the unfettering

The beauty and magic of Christmas knocked me over again, as it does year after year. The early morning footsteps, the squeals, the voices begging us to get out of bed so the present opening can begin. (If you remember, last year, this started at 4:10am. This year, was a much more respectable 7:00am.)

The fear that hangs heavy in my heart through most of December - that someone will be disappointed, his or her little heart crushed - and that it will be all my fault, is finally put to rest. It's a hefty responsibility - one that has little to do with the baby Jesus - but everything to do with motherhood and the memories of Christmases past, and the generations of mothers before me who stayed up late sewing doll clothes or saving a few pennies from the groceries week after week to surprise their children with something they never expected.

Somehow, it always works out. And although I wish that part of Christmas, the gifting and the spending and the shopping, was somehow less stressful and less important, I strive each year to make sure my children understand how fortunate, how very blessed we are. We spend the other 364 days of the year saying "No. Sorry. Too expensive. Can't afford it." On this one day, it's a wonderful treat to make a few dreams come true.

We repeat our traditions - Christmas eve at the grandparents, church in the morning, monkey bread for breakfast, dinner on the good china. And although there is something in me that strains against rigid tradition, I know that these are the things that my children will do with their children. And are in fact, the very things that my grandparents did with their children. And I stand aside with my need for change and newness and grab onto the worn and weathered threads that bind all these generations together.

Our Christmas was lovely. How was yours?

fettered

I should be doing something.

My Christmas cards are still unwritten, cookies unbaked, presents unwrapped, and more than a few still unboughten. There is food to buy. Dinners to plan. I should make a list. (But I know I won't.)

I never actually finished decorating. We pulled out all the boxes and had a huge explosion of the Christmas tchotchkes. Some I love. Some I hate. Some to which I am indifferent. All of which I have little room for. And it all makes me feel like the walls are closing in on me. I packed up the ones I couldn't deal with, left the "maybe" pile sitting out, and there they still sit. In disarray on the coffee table. As if left by the Ghost of Christmas Disorganized.

My kids (some of them, anyway) have settled into their usual pre-Christmas routine of acting like they deserve, well... nothing but coal. And yet, I have it on good authority that they will do much better than that. I weigh the balance of a good lesson learned vs. years of therapy and I know this is one time I will not follow though. There must be something biochemical, or barometric, or hormonal that causes their behavior, because I could set my watch by it. It arrived right on schedule. But still it angers me to the point of speechlessness.

It's at this point that I have lost all sense of the meaning of what I'm doing. I'm grimly marching forward. Circling parking lots and sliding my credit card over and over again. There has to be a better way of doing this. And yet, year after year, I don't find it. Or I forget to look for it until it's too late.

on repeat: The Laundry for Six Guide to Toys

Life has been a bit crazy here for the past few weeks. So I JUST started my Christmas shopping yesterday. If you are at all like me and are still shopping for gifts for the kiddos, check out some of my favorite toys here.

I'm reposting this from last year. (I was so organized last year that I posted this in November. Oh to be that gal again.) I hope to do a gift guide for games later this week. Or if I don't get to it, I'll at least point you to some good ones in other places!

As you might imagine, we've been through a lot of toys in this house. Some of them went to the trash in less than a week. Others, I'll be saving for my grandchildren. And most of them fall somewhere in between. I thought I'd share some of my favorites. But first, let me tell you my rules for a good toy.

Rule 1
No batteries is best, no EXPENSIVE batteries is a must. I will not be loading size D batteries in a kid's toy.

Rule 2
Nothing with a bazillion pieces. And if there are more than 20 pieces, you need to be able to lose a piece or two and still be able to play with the toy. If every piece is essential, it won't last 2 hours in our house. (Puzzles are an exception.)

Rule 3
I hate toys that you put together in one particular way and that's the only way you can use it. That usually means that I'm the one who has to put it together, which defeats the whole purpose. I'll get to Legos in a bit, but I like Legos much better after the thing you are supposed to make (house, Star Wars ship, whatever) has fallen apart and they use the blocks to build something of their own creation.

Rule 4
Wood is almost always better than plastic.

Rule 5
I'm not usually a consumer of high-end anything, but some toys are worth the extra money. Most of these are on the pricier end, but I only included the ones that were totally worth it.

And before I get started, this post is not sponsored by anyone. These are actual toys that we own and love. None of the manufacturers have contacted me nor have I contacted them. No money has been exchanged and no one was injured in the writing of this post. Several of the toys I've listed are from Hearth Song because I love their stuff and the toys are well-made.



Barbarossa Pirate Ship and Papo Pirates




This wooden ship is sturdy and well-made. The pirates are resin and incredibly detailed and realistic. (Something to consider if you have a kid who scares easily.) My kids have spent hours playing with various pirate sets (including Playmobil ones which I also like, but have lots and lots of tiny pieces) and these are my favorites. I'll be hanging on to these for the grandkids.

Kelly dolls



Kelly is Barbie's younger sister. These dolls are so much nicer than Barbies. They are the perfect size to tuck in a kid-sized purse, their clothes are much easier to put on and there are no freakish anatomical measurements. They usually come in sets of several dolls with a few accessories.

Foam Tile Activity Mat



They don't make the exact one we have anymore, but this mat is similar. (Some other brands make noise. Beware. I don't know about your kids, but mine already make plenty of noise.) The tiles are foam and can be put together several different ways. (See Rule 3.) My kids spend hours with this mat, adding Hot Wheels to the road, airplanes to the airport, Fisher Price Little People, pirates and Kellys for the people. It has a school, playground, farm and lake. It's soft, portable (comes in a zipper case) and encourages lots of imaginative play.

Wooden train set



We started with the Thomas set and mostly kept to that brand. But Brio trains and tracks are similar quality and are compatible with the Thomas wooden tracks. We have thousands of dollars invested in tracks and trains, but they are worth every single penny. My kids have spent hours playing with these.

These days, the older kids design the track layouts and the younger kids play with it. We don't have a train table, so we have to set it up on the floor (and while I'd love the space for a table, it definitely limits how big of a track you can make). I hate tripping over things, but I'd trip over this 100 times a day because I love it so much. My girls and boys alike have enjoyed this toy. (I will caution you about getting cheaper track pieces - we got some at Costco a few years back and they were not worth it. The pieces didn't line up quite right, the trains were not as sturdy and the connector parts on the tracks were a plastic peg which was easy to pull out - totally chokeable at worst, totally annoying at best. I know IKEA has a wooden train set and I haven't tried it, so I can't comment on those. Melissa & Doug too, I think. Anyone tried them?)

Blocks

We probably have a dozen different sets of blocks. You can't go wrong with blocks and you can't have too many. (At least in my house.) I have a few sets that I really love.

Castle blocks




These blocks are pricey, but worth every penny. They are handmade in the USA from scrap lumber and have intricate details. And if you sign up for the email newsletter, there are often sales and specials. My kids have been inspired to make some amazing things with them.

Dominos



I think we have 4 sets of Dominos (and use them all), but I keep these colored ones with the blocks and they get used for building.

Architectural Blocks




This isn't the exact set we have, but these unusual shapes and building parts make for some very intricate structures and hours of playing time.

Legos



More building!

You either love Legos or hate them. We love them. Yes, there are tiny pieces and yes, they REALLY hurt when you step on them, but they can keep my kids busy for HOURS doing creative things. Most Legos come in a set where you follow a complicated set of instructions to build a specific thing. Younger kids can't possibly put it together by themselves. And once you have invested hours in building it, you don't want ANYONE TO TOUCH IT. And eventually, it gets knocked over and breaks apart and there are TEARS! and DRAMA! But never fear - for THEN, the fun is just beginning.

Throw away the instruction book and toss all the Legos in a giant bin and let them have at it.

Or skip all the drama and buy a set that isn't meant to go together in any specific way. (Again with Rule 3.) Search for "Lego Building Set" on Amazon and you will get some of these. They usually come in plastic bins, not boxes, like the picture above.

I will say that my boys play with these much more than my girls, but I think even an all-girl house should have at least one set of Legos. (They have ones that come in more girly colors if that's an issue.)

If your kids aren't old enough for Legos or you have a baby that puts everything in his mouth, we also love Duplos and still play with them frequently.

Marble Race



Another building toy, but this one requires some strategy. We've had plastic and wood. Wood is definitely better.

Corolle dolls



We have a LOT of baby dolls. My favorites are Corolle dolls. They have beanbag bodies, which makes them feel more solid. Their faces have beautiful detail. The clothes are adorable. They come with attached pacifiers. And some of them are even scented.

Stunt Psycho Remote Control Car



Don't be scared by the name - this remote control car is AMAZING. It can drive over any terrain - rocks, ivy, tall grass and even goes up and down curbs. When it hits something it can't get past, it flips over and goes in the opposite direction.

We have had lots of remote control vehicles over the years... this one is the BOMB.

Play Kitchen



Of all the toys we've bought, we've probably gotten the most use out of our play kitchen. When I first bought it, I was a completely unsophisticated toy consumer. I bought the biggest, plasticist (I made that up) one I could find. It's fine, but if I was shopping today, I'd buy something with a little more style. And smaller. Something like the one above. We've added play grills over the years, plates and utensils and even a McDonalds cash register.

My kids have set up countless restaurants - McDonalds, The Krusty Krab, IHOP and a fancy French bistro.

Keep lots of props on hand. Aprons, a kid-size table and chairs. A chalkboard for a menu. Tiny placemats and napkins. Anything to keep that spark of imagination going.

As far as food, in most cases, I'd say plastic wins over wood in this case. Plastic food is more realistic looking. I like food that is similar in size to real food. (Some is teeny tiny.) I also HATE the food that you can cut in half and sticks together with velcro. I am the only one who EVER put the food back together. The only velcro food I can recommend is this pizza, which is awesome.



My Fairy Princess Palace Pop-Up Book





This book is a work of art. It opens up and ties to stay open and becomes a multi-level palace with it's own paper doll fairies. It's completely portable as it folds right back down into a book. It IS fragile. This is not for young toddlers. My 5-year old has been playing with it for over a year and is enchanted with it. (If you look at the bottom of the Amazon page I linked, there are other titles also. We also have Fairy Winter Wonderland and Santa is bringing My Fairy Funfair this year.)

Puzzle Blocks



We have several sets of puzzle blocks, including one that was Laundry Dad's when he was a kid. One of our sets is in a plastic suitcase-type carrier and it is a great toy to take to church or a restaurant. It's 6 puzzles in one, and once you are done with the puzzles, you can build a block tower too.

Modern Pattern Coloring Books



These coloring books are a wonderful gift for older kids. My kids sit for hours creating amazing works of art. The pages are made of vellum, so they are perfect for hanging in windows for your own personal stained glass effect. (I'll be honest, I love coloring in them too.) You can also buy them as a set with a box of fine-tip markers. I give the sets as birthday party gifts.

Klutz books



Klutz is another brand I love. They have a large selection of kit books for making a craft or learning a skill, like Friendship Bracelets or Fashion Design. My favorite Klutz books though are the ones we take on car rides and are full of puzzles, mazes, jokes and dot to dots.

Happy shopping! Feel free to post your favorite toys down in the comments below.

ICE! so nice

Last weekend, the Laundry crew was invited to the Gaylord National to celebrate Christmas on the Potomac, Gaylord style.

We started off in the hotel with a milk and cookies reception.



If you live in DC and have never been inside the Gaylord, it's amazing. There's so much to see. And the Christmas decorations are gorgeous.





MammaLoves has a magic camera too!

Next, we got to meet all the Dreamworks characters with our Character Passports. This year, for the first time, this event is available to the general public. Previously only hotel guests got to hang with Shrek.



and Po



and even dance with Puss (This was the cutest thing ever! She was over the MOON. And I'm pretty sure Antonio Banderas was in that costume. Right?)



Next, we headed over to the ICE! tent and donned the big blue parkas they give you to keep from freezing. (And they work! But bring gloves, because they don't give you those. It's 9 degrees in there!)

It's hard to explain how AMAZING ICE! is. Two million pounds of ice are carved by Chinese artisans to create this one-of-a-kind attraction. Pictures don't even do it justice, but here are some:




Fire. Ice. Get it?









There are ice SLIDES! So fun! Don't go head first, like Laundry Dad, here. You'll get yourself kicked out.

The Nativity scene is hard to photograph (because it's see through!) but it's simply breathtaking.








Someone was a little cold and uncooperative by the end.

After seeing ICE!, we headed back to the Gaylord for the 6:30 (every evening) tree lighting, character performance, fountain show and SNOWFALL! I have to confess, I'm not usually a pageantry-lover, but this show had me grooving. I wasn't close enough to get a good picture, but here's the snow!



ICE! runs through January 8th. You can get tickets here. Go soon because the closer it gets to Christmas, the more crowded it gets.

The DreamWorks Character Experience is a separate event. Tickets for that are here. With that, you also get a scavenger hunt throughout the hotel, which my kids loved.

The Gaylord has lots of holiday packages that include tickets and other events. The 6:30 show is free and open to the public.

I also want to add a plug for the Santa at the Gaylord. He is the REAL Santa. I'm SURE of it. If you want to get your kids picture taken with Santa, go there. It's not part of any package, but I found the price of the pictures to be comparable to all the mall Santas with the fake beards. And you can't beat seeing The Real Guy.

holiday greetings

First off, to understand some of this post, you have to watch this video.



The evening Shout had her nervous breakdown, I was planning to go to a holiday party sponsored by Tiny Prints with my blogger gals. Laundry Dad was late getting home from work. Shout had been on the couch for hours sobbing and holding a barf bucket under her chin.

It was not a festive time.

By the time I headed out to the party, I was already an hour late and had a 20 mile drive ahead of me.

I tried de-stress by playing LOUD MUSIC. It didn't really work.

I followed the directions from my GPS which lead me directly to a dead-end in a residential neighborhood. Now 1.5 hours past the party start time.

Just then, Someone Like You came on the radio.

I may have sobbed.

I fiddled with the GPS to see if I could get it to find my destination.

No luck.

I drove around singing Someone Like You at the top of my lungs (sorry neighborhood I was lost in) until I finally reached the parking lot of the historic Savage Mill, which is where the party was. Whew.

I dried my tears, fanned my face and headed in.

Except, when I looked at the map of the complex (which is a very cool collection of 19th century textile mill buildings), I realized I was as far away from the party as a person could be. And the building I was in (full of craft and artisan shops) was closing up for the night.

So I got back in my car and drove in circles around the complex until I found a parking lot that looked like a better bet. (I may have sung another chorus of Someone Like You.)

Then, I wandered around the building for 10 minutes trying to find the lovely and amazing photography studio where the party was. (And yes, thank goodness, it was still in full-swing.)

As I walked in, Leticia immediately stuck a glass of Skinny Girl Margarita in my hand (bless her!)and the relaxing process began.

Thank God for girlfriends, right?





Tiny Prints and Leticia threw a bang up party in the GORGEOUS studio of Love. Live. Images. (Seriously - it's my dream location. I want to live there. Look at all that exposed brick!)



There was food and drink and the amazing Mary Gardella used her magic camera to take headshots of us. (I love mine.)





She shared tips on getting a good holiday photograph of your family.

"My photo philosophy for taking great portraits is to be discreet and most importantly, patient! Engage the child in an activity that will bring out their little personalities (reading a favorite book, coloring/painting, singing songs, sitting up, belly time, dancing, tickling, furniture surfing, taking a bath, picking flowers, etc..). Look for the moments that make you smile. These are amazing times of growth and change in your child's life. It's so fun as a parent to witness the moments happen, it's even more precious to capture the moments for a lifetime." - Mary Gardella

Some of the other tips included:

First and foremost, RELAX. Enjoy the moment, don't get overstressed about outfits or getting everyone to look in the same direction. Some of the best family portraits are when a child is looking at a parent or kids are looking at each other.

Let your child hold a favorite object - a teddy bear, blankie, blue plastic barf bucket. (Heh.)

Let the photographer be in charge. Your kids will listen better.

Mary's blog has a full list of what to do before and during the session to make the most of it and enjoy it.

One of my favorite holiday cards is one where we used a "good" (and by "good," I mean, the best we could get) photo and an outtake. It was really funny.


Card design by Mira Greetings

This year, I was lucky to have a picture from Cheer's First Communion that I can use. (I had to crop out Cousin J. Sorry, girl!)



Tiny Prints has generously offered me some free holiday cards, so here's the one I think I'm going to use.



Do you have any holiday photo successes or disaster stories to share? (I especially love the disaster ones. We've all been there!)

Also, I have to tell you, if you are local, each month, Mary does $50 Fabulous Friday mini photo sessions deals for 5 lucky clients. The $50 price includes a 5x7 print. You can watch her blog for the next announcement or call Love Life Images at 410-491-5433 to see when the next one is available for booking. (Also, look at the pictures on Mary's website. She IS amazing!)

Tiny Prints sponsored the party and is giving me 50 free holiday cards in exchange for writing about it. All content and opinions are my own.