Traditions

I love traditions. In fact as a child I remember many traditions, especially around the holidays. I remember Christmas Eve and Mid-Night mass and Christmas morning at my mom's house and then off to my dad's for Christmas Day and Night. So many other little things are woven into the holidays that naturally carry on in our family now and many more new ones are springing up as our two are past the infant stages. Some traditions that are being birthed around our home is teaching the kids to give in this season. So we are gearing up for the big toy purge of 2009. Both the kids will get grocery bags and they can go through the house and find some things that they don't play with much anymore and into the bag it goes and off to a thrift store we head. Others are integrating the true meaning of the season into a daily practical way so that they "get" why we do what we do during this time. I love to read to the kids before bed, so I have been gathering books that teach on the season. I keep a basket in the hallway so the kids have access to it and pick their pick before bed. Tradition. On Christmas Eve we sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and celebrate His birth. We put Jesus and God into the season. We tell the kids that they get gifts because it's Jesus' birthday and HE loves us so much that he let's us get the gifts for him. "Isn't He giving?" I tell the kids. God gave us Jesus as a gift on Christmas and we remember that by giving gifts to celebrate that. Tradition. Serving others during this time (any time frankly) by buying groceries, buying gifts, sending letters and cards to those who typically don't receive is something else we are trying to cultivate in the kids. So this year we will make cards, buy gifts and food and have them participate in the giving of them. The picture above is of our neighbor growing up, "Mr. & Mrs. Wylie" Mrs. Wylie is a big part of my memories growing up. She never had children, but my brothers and sisters would go over and visit her just about everyday. She taught my sister to tell time and I spent many hours chatting and following her around her house as a little girl. She always bought us a gift at Christmas and now we go and visit her. Her husband has passed away so she is all alone. We love her and now my kids get to spend time with her on the holidays. Tradition. Traditions make me smile inside. Traditions give me joy and peace. Tradition goes deep and carries on for generations. What are some of your traditions? Do share. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving this week. So much to be thankful for.

"Yo Ho, Yo Ho a priate's lifes for me!"

C has been wanting to build a Pirate Ship for months. Originally he wanted it outside but with lots of contemplation, he knew that wouldn't work, so his next best thought was in the basement. He came up with the idea of attaching it to the staircase and use the storage under the steps as part of the ship. The kids have a place to get their energies out this winter. They love climbing on the deck and underneath the deck and then climbing under the staircase. It is quite an adventurous place for them. The girls have a kitchen area in the ship too. We have pirate hats, foam swords, eye patches and hand hooks and pistols for them to act out the pirate within. There is even pirate music for them - just adds to the ambiance. C did a great job on the ship and had a great time creating this in just a weeks time. We will be adding some more items to add to the effect of it all, but for now, the kids are having a blast. Here are some progressive pics.

Halloween 2009

It seems the Holidays are becoming more extensive now a days. Halloween lasted for 2 days around here and the candy will be around for months. We had a park party, Trunk or Treat at church and then a Halloween Party and Trick of Treating in the Neighborhood. It was a fun October - the kids had a fun time with all the decorations and costumes. Little G actually had two costumes this year. Here is a little glimpse into the holiday.

Makeup application 101

WOW! Check out this lipstick application! Little G found my Halloween lipstick and had a GREAT time playing dress-up with it. Praise the Lord Big G spotted her with it and told me before she went too crazy with it. When I showed her her creation, she was so proud. I can't blame her, there is nothing better than a great tube of gloss.

Costume Test Run

Last Saturday our town Park District had a Boo Bash at a local park. It included a costume parade, pumpkin decorating, train rides, hay rides. It was a rainy and cloudy day but the kids had a blast and best of all they got to wear their costumes. Here are some preliminary pics of their costumes. They are not the best quality because I had to use my video camera. Battery was dead in the camera (wouldn't you know!) Anyways, here are Belle and the Red Power Ranger Contreras.

Shirts from Grandma

Today the kids were wearing their holiday shirts from Grandma and they loved them. Enjoying the Autumn day - life is good. Hope yours is as well!

Dinner by Little G

Little G was daddies little helper the other night with dinner. She loves to be in the kitchen now. She loves to watch me cook and asks so many questions. It is so fun to see her be a helper. She is although highly supervised during this process, but none-the-less, she loves it!

P is for Pumpkin Patch

On Tuesday Big G's Pre-K class took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch for their field trip. We rode on a bus, on a hay ride, picked pumpkins out of a the Pumpkin Patch and checked out and fed the animals. We had a great day. It was a perfect day for a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It was beautiful day with my gooby-goo!

G 2 and G 4 Photoshoot 2009

Well, our friends and neighbors Chris and Sara have hit yet another home run with G and G's annual pictures. I am amazed at the way in which they truly capture their personalities. It helps because they see them a lot only living a couple doors away and the G and G love and adore playing with their kids. Judge for yourself

Dress Up Queen!

There is not one moment in the day that you will not see Little G in some sort of get up. She has her dressy shoes and her shakie, shakie skirts (those are what she calls the ones you can spin and twirl in). She can also dance and "shake" her back side in the them. She has hats, back packs, purses, necklaces, wings, sunglasses and anything else "pretty" she can get her hands on. Check out the fashion diva herself in full "get up." She is something else and we love every bit of this little one.