Happy New Year 2016!

We put on our party dresses and wish you all a Happy New Year 2016!

A letter

This noon our blackbird Tom came for something to eat.

But he left again very soon.

That left Tetje a bit surprised. Wasn't enough wheat left? She went to have a look. But what she did find surprised her even more.

A letter! It was obviosly delivered by bird post. But who was the sender?

"Beekje, wake up!" - "Yaaaawn! What is it?"

"A letter? For us? But from whom?"

"I don't know, there is nothing written on the outside."
So they gathered and read it all together.

And this is what it read:

Dear siblings,

I am finally on my way home. I am even already in Germany! I don't know how long the bureaucracy goblins will need, but I am with you after New Year at the latest. I am so looking forward for us being all together again.
Many, many greetings,

Greetje

That are exciting news indeed!

Christmas presents and a secret plan

On Christmas morning my three resin kids sat under the tree and played with their new toys.

Everyone had gotten a present the evening before and now was a good time to make use of them.

Inkeri and Sirpa got each a Little Pony. I don't know what Steggy and Trixy will say to that. The grils were making plans to keep them all together. They are all grasseaters, right?

Toivo got a digger and was planning to get out his barn this afternoon. A plan the girls liked as that would give them an opportunity for playing horses and dinos.

Sootie was genuine excited and pleased for erveryone. He admired the new digger, knowing perfectly well, that Toivo would lend it to him. He just had to ask.

He enjoyed the ponies, too. Such sweet, tiny creatures!

It was only than the the kids noticed that Sootie hadn't gotten anything from Santa. Not a single thing! Not even the smallest gift! That was extremly unfair. They got a bit angry on Santa, oh yes.

So if Santa didn't bring Sootie a gift, than they would see that Sootie got his very own Christmas. They stuck their heads together and whispered and made plans.

"Now we know! Sootie will have his own Christmas party on Twelfth Day. That gives you some time to prepare something for him."

"He shall find his presents under the new tree, you're making."

"He needs a blanket of his own. Best in some ash grey."

"And a pillow. And a rug, he's always sitting on the bare floor." I'm not sure that a rug in front of an open fire is a really good idea, folks. It might get burned.

"And we will make that into a tradition!"

Setting up the Christmas Tree

Many germans don't decorate their tree until Christmas. We are such a family. The task of decorating it is solely mine and no one is allowed to see it before gift giving sarts. It gives an extra touch of mystery to the feast.
This year Inkeri and Sirpa helped me with decorating.

First thing is always the star on top.

"Hand it up to me!"

"Alright. Now to put it on the tree top."

"The top is too thick and too long for the star. It doesn't fit. We have to cut it."

"That's done. Looks pretty, right?"

Next thing is the lighting. We use a mix of candles and battery lights (with a remote control, hah!).

The girls climbed fearlessly in the branches, making sure that all candles were straight. We will not risk setting the tree on fire!

Those wooden angels are my favorite decoration. They are so pretty! Most of them were handed down by my mother. When she bought them they were much cheaper than nowadays. They are made in the Erzgebirge, where the miners made woodworks for a better income. I buy one new every year. A tree decorated only with those angels would be fantastic.

But I love old-fashioned glass hangings, too.

"What a lovely bird! We need more of them!" Yes, that's what I promise myself every year.

And here the famous Christmas Crocodile.

Decorating a Christmas Tree with Christmas Trees is totally logical.

We need some bling of course.

"Okay, pull it up! Hei-ho!"

And there were tiny balls and big balls in red and tiny balls and big balls is clear glass and tiny balls in silver and stars...

"That's it. Isn't it pretty?"

"Silent night, Holy Night..."

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Making Christmas decorations

Today the girls wanted to make some Christmas decorations. Yesterday I had brought home a folded star. They wanted something similar. Maybe a bit easier. So I got out my origami papers and scissors. Toivo thanked no to the invitation to follow us. His opinion is, that Christmas decorations are overrated. Weren't the three stars they already have enough? But the girls said they needed much more decorations or it wouldn't feel like Christmas.

I had to do some cutting first because the stars cannot be made from squares.
Inkeri was the first to fold.

"Ready! That was fun!"
Then it was Sirpa's turn.

"Done! So easy!"
Next they wanted me to make a star bowl they had seen in my origami book. And with transparent paper.

"That is beautiful. With snowflakes on it! What will we put in it?"

"It's perfect for the dinos!"

"Come on, Steggy, be a good boy. You'll get a new home."

"Now, isn't that nice?"

Steggy is not convinced yet.

"And now one for Trixy."

"Trixy, stay here!" Did you know, that triceratopses can run very fast? They need to.