddy if we would keep these toys for him until he comes on Christmas Eve. But now that he has snooped and found them the rule is that all the presents have to go back. And Santa will have to decide whether he will bring any of them back on Christmas. I know that's cruel but I felt like I needed to restore some of that anticipation and wonder for him. I also threatened him with his life practically that he not say a word to his sister about what he saw (because he said he saw all of her gifts too). I just need to concentrate on the fact that I still have my daughter and husband's gifts to look forward to. Also, my son is autistic, and although he is high functioning he doesn't always think about things like other kids do. So I really think that he'll still be excited about Christmas and opening the presents because he'll just think "Great, now I can play with them!" So hopefully my Christmas spirit will be restored and we'll all still have a nice Christmas morning.
Lesson learned...always leave the gifts covered up, put a lock on the door, and always know where your kids are!

It's Been So Long!!!

It has been soooooo long since my last post, 2 weeks to be exact!!! I have been so busy doing all kinds of Christmas related things: cards, projects, parties, decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, making gingerbread houses, working, housework, helping with homework, etc, etc. I've made lots of cards and things but just haven't had time to post them all. And I don't really have much time now either (that's why I'm not going to describe the supplies with these projects-sorry-just something for you to look at. :)) Take care and I hope you're enjoying the holiday season! Mary

Fun Chick-n-Scratch Projects

Hi there everyone! I hope you all had a very Happy Thanksgiving! We've had a wonderful past 5 days. The kids and I were off school and work from Wednesday - Sunday and my husband was off Thursday - Sunday. We did things like shop, go to the movies, had Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's, then again at our house for just us, put up the Christmas tree and all the other decorations, listened to Christmas music, watched football, and played in the snow. I even had fun doing laundry because we bought a new washer and dryer! Good times, good times. :)

These are some really fun projects I made from the Chicknscratch blog (follow link on my sidebar and look under her Stamp Academy for video instructions). I will be making a bunch of them to take to a party we're going to this weekend. Give them a try...they're super fun!!!