Saturday, January 2, 2016

The Last of December

There were a few more things that happened in December. We had our annual Christmas piano recital the Saturday before Christmas. Here is our teacher with many of her students.

Rachel and Arija have been friends for nearly six years now. They were 9 when they met and have been playing in recitals ever since.


This was Laura's very first recital. She was SO excited and not nervous!! She played a solo first,


then played Jingle Bells with Rachel.


David:

James:

Rachel played Claire de Lune which is now a three-generation recital piece in our family with my mom and me also having played this.


 We had a nice evening with my dad and his wife, Janet, the week of Christmas.


I got to take Laura to Starbucks to pick out her gift for Rachel. So adorable!!!


And Laura and I got to stop for some tea on Christmas Eve. We read another favorite Christmas story: "Lucy and Tom's Christmas."


Some of the goodies we baked this year:


Laura found her matching doll outfit and dressed up:


After Christmas there were quite a few teas with friends. Time for the goodies to come out!


Esmeralda and I have tea together regularly but it's always at her house because she watches kids during the week. Christmas meant she could come to my house!


We met up with Grandma after Christmas for a trip to Conner Prairie. We just happened to go on hog butchering day! It was so amazing! I am sparing you all the incredible, educational pictures. It was a great anatomy lesson for the kids.

We even got to see the pig's bladder blown up and tossed around like a ball! (Just like they do in "Little House in the Big Woods")


We visited a "Jewish refugee" and watched her make matza on the hearth.


In another house the lady was making hot chocolate and strips of dough to dunk in the chocolate.


 I loved this little doll bed!


Andrew brought a pal with him which made it extra fun!


This poor sheep needs a horn cut!


Isn't this pretty with the blue and white china teapot!


Laura has been making good use of the knitting loom she got for Christmas.


She's already made David a hat! (which he wears constantly)



And now we are into January which is meant to be my hunker down at home month. It looks like the weather isn't going to quite cooperate for that. I'll just have to make sure I work extra hard at getting that sort of resting hibernation that helps the rest of the year to go well.

7 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Aw! The hat Laura made is so cool!
You had a lot of fun!
I love the floor plan of your house - so open!
I pray you will take some deep rest during the first month, sweet Heather!

reader19 said...

Claire de Lune....definitely one of my most favorite songs! Wish I could have heard all the children play! Your day at CP with your mom looks like such a great day! Your tea tray with candle lamp looks fantastic! Looks like you've had a really pleasant go of it! I so enjoy keeping up with you all and being invited in for a visit whenever I am missing you all! When are you going to come over for a visit? around noon? I'll have some tea ready!!!! You don't have to knock, just come on in---a little Hobbit humor!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post, Heather! It makes me want to linger, and linger some more! I will be back for another go. Meanwhile....that does it - my Friendly Village pieces come out of storage *today* - like you, we also finally got some real snow here in Minnesota. Also, I was so tickled to see your Shirley Hughes book. I just loved her books when our son was little. I did not part with them when he got past that stage - cuz I didn't get past that stage! Finally, did you make the tea cozy on the tea table with Esmerelda? If so, may I ask what you used to line/insulate it? Thank you Heather. ~ Diane

Stephanie said...

It's awesome that Laura is using and enjoying the knitting loom. How old is she? My DD just turned 3.5. She did get one of those "sewing" kits - just to practice lacing the shoelaces through the holes. (sjn821 on Rav)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that fantastic post. Such a lot of happiness there. And what amazing baked goods! I heartily endorse your plan to hibernate. I am also prioritising getting as much rest as I can this month, though much is outside my control. However, all the more reason to focus on it! Good for Laura and her loom. That hat is amazing! Much love to you all from here.

Heather LeFebvre said...

Diane -- I hope you are somehow able to find this answer to your question even though it has taken me so long to write back. I did make the tea cozy. I use the thickest batting that Joann Fabrics sells to line the tea cozy as well as some fabric to line that so it isn't visible.

Anonymous said...

Heather - Thank you for your info reply. I appreciate it. You are a very creative lady. ~ Diane