Aglow

The kids were glowing with excitement for our post-Christmas snow. Lucky for us, Daddy got to come home early and play too.
Zane was excited to see the depth of his footprints on the porch. "Ook no feet!" [Look, snow feet] Vanessa did what she always does and plopped down on the ground to make snow angel after snow angel after snow angel.

When Daddy or Mommy became too tired, Vanessa kept up the high level of excitement by pulling Zane. Zane tried pulling Vanessa too.

"Daddy. Noball, pease!" [snowball, please] "Ha. Ha. GOT YOU!"

No hill within a few hundred feet -- no problem. 

 

(Awesome photo by Daddy!)

Good thing we know help is nearby! (See the helicopter in the top right corner of the following picture? We were convinced it was Aunt Sally.)

Rosy cheeks nag us to go in.

 

Inside and settled, cocoa from friends keeps life aglow. 

O Tannenbaum!

"Zane, we've decided it's time to take down the tree."

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"No . . .

. . . pease?!" [please]

"Vanessa, we need to take down the tree. It's dry and messy and dangerous."

"Mom . . . I wish we didn't have to."

 

How often has the Christmas tree

Afforded me the greatest glee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 

Much pleasure thou can'st give me . . .

. . . Thou bidst us true and faithful be,
And trust in God unchangingly.

~one English version of O Christmas Tree!

A Pleasure Indeed

Vanessa spent the season sharing about the gift of Baby Jesus. And Zane demonstrated his understanding by kissing a lot of baby Jesuses. Very special gifts . . . and they make me want to fulfill all that is desired and hoped for. I can't do that, be it because we don't want them to think they can have everything when many are without, or because some things are just unattainable or unrealistic, but it's definitely joyful to do some.

Over the last couple days, Vanessa would tell everyone she came in contact that we would have "a BIG Christmas feast at Grandma and Grandpa's on Christmas Day." She was excited about the candy Santa might leave in her stocking, but it was mainly about the feast. Yes, my daughter who cares less about eating was majorly excited about this feast. I was sure she knew it was also about the gathering of people at the Christmas feast.

It was a pleasure indeed: first, the prepping of the feast, . . .

 . . . then waiting for the feast, . . .

 . . . eventually adventuring to Pooh's house, . . .

. . . then reading a crude animal book, . . .

. . . excitingly choo-chooing the majorly sleepy one (seriously, he was sleeping 4-5 minutes later), . . .

. . . and just plain chillin' before the conclusion of a pleasurable day.

By Grace

I've had help with decorating this year. We haven't gotten them all out and don't plan to at this point. But the most important thing to Vanessa, aside from the lights, was the nativity scene. With help from Zane, Vanessa set up the nativity and decided she wanted to go ahead place Baby Jesus. I didn't argue the tradition we had sort of started by placing Baby Jesus the morning of Christmas Day. And we just so happened to pick up a FAITH sign around Thanksgiving, so Vanessa thought it would be a good idea to put it on the mantel. Then, she found her toy Jesus and placed him on the FAITH sign over the nativity. I loved the scene she created and the connections they imply.

Yay for PJ Day!

Vanessa got to wear PJs to school last week. She was so very excited to make the choice. Zane likes to imitate her, so he wore PJs too.

Good Tidings

Our elves are busy. And they're not disappointed by waiting or unsuccessful attempts. We've been lucky to be able to go with the flow of V's & Z's interests. I sort of like those days.

 And one last request: "One more!"

The Little Things

Truly are the big things. And this little guy makes for big happiness and big smiles.

Zane, I love your big understanding of numbers and one more.  I love your big way for choosing things by  favorite colors. I love your big demands for "Boots!" I love your big "Yeehaws!" as you wave your cowboy hat and gallop on your pony stick. I love your big manners for every little thing. I love your big hellos and your big farewells . . .

Yes, my list goes on to be much bigger than the space that is here, but it's the little things that show my love for you isn't just this big.

Santa in Ohio

 

We had pancakes with Santa. It was exciting to see him from a distance. This was Zane's first time attempting to greet the jolly elf.  Santa was smart a realized that a nice ice breaker is a sticker. Neither could muster up the words to express their wishes, though, but both humored Mom with a picture.Really, though, I'm thankful my kids are cautious.

Vanessa has been studying the globe. She was puzzled as to why Santa would want to live at the North Pole all of the time. Me too, since Ohio weather is challenging enough. Vanessa was determined to dress like a candy cane, wearing rows of white and red -- she did well figuring out something with what she has. And When I asked "Don't you want to tell Santa what you're hoping for?", she replied "Okay. I will take a picture with him but I'm not talking to him." Thanks for indulging me, kids. :)

A Festive Time

A great time.

The kids loved having ice shavings sprayed at them while the artist worked!

After seeing this beautiful scene, it was suggested we add "soft cloudy snow" to our nativity. I liked it a lot too. And once we did all the festive things, it was nice to reflect on the true reason for the season.

Stand Guard

We recently read that your heart is the most important leadership tool, not your experience, knowledge, or skills. And Proverbs 4:23 warns us to guard it. Your heart is valuable, the source of everything you do, and is under constant attack. It has only been in recent years that I've started to build an understanding of this and just how important it is to stand guard with everything I do. Vanessa and Zane seem to have a better clue than I did at their age and even now. Or was I similar and more guarded when I was young and became more vulnerable as I aged? And if that's the case, why did I become more vulnerable? Who knows . . . but I pray Vanessa and Zane always stand guard.

Need for Speed

She drives and drives.

Thanks to these guys, she's found a new release for speed.

Just how do you maximize her force?

Clear directions are good . . .

. . . since her skill comes quickly.