Elf Crystal, At Your Service

{coaster}

Wednesday night I met up with Kara for our unofficial holiday tradition of dinner and then me acting as her elf, helping with her Christmas shopping. Every year we just sort of find ourselves convening during the holiday rush and before I know it, there we are, shopping again for her five girls. I imagine we'll be doing it years from now when we're old(er) & feebl(er).

As it was, we were mocking the sensible shoes we already wear. ("They absorb the heft, they don't launch the heft!" HA! Favorite quote of the night. Possibly of the year.)

We had our favorite-ever pizza at CA Pizza Kitchen, pear gorgonzola, then shopped, then dessert. I think my sleep-deprived self bored poor Kara to tears, but our friendship has survived worse. The next day I awoke sleepy (out late), but happy (good time with friend). It took me a while to get out of my groggy state & then I spent some time with my little kitchen helper making tiny tea party cakes and then bread.

{tiny cakes}

{soup}

Earlier in the week, baby got to help put up the little tree in the girls' room; the kids & I were cracking up at him laying perfectly still, entranced by the lights. He was utterly relaxed and immobile and remained this way for well over ten minutes!

And no, that is not a real tiger tail. Just in case you were alarmed.

Thursday we made paper chains and christmas tree cards to send for Grandma's wall at the nursing home. My mom circulated a schedule for our family to do a "12 Days of Christmas" for Grandma, assigning each of us a rotating day. I wish I were better on my own at doing little things like that for my two grandmothers. I definitely think this should be a New Year's Goal for me. I have very good intentions, and very little follow-through.
Please take note of Max's hat, which I bought for him the day before during my elf duties. He loves it and seriously does not take it off. I caught him sleeping in it tonight. Sleeping! In! It!

He made this little modeling clay tea set for Mimi and told me it was her Christmas present. Upon realizing it was not actually clay, but plastitak (that sticky goo used to stick stuff up on the wall), he said it could just be the prototype. How does the kid even know that word?

{Tea Set Prototype}

Our Thursday ended with this happy plate of cookies left on our doorstep! I love getting doorbell-ditched with treats! We gobbled them.

And because I know you're thinking it...here is a closer look at one of my most favorite things in the world:

{delightful.}