Red cups and noses

Going to see the lights at Cornerstone--definitely a local tradition.

It must begin with a stop here for teeny red cup hot chocolates for Ian and Lilly. Order your Starbucks drinks at "kids' temperature" and your children can inhale them immediately, no patience required.

Driving through the route of lights is so cheery.

And it was a balmy 27 degrees outside, so why wouldn't we do the walk through, too? I confess, I waited in the car. Have I mentioned I have a cough that is keeping me up all night every night?


It wouldn't be Christmas in this town without stopping here. What's your favorite outdoor lights display?

Season of Miracles

Ian's first basketball game.

They announced the players over the mic to music one at a time as the kids ran in through a tunnel. Here he is flying in from the right.

Meet The Croaking Tree Frogs. Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.

Setting up the shot:

And he SCORED!!!! He scored!! We were shocked. We were stunned. We (I) were airborne for a moment. Mostly, we were thrilled and proud for him.

There is definitely some magic floating in the air this season.

(*Note: these blog posts do not correspond with the dates in the countdown, in case you haven't noticed!)

Dickens would be Proud

Ian decided he needed an office. He rearranged furniture, cut a make-shift round window from cardboard and taped it to the wall, organized his clips, writing utensils and papers, and began working. Isn't he the cutest thing? Since Lilly has to do what Ian does, you see she, too now has an office.

Meanwhile, daddy disappeared. When daddy disappears this time of year, you know he's up to something for somebody.

Sure enough, he'd snuck away to the kids' rooms to cover their headboards in Christmas lights, a tradition since Ian's first year in his big boy bed. This is Lilly's first year.

She was pleased.

How many reasons can you have for loving one human being? When I met Nathan more than a decade ago, he re-introduced me to Christmas. To keeping it. Really keeping it. And loving every second of it. The lights, the smells, the music, the traditions--even the cold! An example: making cocoa in December isn't just making cocoa to him. It's putting on the right holiday music, inviting family, choosing special mugs, and doing some decorating. You get the idea. The man knows how to celebrate Christmas.

Ian and Lilly, the purpose of this blog is for you to know your life as I saw it--as the four of us saw it. So when you're all grown up and reading this, know that the reasons I loved your father were infinite, and remember your daddy at Christmas.

Peace on earth.

Christmas Tunes, Anyone?

The Aunt Rebekah thing has worked out very well for me these past 14 years. Sam keeps us laughing and guessing and learning all the time. Caleb keeps our calendars full with his first chair youth symphony gigs, church cello appearances, and school concerts.

Here he is singing at his Christmas concert. What a wonderful night. I love the shot Nathan captured of my dad giving my mama some lovin'.

And now, a special treat . . . Nathan's favorite Christmas tunes:

1. Hands down, all time favorite: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Good for anytime listening

2. An Old English Christmas by Craig Duncan

Nice for quieter/calmer listening

3. A mix of Harry Connick/Tony Bennett/Nat King Cole/Wynton Marsalis/Ella Fitzgerald

Perfect for shopping or parties--make your own mix (he did)

CHECK THIS OUT--IAN'S NEW FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG (AND OURS):

Coldplay!! Free on their site, the single "Christmas Lights". Listen + watch the video here.

Finally, have you seen this? Since it has about 5 million youtube views then I'm guessing yes, but I just saw it for the first time tonight, thanks to Nathan. Hilarious.

What are you listening to this Christmas season?

She's Mine

Sweet Yee takes after her daddy in some ways.
She inherited his insanely high levels of serotonin and, going along with that, an incredible ability to take life in stride with a giant grin. Speaking of . . . she has his smile.

But in many ways, she is so me.

Christmas Craft Day at her preschool. Adult attendance and participation? Mandatory.
Hooray!

Seven craft stations, spread throughout the different classrooms. Each room had a giant easel, decorated beautifully with directions posted for the particular craft in that room.

Supplies were meticulously labeled and organized. Teachers were standing by to answer questions and spread holiday cheer. When the mad rush of crafting got too much, we could head to a lovely refreshment room for yummy Christmas snacks. And this isn't even the party+Christmas program day. That comes next week.

This preschool should write the book on how to do preschool.

Lots of Oriental Trading goodness and paint and glitter. All preschools should be well stocked in BOTH. Kids need to get messy. Moms and dads need to get messy.

This was my favorite. We started with half of the ornament. Bowls were lined up with teaspoons to measure out the different fillings. After filling it up, we snapped it together and added a chenille stem, curling it on a pencil. So cute. We'll be copying this for Ian's Christmas party at school.


This was a crafting MARATHON. I noticed a few children throughout the morning losing interest. Not us. Not my Lill. We were the last ones to leave. Literally, the last ones. Because she is so me, and when it comes to crafts, she can cut, glue and decoupage with the best of 'em. Now we have seven beautiful Christmas projects adorning the tree, house and walls. Merry Christmas.

December 3

Want your entire house bursting with the scent of Christmas goodness?

Then make these ornaments for your tree:

Recipe:
Mix equal parts cinnamon and applesauce (go to SAM'S and buy the bulk container of cinnamon).
Next add additional cinnamon until dough reaches a clay consistency.
Cut into shapes and bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 200 degrees for 2 hours.
Insert straw to make holes for ribbon.
Let dry on wire racks for several days.

When scent fades, add a drop of cinnamon oil to each ornament.

These would also make nice gift tags. Decorate or paint when completely dry. I like mine as is.

Oh, and I am ecstatic to report I am in the possession of mom's bubble lights. The wonderful, magical bubble lights I grew up with. They just take me back to Christmas as a kid, and that's what traditions are all about.

Thanks, mom for finding four strands for me in your basement. I love you.

December 2

and INSIDE!

Lilly and her hanky: they've been inseparable since the day after Thanksgiving. So naturally I would not let her outside in 18 degree weather with the boys while they hung lights on our three happy bushes. Decorating the happy bushes outside our kitchen nook window is definitely a Christmas tradition.


After 10 solid minutes of her kneeling at the window forelornly watching and crying, "I want to go outsiiiiiiiiiide . . ." I relented. She headed outside to join in the fun.

Later, Ian and Lilly broke in the nativity for this season.



Ian's other sibling, Lovey, is never too far away for too long. Their relationship is different now that he is in kindergarten and so busy with life, but he never forgets her. I LOVE this picture.

I wonder if Lovey will still be in his arms next Christmas season.