December Daily: 2-3

Currently I'm living day by day, finishing few tasks each time. Yesterday it was the Christmas cards, as more than half of the cards need to go overseas and I still needed to inform everyone of our new address, in case they want to return a card. Today, I had to prepare for Sinterklaas, whom will be bringing the children presents in their shoe tomorrow morning. Besides that, I needed to bake two cakes for both schools, which will be sold during their Christmas fair. Even though Ruben and Rebecca go to the same school, Rebecca wanted both of them to bring something in. So, we (Rebecca was a tremendous help) ended up baking one victoria sponge cake and two Dutch apple pies.

Here's a catch up on my December daily:




Supplies: clear stamps - Fancy Pants, Art Warehouse, white pen - Kikki.K, no. 2 - Elle's Studio, PPs - Making Memories, punch - Fiskars.



As I was sending the Christmas cards that day, I will include one for my records into this album. I will probably be adding a few more things as I go along. Since I already bound my album, I will rebound it at the end of the month to include the things I've added throughout the month.

Supplies: journaling paper and circle tag - Elle's Studio, our Christmas card made on a Mac using iPhoto.



Renee had her Christmas play with school today. Her drawing of an angel was on the front of the program. I've cut it out and stuck it on the back of the Christmas card to include in my album.



Supplies: digital stamp and brush - Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals, edge brush - Rhonna Farrer at 2Peas, PP and number - Making Memories.

Oh, regarding that moving note. I've made it almost 3 months ago, but it has been on my desk since. I thought I'd show you what it looks like (for privacy reasons, I've erased the address details):



Enjoy your Thursday! I'm off wrapping a few chocolate letters...

December Daily: 1

I find it quite astonishing that it's December already. This means we've been back in the UK 5 months, but it surely doesn't feel that long. I realised I didn't give you a supply list last time I posted my 31 days of December album, so I'll add as I post each day.



Supplies: PP, ribbon, button and paint - Making Memories, cardstock edge - Bazzill, chipboard numbers - Maya Road, snowflake die - Cuttlebug, clear stamp - Heidi Swapp, ink - Stampin'Up, scrapper's floss - Karen Foster, Dimensional Magic - Royal Coat, Dymo label maker, bind-it-all machine and ring, corner rounder - EK Success.



Supplies: PP and holly - Making Memories, epoxy sticker - Anna Griffin, digital brushes (on picture) Rhonna Farrer, digital 'December 1' overlay - Ali Edwards @ Designer Digitals, clear stamp - Basic Grey.

On Sunday I totally forgot to post a card I made for Renee's friend, Julliette. She was born 10 days after Renee and was therefore also celebrating her 5th birthday. I made this card, before I made Renee's... Renee asked to get exactly one like it, but I did make it a little different. Here's the card I made for Julliette:



Supplies: cardstock - Bazzill Basics, PPs, brad and die cuts - Basic Grey, rubber stamp - Hero Arts, white ink - Staz'On, chipboard number - Maya Road, paint - Making Memories, dimensional magic - Royal Coat, flower and bling - Prima Marketing, border punch - Martha Stewart, ribbon - local haberdashery.

Until tomorrow.

31 Days of December

For a brief moment I thought this album was never coming together. I've been procrastinating so long. I had the cover finished a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't get myself to do the inside pages. After seeing many gorgeous albums here, here and of course here. Yesterday, I finally was inspired enough and put the whole album together in one day. And I even made a totally new front cover as well.



You can see all the inside pages here. As of next week I'll start adding our daily adventures and will post these throughout the month.

Thanks for stopping by.

Are You Ready?

I almost left it too late again taking pictures, as daylight was fading rapidly this afternoon trying to snap the remaining 20 days of December. If you like to see the the first 10 days of this album, you can find them under the label '31 Days of December' on the right hand side. If you click on the pictures to enlarge them, you'll probably be able to read my journaling (if you're interested).




Gymnastics display by Rebecca and Ruben:



Renee's last gym lesson:



Beth bakes the yummiest cookies:



Renee's got an ear infection:

We went to the movies:

Yr4 Kinder Introduction:

End of Year school reports:

Amid all the preparations, my birthday:

Rebecca and Ruben with their teachers:

Ready, set, fly 10,000 Miles:



We met Poppy for the first time:

Rebecca got to meet up with old friends:

Playing with their cousins:

Christmas Lunch at Glen & Karen's:



Boxing Day at Paul & Lisa-Ann's:

3 out of 4 Brothers:

SALE!:

Seeing friends:



Phil's 40th Birthday Bash:



Ice Skating at Hampton Court:



New Year's Eve at Dave & Gina's:




Are you still there?? Quite a number of the pictures were blurry, but I still decided to put them in as it conveys the emotion of the event.

Finally I'll leave you with my picture of the day, which I took this afternoon coming back from shopping with the kids. It's taken on Mont Albert Road, which is one of the most beautiful tree lined road in the suburb. Last year I missed my chance to take a picture of the Fall colours, so today I took the opportunity.

May 4th - Fall Colour

31 Days...Catch-up

Over the weekend we've been busy playing Monopoly and Mexican (dice game) and clearing out the under-the-stair-cupboard, which meant that my mini album was put on hold. This morning I had some time to get caught up. I also need to think ahead how I'm going to continue doing this when we're on the road. I'd like to take it with me, but obviously keeping the necessary supplies to a minimum.








By the way my Christmas cards have all been posted and some have already been received too.

31 Days...December 6th

Today was somewhat a big day, especially for the children and both Sinterklaas and Santa Claus were delivering their presents to our house today. Neither of them had to plough through a thick pack of snow as it was 33 degrees (Celsius) today. It all went according to plan and the children were very happy with their gifts. Phew, I can breathe normally again. Just those Christmas cards. I set my deadline for tomorrow, so I know what I'll be doing tomorrow afternoon, as I'll be working out in the morning.

We're already on day 6 of my 31 Days of December mini album, which I'm still enjoying putting together. It will be a great keepsake for the children when they grow up.




Journaling:
Today we celebrated Sinterklaas and Xmas in one. The children were very pleased with their presents. There were: DVDs, monopoly, RC Tyco Car, Globe, Play-Doh, sidewalk chalk, Be.Bratz, K'Nex and books.

Admits all the preparations and trying to catch up with the housework I mentally escaped for a little while and created a LO this afternoon using Loveland papers from Scenic Route. I will post the LO tomorrow when I can take a picture in daylight.