Sugarwings – Page 7 – Karla's Cottage

Holiday Mom-style Stress

celebrations, Dew Drop, family, Food and Drink, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 30, 2016

What was the best part of your Christmas?

Mine was these smiles. And lots of them.

The grand fairies seemed over joyed with all their gifts (even though Dewdrop didn't get the two front teeth that she needed).

We were blessed with multiple celebrations starting with a Solstice party on the 21st, then our big family dinner and gifts to each other on the 24th.

On Christmas morning, we checked out what Santa brought, then had a big, buffet, brunch-bash with relatives.

With a table set for TWENTY THREE! (Did I mention how much I love my newly enlarged space????) We snaked three tables through the kitchen into the living room, and all seemed to fit just fine.

I'd had planned to set the table and make it fancy, but I was lucky to even get food done. So, everyone had to get their own forks and plates and drinks, which seriously, no one minded, or noticed. There is only so much time, and I overestimated how much time I had.

Which brings me to admitting that I over extended myself right along with the tables.

Which I think is pretty typical for the mom of the family to do.

After prepping all of the big meals, I was done in.

I loved, loved, loved, the family parts and the holiday traditions, of the weekend, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy fixing all of the food. While trying to please everyone and make sure they all got their favorite things, making vegan, vegetarian, meat lover, and gluten free versions of the foods, I forgot to keep my Christmas spirit. I got tired, I got cranky, I got resentful that I didn't have time to decorate cookies with the kiddos.

I don't know if it was because I'd been ill this year and am not back to 100%, (a medicine that I am on for another month or so can cause tiredness and muscle aches) or if I'm simply getting older and slowing down, or if I really did over plan and do too much.

Or maybe:

I had shoes that were too tight.
My head wasn't screwed on right.
My heart was two sizes too small.

Cause I acted a little Grinchy while pulling it all together. I'm a bit ashamed of myself.

Yet, on the other hand, I sincerely, honestly love the holidays and it all means so much to me. I did make a huge effort to stay positive and loving with the grand fairies, but I think I grumped and grinched a bit too much with the older family members and really shouldn't have let that happen.

And no, even though Honey looks a little like Max here, I didn't force her into pulling a sleigh. I wasn't full on Grinch, just annoyed that the food preparation never seemed to end.

Like I said, it often is the way of many moms to stress out to make things perfect for Christmas. Normally, I can kind of roll with it and keep our holiday simple while pretty. This year, I'm not sure why, but it got away from me, and I was in over my head.

At least I learned a lesson. Next year we will do a simmering pot of soup instead of a full restaurant menu with enough food to feed a restaurant full of people. I have to be able to treat my family special while not forgetting about myself too.

Yes, I'll change the dinner next time, but there isn't one other thing I'd change, it was delightful to be with people I loved and there is nothing better than that.

(and the leftovers were pretty tasty)

Gratitude, Joy, Merry, Thanks, and all of those wonderful words we need to use more

Dew Drop, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 25, 2016

I hope your day is a Merry one! Isn't that a great word? I love Merry and Joy both, I'm not sure which is my all time favorite word, maybe Joy.

We've tried to make each of those words part of our celebrations. Oh, there have been tummy aches, forgotten homework assignments. a case of the sniffles, and a few reminders that, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" here and there, but over all, I'd say the season was a joyful success at the cottage.

I've tried to say YES to any and all holiday activities that come my way, plus make up a few of my own to make Christmas last all month, not just a day.

Some days, it can be as simple as a Cindy Lou Who hairstyle after watching the Grinch. Other days, it is cocoa in front of the tree, a special night out, or a ride to look at lights. Big or small, it is the attitude of celebration that brings the fun.

And while I can't keep up the parties year round (without more naps than I'd have time to take for recovering), I think that we can keep up the Joy if we make our best efforts.

I'm thinking about making that my New Year's resolution. To create a smidgeon of Joy or Merriment in each day. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture, of course, little things mean a lot. And this happiness should be shared, not saved just for family. It really needs spreading around.

My son is a master of this, and I'd like to emulate some of his moves. Like always asking the name of a store clerk or waiter and using it is one of his ways of acknowledging others and showing care.

There are many more, like: Simply giving smiles to people you pass, or making a joke on a crowded elevator instead of looking at the floor and just waiting for the door to open.

Stop yourself from snapping at your kiddo when you've asked them three times to do something, and try singing the request instead. A silly or unexpected response can turn a day around.

LAUGH! Even if you are all alone but especially with others.

Give a kiss on the head to someone as you walk by (which I have to admit, is a better idea with family than strangers).

Post a picture of pure prettiness on FB and bypass those ugly political arguments.

Compliment when you see something you like, speak up, if a passerby's coat is a great color, or if your husband looks nice in his shirt, or if some one is walking a dog that has very nice manners. Don't just think it, say it out loud when you see something you like!

Remember the power of please and throw in plenty of Thank Yous.

And be thankful-to others, to yourself, and to the world and god for what you have. Slow down and be grateful. Nothing brings more happiness than letting yourself remember all the reasons you have to give thanks.

I guess I'm saying that I want to work on not just noticing the good things around me, but speaking out about them. And also creating moments that count, that might lift my own day as well as another's.

Saying YES to Joy.

Well, maybe I should've saved all of this for New Year's Eve? No, probably not. It is never too early to get started on spreading cheer. And maybe I'll start a new tradition for myself- making Christmas Eve resolutions.

And I'll start my resolution by speaking up about YOU. Thank you to those who take the time to visit me on my blog, for listening to me blather on about what is on my mind, what I think is pretty, what I've made, or about my family and pets.

It's been almost ten years of blogging for me and I've enjoyed every minute of it, and I am both grateful and thankful for all of you on the other end of what I write.

Please have the Merriest and most Joyful of Christmases!

A quick trip to the Renfest

fairies, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / November 12, 2016

I adore going to the Kansas City Renassaince Festival and most years, spend at least a day or two there during the season.

But drat it, this year, it got away from us.

Sugarwings and I popped in the first weekend it was open, thinking we'd be back more later with the rest of the family, not knowing this would be our only visit for this year.

It was a very fast walk through, with less than two hours to spend there, we were only able to hit some highlights. She won a friend to wear on her shoulder at the arcades, and named him Pascal, after Rapunzel's salamander.

She danced with the fairies around the Maypole and once again, I got a photo of her "in flight" with both feet off the ground.

She tends to fly when she is with her fellow faye.

Most of our time was spent talking to various fairies.

Or petting dragons.

Our time was over in a flash, but lots and lots of fun happened during that brief blast of time.

Pumpkin Party

Dew Drop, holiday decor, Sugarwings, We're having a party

By Karla Nathan / October 27, 2016

For breakfast the other day, we had pumpkins made from mandarin oranges. It took (literally) seconds to do. The sections of oranges stack up easily, and I put a cashew on the top as a stem.

The grand fairy ghouls didn't have school on Friday, and I was about to fly off to Florida for my annual sister trip and would be missing Halloween with them, so we thought it would be a good idea to have an early celebration. There was bobbing for apples, making caramel apples, crafts, and pumpkin painting.

The girls were surprised to find their craft area in the studio decorated with all the garish Halloweeness colors that they love.

We live in a house that features white pumpkins that I display all fall, so the kiddos get extra excited when I let loose and do the traditional, flashy stuff that makes them so happy. Throw in a few dollar bin crafts and they were happy as any little ghoul can be.

Me too.

I'm going to miss them while I'm away.

Punkins and Joy

Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 25, 2016

This year we chose a chilly day for a trip to the pumpkin patch. But the cutting, Kansas winds didn't bother these guys.

I was the party pooper who wanted to leave early. That isn't easy to do, when Sugarwings wants to explore the farthest fields and is automatically drawn to run for the horizon line to find a pumpkin undiscovered by anyone else.

Sometimes, managing fairies is like herding cats. Or why don't I just say, herding fairies? That is a pretty apt description, if you picture a flock of winged, sparkly creatures flying in all directions and me trying to convince them not to flit over the flowers and chase ladybugs, but to go get in a car instead.

But there is no force on earth that can keep a cold Grammie out in a field of anything, including this pumpkin wonderland. I smoothly directed their thoughts toward our next adventure and made the rest of the day seem so enticing that they ran with me to pay for the gourds we bought and then out to the car.

Ha! Someday, they will realize how diabolical I am in my maneuvering. But for now? They think I am fun. Our pumpkin hunting was successful, and we had a wonderful, if short, visit. I might have bought a few more big orange ones that I'd planned to, though. Sometimes a bribe helps move things along too.

Hmmm, I wonder if they were the ones who maneuvered me?

But seriously, can you have too many pumpkins?

no words needed

dogs, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / October 14, 2016

Dew Drop, Sacred Circus, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 18, 2016

Sugarwings and Dewdrop are learning how to do aerial tricks.

Dewdrop has a natural grace and already has rhythm and good dance moves, so it is coming natural for her.

Sugarwings is more like my son, who we used to say looked like a muppet tossed in the air when he danced. But as he matured, he shocked us with his gracefulness and athleticism. That guy is as smooth as a cat now. Funny, how I never matured into any level of coordination, I still look like Jerry Lewis on a dance floor.

We call her act, freestyling. She has a flair, and is fun to watch, but makes it up as she goes. Still, she is paying attention and working on some moves. Both girls get a lot of tutoring from their big sisters and are learning a lot.

They have no fear of being on stage, and both know how to put on a show.

And are pretty brave up in the lira!

I'm very proud of them both. And so impressed that they are learning these skills!

Some cuteness

Dew Drop, family, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / September 1, 2016

How can summer be over???? We are trying to make the most of our last few days.

I've been so busy with the new room, Sugarwings had a 3 week cross country trip, and Dewdrop spent the summer with her mommy. We weren't together as much as we usually are.

Since the grand fairies have returned, I've tried to create some adventures to make up for our lack of summer time togetherness.

Not every experience has to be something special to end up being "special". These guys can turn anything into a party. A couple of applesauce cups, some tiny teapots with lemonade, a bit of mint to crush up, and of course, some good friends. And there you go, cuteness and fun.

A decade of JOY with Sugarwings

Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / August 18, 2016

We spent Sunday out on the lake to celebrate Sugarwings' and her Hippy Chick mama's birthday. Since they are a couple of days apart we did a combo party with a leisurely al fresco luncheon before our float on the pontoon. What a great day! Both grand fairies lost their fear of tubing at faster than the slowest speed the boat would go, and bounced around out there, bopping on the waves and grinning ear to ear, even trying a few tricks.

A day like that is a reminder of just how lucky I am to have all these people in my life.

The last ten years with this girl have been some of the best times anyone could ever have.

It's hard to believe a decade of good times with my little sprite has already gone by. I'll leave you with some of my favorite photos of her.

A trip to Crown Center

Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / July 14, 2016

Sugarwings and I had a blast at Crown Center this week.

We took in some theater.

And dabbled in art.

Our Madagascar tickets were only $12 each, and Kaleidoscope is free. So was the interactive Mr. Potato Head exhibit. Even the parking was free. You can't beat Crown Center for high quality entertainment for kids at very affordable prices.

And where else can you paint with hot, melted, glo in the dark crayons?

Or draw with light filaments?

She also got to take photos of herself, and layer them on the wall, about ten feet high. That was a bit creepy, (or Cweepy, as Dewdrop would say) but fun to mess around with.

So was turning ourselves into a human kaleidoscope.

We topped off the day with a picnic by the pool at Lionsgate.

Seriously, a day cannot get any better than this one. Well, unless Dewdrop could be along for the day, that would have elevated it even more.

Yep, we had a lot of smiles going on.