Sledding

The kids had their first day off of school due to weather today. They took advantage of the extra day sledding on the ice. Janice and Jim even braved the roads and brought their kids for the fun.

I manged to make cookies and fudge along with several batches of hot chocolate. Today really helped me find my Christmas spirit! Jackie

Christmas Countdown, Nutcracker and all kinds of stuff!

It's hard to believe that it is already Dec. 12. We seem to jump from Thanksgiving to the middle of Advent in the blink of an eye! This year's Christmas Countdown got off to a great start. We have celebrated Mimi's 70th birthday, shopped for our "Adopt A Family", and made it through another Nutcracker. The kids were disappointed to miss the Christmas Parade this year, but one case of tonsilitis and one round of the stomach bug kept us home. Mama did not mind too much though because it was Cold that night!Molly had a great time in the Nutcracker this year. This was her third year to be in the show and she was a snowflurry and a lamb in Marzipan. It is so amazing to see the hard work these kids put in for months take shape on stage. The magic of it all is reflected in the eyes of all the future ballerinas in the audience. Molly seems to have found her place on the stage. She is so at home there. She dreams about future parts and makes plans for when she is the director!Last night we went to Winter Wonderland. This is an annual trip we make as part of our Christmas Countdown. The kids always spend time with Santa and mail their letters to the North Pole. I am sure Max is starting to outgrow some of the things we do, but he continues to have fun and surprise me with his enthusiasm for little Emma and Caroline.

"It's Beinning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"

"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas..." After all my years in retail, I finally love Christmas again! While Advent services kept me sane through those retail years, it has been my kids that have brought joy of Christmas back to me!As with most things, we share this time of year with my brother and sister and their families. One way we do this is through our Annual Christmas Countdown. A friend shared an idea with Janice and she shared with us and now it has become a family tradition. Every morning through Christmas, the kids get to open a pocket on the countdown. In it they find things like making gingerbread houses with their cousins (at grandma and grandpa's who say they don't mind the mess!),school parties, Nutcracker premiere and shopping for a needy child. We also always hit the Downtown Winterwonderland and mail our letters to Santa. And yes we do most of these things with all 7 kids.There are some things we do as just the 4 of us-decorate our tree, cookies for Santa and plenty of Christmas movies! The countdown ends the same every year: Happy Birthday Jesus! The kids always check this before they check their own loot...I keep waiting for Max to tell me he is too old for the countdown, but it has yet to happen...It is so magical watching Christmas through their eyes. They love the presents but they seem to understand the true meaning behind all the glitter. And for that I am thankful.enjoy the season-Jackie