The Second Day of Christmas

As I've mentioned before, we are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, spreading out the celebrating. Next year we are considering even spreading out family gifts--letting Wombles give his gifts on one day, Pixie hers on another, etc. For this year, J and I have planned little gifts or activities to take us through 12th night. This year the split between activity and treat is about 50/50. There will be days with a new baby when activities are not feasible, but I like the idea of the emphasis being on doing something together. Some of the 12 Days of Christmas have particular significance.

Today, for example, is Boxing Day, which has a couple of different historical traditions. Among others, one of these is giving to the poor or less fortunate. December 26th is also the feast day of St. Stephen, one of the original deacons of the early church who was charged with caring for the widows and orphans. So, for the kids' treat today, they each got a certain amount of money to spend in the World Vision Gift Catalog. We had a couple of print copies for them to look through. It was good to discuss the different options available and how they could benefit others. The kids had the choice of spending the money independently or pooling their money together. J walked them through it and helped (Wombles and Bud can't read the text yet, much less do the math to figure out how to combine their budgets). Pixie had definite ideas of her own, and ended up pooling with her brothers to give some very cool gifts to people in other parts of the world. While I think we both like the idea of getting out and serving in our own community on this day, this was perfect for this year (when we can't plan anything definitive; thanks, Cuatro) and will likely become a tradition.

Tonight at family worship we sang Christmas carols and then prayed for the gifts the kids gave and the people who would be receiving them. The needs in the world are so great. It is a comfort to know that when Jesus walked the earth, he didn't just care for people's spirits abstracted from their bodies...he took care of their bodies and hearts and needs in order that they might know him more fully. And we are thankful.

And looking forward to the third day of Christmas!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

This was our first year EVER celebrating Christmas at home...primarily thanks to Cuatro, who still hasn't shown up but could come along any time. Considering that this was our 13th married Christmas (our first was on our honeymoon) that seems like quite a while. And our children had never woken up on Christmas morning in their own house! Since we don't have a fireplace, there was some consternation over where to hang the stockings. :)

The change from Advent Purple to Christmas Green!

Yesterday was fun...very relaxed and laid back. We woke up and did stockings at the table...I LOVE doing stockings. The fun little presents and surprises are a delightful part of the day. J and I felt like Christmas gifts could be done at that point...something to ponder for next year.

Then the kids played while we relaxed and moved towards breakfast, which was a true combination of our family traditions. Monkey bread, Sally eggs, and sausage. MMmmm!

Then the children each got their gift from us. This would be our family equivalent of a Santa gift from my childhood...we don't usually do that on Christmas morning, saving it for Epiphany instead (for one thing, we're usually home by then from Christmas travels!), but this year is a little different for lots of reasons. It was one of those extremely gratifying moments as a parent...for example, Pixie said she felt like she might cry, she was so happy.

That made me happy, since I found her gift at a great deal last June and have been hiding it in the garage ever since!!

Another tradition we've taken from J's family is to do one gift opening at a time. One person opens the first gift; then, that person goes to the tree, takes a gift tey are giving someone, and hands it to that person. It is fun and relational. For example, Bud gave Pixie something she had been asking for for months. This was the response:



Also, some time in October (I think) Pixie told me what she wanted to gift to J. It was her vision, and she loved handing him the present and was giddy waiting for him to open it. And when he did:



The whole day stretched out in a relaxed manner, with us all cozy inside as it was cloudy, wet, and "cold" all day (in contrast to 70s and sunny on Christmas Eve...one of MY favorite Christmas presents!!).

Here was another of my favorites: A Christmas sweater outfit! This was for Cuatro, but I got to open it, and try it on Cuatro as best I could.


Wombles got his own baby. And wrapped him in a "blanket." This totally cracked me up:



Our very own "Father Christmas" :


Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Christmas Jammies!

J's parents give the three Christmas Jammies every year. So tonight, when we got home (LATE) from our Lessons and Carols service at church, there were cookies and a present apiece.

They had been very worked up about getting to open these gifts, and I was a little concerned that jammies might not be what they had in mind.

However, they all started shrieking and screaming and generally bouncing off the walls over their new pajamas. It was great fun to watch.

Then the trouble was getting them to calm down enough to go to bed.

And, yes, Pixie and Molly have matching gowns on.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Orange Smiles

Last week, I taught the kids how to do orange smiles. Don't ask me how it's never happened before now. I think it's mainly that we eat Satsumas and not Navel oranges...but I figure, if I'm going to keep them home from the school cafeteria, I might as well introduce them to cafeteria foods and behavior.

You know, "socialization." It's very important.




Actually, come to think of it, our local elementary school doesn't technically have a cafeteria. You have to pack your own lunch (or order take-out from restaurants, which is also available). Oops.



I wonder if I can get a take-back? naaah.

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

I love my Mimi.

She is awesome. Today is her Birthday.

She is one mean card player. I'm trying to learn her tricks. I also got the bookworm bug from her.

And probably my dislike for cold weather.

And my mouth.

THE SHAPE OF IT! No one else has to take responsibility for what comes out of my mouth.

Although she is pretty sassy.

Last year, we got to celebrate with her at her house. There was cake...



and the Giant Kumquat Fight.




My brother D was even throwing them down from the roof.

And Wombles (aka fruit bat) had all the citrus he wanted.



I can't wait for the next Kumquat War! And I look forward to celebrating Mimi's birthday with her in person again.

I couldn't find a picture of Pixie and Mimi from last year, so I'm pulling out two of my all-time favorites. Mimi entertained me at this age on this beach, too.





We love you, Mimi!!

Almost There...

Does anyone else remember the scene from the end of the first (ii.e., Episode IV) Star Wars where one of the X-Wing fighter pilots is about to launch his rocket or whatever at the death star and says, "Almost there....Aaaalmost there....." Right before a tie-fighter blows up his ship?

No? Just me?

His intonation is indelibly marked on my brain for some reason. I hear it every time I think, "Almost there," which is pretty often these days.

I'm talking about CUATRO!

We are pretty excited, and I think not knowing the gender is really amping up the excitement. DO we have a little [insert girl name here] or a little [insert boy name here]??? Yes, I think we have a boy name.

At least for today.

And no, it isn't "Cuatro Luke Darth Vader," in spite of what Wombles will try to tell you.

Cuatro really could arrive any time, although I think my due date is the 28th and I've never had an early bird. Of course, after 2 ultrasounds at 12 and 19 weeks my due date was changed to the 18th. That's hogwash, but as a result I'm going in tomorrow for a non-stress test and to check fluid levels . To quote the Guff, "Whatev." My conversation with the NP on Tuesday went well, I think, considering that she seemed a little high-strung and I kept saying "39 weeks" while she was wont to say "41."

But if it makes everybody feel better, sure, I'll go sit in a recliner without the kids for a little while tomorrow. Heh heh heh. Sorry, J.

And either way....

Almost There...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

Catching raindrops instead of snowflakes

Snow isn't really an option here. I mean, it's technically possible, I admit. Here are other things that are technically possible:

(1) Wombles to never "go" in his pants again
(2) Me to keep up with laundry

So today, as it rains and rains and rains, I am thinking a couple of things.

(1) I knew I should have taken the kids shopping and to the beach yesterday;
(2) With 5 days of rain forecast, I am preparing to further explore the reaches of insanity.

This morning J called from work with a suggestion compliments of Ruby Jeanne, who works with him and has raised four boys (FOUR. Two of them twins): Just let them go outside anyway.

I had just about come to this conclusion myself, in spite of my aversion to all messes that can possibly be avoided. There are so many that can't be avoided (like my spilling apple cider on the floor this morning; check) that I really really want to hold the line when I can.

But today, in spite of the little bits of grass and mud and water and sticks that would inevitably become semi-permanent house guests as a result, The Three got duded out in rain gear and went outside to play. I'm sorry to say that Pixie and Bud mostly just got to play in the mud and mist before they got too cold and came in (directly to shower and tub, which they thought was a warm and yummy treat. EVERYONE'S HAPPY!!).

But Wombles stayed out. Wombles stayed out for as long as I would let him. He was just as excited to be out in the rain as I used to be about being out in the snow.

While we've had a rainy fall, it's still not so normal as to lose its mystique. And getting to go out and play in it is fun when you are three, whether you live in Wheaton:


Or SB.


And if one grinning boy wets his pants underneath his raincoat, you can barely even tell.