Dear Santa,

I realize I am getting this letter off a little late this year. I have had some computer problems and also been making a stocking for that little gift you delivered early last year. (Nope, wait. I delivered that one. 20 hours. You remember--you were there.) Anyway, I hope you are doing well. If it is still possible to consider some of my requests, I would appreciate it. Do not feel like this list is exhaustive, or that you have to get everything on it. These are merely some suggestions to help make your shopping a little easier. Also, this is not to say that I don't love the secret stash you give me of m&ms and Jelly Belly's in my stocking every year. Those are gifts that keep on giving for a few months.... or possibly, weeks.

• First, I know you know I like clothes. And I have discovered it can get a bit chilly here in Kansas! Apparently my warm sweaters went by the wayside in sunny Albuquerque. So a sweater would be nice. And also some of those super cute furry boots or clogs in the brown family would be nice!
• Years ago you (or some other man I love) gave me a set of gold stud earrings. I wouldn't mind another pair of everyday earrings, whether they are round, flat, hoops or another shape. You know what I like: small and simple.
• A new little Bible would be great! They have some really slim Bibles that I might even get to church with me once in a while.
  
• I would really love a booklight for those times when the whole family finds ourselves in the same room for the night.... A bonus would be if it took AAA batteries. :)
• Lastly, since the steering wheel on my sleigh... er, I mean, van, is all worn down, a steering wheel cover might be nice! Something cute and fashionable. I know they have girly ones, but if you feel a more neutral one is better suited to the whole family, I would love it, too!

Thank you for your consideration, Santa. I know you are a busy man. I hope this makes it easier on you! :)

Christmas Fun

Here's an activity for your little ones that my little ones enjoyed. We created beaded garland for our little tree that was really cute! And it was a great fine motor activity! It would also be good for necklaces and bracelets! I got the idea from an Usborn book of Christmas crafts.

1. Cut scraps of Christmas wrapping paper (the ones I always save and are never enough for another present!) into strips as long as a drinking straw and approximately an inch and a half wide. Spread glue on the back of the paper and cover the straw with it, making sure the edges glue down well. (I did this part the night before and let them dry.) Do as many as you need to get the length you want. And, of course, the more colors the better. I liked the shiny paper a lot.

2. Now the kids can get in on the act. Get out their scissors and let them cut beads from the straws between 1/2 inch and 1 inch. This is fun because the beads fly all over the room and must be collected from all the corners when done!

3. Tape one end of a string (as a needle) and tie a pony bead to the other end to stop the beads from slipping off as you thread them on. If the straw slips out at this point, it's okay--the paper will still hold it's shape. We added a few shiny pony beads to the mix to break things up a bit. We tied another pony bead on the other end, but you could tie it into a necklace or bracelet.

Merry Christmas crafting season!