Advent day 10: Pipe cleaner crafts

I do not know why the turn pic on my phone does not carry over to the blog. Sorry.

Pipe cleaner candy canes, snowflakes and angels.

Advent day 9: Serendipity

SInce I can't load the crafts we did earlier online with the thunder and lightning interrupting my internet, (That is not a complaint - I am so thankful we have electricity and internet with the sound of the winds out there!), I shall post this hat I made today.

Watching Christmas films with the hatchling all cozy and warm.

I needed a crochet project and I wasn't keen to start something big. 

I had a quarter of a ball of soft pink and a half ball of raspberry wool, so I started off seeing where it would go.

A new hat for hatchling no6, to keep her little ears warm in the wind.

And I am thankful.

Funny Hatchling

All of our hatchlings have been quite the camera hogs.

They love having their photo taken and cheese away the moment I take out the camera.

This is hatchling no6's camera face.

She can be grinning this huge smile, and I say, 'Smile for Mama!'

And this is what she does.

Our dear hatchling, trying so hard to pose.

And at the children's christmas disco, dancing with her sister, she was over the moon.

I come to take a picture, and out of 25 shots, this is the best one.

Our beautiful photo inept hatchling, we love you dearly.

Advent day 8: Holiday Legos

Today, was wet and windy.

The children enjoyed taking their time sifting through all of their lego.

Looking for just the right piece.

Before building many festive lego creations to bring holiday cheer to their lego land.

Advent day 7: Generosity

What is generosity and why do we value it? Is it purely historically, that we as a society hold those who act in their own self interest with contempt. Is it religious in origin?

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

Or is it purely down to nature? It is said that generosity; like a healthy diet, exercise and good genes, may increase your life span.

I think there are varying levels of good reason to be generous, and it is a value, which I seek to instill in our hatchlings, whenever the opportunity arises. I believe that being generous is good for a person’s self confidence. It reinforces a person's sense of self worth, and builds confidence. Our children, as well as ourselves, often feel quite small and insignificant in this big scary world and doing something that improves someone else’s life, not only reinforces the belief that there are good people out there, but also provides us with a chance to feel empowered. 

I can make a difference, a good difference. 

This is not to say that we should all be generous simply to benefit ourselves, generosity is inherently woven up with our reasons for doing so.

I believe that generosity is a corner stone to building and maintaining communities and civilization. It is about long term goal setting and the willingness to defer immediate gratification for long term success. 

This weekend has lent many opportunities to be generous, and it has been a joy to watch them blossom.

Hatchling no5 and his best friend.

Who happens to be a huge minion fan.

Hatchling no5 spots minion merchandise everywhere, and shouts with great enthusiasm, that his dearest friend needs this minion shirt!

It was my great joy to crochet minion hats for these two boys, and even more wonderful to watch hatchling no5 enthusiastically present his friend with this gift. 

Practically, floating on air, this boy was, and all because he was able to make his friend happy.

If ever there was proof that generosity bring you happiness, well this is it.

Hatchling no4 finished up the football season, and to thank his hard working coaches, he presented them with a box of beer.

Hatchling no4 grew two inches as he skipped proudly out of the gymnasium.

When I asked him how he felt, he responded, 'I like giving presents because it makes me feel good. I like saying thank you because my coaches make me so happy every football day.

Hatchling no1 and no2 were elves at Santas's grotto and they took smaller children through to see Santa. Made jokes and played games with them.

Both girls declared the day one of the best ever. They felt proud and enjoyed having the opportunity to play a valued and giving role within their community.

And hatchling no4, also requested a hat for his dear friend. 

'He likes cars, and diggers best. Maybe, a red one, he really likes red cars.' 

He was thrilled to present his friend with this hat.

A hug was shared, and I hope, a lesson practiced.

'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' Winston Churchill

'We must be the change we wish to see in the world.' Gandhi

Advent day 6: Simple crafts and sniffles

Classic, beaded wreaths,

finger print lights which became finger print snowstorms, which became some pretty elaborate tales...

and paper plate snowmen. 

None of which have made it up on the wall to be hung as bust schedules and a whole lot of sniffles are slowing everyone down.

Though we are thankful for this day we are given.

Advent day 5: Relax and drink Nog!

We love December.

We love the rushing and too'ing and fro'ing.

We love the baking and crafting and so many excuses to do exactly what we would already be doing,

just holiday themed.

That is probably the most important thing.

The doing what you love.

If all this wintery, christmasy, yule tide cheerful stuff is driving you bonkers, just breath and drink nog.

It is okay.

Here is my nog post of past.

http://followingourrainbow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/need-nog.html

Today, we are trial running recipes, just to make sure they are ready for Daddydragon's return.

We are having a test drive sort of day. 

Test driving all things gingerbread and cookie.

In between, we are making a few crafty bits.

Mostly, of the crochet variety.

Hatchling number one has a hankering for bunting.

And I'm refusing to pay for any.

So we are off to make these:

http://www.melimelum.cat/2012/12/christmas-tree-ornament.html

Hanging the wreath and more more mince pies

Hatchling no1 has been shopping extensively for the perfect wreath for our front door.

This has become of great importance.

Do not mess with a house proud hatchling, especially the pre - teen variety, and I say that lovingly.

She finally found THE ONE.

At the quiet sum of £58.99

Yeah, that was not going to happen.

We have like a whole lot'a lot'a windows to buy and all sorts of other places to spend money.

But motherly guilty, and joy that she takes pride in our home, made me very keen to indulge her.

So, I bought an 'ugly' £1 wreath from the pound store, and a ±£1 string of lights.

And I set about knitting up the ends of old balls of yarn and came up with a snowman and two little owls.

And thankfully, my hatchling is please, she hung it on our front door today, and sighed happily.

Which makes me happy.

Mince pies also make me happy, and I have been making trays of these again most of the day long. 

I am going to be snowman shaped, by the end of this holiday with all the brandy cream and pastry I have eaten...

and it is so worth it!

Just in case you fancy some mince pies, here is the link to our recipe:

http://followingourrainbow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/mice-pies.html

Advent day 3

Fudge, fudge, and more fudge in the fridge, which I did not take a photo of.

Mint areo bubble fudge, coconut and dark chocolate bounty bar style fudge, rolo fudge, pecan and caramel fudge, whiskey fudge, baileys fudge, and dark chocolate and walnut fudge.

Our sampler plate of the first few fudges that set.

Now we are all ready for out stall and the winter fayre.

Happy Wednesday!

(Our base recipe was a tin of carnation condensed milk, a tbs of butter, 400g chocolate, and 50g icing sugar, plust up to 100g of additional extras.)

Advent day 2

Putting up the tree,

this wee hatchling was quite spooked.

She had a good cry and then gave it a good chat.

She waved and burbled happily for most of the afternoon.

A good old natter with the tree and they are finally friends.