A Few Early Christmas Gifts at the Smith House

This year, I wasn't quite sure what to do about Christmas gifts for my kids. I was especially inspired by the video posted by Dan earlier this month. I've talked to the boys about the idea of giving money to the needy instead of getting a lot of gifts and they seemed fine with it; in fact I am not even sure they realize that Christmas for so many people is all about presents.

There were a few things they needed so I figured that those things would be their gifts, along with some stocking stuffers.

The boys needed some winter boots and since they are outside wearing them in the snow right now, I can't provide a picture but you can see them here. I usually buy boots used or on sale in the spring but having not gotten around to it this year, I had to buy some new. I am hoping these will double as rain boots in the spring and summer. They are nice because you can take the liner out.

We also got them some nice flannel sheets from LL Bean:


I haven't finished making the bottom bunk yet but I wanted to take a picture before it was made so you could see how cute they are. In case you can't see the pattern, here is a close up:

Christmas Trees!

This is a very cute little wooden nativity scene that we just got:


Thomas has a way of confiscating things that were meant for everyone and making them his own. So these were on top of the piano, with the other children's nativity scene but now they are on Thomas's little dresser. I guess we didn't need two on top of the piano anyway. He also took the manger for the small baby Jesus that was in the hallway and made that his own too. I can't complain; I guess there could be worse things ;)

And lastly, this was the real splurge; Paul's and my Christmas gift to each other:


And with the doors open: (I love how you can see all the produce!)


This refrigerator has been a long time coming. The previous one was leaking from somewhere and was sitting in a puddle, the shelves in the doors were being held on with duck tape, and it was really not big enough to house all of the produce that my husband consumes.

The first problem is that it's so nice, I don't think we'll be able to part with it when we move; we'll have to take it with us.

The other problem is that it is so much nicer than everything else in our somewhat run-down kitchen that it looks a little out of place. But I've been thinking that I spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in the house and I should start giving it some more attention...

And this is just a cute picture of Andre sitting on the counter... he was an early Christmas present last year.


I hope everyone has a blessed last week of Advent and a very wonderful Christmas!