I turned the computer off most of last week to focus on doll-making work, finishing up projects for our little people, and playing with those little people. This, as I'm sure you can imagine, did not leave much time for blogging. Blogging daily about our Yule Elf Missions, on top of actually doing them, became a little too much. But what about the missions?? What happened with the Yule Elf? I do know that some of you were enjoying following our Yule Elf story, and I don't want to leave you hanging, so, if you're wondering about how the rest of our Magical Advent season went, here comes an overview...in Two Parts!
Yule Elf Mission #15: Sweet Treats
"The holidays bring many good things to eat -
Spread Christmas cheer with a special sweet treat!
Pie, cake, tart - which will you choose?
Give thanks for each ingredient you use."
We always have a great time with baking projects around here, and after hearing the Yule Elf card read Mason insisted that we needed to make an apple tart. I agreed, and we decided to make a chocolate pie as well...just because. It just so happened that we were going to a dessert and wine party that very night, so we were also able to share our yummy treats with friends!
Yule Elf Mission #16: Handmade Gifts
"Spend time working on a special gift
For someone you hold dear.
Use your hands and the love in your heart,
For Christmas time is near."
After reading this card, we sat down for breakfast and made a list of gifts we wanted to make. Mason had already been working on several different things, but this gave us dedicated time to spend on them. I love that Mason and River are growing up in a "handmade home". When thinking of a gift for others, the first thought is always "what should we make?", instead of "what can we buy?"
Mason knew that he wanted to make a ball for River (the girl loves balls), but he wasn't sure how. We came up with a sewn ball make with felt and stuffed with wool...something he made almost entirely by himself. He lost steam on this one a little, and he ended up making a football instead of a round ball, but she loved it just the same, and I know he was proud.
Yule Elf Mission #17: Time Together
"With so much to keep us busy this time of year -
Holiday parties and fun events with good cheer,
Take time today to rest and renew.
How about a game and hot cocoa for two?"
After some busy holiday days, a little downtime was needed...luckily that wise Yule Elf knew just what to do! A game and cocoa with my boy was the perfect way to spend an afternoon (while River was napping). Mason chose a couple of his favorite games (The Kids of Carcassonne and Wildcraft) and we headed to the dining room. I made the cocoa while he set up the first game, Wildcraft. If you love plants, herbal healing and games (everybody loves these things, right?) you have to check out this game. The behind this cooperative board game is that everyone has to make it to the huckleberry patch and back before sun down. Along the way you gather plants and heal yourself as various troubles arise. It's awesome.
Yule Elf Mission #18: Winter Walk
"It's easy to stay inside when the weather is cold,
But a winter walk is nice with a hand to hold.
Bundle up the family and head outside,
Explore the season of stillness and quiet."
It really is easy to stay inside on these super cold days of winter, but even a short time spent in that beautiful Valley sunshine and fresh air can bring a whole new level of awareness and shift of perspective to our days. The little ones and I picked up Papa at the office and headed to one of our favorite it-town trails on the river. It was a cold, lovely walk, and we had a great time. I look at this photo and think, "is this really where I get to live? Where my children get to grow up?"
Feeling thankful, even for these cold days of winter.
Yule Elf Mission #19: More Gift Making
Stitching, knitting, sanding baking -
Time for little elves to get creating.
With the spirit of giving alive in your heart,
Make gifts with joy to brighten the dark.
I guess the Yule Elf thought we needed another day of dedicated gift making, and I had to agree with him. Mason spent some time in the day helping Aaron with River's Christmas gift (a Papa-built learning tower!) and then he spent much of the evening sanding some of our favorite branch blocks to gift to a special little boy. I later discovered that he also worked on his gift for me...finishing up an embroidered sun he began in the fall. I love seeing him work on projects like this...they are special gifts, indeed.
Up next, Part Two of our remaining days of Yule Elf Missions!
Visit our Magical Advent post to learn more about what we did this year.
Comments