In Her Own Time

I love giving (and getting!) books for Christmas. I believe you can never have too many books, especially when you are little! This year I've carefully selected books for the young ones on my list and hope they enjoy them. The book I've picked for Grace is one that I originally picked up at the library and fell in love with it.

Ruby in Her Own Time is about a duck that hatches late, doesn't like to eat and won't swim. Father duck worries that she'll never do these things, but Mother Duck assures him she will "in her own time." And she does!

It's a bit hard to find (I don't want a used copy, but also don't want to pay $40!) but I will find it. There are a few other Ruby books that may be added to our library as time goes by.

I'm sure I don't have to explain why I love this book for Grace. She has delays now, but she can and will do anything she wants....in her own time.

Do You Elf?

I love finding new Christmas traditions for my family, but I'm a bit disturbed by one I've been seeing a lot of lately.

Hellllooooo

The Elf on the Shelf. I love the idea of it. The elf comes to your house to watch and make sure the kids are good, then reports back to Santa. Each morning, the kids can look for the elf in a different place. Some of the poses I've seen online are really pretty funny!

But I'm not to sure of his little smirk. Is he a scary elf that will come to life at night and kill me in my sleep? Or maybe a pervy elf who will hide and watch me undress? Will my kids like it? Or become paranoid that this thing is watching them?

I both love and hate the Elf on the Shelf. Do you have one?

24 Days Until Christmas!

December 1st ...can you believe it? I certainly can't. But I'm excited! I narrowed down my list of 24 things my family will do to countdown until Christmas. Want to know what they are? Here is what we'll be doing for the rest of this week.

1. Eat on the Christmas dishes. Jeff got me these dishes for Christmas a few years ago and I love them. Everything tastes more festive on a Christmas tree plate.

Thank you Christopher Radko and Target!

2. Read One Baby Jesus. Patricia Pingry writes really great children's books for the holidays. We got this one from the library a few days ago.

3. Take the Family Christmas photo. My Christmas cards are already addressed. Makes you sick, doesn't it? Yeah me too. :-) Now I just have to take the picture, print and send!

4. Watch The Polar Express. We've never watched this together as a family. Since Riley is OBSESSED with trains, I think it will be a hit! The evening will include pizza, popcorn, m&m's - a perfect Friday celebration feast. Thanks to the fine folks at ABC Family and their 25 Days of Christmas for the free entertainment all month! (The Polar Express is playing Friday at 8:30 EST)

Do you have any special plans for the beginning of December? Want to join in on our 24 days? Feel like it still should be September?