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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...
November 25, 2011
I know what I said, I wasn't thinking about Christmas till after Brienne's birthday. But... a funny (and blessed!) thing happened this week - the chalet got mostly organized. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief.
There's a few crates of books we need to bring in and find homes for (no easy task) but my big unpacking responsibilities are done. Then we need to re-organize the trailer for easy winter access to our all out outdoor gear - something we are not able to store in our 750 sq foot home (with no closets or any storage space to speak of). All part of the journey to organize our life for smaller scale living.
Once that last empty box was removed from the chalet my mind was free to think about the next big thing, Christmas.
Lego mistletoe
Oh I do love Christmas and I'm so excited about having a simple, small scale, let's go cross country skiing and come home to the wood burning stove type holiday.
While I'm thinking "simple" the kids are thinking "presents!" and putting together wish lists for Christmas. They don't have long lists of things they want and are hard pressed to come up with two or three items. But lego is definitely on that wish list, as it is most years.
Our children's love for Lego has been a homeschool sanity saver during this move. They have played and built Lego every day, for hours. No TV, no videos. Just lots and lots of Lego. It's the best toy ever.
When they're not playing lego they are purusing the Lego site building their wish list.
Speaking wishes I need to sign off and make Brienne's birthday breakfast and celebrate her special day with our family. Let the festivities begin.
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San on Nov. 25, 2011, 3:09 p.m.
We have one totally Lego mad boy at our end!! I'm sure he dreams about the stuff and when he's not building with it, he's on the Lego digital designer site!
Your idea of a simple Christmas sounds good.
San
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Naomi on Nov. 25, 2011, 3:13 p.m.
I can totally relate on the Lego front. That has been the only thing on Buddy's list too. Seeing him ooh and ah over all that Lego has to offer is so cute! On Girlie's list is a new Barbie, and the only thing I can think of for Pal is child size tools. That would fit his personality!
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Heather on Nov. 25, 2011, 3:54 p.m.
I have LEGO lovers here too. I just wish sets were not so specific and a little gentler on my wallet. We also love, love love craft/art supplies, doll and kitchen stuff. Enjoy the birthday celebration.
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Kika on Nov. 25, 2011, 4:07 p.m.
The light in the chalet looks gorgeous. I love the photo of your kids at the computer with the colorful reflections in the window.
Speaking of lego, even my 15 year old son still loves lego - not that he plays with it in the same way as his younger years. A friend's husband, who owns Lego Mindstorm, offered my son a loan of it over the holidays. My son was thrilled. We could not afford to buy him this when he was younger though he always wished for it :)
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Cari on Nov. 25, 2011, 5:25 p.m.
Hi Renee.
Just wanted to say thank you for your willingness to share both the highs and lows of this transition (and all the in between as well).
I hope you had a wonderful time celebrating your daughter's birthday.
Take care and continue to give yourself grace during this time of change.
Cari
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Jacinda on Nov. 25, 2011, 7:57 p.m.
Oh Renee I so appreciate how transparent you are and how inspiring your journey is. Good on you, it's helping us on ours and thank you for that. We too live in a tiny 730 sq. foot home - I focus on the benefits rather than dwelling on the frustrations most of the time. As you rev up for cross-country skiing, we pull out the lifejackets for some kayaking. Happy holidays to you and happy birthday to your Brienne (love that girls style).
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steadymom on Nov. 25, 2011, 8:30 p.m.
I'd love to hear which would be a good beginner set of Legos to start with. My three have one small box and I'd like to get some more but without it being one of the rigid "sets" where you have to make something defined out of it. Any ideas?
Happy birthday, Brienne!
Jamie
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renee on Nov. 26, 2011, 1:07 a.m.
Over the years we've bought a few general block boxes, especially when they were younger. But in recent years Laurent has been given car sets and the like. For a time the pieces are saved for that one project but inevitably they all get mixed up with the rest and we end up with a good mix of different types of pieces. Which the kids really like - a wide variety. A couple years ago I also bought the educational sets with gears, levers, etc.. thinking I might "do science lessons" with them - ha! Those also got all mixed and are used to make cool... gears, levers and pulleys(!) in their play As far as what I recommend, it really depends on what your kids want. Sometimes our kids like the boxes, like last year Brienne got this pink box (she's been in a pink stage for a couple years) for Christmas. Whereas Laurent wanted a race car/tractor vehicle set. I have never regretted any lego purchase we've made, given as birthday and christmas gifts mostly. My mom still has the lego my brother and I played with (it's 25 years old!) and is used by the kids when they visit. That's a quality toy in my mind. My little lego schpiel...
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se7en on Nov. 25, 2011, 9:08 p.m.
Happy Birthday... Young Lady - Hope you have the modest fun year exploring around your new home!!!
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Mel on Nov. 26, 2011, 1:42 a.m.
Legos are a big hit around here, too. We have the bigger "Duplo" ones, and my kids amaze me by playing with them EVERY DAY. Anders (almost 5) wants the regular sized ones now. It's a little intimating seeing how many types there are!
I guess we'll build up our little Lego stash the same way we did with the Duplos (and you did), birthday and xmas gifts throughout the years. I'm not really looking forward to finding those tiny pieces around, though ;)
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Matthew on Nov. 26, 2011, 3:34 a.m.
Starting to look like home!
I have been ignoring Christmas stuff until now. (So I decided to not comment on your last post, sorry 'bout that.)
But now I can start preparing in full, and be able to focus and enjoy it.
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Kait on Nov. 28, 2011, 10:35 p.m.
I happened upon your blog while searching for homemade soap recipes and directions and I must say I'm a little envious of your life! I LOVE what your doing as far as living simply and healthfully! Not many people these days really see the value of that sort of lifestyle but I find it absolutely wonderful. I try as much as possible, but I've been pushed into a position in my life that doesn't fully allow me to do some of the things that are so important to me (homeschooling, having a garden, etc.). However, I'm inspired by your blog and have spent far too much time today puttering around on the site! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and tips! I will be glued to the site from now on and will use a LOT of the information you've so graciously shared! Thanks!!! -Kait
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renee on Nov. 28, 2011, 10:52 p.m.
Wow, Kait. Thanks for visiting and Welcome to FIMBY.
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Heather on Dec. 5, 2011, 2:52 a.m.
I totally love your house!!
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Michelle on Nov. 25, 2011, 1:13 p.m.
Oh Renee, I love your new place! My little girl has a set of magnets and modelling clay that she plays with for hours on end. Great open ended toys. Again, the view from your home is amazing and awe inspiring.
renee on Nov. 25, 2011, 2:33 p.m.
Magnets are a favorite toy of our children also. The latest rage around here is Bucky Balls, like magnets and modeling clay mixed together! Celine, who is nearing 13, plays with these for hours on end. Daddy likes them also. We love open ended toys also. Marbles, lego, a few dolls and their clothes, matchbox sized cars, those kind of things have been the staples of our toy repetoire and have served our kids well. That and of course lots of craft supplies (smile). Off again now to talk photos of Brienne's birthday.