Somehow, we’ve managed to get into a really good groove this month.  The urgency parasite is now starving somewhere far away from my brain, and just today Brett and I were talking about how nice it feels to make good choices–saying yes and saying no according to what we know our family needs right now. 

Both of us said yes to alone time this weekend–his choice, a football game with a friend while I watched the girls; mine, a late night symphony at the Philharmonic while he watched the girls.  Thirty minutes before I left, I called my vivacious neighbor (who doubles as my second mother) for a last-minute invite.  She–the adventurous life-lover–said yes, yes, yes; and a few curls, red lipstick and a strand of pearls later, she met me at my car.  Because she is fabulous.

This weekend we said…

Yes to exploring the woods with a new friend from school.

Yes to a natural treasure hunt.

And yes to finishing an evening with a spontaneous trip to the beach for sunset.  The drum circle was there again last night, accompanying the sun’s descent with good rhythm and enthusiasm.

I didn’t have any sand toys, so the girls used my shoes for shovels.

And yes to working a little extra tonight so we can spend the day with Poppa tomorrow.  I’ve had a few lengthier blog posts on my mind–thoughts on compassion, a little more about this baby we’re waiting for, some deeper stuff that lends itself to a hearty writing session.  But part of those yes and no choices that are making this November feel good are about when and how to write.  Right now, there is a breeze, a sun about to set and two little girls who would love a long walk and some sidewalk chalk.

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I loved reading your happenings on the last post.  Congratulations to the Magic Cabin Rubens Barn Doll winner, Comment #184 (generated by random.org), Angela King:

Listening to: 1.) If Only – Dave Matthews

Last thing that made her smile: 2.) Lunch with a dear friend today.
What she’s looking forward to: 3.) A nice warm night with my family.
4Last thing she bought for herself: .) Sparkly nail polish!

Congratulations, Angela!  Please e-mail your contact info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net with MAGIC CABIN WINNER in the subject line, and someone sweet and little in your life will soon have a new friend.

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Welcoming new sponsor, Haddy Grace Designs, created and operated by mama of four, Ruth Ann, who happens to be an amazing seamstress.  I love this little signature dress design she does so well (the Chevron Christmas print is adorable for the holidays).

And the collection of homemade Haddy Grace shoes are adorable and well made.  Nella loves hers, and Baby Boy has a tiny little pair waiting for him too.

Check out this talented mama’s beautiful designs for both boys and girls.

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Have a beautiful evening, friends.

There’s something about the first holiday gift for me.  Usually purchased this time of year, it initiates a little burst of holiday enthusiasm and a settling feeling of “I did something to get this ball rolling.”  And by ball, I mean shiny Christmas ornament with glitter on the outside and cheer on the inside.  I’m all for letting November be November and giving Thanksgiving its time to shine.  But that’s part of the fun of November for me–doing little things here and there that lead up to a more relaxing and fully enjoyable December.  Hence (holla for the word hence), the first gift.  Wrapped and waiting.  Every time I open my closet doors I see it way up on the shelf, and it makes me smile. 

Last year, I finally did Christmas right and this year, we want to simplify even more.  I bought almost all of my gifts online last year, and I took the time to search for well-made toys that would A:) Last, B:) Really mean something to my girls, and C:) Not take up a lot of room in our home.  I look for free shipping deals.  I keep an online wish list throughout the year of things I really love for my girls, and I use it to guide both my own gifts for them and to answer questions when grandparents ask what they want.  After years of buying Christmas gifts, I’ve realized less is more–hard to do but feels good when you stick to it.  I’d rather have a few really nice things that will last for my girls than a bunch of junk for them to open and forget about later.

Things I Like to Buy for Them:  Nice baby dolls (never gets old for them) and baby doll accessories (a good stroller, a few cute clothes, cloth doll diapers, bottle, etc.), toys that encourage imagination, educational toys and books, puzzles, crafts and art supplies, wood and felt toys

Things I Steer Away From:  Oversized things that will get in the way (we have a good kitchen set and a nice wood easel, and two “big” toys is enough our house can handle), cheap plastic (although those little dress-up click clack shoes will always be a fave), things with little parts that will get lost

I clean out their toys this time of year as well–sort through the things we don’t use to donate to Goodwill.  I’m getting better at this every year, and I’m finally getting the hang of simplifying my girls’ rooms and belongings for not only an easier life (it stays clean!), but more appreciative children. 

So, on to the first gift.  We have a thing with baby dolls.  My mom has had a thing with baby dolls for years–she can talk for an hour about makes and models of dolls, where they are manufactured, how well they’re made.  And my all time favorite gift memory from my childhood is when my sister and I received new baby dolls Christmas morning, delivered to our front door by a nurse (neighbor my parents bribed) in her hospital scrubs.  They were wrapped in receiving blankets, and we proudly reached out for them like real mamas.  (They were also filled with this jelly-like substance to make them heavy, and three days later we broke them open and cleaned out the jelly, shoving it in the door pockets of our Chevy Citation while our oblivious parents drove to Grandma’s…but that’s a moot point).

We’ve had several different ones throughout the years, but most of our dolls have been cheap things Brett excitedly comes home with from the grocery store because he does that sort of thing.  But this baby?  I saw her in the Magic Cabin catalogue and fell in love.  Designed in Sweden (I’m speakin’ my mom’s language now), the Rubens Barn dolls have soft-sculpted bodies and weighted bottoms to make them feel real.  Nella’s going to love hers.

There are a number of Rubens Barn dolls to choose from–both babies and kids and girl and boy dolls. And I love the cloth bottle and pacifier set (the little mouth opens on the doll).  One comment from this post will be randomly chosen to receive a free Rubens Barn doll, reader’s choice, courtesy of Magic Cabin. You can find Magic Cabin on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as well.  We love their well-made toys that encourage imagination.
We’re also simplifying our wrapping this year.  I’m usually tempted by beautiful wrapping paper and rows of pretty ribbon in craft stores, but I am loving the simplicity and cost-effectiveness this year of parchment paper, baker’s twine, paper doily tags and $1 stamps.

The baker’s twine is actually a $10 giant skein of fine yarn.  It lasted us through all of last year’s crafts and North Pole Party (coming again this year!) and we have gobs left for this year.

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My favorite IG pic this week: A moment Nella and I shared where I danced her to sleep, serenaded by classical music. Our night weather finally qualifies for cozy fleecy jammies…I like.

Instagram is a free phone app.  You can find us at etst on Instagram.

Magic Cabin Rubens Barn doll winner announced in Monday’s post. Tell me four things…

1.) What’s streaming from your MP3/radio/CD player/record player (so many means of listening these days) right now?
2.) Last thing that made you smile.
3.) What you’re looking forward to right now.
4.) Last thing you bought for yourself.

Mine:
1.)  James: Rhodes, Piano Recital
2.)  Nella and Brett playing the blanket throwing game
3.)  I’m going to the symphony tonight…alone.
4.)  A cinnamon crisp bagel, Panera

I woke up early yesterday morning to vote–stopped and picked up coffee on the way there, stood in line for forty minutes, texted Brett half way into the process, asked him to make Lainey’s lunch and warned him we’d probably be late for school.  We made it just in time, arriving as the bell rang.  I quickly kissed my girl goodbye and ran back to the car.  And then ran home.  And then ran through the events of the day, subconsciously aware of this sense of urgency and anxiousness that has attached itself to me lately like a parasitic fish.  We’ve had some unhealthy symbiosis going lately–I give the fish a place to dwell, it nibbles off my calm.

I am excited about the coming months–holidays, preparing for this baby, welcoming family and friends to town and enjoying some of my favorite traditions.  But there is three-shots-of-espresso-in-a-styrofoam-cup kind of excitement and there is tea-with-milk-and-honey-served-in-elegant-china kind of excitement.  I want to be the latter.  Calm enthusiasm.  Content to just be.

I took Lainey to ballet last night–our first class in a while.  Instantly lulled into a state of peace by the Schubert melody that filled the studio, I sat–calm and still–and watched my little girl gracefully flutter across the floor.

“I have to get our Nutcracker tickets before they’re gone,” I thought for a panicked second.  But then I thought I should tell my urgency to shutthe$#@*up, and so I did.  I smiled and sank further into my chair.  I whispered to myself “she’s really mine” while she possé-ed across the mat.  I paid attention to every little kick that was simultaneously happening inside me.  I could have stayed there all night.

After dance, our friends asked us to join them for a milkshake.
And right as I was about to explain that we couldn’t because I had to hurry home, drop Lainey off and get to Fred’s, I said yes.  Because a calm night with my girl was exactly what we both needed.

I don’t have to go to the Nutcracker this year.  I don’t have to make it to Fred’s every single week.  I don’t have to have everything ready for a baby or make homemade Christmas presents this year.  I do have to be present though–for my family but mostly for myself. 

I skipped the election coverage last night.  Went to sleep with the girls instead and actually got the coffee rolling this morning before I even turned the T.V. on.  I’m happy the election is over and hope to see the partisan gap close as we all work together for our country. 

I loaded up my iTunes with new classical tunes today–lots of Schubert and Bach, Debussy and Mahler.  In fact Schubert lulled Nella to sleep tonight–over my shoulder–and it will be happening much more around here.  I felt very close to God indeed.

Preparing for baby and getting ready for the holidays–those are wonderful things.  But not urgent.  Nothing is more urgent than being kind to ourselves and present for our families. 

The produce mart close to our house reopened after being closed down this summer.  We celebrated with Plant City strawberries.

Swiper.

Brett and I got a babysitter and scheduled a date for this weekend.  I moved the teapot out in the open in the kitchen so I’ll be reminded more to stop what I’m doing these next few weeks and sit down for tea.  I ordered two used books on Amazon today–one for me and one for my girls.  And I cleaned my tub, stacked pretty towels next to it and organized a crate of my favorite soaps–an invitation that is quite the opposite of urgent.

I love these reminders.

And I’m happy we’re back to ballet.

oh, i love when she’s weird.

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Sponsor Welcoming Walls is returning this month with lots of new holiday treats in the shop to “warm your nest for guests,” as owner Candi says.  Welcoming Walls offers an array of vinyl decals for your home, from simple statements for your front door to quotes and designs for lonely walls that call for more.

I love these simple festive statements in our home:

Welcoming Walls is currently offering FREE SHIPPING on all U.S. orders and a free gift (four of those cute little leaves) with your order. Candi’s holiday designs are beautiful, and she’s happy to make custom, personalized designs as well.

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Also, check out Tea Collection’s Countdown to the Holidays, a daily dose of crafts, decorating and fun creative ideas for you and your family.  I’m sharing a fun fall wall hanging craft over there today.

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What helps you turn urgency into calm?  How do you keep the excitement in your home this time of year from becoming the over caffeinated styrofoam cup kind?  Do tell.