{ threads }

A few months ago, on a whim, I decided to open up an Etsy shop! I've had people say here and there that I should open an Etsy store to sell some of the handmade goods that I have made as gifts. But it never really seemed feasible or like something I wanted to take on. In September, I thought "what the heck do I have to lose". So rather than researching it and thinking it all through, I just decided to click "open shop" and away I went!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsdesign

It has ranged from fun to stressful to exciting to overwhelming but in general, I am happy with how things have gone so far. I also started a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/threadsdesignmn) for the business and most of my sales have been local through posts on there. Because of this, it has been difficult to keep stock on the Etsy site, meaning I don't have a big Etsy presence or sales. None of this is either good or bad and I think once the holidays are over, things will die down a little and I should have more time to build more stock.

Right now the "bread and butter" has been scarves, ranging from cotton to flannel. Specifically I have been doing patchwork infinity scarves by pairing several different fabrics and patching them together.

And kid's scarves too!

Other current items include keychain wristlets and necklaces.

I have lots of other ideas brewing for what other items could be added but there is a fine line between specializing in something and broadening the scope too much. A big thanks to everyone who has supported this little venture to date - we'll see what 2015 brings!

{ cumberland christmas }

And last but not least, we headed to Cumberland to celebrate Christmas with the Christensens the weekend after. The weather was cold but we were all getting a little stir crazy so we bundled up the kids to do some skating on the lake (thanks to Grandpa clearing the ice!).

Stella decided she was okay with letting go and tried to do a little skating on her own. And the other kids were all cruising around.

They didn't last too long in the cold and of course were anxious to get inside to open gifts.

Stella's favorite? An Elsa hat that has a button to push that makes her braid fly into the air. It was worn to bed and has barely left her head since she received it!

Meanwhile, Grandpa modeled Owen's WWE Championship belt.

It was yet another wonderful holiday celebration blessed with family memories!

{ christmas day }

Oliver was the first to stroll into our bedroom at around 6:15am. We told him to climb into bed and asked him "Do you remember who was supposed to visit last night?". To which he mumbled "Huh?". It took a few more hints and questions before he exclaimed "Santa!". Stella was awake in her room and before long they were ready to head down.

First stop was their stockings and then they noticed stuff under the tree. Santa delivered a Kindle to each of them to use on the many long car rides that we go on to visit family throughout the year. They were super excited and we put them to use later in the morning when we headed to WI. I didn't grab any photos from the morning since it was dark and I wasn't quite awake enough to think much about it!

Grandpa C made a Christmas donut run while they played with new toys.

We got ready and loaded up to hit the road. But not before I was that annoying mom that wanted to capture a few Christmas day photos.

We had a peaceful ride to Stevens Point thanks to the Kindles and entertained ourselves by binge listening to Serial podcasts. The Krueger Christmas celebration was in full swing when we arrived. With almost 40 family members, it is an all day celebration of opening presents, eating, and of course visiting with Santa (a.k.a. whatever family member was roped into dressing up!).

And this year, Santa even provided sled ride entertainment behind his lawnmower!

{ christmas eve }

We had a really fun Christmas Eve day (and possibly the start of a new tradition!) when we headed down to the Depot downtown for skating. Oliver has obviously been on skates a lot for hockey but this was Stella's first time.

She was super excited and I think a little surprised at how hard it is!

While she never actually let go of the walk, Chop or me, she did great and it was a positive experience. And of course Oliver was excited to show off his skills and show her how it is done!

Christmas Eve and presents couldn't come soon enough. We put wrapped presents from us under the tree the day before and Oliver literally cried for over an hour that morning because he wanted to open them "now". He also wasn't too happy about wearing a button shirt but we talked him into it and off to church we went.

Present opening couldn't come soon enough once we got home. They each received a present from each other (that each of them picked out) and four gifts from us. And we nailed it with all of them!
Oliver:
From Stella: Tennis racquet
Something you want: Trucks
Something you need: Magformers (to add on/build with existing set)
Something you wear: TOMs shoes/long underwear
Something you read: Z is for Zamboni

Stella:
From Oliver: Veterinarian kit
Something you want: American Girl doll Isabelle
Something you need: Magformers (to add on/build with existing set)
Something you wear: TOMs shoes/long underwear
Something you read: Cookie Meets Peanut

And before heading to bed, they made sure to make and decorate cookies to leave out for Santa!

{ toddler tennis }

I stumbled upon every parent's favorite thing - a FREE, Saturday sports program for kids. It is put on by the USTA and has helped us fill Saturday afternoons for a few hours. It has been the perfect activity for Stella to do while Oliver is at hockey. And she LOVES it!

She is also still loving gymnastics and after wrapping up the winter one session, she is moving up to the "big" gym. Ta-da!

And last but not least, dance is still ongoing. Parents were just treated to a "watch" class (the doors and windows are usually closed) - so cute!

Stella also learned an important life long lesson: don't stick your tongue to metal when it is cold outside.  We were getting ready for school one morning and it was sub zero temperatures outside. I was inside pulling together the last few things to head out the door to school and she and Oliver had headed out to get in the car. She decided to hang out on the back steps (not sure why, it was freezing cold outside!) and she was leaning/holding onto the metal handrail. For some reason she decided it would be a good idea to stick our tongue out and touch the handrail. Well, it stuck! I heard screams from her and ran out to find out with her tongue stuck and she was trying to pull it away. I threw all the school bags down and told her not to move or try to pull back. My instincts were to call the firefighters because that is who came to the rescue on "A Christmas Story". But I knew she would never last that long. So I went inside and grabbed a bowl, filled it with tap water, went back outside, and threw the water onto her tongue and the handrail. I prayed that it would release it and it did!! 

She was upset and had a very red, sore tongue. Oliver was equally upset as he wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation! She calmed down within a few minutes and we headed off to school. Didn't realize I needed to teach that lesson but I guess they know now!

{ advent calendar }

To help with the countdown to Christmas, we did an advent calendar again this year. Most of the days had "experiences" and not "things". One of them said they needed to deliver bagels to the fire station and thank the firemen and women for their service. So after preschool, we headed to pick up bagels and stop by our neighborhood fire station to deliver.

The firefighters were so grateful and made the generous offer to come in and see the firetrucks. On top of that, they gave us a full tour of their lounge, bedrooms, and hose storage.

The kids had a blast and it was fun to spread the holiday cheer by giving!

One of the other advent experiences and also an annual tradition, is to head downtown to see the Macy's Christmas display, visit Santa, and have lunch with Chop.

And low and behold, they asked for motorcycles again. And after stopping at Target later this season, they discovered kid motorcycles. Hint: Santa will not be delivering this request!

{ fa lal la la la }

Not a very exciting post of pictures but I felt it was my motherly obligation to document their pre-k Christmas concert.

I don't think Stella stopped waving.

As all preschool concerts go, it was cute, funny and entertaining!

{ breakfast with santa }

In following traditions, we went to our third annual Breakfast with Santa put on by the Minneapolis Junior League. It's a low stress way to avoid crowds and visit Santa. Bonus that a stuffed animal and brunch comes with it!

Santa thought Oliver's tie was a little loose (he obviously doesn't understand the hipster look!) but took his time to visit with them. And if you are wondering what they asked for - motorcycles (both of them)!

Oliver clearly approved of the brunch!

But not of taking photos by the tree.

A little bribery can go a long way. However no amount of bribery has gotten him to wear this adorable tie since then!