nov, 25th - your opinion, please....

day 632:

i've decided to start a new global tradition.....oh, i wish that i had that kind of declare-a-new-national-holiday power...but i don't. so this may just have to be a new personal tradition. it's to flip New Year's Resolutions on their head. i think that January is a bad month to make these types of lists and then they drag on through the year, you break them.....you don't live up to them and before you know it the end of the year has come and you feel like you've failed...once again.

this year, i've realised that we need a different approach....in fact, we need to make End of Year Resolutions not New Year's Resolution. these should be quick wins.....made in November.....with the idea that 'if you end your year having done...' you will be in a better place than you were at the start.

i've made a few of these End of Year Resolutions and that's where i need your help. one is to send out Christmas cards.....homemade Christmas cards and the above pics are what i've come up with.....what do you think? which one gets your vote....A, B or C?

ps. one year A. and i sent out what we thought was an innocent e-Christmas card....until a friend asked if we were naked......we weren't but in retrospect in my strapless dress, the head and shoulders shot did look a bit naked.....and our naked couple Christmas card got sent to everyone....grandparents, friends, old colleagues. so you can see why i need your help. i've been scarred from sending Christmas cards ever since. 

mar, 1st - words....

day 388:

although we are bombarded by more words than ever these days.....instant email, status updates, tweets, text messages, blogs........it sometimes feels like we're not actually considering the words that we write down anymore......

for me, this is especially true when it comes to writing in birthday cards......i can honestly confess that lately, i've spent more time choosing the card than the words that i put into it....given that i'm usually wrapping the gift in the car and grabbing a card as we fly by Paperchase (not pretty i know.....but reality) it's considered a success if i get to jot down more than 'Dear .....', 'All our love, d, A & Limi' before i hand the present over.

so....i've decided to add two more goals to my ever growing 2011 list (love lists....they make my world go round) ......number 1: try and make more of my cards (for me, there's something lovely about a homemade card) and number 2: take time to consider the words that go inside.

i was inspired by our friend Huey, who followed up these lovely words to Limi when she was born {day 72}........with this message inside her birthday card:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Limi

You're first year with us has been action packed and full of adventure. It's been a pleasure and a joy to watch you experience all of this and marvel at your unbridled enthusiasm for everything around you.....Please continue to bring joy and laughter to those around you, it's the best gift you can ever give.

Huey

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


lovely words that are worth keeping for Limi to read one day.

{ps. i made these cards with the leftovers from Limi's birthday decorations - see day 364 and some old stamps that i bought at a market in South Africa ages ago. next stop is this place for some photo postcards}

jan, 11th - save the date.....

day 332:

oct, 21st - just because....

day 252:


a just because pic today.


--------------------


Skinny LaMinx has done it again (see day 157). love. love. love these laser-cut gift tags.

snap them up in packs of 10, from her Etsy store.

apr, 28th - spelling L.....

day 80:

One of the amazing cards that limi received. By a company called made with love by mrs booth. But since you pay by the number of letters, Betsy should have gone with the more cost effective LIMI.

Mrs Booth also does wonderful alphabet colouring books but I'll have to wait a bit until limi can hold a pencil...or hold anything really!

apr, 20th - hoarding memories....

day 72:

London homes may have layers of history (some of which we uncovered above) and plenty of character but, they were definitely not at the front of the queue when space was being handed out.....and babies, come with plenty of space-sucking STUFF!

[new and old...limi demonstrating her latest love....flying!]

Now, we are trying our best not to get guilted, by baby mania, into buying multiple 'must-have' gadgets (see day 43) but one thing that I'm struggling to contain is my natural instinct  to pack away every little memory for her (i mean there was even a moment's hesitation on the umbilical cord).

one thing i have kept for her to read one day, are all the cards that we received when she was born, with amazing messages from friends and family.....

--------------------------------------------------------

Greetings Limi! Welcome to the world.

At the time I write this, you are tiny. So small in fact, that when I look in your pram, it is hard to spot you amongst the blankets. On the night I gave you this card, many people had gathered in the first house you would ever live in to meet you for the first time and celebrate the fact you had arrived. Although you didn't know it at the time, this would be one of the first occasions you would bring joy and happiness to those around you.

Hopefully you will read this when you are older and have an opportunity to reflect on the purity and sincerity of the emotions in the room on that night. You will realise that it really is the small and simple things that truly bring joy to everyone around you!

Love Michael

2010