My uncle is a manager at a textile plant. Last week, I mentioned that I’d love some extra, cast-off textile cones if there were any to spare. You know, for crafty things.

Here’s what arrived in our garage last night:

Yeah, there’s about a hundred of ‘em.

Ideas? What cool things can we create from these things? I’d love your input.

My sweet girl, you have a sweetness about you, a bubbly personality, and your heart on your sleeve. You melt my heart with your blown kisses and your silly giggles and your high fives.

You know I can’t say no when you run up to me, happy or sad, and ask, “Hold ‘youf’?” I know full well that one day you won’t want me to pick you up and hold you, and so I’ll do it gladly now whenever you ask.

You are the absolute perfect blend of girl and tomboy. You take great interests in learning t-ball and getting dirty in sandboxes, yet you still become giddy when it’s time to dress up in Sunday best.

When the art boxes and totes are out, you’d much rather watch me draw than draw something yourself. It’s your new favorite game: “Draw What I Say.” You hand me marker after marker and ask sweetly for what you’d like to watch Mommy *try* to create on paper. You always cheer my efforts, even if my cows look a little like pigs and if my Mickey Mouses look more like….well, who knows what. Not a mouse, I know that much. You clap and giggle with glee and say, “Some moah! Some MOah?!” And I sit down beside you and gladly pen whatever your little noggin dreams up next.

You’re our girl, and you are priceless and precious in so many ways.

….from The Good Home Cookbook.

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple-Cream-Cheese Frosting. This one made by my husband to give me a break in the kitchen. Nothing tastes better than spice cake in the fall….especially cake that you didn’t have to make yourself.

In line with our learning about Thanksgiving this week, we discussed the importance of corn. The kids were fascinated to learn how corn can be dried — and that it is the same thing as popcorn! (Sometimes I take for granted that they don’t make certain parallels/connections until I teach them!)

We made some 3D corn on the cobs as decorations for our foyer:

They did turn out cute — but heavy!! Cardstock would’ve been a better medium.

Last year, out of the blue, my son, G (then 3) asked to write a letter to Santa Claus. Sure, I said. (But how? I thought. I hadn’t even looked into “Santa letter services” at all….and how would we make it, well, real?)

I did check around online for places that write, type, postmark letters from Santa and the “North Pole.” Even at $6 a piece, I found that to be a little bit steep price-wise….especially for a form letter with his toy wishes placed in strategic places in the paragraphs. I wanted it to be more special than that! But how….while keeping it inexpensive at the same time?

That’s where grandparents come in! My mom was the best at responding to notes I’d leave for Santa, the Easter Bunny, even the Tooth Fairy. Her handwriting was so cleverly disguised — even when I was too old to believe, it still kept me guessing! My dad, an artist, would love an opportunity to get involved, too….embellish the letter coming back here, perhaps? My parents gladly obliged, and so G and I got to work on his letter to St. Nick.

A week or two later, the reply came. G’s eyes were wide as I showed him Claus’s response and read the words to him. The next time I saw Mom and Dad, they slyly handed over to me the original letter G wrote, so I could tuck it away as a sentimental keepsake. I had the original letter back in hand, my parents were able take part in the “magic,” and it only cost me the price of a postage stamp.

This week, the kids penned their letters to Santa for the year. They chatted merrily as they scribbled, adhered stickers, and signed their names. They were sealed up and sent off….now comes the waiting!

I fully realize that this tradition will have to be amended a bit once G learns to read and insists on watching me address it to S.Claus at the NORTH POLE….as well as inspects the envelope upon return. But for now, the simplicity (and specialness) of this plan makes me smile.

Head over to Rocks In My Dryer for more great WFMW ideas today!