Christmas 2015 Wrap-Up

Jesus is the reason for the season and this Christmas was no exception.  I feel blessed to have my family together...healthy and thriving. Noah has found a tribe of good friends at Miriam School and is making great progress.  Natalie enjoys school and finds simple pleasure in reading and making up stories. Steve continues to do "whatever it takes" to keep our family afloat...whether that means working a second job, doing side work or working weekends.  He's determined to give us all he thinks we deserve and then some.  His loyalty, love and commitment knows no bounds.

While the kids no longer believe in Santa Claus, they continue to enjoy keeping the Christmas spirit alive.

"Mom, how many cookies should we put out for Santa?" asked Noah

"I hope Santa doesn't forget to write us Christmas letters," shared Natalie.

God Bless Us Everyone

Christmas Day with cousins

Nat and Grandpa Dick

His birthday is sandwiched between Christmas and New Years.
This year's gift - Bacon Jam

Since my brother's family were unable to join us
for BINGO on Thanksgiving - we played again on Christmas Day

Brian puts on his game face.

Snooki ornament reappears...circa BINGO 2011

The gang! (minus Renee's kids)

Because who doesn't like a pie in the face?

Wyatt's expression is priceless!

An Unexpected Good Time

I'm a planner -- through and through. However, my parents are decidedly fans of "playing things by ear" and I married into a family of impromptu folks.  Over the years I've learned to embrace the unexpected because more times than not -- good things come from it.  Like earlier this month, my mother-in-law was in town (or should I say "near our town") in Ft. Leonard Wood to watch her granddaughter's husband graduate from boot camp. Steve took the opportunity to drive two hours to snatch her and take her home to us for 36 hours before her flight home to Ohio.  Our impromptu visit turned out to be one filled with many endearing moments.  My mother-in-law had the opportunity to enjoy an uninterrupted conversation with her son, my children made some of their Grandma Connie's favorite holiday cookie recipes and I gave myself permission to stop and soak it in.  Since she lives nearly 600 miles away and we see Steve's family so infrequently - I often feel compelled to cram in as many sights and adventures as possible. This time was different. We stayed home. We baked. We talked. We made some really great memories. 

Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year because it's steeped in traditions -- some old like serving my Grandma Marie's sour cherry pie while others are relatively new like playing cut-throat  BINGO for a chance to have your name engraved on a wooden moose that poops jelly beans. Three years ago my sister and her family moved to Colorado, but they always make a point to visit us on Thanksgiving. Now that we see each other but once a year I feel my niece and nephews are growing at warp speed. Her oldest is as tall as me! How did that happen? Her middle child is now interested in helping out in the kitchen. Say what? And her youngest has found his voice and become a bit of a comedian. I could waste my time focused on the time I don't have with them but instead I choose to focus on the fun memories we shared with the precious time we've been given.
Highs to remember:
* Olivia sharing her budding culinary skills with us.
* Seeing Natalie follow Olivia around like an adoring puppy.
* Sharing in some competitive fun with Hayden while playing washers.
* Watching Noah and Griffin engaged in a friendly Nerf war
* Griffin happy to be Noah's "assistant" while the two put together several LEGO sets.

Dig in!

Natalie, Grandma Mary and Hayden

The Gang (minus my brother and his family)

LEGO partners in crime.

BINGO-palooza

This year's winner!

 

We started a new tradition of doing crafts together. This year the girls made boxes of elf donuts

Deep Thoughts From Noah #71

Noah: "Why do we have to have names...why can't we just have numbers? I'd like to be called NB-70."
Me: "Why?"
Noah: "N for Noah, B for Boy and 70 because I just like the number."
#starwarsforever

Deep Thoughts From Noah #70

Noah: "Mom, what do you think is Jesus's favorite Christmas song?
Me: "Oh..I-I-I've never thought about that. What do you think is His favorite song?
Noah: "Either Silent Night or All I Want for Christmas Is You"
Me: (after I pushed the lump that suddenly appeared in my throat...) "I think you are right...and very smart, buddy."

Magical Motherhood

Wash, rinse, repeat.

Being a mom is full of routines. Some helpful, some boring and some I just want to hold onto forever. Ordinary moments like morning drop off. Without fail, Natalie gives me a hug and a kiss, tells me she loves me then just as she's stepping out of the car will turn to ask, "Can you have lunch with me today?"

Because she's nine now and often reminds me she's almost a teenager I try not to take for granted her desire to still have me close by.

Last weekend we hosted a belated birthday party for her -- a homemade variety.  Every year I think this is the last one -- surely she and her friends are too old to enjoy my DIY party games and crafts. She wanted a mythical creature theme.  Actually, I think she just wanted another excuse to dress up in her Halloween costume.

Me: "Mythical creature theme?"
Nat: "Yeah! Everyone can dress up as one for my party."
Me: "Honey, I'm pretty you are the only one with a mythical creature costume hanging in your closet."

She was not deterred.

I began watching DIY videos on youtube.  I was introduced to Sculpey clay and got reacquainted with paper mache so I could transform a dozen of her friends into horned and winged things. Thank goodness for Dollar Tree. I found wings, colored hair spray and neon wigs, but the most popular request turned out to be having third eyes painted on their foreheads.

We played "guess what's in the box".  I labeled the boxes - unicorn horns, troll toenails and griffin talons and challenged them to figure out what really lurked inside the boxes.  I created a unicorn horn ring toss game from poster board, tape and pipe cleaners (which will be recycled into "icicle ring toss" at Nat's winter classroom party). We played truth or dare, pass the eyeball, had pool noodle unicorn relays and decorated cupcakes.  At the end I read them the story 12 Dancing Unicorns by Alissa Heyman. As I began reading I held my breath a bit -- waiting for someone to protest that the book was too silly or they were too old for story time.  However, a few sentences in I realized my voice was the only sound heard as the kids leaned in horns and all to hear what happened next.

The party was a success, but more than that it showed me kids don't need fancy to have fun.  Pretend play is completely under-rated and can be enjoyed way beyond the preschool years.

Party invites: Nat created the cover

Back side:
You're invited to Imagine Nation
To celebrate a big sensation
Nine years ago a magical girl was born
Since that time we're never forlorn

Steve was a doorknocker and "woke up" to greet guests.
One kid jumped nearly 10 feet.

He went to work on Monday with a residual glow.

Transformation station

Guess what's in the box: Troll toenails?  Eww! (actually banana chips)
For unicorn horns I used dog treat sticks and griffin talons were just candy corn

Look into my eyes

Pass the eyeball, please.

Pool noodle unicorns made by my talented friend, Michelle.

Cupcake decorating

Mottolicious

Noah: "Mom! I have a new motto for our family."
Me: "What is it?"
Noah: "Bacon."
Natalie: "Yeah!"
Me: "You think we should replace 'Never Give Up' with 'Bacon'?"
Natalie: "No! We'll add bacon...bacon can be our symbol of peace.  It lifts you up...it makes you feel good and..."