Santa Lucia Dolls

A few weeks back I purchased a Santa Lucia Doll Kit put together by the lovely Alicia Paulson.  I was so excited to receive it knowing how much fun the girls would have making the cute clothespin dolls.  Waiting, waiting I was for a nice unrushed block of time to sit and doddle over this project.  I didn't want it to be one of those "slap-it-together" kind of deals. Finally the opportunity arrived yesterday afternoon.  Just in time (Santa Lucia Day is December 13th!)

We spent a little time learning about the holiday's origins, and then got right down to the making.  I decided in advance to let Laurel just do her thing.  I wasn't going to worry about her doll having one eye or blue hair.  She did pretty good.  And while her paint was drying she kept herself occupied by doing this:

(she was dipping her brush in her "dirty paint water" and coloring her lips)

Crafting with your kids always offers so many insights into their personality.  Typical Emma, she studied the directions carefully and set out to make her doll just like the picture showed.

And classically, Hannah thumbed her nose at any suggestions about how her doll should look.  She broke all the rules and made her doll with black hair, red shoes and yellow tights.

It was a fun afternoon, and I love the way our dolls turned out.  I am also loving the idea of "breakfast in bed" .  Traditionally, saffron buns are served with coffee.  The day didn't allow time for bread baking so croissants ("sacronts" as Hannah calls them)  will have to do.  Emma set her alarm early, and when we explained to Hannah that the older sister is supposed to have attendants (younger sisters) she just looked at us with a confused look.  "Nah, I think that I will just wake up at the normal time and you can make my sacront mom", she said.