Christmas Memories

I've decided that even though I'm missing a few days of Advent I would capture our 4th Christmas together and catch up on the last days of Advent throughout our Christmas memories.

Saturday we slowly woke up.  Well I slowly woke up and Tate bounded up with excitement as usual.  We just hung out at home.  He played trains and I let him watch 'The Polar Express'...he was over the moon!!  We then made some egg-free sugar cookies!!  They were not half bad, and Tate had a blast making the cookies with me!  It was the first time we've ever 'cooked' together!

The Finished Nativity Sugar Cookie Project!

Saturday afternoon we headed over to ride the train at the zoo (what Christmas would be complete without a train ride?!).  Tate then wanted to see the animals at the zoo and ride the carousel again; I was happy to oblige!  We hadn't seen all that many animals the night before, and Tate was so tired while we were at the Zoo Lights.  He had a great time Saturday afternoon.

In the tunnel while on the train...

Gorgeous!

Then we had a dinner date...French Fries for the boy.  Hamburger for the girl.

Saturday night brought two Advent books as we missed out on Friday night...

Sunday morning found us at church, along with his 'Polar Express' book :)

Once home I finished loading up the car and got some lunch into Tate, we headed over to Neiman Marcus for some make-up for me and Nordstrom for some clothes.  For me!!  I decided that I need to embrace the size I am, right here and now, and start dressing like I appreciate the life I've been blessed with.  I convinced Tate to nap in the stroller after our stop at Neiman's on the way to Nordstrom.  He happily obliged, and I was able to spend an hour trying on clothes and found some great outfits!!  All within my budget!  Woohoo!

We left the mall and headed off to my parents;  Tate woke up as we were walking back to the car!  Such a great little shopper, this little guy of mine.  I wonder what I'm going to do when he no longer naps!

We arrived at my parents' and unloaded our stuffed to the gills car. Tate scampered in and convinced my dad to let him watch trains on the iPad!  Happiness instantly!  It's so very nice to just be at my parents'.  They play with Tate, watch him, and enjoy his company.  Basically it's so nice to be able to have 6 eyes on him instead of just my 2.  I can sit down and just relax and close my eyes if I want to.  I can go to the bathroom by myself (well Tate still manages to interrupt me every single time I go to the bathroom there as well, but I start off with the door shut and alone!).  It's just comforting.

My mom, Tate and I did a little Christmas tree craft in the afternoon...

Tate's Masterpiece!

That evening I decided to take Tate out to find the great Santa roller coaster in my parents' neighborhood.  I had to convince him to come look at these lights as he wanted to play with his trains and watch more trains with Papa (of course).  And it was warm and humid.  Ugh.  But the Christmas spirit prevailed!  My mom joined us and we were off!  Sadly, though we found the roller coaster house it wasn't going to be 'going' until 7pm and we were there at 6:15.  Taking Tate back at 7 was not on my agenda, but it was cool to see anyway.  We made our way back home, stopping to look at a few more houses, got Tate bathed and ready for an Advent celebration at my parents' place.

Sweet Tate then slept in his little Thomas bed all night long, if you consider waking up at 5:26 all night.  I don't, so convinced him to climb into bed with me for a bit longer.  Then when he kicked me 2930742 too many times I sent him back to his bed.  Finally he had to go potty, and I gave up.  

After breakfast we iced and decorated the egg-free sugar cookies that we had made on Saturday (Nativity shaped sugar cookies)!

I think there were a few cookies with icing.  My little boy has his mama's sweet tooth.

We got loaded up and off to our house to go to the Children's Christmas Eve service at my church.  I convinced Tate to nap...

He has not let go of that movie since I let him
watch it for the first time last week! 

And he napped and napped and napped.  For 90 minutes!!!  I then had to rush him into his church clothes and off to the church.  We arrived 35 minutes early and were almost late!  We sat with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed the service.  The service is so sweet;  the Children's Ministry provides 'costumes' for any child who wants to participate.  Tate chose to be a star last week while we were at church, and immediately changed his mind over the weekend and wanted to be a train.  At the Nativity...sigh.  Once he saw his little friend H during the service he decided he wanted to be an angel like her.

My Angel Star :) 

And why can't I be a train?

After the beautiful service we went home and picked up Vincent.  For it's not Christmas until Vinnie joins us.  And puts on his Christmas outfit.

 

We got home and had some dinner. My parents and Lindsey headed out to Christmas Eve Service at my parents' church while Tate and I got ready for bed in anticipation of Santa Claus making an appearance that night.  First though Tate had to open his first Christmas present...

Then we opened the last book of Advent...

After opening the last book, we set out cookies for Santa.  Tate could not understand why he couldn't taste one (we'd already brushed his teeth!), but he was very excited to put out the cookies we'd made in the Santa plate we'd painted at The Mad Potter...

The cookies were left on the table and Tate ran off to read a book while I cleaned up.  Instead of reading I heard this lovely song...

Such a sweet little boy I have.  He was a bit more wound up than I thought and didn't fall asleep until close to 9.  But I was happy to rock him a bit more when I realized he was still awake (I went to check on him, and his little head popped right up!).  I may have mentioned that Santa would only come if he would go to sleep...

Before Santa...

After Santa...

All Tate had asked for from Santa was a Talking Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Spencer the Train, Duke the Train and James the Train.  Santa Claus was more than happy to oblige and brought a few other items he thought young Mr. Tate would enjoy.  

Is Tate a bit spoiled?  Yes, yes he is.  Someone explained to me once why it is that we parents want to do so much for our kids and why gift giving is such an integral part of Christmas.  

It's most easily explained with this verse..

"For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son..." John 3:16

God gave us the greatest gift.  He gave us an amazing gift.  We parents can't give our children or loved ones such a powerful, loving gift, but we can try to express the depth our love through the gifts we bestow at Christmastime.  

I so hope that God's love shines through me in the manner that I love my son through hugs, kisses and yes the gifts I give him.

Five More Days!

Christmas is in 5 days!  Today was my last day of work for one whole week.  Six whole days.  The anticipation is building down this way.  The best birthday celebration of the year is almost upon us!

But first yesterday's event...6 days before Christmas, the 19th day of Advent...

And today, December 20th...

Who Will We Remember?

I will remember Ana Marquez-Greene.

She is one of the beautiful souls lost last Friday in Newtown, Connecticut.

Tiara, a sweet, fellow SMC has chosen to remember Olivia Engel.

Why you may ask?  Because we want to remember these children and these teachers who perished, not the name of the perpetrator.  How many names of the lost at Columbine do any of us remember?  But most can remember the names of the young men who created the chaos.  How many names of the 2,996 lost in the 9/11 attacks does the average American remember?  I fathom a guess every single American knows the name of the person responsible for that horrific day.

So I've followed Tiara's lead who took Juyla's suggestion to heart....

I'm going to remember one sweet angel.  She loved to sing and dance.  She was known for her little random acts of kindness.  And she loved her God, our God.  

She's up there with Him right now.  I can see Him twirling her around as she dances from room to room in heaven.  I can't wait to meet her.

Advent Continues

More Advent excitement here.  Our countdown to the celebration of Jesus' birthday continues.  At church on Sunday Father Reagan read the story of the birth of Jesus for the kids (the Gospel reading) after the the Gospel processional.  And oh I must explain the Gospel processional.  Before the reading of the Gospel the two priests process through the aisles of the congregation (this is at our children's service) encouraging the children to fall in line behind them as music is playing and follow them up to the front where they will be seated for the reading of the gospel.  For the past 2 Sundays, Tate has gotten up and followed along in the processional all by himself while I remained at our seats.  Such a big big boy!!!  He just follows along, a little uncertain, but gamely follows the priest and the kids in front of him :) 

So this Sunday as Reagan was reading the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke (the one most widely read/known) the children were invited to come up on the stage to represent the characters of the story.  First called after the pre-chosen Mary and Joseph were the angels.  Up hopped Tate who clamored up on the stage with about 10 other children to be the angels who went to the shepherds.  And then shepherds were called and on down the list...sheep, cows, magi and stars.  It was just so very cute. 

On Christmas Eve there will be 2 Children's Services and all the kids of the congregation are invited to participate and the church provides costumes.  After the service on Sunday parents were invited to go look through the costumes and choose one for their child(ren).  Tate chose to be a star.  So we picked up his costume with glee and I can't wait to see him next Monday as one of the bright, shining stars of Bethlehem.

13th Day of Advent... 

Saturday celebrating the 14th and 15th Day of Advent...

Sunday the 16th Day of Advent...

(I love how he knows Mary is the mother of Jesus)

December 17th...

And then there's tonight, the 18th day of Advent...one week until Christmas.  He's in such a good mood lately.   I wish I had been able to record him singing 'The Little Drummer Boy!'  He does a great job...it's one of his favorite songs this Christmas as it was last year.  It seems I sang that song to him well into March every night last year, and it's still a fave.  Tonight was the first time I heard him singing it though.  What I have heard him sing constantly for the past few days is 'Deck The Halls', though it's his rendition...I don't recognize hardly any of the words, but he's enjoying himself immensely when he belts it out!

What I Know For Sure

It's been a weekend.  A great weekend for Tate.  A long, emotional weekend for me.  It's been 3 days since the events unfolded in Newtown.  I spent Friday in tears.  

I can't speak of it.  I can't write of it.  I can't hear of it.  

That seems childish and immature when they are people living it, but that's where I am right now.

Though I can say this.  Because I know this.

God is with those families right now.  God was and still is with all those lost on Friday.  He held those babies in His arms when they were scared and crying;  all of them.  And by babies I mean every single person in that school.  For we are all God's babies.

And I held my baby in my arms all night Friday night.  And Saturday night.  I had to force myself to let him sleep on his own last night, but I'll be sleeping with him beside me tonight.

Not So Many Words Wednesday

A little Advent catch-up again.

As is evidenced by these pictures, Monday, December 10th was not a very happy evening in our household.  But we came back strong Tuesday and Wednesday with the smiles and happiness.

10th Day of Advent...

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

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