Home[made] for the Holidays

I can hardly believe that it's been over a month since I've written. Where does the time go? I guess it comes from LIVING LARGE and in the moment as some friends of mine this past weekend said the only way to LIVE is. I agree. Life is too short for regrets; I tell myself this often since I am ALWAYS working on living in the moment and not looking back or forwards. It's difficult. There are just so many things I want to do, read, be and enjoy, especially with my kids. I don't want to miss a moment with them. It's hard though -- many minutes of the day I am pulled in a direction that isn't always the one my little birdies (aka children) want me to be in.

As the holidays approach, I don't want to miss a moment with my family and friends. There is so much good food and so many good conversations to be had. However, I always seem to enter the holidays in a state of panic. I'm not a shopper by nature. It's not that I don't like pretty things, I do. I am just not good at acquiring them from a box store. What I worry the most about is finding gifts for my kids and my nieces and nephew (soon to be nephews any day now) that aren't bad for them and the environment. Honestly, it's hard. Kids are naturally drawn to all of the bells and whistles of plastic. My kids have a fairly good mix of wooden, cloth and plastic toys. Therefore, when it comes time to shop, I want to find gifts that match my values and ones that will make them smile.

This year I'm doing a little bit of both. Each child will receive a homemade gift from Aunt Emily (or Mama -- whichever the case may be) alongside a toy store item. Next year, I'm hoping to go homemade all the way.