SHIM + SONS

day 6 // sing + dance to feliz navidad

"Feliz Navidad" is on constant replay in Casa Shim. The boys have memorized it is on Disc 3, Track 10. [Are we the only ones who still use an "old fashioned" stereo?] When the song comes on j busts out the Rock Band drums and microphone and there is usually a dancing + singing combo going on. I really need to videotape them in action. I wish this month would slow down. There are so many things I want to do with the boys before Christmas passes us by. [I actually have plans to continue our family activities throughout the year, I'll share details in January!] I was inspired by Tracie's advent calendar to add a few activities in which the boys [and our family] can help those around us. And I was also inspired by Paula's advent tree. I love all the creative people I have met over the years.

And speaking of creative friends, I love Sarah of Truly Smitten! We are friends and although we've never met in person I know when we do [hopefully next year] we will have fun chatting + laughing + eating together. Sarah designed the prettiest holiday card ever! And I love the fact that she hand wrote a personal message on the back. [You can read more about the Truly Smitten holiday cards here.] 

day 5 // one-on-one with mommy + appah

Appah spent some alone time with J today and I spent the afternoon with j. As much as we love spending time together as a family it is nice to enjoy some one-on-one time with our boys. j + I had pho + crispy rolls for lunch, stopped by Two Tarts Bakery for some sweet treats [their brownies with peppermint buttercream were quite yummy!] and headed over to the Sunday Best holiday sale where I met the lovely Lynn of Satsuma Press. I have admired her work for many years and it was so nice to finally be able to connect in person.

After visiting the sale we headed over to the Ace Hotel to have fun in their photo booth. I learned that waiting three minutes for photos to develop feels like an eternity to a 5 year old. And although I'm definitely a camera shy person being in a photo booth with my youngest son was so much fun!

day 4 // camp out in the living room

Today was a busy scouting day for J. J + his Cub Scout den collected canned food + non perishables for our local food bank. Even though it was freezing + super windy the boys had fun running around. Afterwards we took a quick break for some hot chocolate [J] and tea [me] before his Cub Scout Pack bowling party. 

Then we delivered holiday wreaths and greens, a fundraiser for his Pack. J had fun giving out the wreaths and we prepared little boxes of peppermint salt water taffy with personalized tags for everyone. 

It took us over three hours to deliver the wreaths since we drove from NW Portland to SE to SW and back home. Our last delivery was at J's friend's grandparents, who have been our good friends for the past two years. They are the kindest people and treat the boys like their own grandchildren. Mr. R. taught J to tie flies a few months ago and this evening he taught J to use his fancy computerized sewing machine. [This is also the man who knit hats for J's entire Kindergarten class as he was recovering from major knee surgery.]  I love how the holidays help me reflect on the people who have touched my life over the years. 

Oh, and the title of the post? Today's advent calendar activity was "camp out in the living room". Let's just say there was a lot of giggling + game playing + blankets + pillows involved!

day 3 // chop down our christmas tree

The boys had the day off from school so we grabbed lunch at little big burger [my friends know I have a special love for their fries and spicy ketchup] and headed to the tree farm. We picked out a pretty noble fir tree although the boys were more interested in playing with the dogs who live at the farm and eating freshly made apple cider donuts.

Once we found the perfect spot for the tree we strung some lights on it and ooh'd and ahh'd over the beauty of our Christmas tree. I would love to keep it ornament free since I love the look of a natural tree with lights but I already promised the boys we would make ornaments for the tree. Maybe next year we'll get two trees, one for me and one of the boys. 

day 2 // a little hot + sweet treat

The boys each had a friend [two brothers] over for a play date after school. So I thought today, Day 2 of our advent calendar, would be the perfect day for "hot chocolate + peppermint sticks". The boys used the chocolate peppermint sticks to stir their marshmallows and they liked how the chocolate melted in to their hot chocolate. 

Thank you so much for all the advent calendar love [tweets, pins, link love]. I really appreciate all the thoughtful and encouraging words you, my friends, leave for me in this space. I'm feeling so inspired this holiday season and I decided today that my goal for this month is to EMBRACE + ENJOY all that this month entails [even the craziness] and to write a simple post every day in December. Hope you all are getting excited for the holidays, too! 

happy thanksgiving!

[Pilgrim hats + bonnet based on this Martha Stewart template.]

the thanksgiving tree

The Thanksgiving Tree is definitely going to become a tradition in our family. 

I love seeing my boys reflect on the things they are grateful for in their lives.

From family to friends to health to love to toys.

J even sketched out what the tree was going to look like. Yes, I have NO IDEA who he takes after! [wink wink]

I plan to take the leaves off the branch and put them inside an album so we can look back on the previous year's blessings. 

a fall getaway

A little fall getaway was just what we needed. This was the view from our cabin in Ashland, Oregon. There was snow the first night we arrived [the boys were thrilled!] but it melted the following day. We spent most of our time cozying up in the cabin with a fire crackling away in the wood burning stove. 

While Appah was at a meeting the boys and I explored Lithia Park. 

The boys loved the ducks at the pond.

And J collected as many gigantic leaves his two small hands could carry.

We also encountered a beautiful deer family. The boys climbed up a small hill to get a better peek.

The ground was covered with golden leaves.

And the boys wasted no time gathering them up...

...into a pile...

...so they could jump...

...roll...

...and have fun!

And then they discovered the joy of throwing leaves...

...over...

 ...and over again.

may the force be with you

// halloween 2010 //

// meet obi wan kenobi + darth vader // they may be cute but beware...they are dangerous //

// apparently light sabers are useful for fighting....and doing the limbo //

// yes, i know we're raising major hams //

pumpkin patch 2010