Thursday, December 28, 2006
Santa was very Bad
I have an addiction. One that my family has accepted though I am sure it is hard for them. I am a bookaholic. Santa placed three books into my stocking this Christmas. Not just any three books, but a trilogy. Anyone knows that putting this kind of temptation into the hands of someone with my severe problem could be potentially dangerous for all those living with them.
When I pulled the books out the children all looked at each other with knowing eyes. They knew that once the reading began all other activity in the house would cease. Laundry would pile up, meals would be late, they would be ignored, their mother would turn into one of those Mothers.
I am sorry Dear Children. I will seek help. Just as soon as I finish the third book.
When I pulled the books out the children all looked at each other with knowing eyes. They knew that once the reading began all other activity in the house would cease. Laundry would pile up, meals would be late, they would be ignored, their mother would turn into one of those Mothers.
I am sorry Dear Children. I will seek help. Just as soon as I finish the third book.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Santa Came!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Happy Birthday Jesus
We made a happy birthday Jesus cake, lit the candles, and sang after our yummy Christmas Eve steak dinner. We just got home from looking at the light displays in our area. Wow! Some streets really go all out. The kids thought it was fun. We openned up the sun roof of the Suburban and let them stand up and look out. They acted very silly and wished anyone walking by a Very Merry Christmas. The kids are making hot cocoa, and hopefully we can get them settled down and into bed soon. Mommy and Daddy are tired and we still have some presents to wrap. Bah Humbug!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth...
Her big brother was pushing her really high on the swing yesterday. They were having so much fun, laughing, going higher and higher. Unfortunately, little sister forgot to hold on and went "splat" on the hard ground. She has a big fat lip and a very swollen nose but fortunately their still seem to be two front teeth (though they are still covered by lots of caked on blood, I know TMI) She refuses to let me clean her up so their she sits cute as a button with her dirty face. I think big brother has recovered too! He felt so bad he cried harder than you. Poor brother!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
What Baking Day Means
- Dozens of cookies made
- flour everywhere (floor, cupboards, inside drawers, on refrigerator, you get the picture)
- 5 pounds gained from all the cookie dough consumed
- children with tummy aches for the same reason
- one very tired three year old who threw a tantrum when told she had to take her apron off for a bath. (see above for proof: thought she could hide on stairs, looks like she was falling asleep)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Special Times
I am way behind on my Christmas shopping so tonight when hubby got home I took off for some power shopping. I took along my 10 year old daughter who loves to shop. I do not. I like to get in and get out. She loves the whole shopping experience. She wants to look at everything in the store. She wants to talk with all the sales clerks and anyone else who will engage in a conversation with her. She is fascinated by those things that most of us take for granted, and I find this child incredibly wonderful to be with. We had so much fun. We laughed, we shopped, laughed, shopped some more, and bought way to many things for ourselves when we were suppose to be shopping for others. Sometimes it scares me how different we are. Will we be friends when you are grown? Will you still want to shop with me and share little secrets? I pray to God with all my heart that you will. My sweet sweet daughter, I love you so much!
Labels: christmas
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Family Traditions
I grew up with 3 sisters and 1 brother who were all many years older than I. My closest sibling was 7 years my senior and 2 of my sisters were married and had children of their own by the time my parents had me. We had a tree at Christmas time and my mom put out decorations but beyond that I don't really remember any special traditions. I think this may have reflected the way they were raised. My mom grew up during the depression and my Dad was one of many children with a Mom that was left alone without a husband. Also my parents both worked full time which was unusual at that time, and this did not leave my Mom a lot of time for extras. My Dad has told me many times that his big treat on Christmas morning was finding an Orange and some other fruit and nuts in his stocking. He loved that, it was a big treat, and he was happy. Please don't misunderstand me. My parents are great and I love them very much, however, as a child I found myself a little envious of those children who got to go home and bake cookies with their mom, or those who had siblings to lay in bed with at night and discuss in secret what they thought Santa might bring them. When I had a family of my own I really hoped that I would be able to create traditions and get to do some of the things with them that I had longed to do as a child. I have done my best and have had a blast enjoying this time with my children. My parents also enjoy watching our family traditions and I am hopeful that our children will carry them over to their own families. Here are a few of our favorites.
The first year we were married my hubby bought me a beautiful Lennox crystal ornament for the tree with the year engraved on it. I thought at the time how nice it would be to have one for each year we were married and hopefully someday we could have a tree with over fifty beautiful ornaments on it. Well, the next year he forgot. I was really disappointed. We happened to go to a day after Christmas sale and they had some ornaments similar to the one he had gotten me the year before. I asked if we could buy it and I think a light bulb went on in his head (The YIKES I FORGOT IT one) and he has never forgotten again. Some years we have not had the money to buy the expensive crystal ornament but he has always bought me a pretty one with the year on it. We now have 21 on the tree.
We always get a real tree for our living room and then we have an artificial tree in the family room. The family room tree is called our "Family Tree". We put all of the kids homemade ornaments, and special ones that we have bought for the kids throughout the years. We usually try and buy each child a new ornament every year that reflects his/her personality at that time. I love to pull out those ornaments, it is like a ride down memory lane. My 15 year old was very into the movie Pochahantas when he was 5 and 6. His siblings had a great time this year teasing him about all of the John Smith ornaments we have for the tree.
Each year we have a "Family Baking Day". We make goodies for the neighbors, friends, and family. My hubby and the children all help and it is a great way for them to learn about giving to others. Last year I bought Christmas aprons for everyone. We all looked very festive but the teenagers weren't at all happy about wearing aprons that looked like reindeer or Santa Claus. After we are done baking we box everything up and the kids get to deliver the goodies in their wagon. I think this is their favorite part.
The children put their names in a hat every year around Thanksgiving and pick names for their gift exchange. They do extra special chores around the house to earn money to buy a gift for one of their siblings. I try and take each child out individually to shop for their special someone. We pay the younger children in all one dollar bills and you should see their eyes light up with excitement (20 bucks looks like an awful lot when it is all in ones). On Christmas Eve we go to church, then we have some special neighborhoods we go to visit and look at the pretty lights and decorations. When we come home the kids have their gift exchange. This is one of my favorite times. While I love the big family gathering on Christmas day their is something so special about the children sharing this moment just with each other.
We also have an advent calendar that the children enjoy, we read Christmas books, we hang a stocking for Jesus (their are bible verses and inspirational sayings inside and you are suppose to pick one out each day to read...we have been bad about doing this one. Always seem to forget until one of the kids reminds me), we have a large assortment of Christmas movies we enjoying watching every year, and this year the younger kids entered the local market holiday coloring contest (see picture above).
In the future I would like to do some more activities based around Advent to emphasize to us all the real meaning of the season. Chris over at In the trenches of motherhood had some great ideas on her blog and I am looking forward to using some of them next year.
Wishing you all happy memories with your families and a very Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 08, 2006
I got an early christmas present...
Hubby and I went holiday shopping today. He couldn't understand where all the money went so I invited him on this little adventure I go on every year called "Christmas Shopping". He normally doesn't really like to shop (this is why I normally don't ask him to come with me) but he seemed to be having fun and getting in the spirit. It was fun picking out gifts for the kids and spending time together.
While in one of the stores I wandered over to look at new vacuums. Our middle son is in charge of vacuuming and a few weeks ago the vacuum ceased to function (this is the second one in less than 2 years). When hubby took it apart he found numerous items stuck in the hose as well as three full sized pencils (I was unaware you could suck up pencils?). Of course our sweet wonderful son had no idea how those pencils got in their and reaked havoc with the vacuum cleaner. Needless to say, I needed a new machine. I was looking at the Dyson's and had heard from friends about how wonderful they were. My husband wandered over and asked if that is the vacuum I would like (I was unaware I was getting a new vacuum today). I was sure he would say they were to expensive. Nope. He thought we should buy it. I was so excited until I realized they were all out of the particular one I wanted (the cheapest). The salesman came over and told us they no longer would be carrying this model so we could buy the floor model for $75.00 off. Sold! I am so excited!
After six hours, 4 stores, and hundred of dollars later we drove home tired but full of happiness about our fun day together. Needless to say I dont think the hubby will be asking where all the money goes again for at least a few weeks. Think of us this week when you are eating dinner...we will be having lots of mac & cheese as mommy and daddy spent all the money on their new vacuum. I will let you all know soon if it was worth it or not.
Labels: christmas
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Love is...
This is grandparents day at our son Tyler's middle school. He was so happy his grandparents came and went to chapel with him, and even better he got to leave early and have a special lunch with them. Yum Yum.
Monday, December 04, 2006
A girl and her horse...
Dont get between a cowgirl and her horse. This is very serious business.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
This and That
We had a very busy weekend as I am sure many of you did. Their was christmas shopping, decorating the house, buying the christmas tree, and celebrating my dear husbands birthday. To add to the choas I decided that this morning before church would be a good time to take the annual christmas photo. How hard could it be? Everyone would already be dressed for church. They all just needed to sit down and smile. Below you can see the results. When will I ever learn that nothing is easy with kids! 
Our oldest daughter had a piano recital this weekend. We are so proud of her. She played beautifully and surprised her Dad with a rendition of Happy Birthday to You. She practiced in secret to surprise him and we were all very touched. We love you very much!
Our oldest daughter had a piano recital this weekend. We are so proud of her. She played beautifully and surprised her Dad with a rendition of Happy Birthday to You. She practiced in secret to surprise him and we were all very touched. We love you very much!
