We’re headed to the east coast for Christmas this week to spend it with Jeff’s family. As much as I love doing things “on the actual day”, we decided not to ship presents back east and instead Jeff called Santa and Santa made arrangements to bring Ellie’s gifts early this year (plus a little bit more on the actual day). So, we celebrated Saturday and had a wonderful, magical family Christmas. That evening, we drove up to my parents’ house and celebrated with my family as well.

Earlier in the week, Ellie and I made Christmas clay ornaments for everyone. We used Jenny’s tutorial and supply list, but I was unable to get the pigment she recommend in time, so after we cut them out and baked them, we painted them with acrylics. They’re definitely not as lovely as Jenny’s but they are perfectly perfect for our first go around. I’m thinking we’ll definitely do this again next year (and hopefully, I’ll be better prepared).

Ellie actually caught a throw up bug late last week and we were so worried we’d have to cancel Christmas. But, it seems it was only a 24 hour thing and after a couple of days of rest, easy-going in-home activities and of course some Frozen,curled up next to Mama, she seems much better. On Friday we made snowflakes for Santa and his elves and left them under the tree.

On “Ellie’s Christmas Morning” she found that Santa and his elves had hung the snowflakes all over the house.

Santa also set up Ellie’s table with new toys from one of her favorite books, Red Knit Cap Girl and Mama and baby polar bear!! (This wonderful shop custom-made Red Knit Cap Girl for me and the bears are Holztiger)!

This doll was the big item (along with the grocery cart). She was a custom handmade doll from this lovely shop. I have been wanting to get Ellie a Waldorf doll for a while now and this sweet doll came across my Facebook feed one day. Unfortunately, the doll sold to someone else and so I waited till the doll maker posted another doll for sale and I snatched it up right away before I lost another one (all the while, still wishing I had gotten the pink haired doll). I mentioned it to the doll maker, that I was disappointed I had missed the pink haired doll and she immediately responded and told me she would make me another just like it. I was so thrilled. Ellie is very into dolls these days and I knew a special doll, like this would be the perfect gift. Ellie loved her up as soon as she saw her.

We opened our stockings and enjoyed some homemade swedish oat bran pancakes (thank you to my Grandmother for the recipe).

The little white softie stocking friend is something I made for Ellie. I’ll go into the things I crafted for her in another blog post (there’s just too much to tell here, so I’ll save it for later).

I didn’t take too many photos at Gramma’s house, but Gramma did make Ellie a glorious Christmas dress, which Ellie loved!

I made my siblings (and my brother’s girlfriend, peg dolls, of course). And Ellie picked out an ornament to give to each of her aunts and uncle too.

It was a very nice morning and night. We got home late, tired but happy and full of Christmas joy.
Sunday was a lazy day. Laundry, preparing for our trip and playing with new toys. We did take a trip out to the Ojai farmers market and had a few surprises along the way…

Baby violinist’s, fairy’s with fairy dust to share and Santa selling persimmons… it was a very interesting trip to the Farmers Market.

And because it was the solstice, We made a hot beef stew with homemade biscuits (Ellie helped) and we ate by candle light. A perfect way to ring in Winter, if I do say so myself.

We had a wonderful family Christmas. Now on to our east coast family Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!! I’m hoping to still post this week while in Boston, but if I don’t get around to it with all the holiday hustle and bustle, Have a wonderful holiday my friends and a Happy New Year!!!!