Puzzle Proud

When was the last time you were so proud of one of your accomplishments? I mean really proud, Puzzle Proud?

Ella and Drew have been working on puzzles several times a day. Sometimes with teamwork, sometimes going solo, but always so proud. They ask me to leave the room and then call me back when they are done, yelling "surprise!!" Their faces beam and they look a little taller. They are so proud. Puzzle proud.

I guess as we get older we shy away from challenges, or don't encounter them so much, or maybe we just don't stop to recognize our own little victories. Did you make a tasty dinner last night? Did you get all the beds made? Did you stop and take a moment to care for someone else? Im sure there are more moments where we can accept a challenge only to be rewarded with Puzzle Pride.

It just feels so good.

Tis Christmas Time!

photo from last year


If you know me at all, you know I love lists.

Love them. I do.

We made an advent calendar and the countdown has officially begun. Here is what Id love to share with my family this season:

Go Ice Skating
Make Christmas Cookies for friends
Hang Mistletoe and kiss under it
Make a new Christmas Music Mix (yes, I said mix)
Watch the Nutcracker - I wish in a theater all dressed up, but probably on DVD for free
Make Homemade marshmallows for our hot chocolate
Display our christmas cards and talk about all the people who love us (you better send us one!)
Donate. Donate. Donate.
Make a Gingerbread house and train
Make popcorn garland - maybe cranberries too
Drive around to see lights (already done this!)
Go to a tree lighting
Eat by candlelight
Spend a day in NYC soaking up all the city holiday goodness
See the lights at the zoo
Visit Santa
Write letters to Santa
Read the Night Before Christmas
Make a whole basket of Christmas Books and rotate weekly from the library
Make ornaments for ourselves and others
Look at our photo books from years past
Make paper chains
Christmas craft with wild abandon
Have some peaceful, quiet time with just us

Do you think I...we..can do it? Even if we don't, we'll have fun trying!

Where I got some ideas

9 to 5

Getting to work at Nonnies.

We have trained them well.

That big guy in the chair? Not trained quite as well, but he is good for snuggling in front of the tube.