Camera Bag Purse

So now I am officially way behind on sharing Elfie's adventures. I just haven't felt like sitting at the computer, editing pictures, creating storyboards, and composing posts the past few days. It takes a lot (a WHOLE lot) of time. And I really wanted to take a few days to do something non Christmas related.

So I went shopping at T.J. Maxx and got myself a new purse, and then to JoAnns for some pretty fabric, foam and velcro. I followed this tutorial and made myself a padded camera bag insert!

This is a quick Instagram picture I took. It is seriously awesome. I added a few extras not included in the tutorial, like pockets on the outside to hold some extra stuf, like memory cards, my wireless remote, and cleaning wipes.

I love it!! And I plan on keeping an eye out for the perfect yellow or turquoise bag as well. It has to be the right size, it has to have a flat bottom, and it has to have a messenger strap included. The one in the picture (for $24.99 from T.J. Maxx) does, and it's not the color I was planning on buying, but I still really like it, and it can be dressed up or down. The padded insert will also fit in a couple other bags I own, and I am SO SO SO happy I don't have to use my ugly black backpack every time I want to bring my camera with me!!!

♥ Kim

Meeting Santa Claus

Riley was actually excited to visit Santa this year. And it is the first time ever that he didn't cry. Of course he was still kinda scared of him, but he was old enough understand who Santa was, and he wanted to make sure to tell him what he wanted for Christmas (a Lady train- which is of course, discontinued, so it's expensive, but I was able to find one on ebay for $19.99, yay!!!)

So he walked up to him, but he wouldn't let go of my hand. Somehow I managed to get him to sit next to Santa, and when he gave him a sucker, he finally let go. Mitch told me to get out of the way, and they managed to snap a picture, before Riley jumped down and dragged me back over. Then while I was holding his hand again, and helping interpret, he told Santa that he wanted a train, that he wanted Lady. This was the first time he had ever talked to Santa, and it was very cute to watch. :)

After our visit, we went to the play area, and rode all the coin operated toys (a quad, airplane, hot dog van, train, there were a bunch). He liked that! Then we stopped at the gum ball machines, and I let Riley put a quarter in, and get some candy out. I loved gum ball machines as a kid, so it was kinda cool to see Riley experience it for the first time. :):)

♥ Kim

Day 3: Sprinkle Donut Breakfast

I'm sorry I didn't post for a few days. I've been exhausted the past week. And I was gonna post yesterday, but it was my birthday (I"m 30!!!!) and my sister come up to visit me. So I'm a little behind now, but I figured that was bound to happen, so I'm not gonna worry about it. :)

On day 3, Elfie made Riley a plate of sprinkle donuts, and donut holes. Next time Elfie won't start the donuts (that have a couple hours of rising to do) at midnight!! Needless to say, I was up really, really, really late that night, and didn't wanna get up the next morning.

Elfie's donut breakfast also included hot chocolate with marshmallows. Yummy! And a special spot was set at the table, just for Riley.

Riley thought breakfast was awesome. He wouldn't touch the big donuts (he said they had holes in them, haha) but he did enjoy a donut hole, he drank most of his hot chocolate, and ate lots of marshmallows.

Later that day, we went to visit Santa. I think I'll do a quick post about our visit in a bit. :)

♥ Kim

Day 2: Elfie's Toy Tower

For his second night of fun Elfie decided to raid Riley's toys, and build a giant tower! It's a combo of magneatos, legos, stacking cups and books with a Hershey's kiss on top.

Here's the note he left for Riley:

He pulled the ottomans out from under the toy box, and built the tower on top of them. It helped make it even taller. Plus it prevented Chumba from knocking the whole thing over in the middle of the night.

He also used some letter magnets and alphabet legos to leave Riley a message. :):)

Then he got inside the tower and decided to relax until Riley got up.

Riley spotted the kiss immediately. He gobbled it up, and left the wrapper in it's place, haha. Then he took Elfie out and put some wrapped books (from day 1) inside the tower. He knocked it over in the process. But that's okay, cause he had other plans to make the tower even taller!!

He got out all of his alphabet legos, and with Daddy's help he stacked every one of them on top. He did all the work, but had to stand on a kitchen chair to reach, and needed Daddy's help to balance. I was shocked they all went up without falling!!

He was rather impressed with his creation. I have the cutest picture of him sitting on the arm of the green chair taking pictures of it. In case you hadn't noticed, he hates clothing, and is butt naked all the time (even today when it was snowing outside), and of course he was naked in that picture, so no sharing. But it was so sweet, and he sooooo takes after me, taking pictures of his projects, and doing whatever it takes to get that perfect shot. It's super cute to watch him do his thing.

So that's it. Elfie needs to print out some coloring pages for tonight, and I need to go watch The Vampire Diaries, and maybe some Nikita before i go to bed. Good night.

♥ Kim

Day 1: Wrapping up Books

Yesterday I introduced you to Elfie. We are actually on day 5 already, but I've been busy crocheting another elf for my sisters kids, we visited Santa, and have been busy with Christmas and non-Christmas stuff. So I wasn't even sure if I was gonna share our adventures here on the blog. But I decided yesterday that since I was sharing with all my Facebook friends already, I might as well share over here too!!

I used the first day to start an awesome Christmas tradition I seen on Pinterest (here) the pin doesn't actually lead anywhere, which normally drives me nuts, but I loved the idea so much, I repinned anyways. You can read Elfie's letter below for details if you want. I'm using the line art I bought on all of Elfie's letters and notes, kinda like his own personalized stationary.

He only wrapped enough books for the week, I think tonight I (he) will wrap the rest. I used books that we already had, although Riley thinks that all the book are new, because I used some that were in his bookshelves upstairs, that don't get read as often. I did order a couple new books too, and will wrap those with some more from Riley's library tonight.

All Riley could talk about all day, was the adventures Elfie was gonna have that night while he was asleep. And Elfie was the first thing he asked about in the morning. He was thrilled to find him when we came downstairs.

We read the letter together, then I explained that we would open a book when it got dark, but Riley couldn't wait for night time to open a book. So of course I let him open one that morning, and also one that night. The books have been a big hit. Every night when it gets dark, Riley asks to open a book, then we grab our Christmas blanket, lay it on the floor next to the tree, and Elfie, Riley and me (and Daddy if he's not working) lay down and read a book. It's nice. And I like that it is teaching my little 3 year old patience, which is an added bonus to our sweet new tradition.

I was a little nervous about how Elfie's magical adventures would go ever with Riley, and had plans for some magic dust (glitter) that would make him sleep (meaning no night time adventures) if Riley was scared. But he LOVES everything about it. And last night he even woke up in the middle of the night, and snuck in the kitchen to see what Elfie was up to, haha.

I'll be back with more fun tomorrow! See you then! :)

♥ Kim