Closing of 2011

So far turning seven has been an exciting age with something interesting lurking around every corner; from teeth falling out of his head, learning how to ride his bike and reading 220 page books in four hours for the first time to spontaneously making breakfast for everyone. Gabriel has found the ever so popular "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books so funny that he breezes through them and can't wait for the next one. He's learning to be a considerate and thoughtful young man and continues to make us laugh and think. He asked me if the star on top of the Christmas tree was representative of the star that followed Jesus when he was born? I hesitantly said, "sure, why, yes." Honestly I had never really thought about it, but it made sense. Then he said, "Yep, I know my ornamathology." He also seems to be outgrowing his eczema and sensory issues with seeing his first movie in a theater in years. And he had his first sleep over at a friends house – not surprisingly said he didn't sleep a wink. He's always wanting to do something fun and says constantly, "So, what'cha wanna do now?" I believe he thinks I am his endless entertainment for monopoly, bowling or mini-golf partner.

Giselle is about potty trained with scaling the toilet on her own. Adios Pampers! She's been happier lately and finally understanding the meaning of the word "no". Don't get me wrong, she still has her mob boss two-year old mentality but I can see light at the end of the "twos" tunnel as we enter the "threes" – and it looks beautiful. She does have her sweet moments. One day when I was sick, she said "Mommy, you tired?" and put a blanket over me. And she sweetly follows her big brother around like a baby duckling. It's so adorable.

The ending of 2011 hasn't been without it's interesting twists and turns too. We are trying to think fiscally creative and have made the decision to refinance our home. Then we learned Jim's dad, Ed Pett, passed away on December 7th. He was exactly two months away of making it to 94 years. Followed by all of us enduring a horrific stomach flu the week after. We felt better in time to enjoy Christmas with exception of Shawna. The kids and I enjoyed our traditional making cookies and drinking hot chocolate on Christmas Eve and then making Christmas pancakes after opening presents Christmas morn. Giselle got a kitchen set and made me pretend hot chocolate for hours on end and Gabriel played with his new Hot Wheels tracks all day. He actually cried when he opened his last gift, Mario Kart cartridge for his Nintendo DS. We had a secret santa drop off some gifts for the kids which was incredibly sweet. It ended up being a relaxing fun day. The last day of the year, New Years Eve, was incredibly fun too as we spent it with friends at their home playing Guesstures and drinking margaritas. We're ready for whatever exciting new adventures 2012 will bring.

Santa?

Every year I tell Gabriel Santa isn't real, but Jesus is. I know this is controversial, but every family has their "way" to celebrate the holiday. We are Christian, and believe the focus should be kept on Jesus. Despite my efforts in telling him the gentle truth, he's not sure he believes me. With all the Christmas commercialism, movies and music about Santa, I think he wants to believe. So for the first time this Christmas, I'm all torn up inside because I don't want to disappoint him, but I've always been honest with him.

I asked him the other night what he thought.

"I don't know. I think we should do a test," he replied.
"What kind of test?" I questioned.
"Let's set out cookies and milk and see if they are there in the morning," he remarked.
I nervously asked, "and what if they aren't there in the morning?"
He exclaimed, "then we'll eat the cookies!"

I wanted to gauge how much he'd be disappointed, but we set out to complete his experiment. It tortured me all night having those cookies displayed. The next morning he completely forgot about them until after breakfast, "oh yea, the cookies!" as he ran into the family room by the fire place.

He had a big smile on his face as he ate the sugar cookie and I felt a little better. Then I thought I needed to go into a little more detail with him about how Saint Nicholas was a person who loved Jesus long ago who was very loving who gave secret gifts and now people play the "Santa game". I also went into serious detail that in no way is he to interrupt anyone who is playing the game or they (and their parents) will be really upset with us. He seems to get it and my spirit feels at peace again. Whew, for a moment there, I contemplated going with what majority of society does simply because it would have been easier....and honestly maybe a little fun, but I'm glad we have our strong belief in the Lord. He is the center of our world. I've considered perhaps playing our own version of a "Santa game" next year by pinpointing someone who we can give secret gifts to....that would be fun.

December 2010 Photos

A lot this month .... Cirque du Soleil, Madeline's Christmas play at Horizon Theatre, Matt's holiday party, Point of Vision Holiday party, Christmas at Callanwolde and of course... Christmas!

I love this time of year

Christmas is my favorite holiday by far and I love this time of year. Not the cold weather and certainly not the virus' and colds that come along with it, but a time when you get to celebrate life a little more and everyone else is doing the same whether they celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, winter solstice or just the festive winter holiday - everyone seems to focus on family and friends collectively.

What I love about Christmas:

• Christmas music
• Christmas movies
• Christmas decorations
• Hot chocolate by the fireplace
• Beautifully wrapped presents
• Time spent with family
• The pine smell of the Christmas tree
• Twinklie lights
• Christmas parties
• Christmas cookies
• Christmas dinner -- more turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls!
  
• Watching a Christmas play
• Decorating the Christmas tree
• Stockings hung over the mantle (okay I guess that is classified under decoration and so should Twinklie lights but they deserved their own mention in my book)
• Christmas cards in the mail
• Secret Santas
• Surprising someone with that "perfect" gift
• And this year, especially looking forward to the kids faces light up when they open their gifts Christmas morning
  

And if you're thinking that Christmas is just to celebrate the birth of Christ, and not all of my superfluous list above, I say we are thankful for our Lord, and God sending him to earth to die for our sins, every day.

What's your favorite holiday?

Christmas 2009 was a hit!

Gabriel's first words when he woke up this morning was "I just can't wait to open my presents!" I thought he would wake earlier than 8:30 am...and we had to wait on Giselle to wake up too. He tore into his gifts and surprisingly picked up the gift wrap paper after each one. A kid after my own heart. I may not be the tidiest person in the world, but I do love order and structure. Here they are in complete Christmas bliss opening up the ball popper (for Giselle) and the Hot Wheels tracks set (for Gabriel). Grandma and Uncle Troy got the watch the extravaganza via Skype.

I think Gabriel likes her toy too! :)