Christmas Sleep-in Guarantee

The last activity for our countdown calendar this year was going swimming on Christmas Eve. This may just become an annual tradition since I believe it is a guaranteed way to tire children out, thus avoiding excitement-induced insomnia awaiting Santa's arrival. 

Not to mention the fact that it is A LOT of FUN! We scheduled in a 2 hour afternoon jaunt at the Clearfield Aquatic Center. With slides and play centers in shallow water, this pool is perfect for young children. We especially like the mini "lazy river" complete with water "canons" to shoot at each other. Max went down the big slide for the first time and couldn't get enough of it. And because we stayed until the very last closing whistle, we had a good 20 minutes where we were the only ones in the pool. We had the whole thing to ourselves!

Thanks to our third family party of the season, dinner and company awaited us after we'd dried off and by the time we made it back home (close to 8 p.m.) one child had already conked out. 

When morning came, we all slept well past 8 a.m!

Under the tree

A new advent idea for this year: sleeping under the Christmas tree! 

I meant to do it on a Friday long before the big day to avoid too many overtired days in a row. But it turned out to be perfect on the 23rd, Christmas Eve Eve. We brought mattresses in so comfort wouldn't suffer. And after story time and hot chocolate, the kids were tucked snugly in. We'd come home late from a family party so they were tired and soon fell asleep. As I was headed off to my own bed, I paused to enjoy this favorite of holiday moments-

seeing my very best gifts wrapped up under the tree.

holes

So the holidays are decidedly NOT the time for remodeling projects. 

But since we had holes in the ceiling anyway (no, that water dripping from the roof is not from the dry weather!) and half the house had to be repainted, 

why not go for a color change and include the whole living room?

Whereas it looked like that last week, now the holes are patched and painting has commenced, bringing us this "wrapped up" look a short 5 days before Christmas. 

At least they'll be finished tomorrow so we can clean up and enjoy!

(and hooray for not having to keep the children in the basement all day long)

book basket

A few years ago I started the tradition of purchasing a new Christmas book each year.
This year I decided to try the idea of wrapping them all so we could open one each night leading up to Christmas.
Since I only own a handful, I had to supplement from the local library.
So far, we've enjoyed doing this and it has created some special moments with opportunities to talk about our feelings about Christ. 

Our 2011 pick is Christmas Trolls by Jan Brett, a cute little story that teaches we can't take Christmas,
instead we must be generous and giving.

Others in our basket this year:
The First Christmas by Nonny Hogrogian
God Gave us Christmas by Lisa Tawn Bergren
The Friendly Beasts
What is Christmas? by Michelle Medlock Adams
Kipper's Christmas Eve
Babushka by Sandra Ann Horn
Mystery in the Stable
 Merry Christmas Curious George
The Doll in the Window
 Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck
The Christmas Bears
The Gift by Jan Balet

annual Santa visit

It has become an annual tradition to visit Santa at Tricity Nursery (or Grandpa's nursery as we affectionately call it). True to character, Zoe was as mild mannered as could be, with only a hint of concern on her face as she posed for a picture with the jolly old elf. Good thing Dad stayed nearby.

Max made his request of Buzbe Transformer and Laila her polite "anything, please" and then we were off to the hayride, complete with sheep and reindeer. Still no sleigh in sight. Santa said he left it home.

countdown calendar

One of my favorite memories from Christmases growing up was our countdown calendar. It was a simple felt wall hanging with a winding path leading to Bethlehem. There were only two pieces: Mary & Joseph hooked together, backed with velcro and the baby Jesus. I loved moving the expectant parents along their journey each day and couldn't wait for the 25th when I could finally take the baby out of his little pocket and place him in the manger.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful to have my own such calendar?" I thought this year shortly before Thanksgiving. And I determined to make one, despite my obvious lack of crafting know-how and supplies.

However, the days ticked by and I was unsuccessful at finding a pattern (the original seems to have been lost in my mom's many moves since the days we lived under the same roof). When December 1st arrived I found myself still without felt, sewing machine, or pattern. And wouldn't you just know it, the howling winds cancelled school and knocked out the power so a craft was just the thing for a long day at home. If only I had been prepared! (I know, I know, I wouldn't have been able to use a sewing machine :)

So instead of a long-lasting, tradition-starting advent calendar, Laila and I spent a few happy hours making this one out of paper. She got to practice her numbers and art ("I'll do it, mom, because I'm the artist.") I got to use up some scrap paper that needed a purpose. While it isn't quite what I imagined and may not be durable enough to hold up for another year, we still get to move Mary and Joseph along the path and each day we do it, we remember for what we are celebrating.

gratitude in the wind

So my life has been riddled with a series of strange days lately. The most strange of which was that crazy wind storm we lived through on Thursday. Who would have thought that "air" could do so much damage and that hurricane-like winds could reach us inlanders? Gusting at 90-102 mph, the wind was so strong that it shook the house. Laila was frightened and worried for family and friends. So after sending Dad off to work, the two of us kneeled down on the kitchen floor to pray for safety and protection. 

I am grateful for prayer. And a daughter who loves to pray with me.

As we watched leaves blowing about outside and witnessed the birds being buffeted from branch to branch and tree to tree, I was grateful that my home is on the ground and not up in the treetops. I was also grateful to be indoors when I realized that it was not just leaves, but roof shingles and siding pieces flying around out there.

When the power went out, we stayed warm because we have several large windows facing South that catch the sunlight and magnify her warmth. 

I am grateful for the sun.

Those same windows bowed inward many a time whilst the wind was blowing but they kept their integrity (even the two currently awaiting replacement but masterfully duct-taped together). 

I am grateful for duct tape, and ladders, and my husband.

After hearing that the power could be off for 48 hours, I was grateful for a thoughtful sister-in-law who offered to let us sleep at her place so we wouldn't freeze overnight. 

I am grateful for family.

Fortunately, electricity was restored by late afternoon and then I was grateful I had recently done my grocery shopping so that we could enjoy a yummy home-cooked meal.

I am grateful for my oven.

Despite having power, we still were without internet service and that means no phone. Then my cell phone stopped working too and we had to run down the road to call dad and let him know we were all okay. 

I am thankful for kind neighbors (and their cell phones)

As night fell and we had another power glitch that lasted only about 20 minutes, I was grateful for a son who is enchanted by flashlights and so had one close at hand to light our way throughout the house.

I am grateful for flashlights. and batteries.

Yes, it was certainly a strange day. One in which I realized that we are, perhaps, underprepared for emergency situations but full of gratitude that no one was hurt and nothing was broken (aside from some tree limbs & one fence panel)

now I am off to pick up debris from the lawn but will share a short gratitude list

soft blankets

"i love you"s

silent baby laughter

hugs

color

a home

chat outs

warm water

the smell of rain

thank you notes

story time

socks

cold drinking water

hands to hold

language 

and so much more . . .