I wanted to share a DIY ornament craft we tried with K tonight!  We made small ornaments using perler beads and cookie cutters.  Here’s how:

• Gather small cookie cutters.  Lay them on a cookie sheet with a layer of wax paper.
• Find perler beads at a local craft store.
• Preheat the oven to 300.
• I also grabbed ribbon and a large needle to help create an ornament loop.
• A non stick spray seemed to help too!

K helped us scoop and drop the beads in to the cookie cutters.

They were a little more full than they were supposed to be…but we ran with it.    I added a quick squirt of non stick spray.

I popped them in the oven at 300 for around 20 minutes.  But just keep an eye on them and wait until they looked good and melty.

Here they are flipped over after they’ve cooled.

And here’s a finished product ready for the tree!

Joining in with Shell for PYHO!  @  http://thingsicantsay.com/

…for gathering with friends, celebrating Christmas, eating too much…also sniffles, coughs, and random stomach bugs.  We attempted to combine all of those in to one event.

We invited 3 other couples and their combined 4 kids over for dinner on Saturday.  Before we even made it to Saturday, one couple and 3 kids were out due to a losing battle with colds.  By Saturday, everything seemed to be going smoothly.  I was on track to have everything ready on time.  The oven was busy, cheese, fruit, and a dessert were done, tables were set…but K had other plans.

He ended up getting sick.  On me.

ON ME.

Fast forward – one of the couples agreed to host at their house without us at the last minute.  So they were down to 4 adults and a newborn.  And a LOT of potatoes.  I delivered our contribution, took a little snack to go…and came back to take care of the little guy.

He ended up getting sick twice.  Like…REALLY gross, I can’t believe I’m cleaning this up kind of sick.  But…he magically felt better afterward.  He laid low, and mostly spent the evening in my lap watching Mickey.

I couldn’t help but think of how easy it used to be to get together with friends.  Last minute trips.  Planned parties.  Spontaneous game nights.  I contrasted that with how busy, yet unpredictable our schedules have become.

But also, how full my heart is now.

And I knew that even as I sat there, with ruined plans, an afternoon of wasted effort, *that* smell being slowly covered by a candle, while watching a repeat of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for at least the 15th time…I wouldn’t go back for anything in the world.