The Meaning of Christmas

Elizabeth 2 Comments

I heard this story a week ago, and I can’t stop thinking about it. It brings a smile to my face.

“Last week, in a California kindergarten class, children sat at their tables working on on a project.  A 5 year old girl worked away with a few other classmates and a “Helper Mom” at her table.  The Helper Mom asked the children what Christmas was all about.  The children answered with excitement…”presents!” and “Santa” and “toys”….that’s what you would expect out of a bunch of 5 year olds, right?

The 5 year old girl stopped everyone and said, “No, Christmas isn’t about presents…it’s Jesus’ birthday!”

The Helper-Mom was kind enough to share this story with the 5 year old’s mother the next day. You can imagine the joy that filled the mother’s heart when she heard the story (and the tears that filled her eyes).

It’s easy to get worked up in the craziness that this time of year brings.  Shopping, parties, wrapping, lights, trees, ornaments, food, drinks, travel…..but, look how easy it is to bring us right back to the meaning of Christmas.  It starts in a kindergarten class with 1 little girl.

Christmas Prep w/ a Toddler

Elizabeth, Family, Nicholas 1 Comment

Put lights on house while toddler is taking a nap (and be quick because you never know when nap time ends).

Pick out Christmas tree while toddler is safely buckled in stroller

Get toddler in the mood by going to a Christmas lights show (house lights perform to Christmas music).

Once tree is safely indoors, ask toddler for help getting the lights on the tree.

(These are my favorite!)

Ask toddler to check every single bulb to make sure they are all working.

The lights are working…time to put them on the tree.

Just say it!

Elizabeth 5 Comments

merry-christmas

Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah….please, just say one of them!  I am not sure I can take “Happy Holidays” anymore.   Holiday party…holiday tree…holiday cards…holiday dresses….seriously people.   Next thing you know, we are going to have “holiday egg hunts” instead of “Easter egg hunts” and while we are at it, let’s ditch “Independence Day”—we can call it “a day to watch fireworks.”

I will step down from my soap-box now, but please - go forth, and wish someone a Happy Hanukkah or a Merry Christmas.  I bet you will make someone’s day (it certainly would make my day!)

Early start to the “season”

Elizabeth, Family, Nicholas No Comments

…the Holiday Season, that is.  The busy-ness/craziness usually starts the week of Thanksgiving, right?  Getting ready for a big family meal, then the tree, the house lights, shopping, wrapping, traveling, another family meal, and the year end/beginning celebration.  It’s a busy time, no doubt.  Well, just like last year…our holiday season busy-ness started early.

Bringing NCL home on Halloween last year meant that life was crazy a month early!  This year, we had a 1st birthday party, then Halloween, then we went straight into “wedding mode” for the first 3 weeks in November.  My very good friend, (and ex-coworker at HSBC) Jennifer, got married last weekend and I was the matron of honor.  Thanks to Joe (and VERY BIG THANKS), we were able to pull off a 25 person bridal shower on Thursday night (this is one of the main responsibilities of a matron/maid of honor).  Pictures from the wedding soon….it was a fantastic celebration - Congrats to Tre’ and Jennifer!

After all the wedding festivities were over (midnight on Saturday night)….I ended up with a cold.  NCL had the same thing.  It’s been a week and we are both still fighting it, but it’s the “season” for that, too, right?

Just to get caught up, here are some shots from the last month or so.

Anyone remember the wedding that Joe and I were both in last August? I was 7+ months pregnant..and it was the hottest day on the PLANET in El Cajon?  Well, since Mark and Vickie got married….ALL 3 of her bridesmaids had a baby boy!

On the left, Jennifer and 1 month old Jacob. Then Kristen with 3 month old Andrew (born on my birthday!). Vickie is holding NCL at 12 months….and I am free of a baby! ha ha. Alright Vickie….this picture is missing something..any guesses?  These little boys NEED a girlfriend!

Anyone care to guess what NCL’s favorite “toy” is (at our house)?

If you guessed “an article of clothing” - you are RIGHT!!!  NCL does this EVERY single day!  He takes a sock, or a shoe, or a shirt…and runs around the house with it.  If he drops it, he will bend over and pick it up and continue on his way.  It’s strange, I know. We don’t get it either. But it’s SO funny to watch! (if he has a small shirt or a sock, he likes to put it up to his nose and smell it along the way..while he is doing laps in the house).

Another first for NCL….PB&J sandwich!  We got the green light on peanut butter and I couldn’t WAIT to let him try it (you all know how much I love the stuff!) 

That brings me to this weekend.  I am going to try to get the camera out a little more…since I have been VERY bad in the last month.  I was bummed at how FEW pictures I had.  It’s been so much fun to play with the boy lately…makes it hard to stop and find the camera.

Here is the back side of my favorite little person in the whole world.

I got caught following him with the camera yestreday…he he. I love his facial expressions!

Oh so Thankful

Elizabeth, Family, Nicholas No Comments

Joe and I are SO very thankful for this little guy.  We agree with his shirt….”Natural Born Cutie”!!  What a blessing to have NCL in our lives.  Our house would be BORING w/o him!

(Wardrobe by Auntie Dani…she knows how to pick out a cute outfit!)

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