Just a quick post for today…which is better than the “no posts” I have done the last several days, right? Life is busy. It is just that time of year for everyone and despite my great intentions, updating my blog has taken the back burner for the time being!
However, I am no longer taking sessions for 2009, so once I finish out these last few on the books, that will free up some more time! I have big plans of getting all of my pricing and packages updated and doing a little maintenance work on my blog!! Not to mention there are several forms I am personalizing and incorporating as this little business of mine continues to grow!
Okay…so I have officially begun my Christmas shopping for the year! It’s late for me, but better late than never, right? We are doing things a bit different around here this year. Our kids have WAY.TOO.MUCH. And because they will continue to get way too much from their grandparents and the rest of the family, we are limiting what we get them. I have spent a good chunk of this year sifting through toys and games and getting rid of things…I am not about to add back in a bunch of stuff just for the sake of buying it, which is what I usually do! I guess I associate Christmas for the kids with having a lot to open…obviously that is NOT the meaning of Christmas. This year I want to make it special…to have them help me sort through and donate something to the kids who need it, to adopt a family, SOMETHING. Times are tough for everyone right now. People are hungry. Parents won’t be able to provide their kids with Christmas presents. And while we too have had to scale back, we are lucky. Our kids rarely do without. We have plenty to eat. It’s our turn to give back.
So…does anyone know of a great place to start? Charities? Programs? Let me know…I want to find the perfect fit for us! And I want it to involve kids of course!
Despite the changes we are making, there are still gifts to be bought! I am going practical for everyone I can this year…our kids included. I am also wanting to do whatever shopping I can on Etsy…may as well help out the super small businesses and get fabulous and creative gifts in return!
And here is where I started…
The kids LOVE to help in the kitchen! It’s a shame I really don’t love to be in the kitchen, but they do. So…during the month of December I am going to work on a list of things I want to change and improve upon with myself for 2010. One of those is baking with the kids. I want to make something with them at least once a week. Of course they need aprons, right? Maybe not at the top of the list of necessities, but come on, they have SO much stuff…I am thinking outside the box!
This is the apron I ordered for Huntler. It is coming all the way from Australia!! I had a really rough time finding something for him that I loved…but this one definitely says BOY!
Now for the queen of all things girl? I happened upon this seller and knew right away that Gentry HAD to have one of her creations. Tell me you disagree! HA! I picked out this darling Strawberry Shortcake one for her, but there are several SUPER cute ones to choose from! A couple of them are holiday designs and absolutely precious!
And what chef is complete without a monogrammed hat? Huntler’s will be white with his name in black. Gentry’s will of course be pink, but I am not sure on what color I want her name to be. I was thinking hot pink, but I emailed the seller of this apron to find out if that tulle is red or hot pink! So…once I have that figured out, I can get the hats ordered and will have one of their three or four gifts down!
For some reason these pictures will NOT center when I click on them! Argh! Oh well!! I am off to get my work out in before the crew starts stirring! Huntler is out of school today for Veteran’s Day…I am thinking I am going to take the kids for a picnic maybe! We can’t play in our yard because there is manure and grass seed everywhere {we planted our winter grass} and I am avoiding busy public places until about May, so I think McDonald’s and a blanket under a shade tree sounds pretty darn perfect!
Filed under
random-sweetness,
by Bethany
Hi there! This is my first time commenting and I wanted to share a charity idea. Check out samaritanspurse.org and the Operation Christmas child program. You fill a shoebox for a child in a third world country full of toys and necessities. You get to pick the gender and age of the child. We do a box tot correspond with each of our childen’s ages each year. The deadline is coming up soon, though. Hope this helps!
Bethany, I know that we’re both in Surprise & an idea locally to give back is to the families of those deployed from Luke AFB. There’s a 501C4 non-profit that helps out the families–it’s called “Fighter Country Partnership”. Go to http://www.fightercountry.org to find out more. I’m sure they’d love anyway that you’re family would want to help out, especially for the kids who will have parents deployed to Afghanistan & the Middle East during the holidays.
super cute! i know someone who creates fun buntings a perfect gift for someone who has everything
Just teasing!
Love the idea of playing more in the kitchen with the kiddos… we do it every so often, once a week is brave
Pray for patience 
Hmmm… I think it would be fun and cool to donate your toys (depending on what they are) to a place for kids with handicaps? We have a school here that is for kids with motor disability and while they have a hard time moving they love toys and to do normal things…
Another idea would be to go to your local childrens hospital and give the toys to the hospital… usually children’s hospitals have a toy room area for the kids to play in!
Have fun with that
I think the idea of aprons and chef hats are perfect! I LOVE to cook…so don’t forget your friends back in KS… ; )
What child wouldn’t love those!? I want to buy more homemade stuff this year as well
Very Very very good ideas! I love the apron idea and hope to get one for my little darling when she is a little bigger.
As for the charities, domestic violence shelters often house kids and women so that would be and idea there and I do like the childrens hospital idea. Also, I don’t know if you guys do the save, spend, give jars, but if you did you could think about giving the give jars to a charity of choice. Like childhood cancer research, juvenile diabetes, childrens miracle network, and of course I have to put the plug in for cystic fibrosis research. I love the idea that you are giving…..regardless of where it goes, it’s awesome that you guys are that generous!
Hi Bethany,
I am Amber’s (Sisson/Kirk) sister. First of all I wanted to tell you that I stop by your blog every once and awhile to check out your photography. I love your work and your kids are adorable. Second, I live here in Phoenix and I work at a clinic for kids with special needs. Almost all of our patients are low income and we have many many families who come to us each year saying that they cannot afford to do anything for their kids for Christmas. Unlike the large Children’s Hospitals, we are often forgotten about when it comes to donations. If you are looking for someplace to donate we are always looking for donors. We could always find a family for you to adopt or you could donate to our clinic in general as we need toys year round. No pressure but if you are interested just contact me and we can figure something out.
Jessica
I love the hats and aprons!! I know what my two kiddos will be receiving this year as well! I’ve said the same thing to my husband this year about not buying so many toys and buying more thoughtful and handmade items from Etsy. Please continue to share your awesome finds!
I’m a former teacher and for the last several years I’ve donated toys to several schools and our local Parents as Teachers program. They are always in need of good toys.