Camping in the New Year

Indoor or outdoor, day or night, it is predicted to be extra fun in the new year!

*A labor of love by Uncle Andy & Aunt Jenni.

The Launch

Adam and I talked about that build up that seems to surge extra hard in little kids. We saved many of our developing traditions till Christmas Eve. We don't always make their food into something fun for Christmas Eve, but the kids love when I turn their food into something. Last summer we got in the habit of turning "cheese tacos" into airplanes. (We roll cheese in soft shells and stick toothpicks on the sides where we place things like a train of grapes to look like wings of the airplane.) They were equally tickled by pancakes as snowpeople.

The day was full. We had to run a couple of errands but Vanessa begged to stay home for the day, until church, so I ran the errands solo. 

We sort of started a tradition a couple of years ago where we make some sort of candy house using whatever. Last year we used plain Rice Krispie treats and made a huge building that seemed way more elaborate than a stable, so we called it Bethlehem's city building. This year we used chocolate Rice Krispies, sort of thinking it may look more like a stable, but instead it became something like a gummy bear disco. Dad is always great to adhere the building pieces together using icing.

We finished up some crafts and made molasses cookies for Santa. His favorite. Santa got two plates with about 8 cookies total.

Zane insisted he was making "horse poop cookies."

We made it to Christmas Eve services and afterwards the kids begged to get home to get ready for bed.

The kids were excited to give Dad new iPad screen protectors. They're pretty grateful that Dad lets them play on his iPad.

Merry Christmas!

And for a little extra fun, we did elf videos. Vanessa loved the one they did for their principal at school last year, so we finally gave it a shot too. 

We like the music for the video at the office: http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=1177/clientId=299/?mId=56241906.2

Zane really loved the "yee-haw" video: http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=1177/clientId=299/?mId=56244250.2

A Merry Little Season

The kids placed the nativity. Vanessa put her favored stuffed sheep in the scene too. Zane didn't feel a need to add anything.

We're taking turns reading about the Christmas season!

We are enjoying treats of hot chocolate with whipped topping!

At the beginning of December, Vanessa took the initiative to make a countdown calendar for by her bed, an explanation of her heart for Santa to see, and a picture for the true meaning of Christmas.

The kids propelled a vision for the Christmas cards.

Zane was the most helpful elf this year for getting them in the mail.

We've replenished most coveted Christmas 2013 treats!

And Vanessa sang as an angel in the Christmas presentation. When she was asked she exclaimed "Of course I want to be an angel! I was an angel for Halloween, you know?!"

Zane was happy to just watch.

All Before Dinner

Zane made tunnels using a folding chair, and as the train flew by, he volunteered to be watchman for the horses and barn.

He used a net to catch a dragon. Zane the dragon catcher! Sounds nice.

And Vanessa was excited when he launched a game of Biff. She ran to join him, after a sneak attack, and said, "Zane, you're the best Biff player ever!"  Daddy taught him well . . . ?

Making Wishes

Whether you wish upon a star, share wishes with Santa, or wish to catch a pancake, it's always enjoyable to see one come true.

"Hot dog!" ~Jimmy Stewart

In a Moment

After creating over 900 posts since the end of November 2007, I think about my continued direction with the blog. I've been asked many times by many people since starting the blog who my intended audience is. I'll begin to share how and why I started. In October 2007 I was encouraged to share tidbits by coworkers I was leaving behind as I started my new venture as a stay-at-home mom, as a way to stay connected. They convinced me I wouldn't regret even a post with no words -- only a picture was great, if that is all time allowed.  They were right. (Periods of incredibly intense work contracts and life challenges can probably be identified by patterns in my posts.)

It wasn't long though that I zeroed in on my true audience, my children. It's fun to share with extended family and friends, but I know this stuff will follow my kids, possibly forever.I often think if anything ever happens to me, Vanessa and Zane will be able to look back on things I found precious or notable. There are mistakes and things I could rewrite to be better, and there are some unfinished drafts, but anytime I start to think about it more, I remember that it's not about perfection -- it's about documenting. Not getting to document everything can sometime make me a little crazy, but I try to ride the moment with grace, and I think what I do accomplish will pay off in the long run.

So really this blog, in essence, is supplemental and only one way for capturing memories for my kids. Although it is very sweet that sometimes people feel a need to comment on the blog, it's important to me they understand it's not my motivation. Of course it's always fun to hear when someone else gets excited about something my kids did in the post. I think most parents love sharing things with others interested. But I kind of like the feeling of flying under the radar with it. (A recent self-discovery assessment I took supports the idea that I have a desire to avoid attention to myself. Chazown.com) If someone happens to stumble across it or check in from time to time, I view it as if they are visiting our scrapbooks at home, which I'm always happy to share.

"Authentic Christlikeness is your behavior, not your blog. Anyone can say anything. 'By their FRUIT you'll know them' (Mt 7:20) - Rick Warren

It's also been really exciting to share moments for posting and designing with Vanessa and Zane. Vanessa begged that I take a Christmas picture at the end of November to replace the header. The moment wasn't ideal for me since I wasn't prepared to take Christmas pictures, but I wanted to capture her excitement and directing of it, so we went for it. She really liked the header. Zane said he did too.

Vanessa has been blogging at school, creating voice threads, and giving presentations using the classroom ELMO -- so I guess I've also been helping to lay a foundation for that but didn't fully realize it until recently.

This is a screenshot of the end of Vanessa's Avery contact list.

(Note: Vanessa always goes to school layered on extremely cold days. She gets to school and sheds her layers, but at least she's not just in her panties, like at home!)

Content

One thing is for sure, he's content blowing snot bubbles.

"Zane, should we practice ABCs?" (Zane is most excited about the letters Z and V. Gee, I wonder why . . .?) Zane's  thoughts on his application of related skills: "Yes, so when I'm six I go to school and play Starfall . . . like Da-Dess."

Not sure if he'll go when he's 5 or 6 yet, but he's usually very accepting for when we are seeking the best, there is a perfect time for most everything. Zane's response also reflects a discussion we had several days ago about why Vanessa has access to Starfall and Zane doesn't, technically (although Vanessa shares her account sometimes at home -- shh, DON't share that. ;-)

This little guy also seems to recognize the time on our great room analog clock for when we are to head out to pick up Vanessa. "Mom, it's almost fee o'clock." I don't expect him to remember his current understanding of the clock, but it's neat that we're unintentionally setting the foundation for when he's ready to learn time.

And for wrapping his head around traditions: "Mom, why does Christmas tree stay in house?" I think my reply made sense to him: "It's Christmas time, so it's nice to have it inside for now to remind us of that. Plus, if we put it outside our squirrels are sure to run off with some ornaments."

Snow Fun IS Full of Fun

Winter Storm Cleon hit and we played in it. Daddy took a day off from work. (Deeply deserved!) Zane was told to stop eating the snow after it became apparent he was obsessed. We finally discovered that the snow from the driveway was packable and great for making a snowperson and his or her igloo home. Vanessa was content. Mommy played Snow Tag in the back yard and Daddy played Snow Monster in the front yard.

On Saturday we took off up and down a hill covered in snow. This was Zane's first big sledding event. He rode with Mommy, Daddy and Vanessa. He's a smart guy -- he suckered Daddy and Mommy to carry him back up. Eventually we compromised by allowing him to walk back up the bales of hay. And then he was pleasantly surprised when Mommy asked him if he wanted to try going down by himself. It obviously hadn't occurred to him that we might let him. He had a blast. Vanessa was her typical daredevil self. We lost count how many times she went down and up. She exhausted herself to the point she was unable to use good listening ears, so we called it quits. We had our fill.

Yuletide

We got out to get the tree as Cleon was moving in. Getting the tree has raised Vanessa's and Zane's anxiety. They are officially crazy for the season. Vanessa said she thinks of the rows of trees at the nursery as a maze. She loved to run through the maze. Zane loved to follow. 

It took us the entire weekend to decorate the tree. 

After most of the lights made it on Saturday, the kids squint tested it. Sunday evening was spent hanging ornaments.