Little & Big

Thanks, 2010.

"Year 2010"

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my favorite gifts

knitted chicken from little brother (made at school)

felted doll by big brother, for little brother.  his name is Mr. Odenhoffer.

and a chess set, by little brother for big brother

                                                            (in process)

Treasures.

the last gift (we couldn't forget Edgar!)

Needle felted by both boys.  Meant for the kitty.  But happy on my desk.

waiting

Someone rearranged the creche. 

I almost put it back.  But then I realized that it's perfect.  Because everyone here is looking out the window.  And waiting. 

Except one.

Beautiful.

ten

And so very proud of him.

wow! that was one party.

the invitation:

the cake-baking session:

the party favors:

the fresh bit of snow:

the appropriate Hobbit-style food:

the 11 4th-graders:

the boundary line:

and the game.

the little brother guarding his flag:

and the big brother (and birthday boy) playing with all he had:

the reward of a hot meal:

and a birthday cake (plus gluten free cupcakes):

I've never had that many 9 and 10 year old boys in my house.  Nor have I spent that much time with 9 and 10 year old boys.  Whew.  That's some energy.  They hollered, they wrestled, they fought, they cheered, they ate beef jerky and hot dogs and sausages and cheese like nobody's business.  They stormed my house and pounded the table for more ice-cream.  They sang happy birthday at the top of their lungs.  And they celebrated my son in the most rowdy and boy-happy fashion I could imagine.  And he loved it. 

Christmas baking with boys

Love watching my boys in the kitchen.  Love their independence and joy with the process. 

And love the delicious results.

(Love this book too.)

parking lot craft project

No, it's not a project we did in the school parking lot, but one that was described to me in the school parking lot.  I was walking out to my car with a girlfriend, who was telling me all about colorful wool fleece and cookie cutters and special little needles...  And I thought "hey we can do that".  So I bought the materials, and we jumped in.  Headlong.

And look:

Ornaments.  Instantly (almost).  And adorable ones too.

Materials:

Needle felting wool (in a variety of colors)

Felting needles (heavy kind)

Felting foam board

Cookie cutters

 And that's about it.  Tear off some felting wool, pop it into the cookie cutter.  And poke it repeatedly with the needle.  The needle helps the wool to "felt" together and hold the shape.

And the poking action -- as long as the boys are poking the felt and not themselves or each other (or the table or the cat) -- is very satisfying.  (Warning: those needles are sharp.)

I took turns with each ornament cleaning up the edges, and making sure the felting was consistent.  But otherwise the project was all theirs.  They picked the ornaments.  They picked the colors.  They did the bulk of the felting.  And they loved it.

And look how they turned out!

Grandparents!  Heads up! Holiday packages coming your way!

the first full snow

early this morning.

and boys out in it

before school this morning.