I’ve been wanting a new family tradition for Christmas and I think I might have found it. I ordered these ornaments from Red Envelope and, although they are wrapped and under the tree this year instead of hanging on the branches, I am anxious to put them to use. Possibly a perfect place to tuck their one wish for Santa when the tree goes up. In years to come maybe a good place to stash money for the girls who just want to do their own shopping. Maybe a series of clues to find a big family gift. When Christmas is over a perfect place to store new years resolutions. And then fun to gather as the tree goes up again a year later to see what we’ve been able to accomplish. So many possibilities! Even comes in a box of six, perfect again.

And then there is this stocking stuffer I came across from Hallmark. No doubt it will eventually cost me plenty more than the 5 bucks I paid for it, but a fun way to make Christmas last for months that I’m sure my kids will enjoy. Last minute I know but still fun finds I wanted to share. Happy Shopping!
What are your families favorite traditions?

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I put her to bed last night, same as any. Tucked her in with a kiss and a story and wished her sweet dreams. She was six then. The next morning, she was seven. Unexpectedly unfair and yet so remarkably right. I am grateful for progression but still it seems the plight of parenthood to let them escape the years so quickly. She is a beautiful girl inside and out. She’s the keeper of a heart that loves deeply and feels intensely. Her world is full of joy and life but interpreted in her own soft and quiet manner. Today was seven years since the day she made me a mother. My world turned, my heart grew and I have never looked back since. I’ve never grown tired of the hugs and kisses, the laughs and the tears, and I will certainly never grow tired of celebrating another year with her.
Before even teeth were brushed this morning she opened presents. The only acceptable way to start this birthday. Breakfast at the diner down the road complete with Mickey Mouse pancakes, a side of sausage and a brimming mug of hot chocolate topped with whip cream. Just chocolatey enough, the way she likes it. It snowed all night and all morning. Perfect conditions for afternoon sledding at the park with the “big” hill. A change of clothes in the car so to not miss the beginning of the movie she picked. With a tub of popcorn between us all, we spent an “Enchanted” day with our very enchanting, now 7 year old. Was there birthday cake in the end? No. Just fresh snow topped with root beer served with a spoon. Her choice on her day. Happy Birthday McKenna, we love you!

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Three days now our streets have been covered in ice. What I’ve learned these past 3 days is that ice means danger for more than just cars on the road. It means that sleds go extra fast, that the house will stop you whether you want it to or not and there’s not much give when you hit. It means that although there are only 2 tress in your backyard one of them is somehow always in the way, and that if you slip on the ice and fall your lip will get really fat. We are having our fair share of fun on the ice and paying the price for all the giggles. We’re covered with bumps and bruises but it’s a small price to pay for such slippery fun. (Right Ellie?)

Three days of being home bound is also a good time to work on a few things. Lots of holiday baking, some new decorations, art work and wish lists for Santa are still pouring in. And then there’s the unexpected self potty training. Its been 3 straight days of undies for Ellie and NO accidents. Could she really have figured it out so easily? No bribing, no constant reminders.  So far being called a big girl and wearing Kyla’s underwear seems to be enough. I’m skeptical and hopeful and trying hard not to get too excited to have another out of diapers. Kudos to you Ellie!

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It’s extraordinary how a glistening snow covered ground can transform winter into a wonderland. White crystals spread themselves softly across the ground all afternoon. Snowflake by snowflake, one by one, until eventually the ground was blanketed with a winter coat. The grass disappeared, the fall leaves vanished and a softer, seemingly better floor replaced what previously stood in its place. The freshly frozen ground lay uninterrupted for only as long as it took to pull out the box of gloves, snow boots and sleds. For some things it pays to have a big backyard with a hill. A whole day just for tromping through the snow, building a snow man and having snowball fights. Too early for them it is dark and their fingers are frozen. They grudgingly come inside not knowing if the snow will still be there in the morning but happy to be warmed by the fire and hot chocolate. They’ve waited months for the snow to come. Now its here.

It wasn’t much snow, but it was a start to winter. A proper ringing in of the Christmas season. The kids will love it, I will worry about driving in it but we will enjoy it while it lasts. It usually doesn’t stick around long but it will stay long enough to appreciate the beauty the earth provides white, fresh and clean. Long enough to enjoy how much better Christmas lights look when reflecting off the snow rather than brown grass. Long enough to be grateful for 4 wheel drive. And maybe even long enough to hope it snows again soon.

Ahh but wait, just in….Church is canceled tomorrow. From beautiful snow to dangerous ice storm. Winter in the midwest. Gotta love it! Maybe we’ll try making gingerbread houses and snowflakes tomorrow.

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So many things fighting for space in this brain of mine. Details sweeping away cobwebs in the far corners of my mind in search of a spot to wait patiently until it’s turn to demand my attention.
The school saga continues, but so does life and so we are moving on. Forward. But before I go, I’ve missed so much. I’ll spare you and keep the words brief while still trying to give just a glimpse of the holidays that got away from me.
HALLOWEEN:
The kids very much had their own ideas for what they wanted to be this year. McKenna is my Hannah Montana, cowgirl style of course. Kyla chose Barbie’s Island princess and Ellie picked this little pooch. The dark circles around Matt’s eyes could in fact be from being on call but they are also his costume. “black eyed peas”-come on folks work with me. And here I am with my oh so clever costume “smartie pants”. Too much effort on our part I know, but between the bouts of pneumonia that swept through my house, its all I could manage this year.

THANKSGIVING
We enjoyed Thanksgiving, as much as you can enjoy this particular holiday in the absence of our family this year. Family was far but thankfully friends were very near and we were both thankful to spend the holiday with them and thankful to only have to do part of the cooking. Its a lot, and by that I mean too much work when your kids will only eat the rolls. Admittedly it’s not my favorite holiday, but still my heart was full of gratitude for the many blessings that are mine. Here are just a couple of the projects we did for Thanksgiving.

Brief, but now consider me caught up. My mind is now free to race ahead to Christmas and all the wonder and magic that accompanies this holiday. I love Christmas and the way it occupies my mind and my time. For the opportunity to teach and instill the spirit of giving. For the Christmas music and holiday movies that come out of storage just once a year. For the nativities, lights, candy canes and wreaths that will soon adorn my house as well as the whole city. And the smells, oh the smells. Did I mention how much I love Christmas? And now there is much to do to make another Christmas magical before it is too late and some do not believe. Because NOW they do and it is magic for us all.

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