Christmas 2013

Well, last night was the final Christmas hurrah for us as we celebrated with my side of the family. On the 24th, we spent the day watching movies eating snacks and enjoyed a fun Mexican supper of hard shell tacos, requested by Arianna. Our movies this year were Despicable Me 2 and Turbo, both of which are very cute shows and since Sarah loves slap stick humour these were great for her. The little girls went to bed on time and the older two and I finished up wrapping the stocking stuffers, as we've done in the years past. Of course the kids all got to open their one (predictable) gift of the annual pyjamas!

Christmas morning began early for a couple of the kids (Joshua and Arianna) who were allowed to open their stockings once they got up. Of course I was up shortly after them as I have alway been one of the first to wake up on Christmas morning. Sarah joined us around 7:45 and was delighted in being able to open more "p'esents a me!" We have always determined that when four of us are awake, then the other two (Doug and Andrea) get to wake up as well. So this year, things were rolling by about 8:00.

 Sarah LOVED opening presents this year. It was as if she'd never experienced it before!

 Andrea's typical "first thing in the morning" pose. I'm sure I have this same picture from years past.

 I re-gifted Andrea's American Girl doll to Arianna this year. Probably my favorite expression. Ever.

 An official Harry Potter scarf and another sketch pad.

"All I wanted was Jedi robes"

This year we did things a bit different. Each kid received two gifts but they were what they asked for. They were still surprised but we didn't do practical this year. It was SO much fun!!

Later in the day, we headed to Doug's parent's for Christmas dinner with his mom's side of the family. 

Boxing Day started out pretty slow. My family came over later in the afternoon and we all exchanged gifts. It was really a good evening and a great chance to see everyone again (less one brother). We didn't make a late night out of it but after a busy week, that was ok. 

I woke up this morning ready to regain ownership of my living room and that will be in the form of taking the tree down. I loved it this year. It is smaller than other ones we've had and took up much less space which was nice. I think I'll leave my village and nativity sets up because they don't take up a whole lot of room or floor space. 

One other really COOL gift that my kids and nephew received from my in laws were personalized coveralls. 

"Grandpa Fidelak's Pit Crew"

Wordless Wednesday

 What Sarah does after a long, busy day (and one that includes a doctor appointment).

 She loved playing with these wet, gel balls. It kept her busy for a very long time!

 A Christmas ornament that I received from my mom. My Oma brought these over from Holland and I *believe* my sister and I have the last two of the original set.

 A bell that used to be at my mom's house.

 My first ornament when I was a baby. It was always the heaviest and I remember having to find a really strong branch to hold it up!

 An ornament that my sister bought me when she went on a trip to PEI. I love Anne of Green Gables.

 Doug bought me this one after we suffered two back to back miscarriages and then found out we were expecting Sarah!

Both Doug and I have one of these gold ornaments that has our name engraved on it!

December Already?

Wow, the month of November sure flew by fast and I was caught a bit off guard when my nine year old reminded me that "it's only 25 days till Christmas!" It's right around the corner and I realize how much I need to do to get ready for that. I've been on the ball and have been buying presents since August so that task isn't so overwhelming this year. I'd love to get that all done in the next little while. I haven't done any baking this year and it's a little disappointing that with our busy schedules, my sister and I won't be able to do our big bake-a-thon together. We've been doing it since 2007 and this will be the first time since then that we're on our own. I have done absolutely no decorating in the house yet either. The main reason being is that I have two pianos in my living room. Yes, two. I'm not quite sure where I'm going to stick a tree in here yet. I guess I better get a start on things. The new year is just around the corner now as well. I'm hoping that the next 25 days before we celebrate the birth of Jesus will be peaceful and enjoyable in my home. I'm going to try to do an advent study with my kids as we try to turn our focus on the real reason of the season.

Happy December!

I can't believe how quickly November flew by.  I had inwardly made a goal of blogging at least once every two days but I'm not sure I did it.  So here we are into another month and almost the end of another year.  A quick recap of the past week or so:

Andrea did an amazing job at her Aladdin production and the six sold out shows were a great reward for the 80+ kids who rehearsed for so many months!  I was so very proud of her!

Joshua and I completed another session of Daybreak at our church and as much as I love snuggling babies for people, it is nice to have a bit of a break.

Arianna has been busy practicing for her solo and dance part of the church's Christmas production.

Sarah is keeping herself busy doing Sarah "things".  Baking with Grandma, playing with her siblings and just hanging out!

This morning I read a Facebook post from The Busy Homeschool Mom and today her message spoke deep to my heart.  Here's what she had to say:
 
"The best Christmas presents will never be found in a store. Do you want to make the holidays meaningful for your children? Creating memories that will last a lifetime is really a matter of intentional planning. It has very little to do with money. :) Here are few tips to get you started:

Look at your calendar. WRITE IN things you want to do and then take the time off to actually do them. You only get 2012 Christmas once. :) Here are a few things you might want to consider:

—Make Christmas cut-out cookies
—google "slow cooker hot chocolate" ... and make it
—find Christmas crafts you can do with just paper and glue. You're on the computer already. :)
—Go for a drive to look at Christmas lights. Take your hot chocolate for a special treat
—Make chex mix. 'nuff said.
—Ask your children to DRAW their version of the nativity. Frame it or take a picture of it so you don't forget what their drawings looked like.
—Watch your favorite Christmas movie
—Read Advent stories by the Christmas tree
—Scatter Christmas books throughout your house. I started our Christmas collection from thrift stores years ago; now we have books in every room. The kids, even the grown ones, love it.
—Focus on just the basics for school. Enjoy December.
—Remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Love your kids. Kiss your husband under the mistletoe. Try to appreciate the bickering, spilled hot chocolate, crazy calendar and family gatherings. And when you can't appreciate it, forgive yourself. And start again.

Merry Christmas!"

I really enjoy homeschooling my kids.  I love it MOST of the time, despite the frustrating moments that I think we all have.  I think I often get too worked up in the focus on math, reading, grammar, social and science.  I truly appreciate this reminder for me and everyone else, regardless of how we school our kids.  Deep breath.  Relax.  Enjoy.

I'm hoping and planning for a relaxed December with emphasis on family, friends and simply enjoying the season.  

Happy Tuesday!!

Wordless Wednesday

I blog-lifted from my dear friend KELLY this morning.  Over the past few weeks her little guys have all had some sort of the stomach flu.  The poor girl.  You can check out her good looking dudes in the link above.

Here's my handful of blessings.  I love them from the bottom of my heart.

Christmas

It's that time of year again.  The season of Christmas lights, carols, baking treats, family, presents and an overall feeling of festiveness.  I have had a harder time this year and I really can't put my finger on it.  My heart just wasn't as *into it* as I have been in the past.  Maybe because of Sarah's diagnosis.  Maybe because of other family stresses that we've gone through.  Who knows.  But what I do know is that as the special day of December 25th approaches, my excitement and anticipation is growing.  I love to wrap presents.  I love to buy things for people that make them feel special.  I love to bake and share it.  Just thinking about spending Christmas Eve morning with my in-laws makes my heart excited.  Sitting by their wood burning stove, drinking a coffee, watching the kids delight their grandparents is enough to make me wonder if I'll even sleep tonight.  Thinking about driving down Candycane Lane after the carol service at church and watching the kids open their traditional pajamas.  I'm eagerly anticipating their delight as they open the Lion King Special Edition DVD for us to watch while we sample oodles of appetizers, treats and drinks.

When I was growing up, my siblings and I were told we couldn't wake our parents up until a certain time.  I'm sure it wasn't that late but it could have been 10:00 in the morning for what it felt like to me.  The early riser.  Guess who wakes everyone up now?  Yes.  Me.  I don't sleep much on Christmas Eve and it's me who slips into everyone's bedroom, gently (and excitedly) waking them up.  Even though my excitement of the season didn't start quite as soon as other years, I don't expect that the morning of this year's December 25 will be any different. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I'm happy

Since Sarah was born, we never had a full set of stockings.  There were only five because Sarah came four years after Arianna.  Of course, I would never have found a match, and yes, it was crucial that they match.  (Call me crazy) When I was getting groceries yesterday, I saw these and fell in love!  The color, the size, the style... so lovely.  

We don't have a nice fire place to mount them on and I didn't want to hang them on the railings where the kids' hands would always be touching them.  So, until Christmas morning, they are pinned to the window valence in the living room.  Oh but they are so pretty!

Every Year...

I promise myself and my family that THIS will be the Christmas where we do minimal visiting, stay home lots and just regroup and connect with the six of us.  Alas, we get notices for dance recitals, family functions, last minute haircuts, and before I know it, the calendar is full of events and appointments.

This year was the first time I didn't feeling doing more than setting up the Christmas tree.  My heart just wasn't into the holiday spirit.  I was reminded that we were going to be hosting at least two Christmas functions and that it would be a good idea to ensure the house was all decked out for the season.  And so I did.  I put on Boney M Christmas and began to pull out all the decorations that stay hidden for 11 months of the year.  The next day, Arianna and I whipped up a batch of shortbread... the cookie that is reserved for Christmas.  It IS beginning to look like Christmas here and slowly my heart is getting into it as well.