A Note of Thanks

Dear Toy Manufacturers,

First off, I just wanted to say a HUGE thanks for making my Christmas as "special" as you did!!
Besides the fact that my fingers are still bleeding from all the clear plastic packaging that could be used in place of knives, my daughter got to share in the joy of cuts as well. Who knew that a microscopic paper cut from plastic could make my Christmas so "merry"?

Secondly, I know that you are worried about toys disappearing off the shelf, but really? I thought you had outdone yourself with those steel-strength twisty ties that came into popularity a few years ago. But no, you stepped it up this year, and now screw in your toys to the box, with the tiniest screws possible, that require some obscure screwdriver that no one "just happens to have on hand". Thanks, no really, thanks. No really, it was fun. The joy of opening a new toy was quickly diminished when mommy and daddy had to take it out into the garage and form a battle plan to get it out of the box.

Thirdly, dear toy companies, just a suggestion, of course - from a mom who is about to loose control of her sanity on day 2 of these new fantastic gifts....how about figuring out how to put a mute button on those toys that only the parents know how to find. It defeats the purpose, just slightly, that your volume button, or mute button is bright red, and easily found by the child who is freaking out that the beloved toy is not making as much noise as it was a moment ago. Just a suggestion...

Lastly, being that the focus of the entire populated world this last year, was being "green", maybe some of that thinking could be applied to your packaging. I am a bit concerned that I am not "doing my part" this season, since my trash can is brimming over with useless cardboard, plastic, those steel twisty ties, countless screws, and various other packaging by-products. I would love to say that I am keeping salvageable pieces to use in some unique craft for my kids later on this month, but in all truth, my fingers haven't stopped bleeding yet, and the idea of working with them anymore is slightly daunting. Sorry landfills, I can't help you out this time...

Sincerely,
Your Number One Fan

Christmas Letter

T’was two weeks before Christmas and all through the house,

No creature was stirring, except my keyboard and mouse.
The tree and stockings were decorated sloppily,
In hopes that the kids would just leave them be.

The three children had been wrestled down to bed,
With threats of no presents from Santa in their head.
Rich in his slippers, and I in my sweats,
Were going to park ourselves in front of the TV with no regrets.

But then with a gasp, I remembered the Christmas card,
That I had to finish….(let alone start).
I ran to the computer, and dodged all the toys
That had been left out by my two daughters and my little boy.

I stared at the blank screen, not knowing what to write,
How do you sum up a year on a page, late at night?
“Forget about it. It’s late! No one reads them anyway!”
I heard my always supportive husband say.

I thought about our busy year, filled with camping and fun,
About days at the beach, and Maeve turning one.
I thought about Brynn on her first day of school,
And us trading our leaky hot tub for a fun little pool.

I thought of three year old Cannon, who is never far
From one of his beloved trucks, tractors or cars.
I thanked God for a hubby who leaves every day,
To go work at a job so the bills will get paid.

We are healthy, and happy, and joyous this season,
Because God has given us such a good reason.
The year has been full of good times and bad,
Times that made me laugh, and times that made me sad.

So just as I get ready to start,
A sleepy child crawls in my lap and puts his head on my heart.
“Just one more hug and a kiss” is all that they need,
Which I have plenty of, and can give easily.

I tuck him in, and say a quick prayer in my head,
“Lord I am blessed by my kids… but please let them stay in bed”.
And the time for my card is now out of site,
So “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

~ Rich, Angie, Brynn, Cannon and Maeve Andre’~


Photo Courtesy of lanternlitestudio

Stocking Up

Our local library is closing for 2 weeks during the Christmas break. No checking anything out, no dropping anything off, no online reservations...nothing.

So, I wanted to prepare for 2 weeks of no library privileges, and checked out a few books.
Just a few...


So I am a fast reader, but really? Who am I kidding here? 13 books? As if my life is like this....

(I don't know why I chose a bathtub scene....I hate baths!) This is more like my dream reading spot.... Ah...the scenery, the sunlight, the book, the uggs.....but I digress.

But sadly, this is more like it!

(This could be me, minus the red heels, and dress, the rockin' figure, the bleach blond hair, and the weird kid in the collared shirt.... That milk situation looks about right though!)

On second thought, maybe my life is more like this??? Minus, of course, the makeup, hair, and turkey in the oven...(remember I don't cook with meat that has bones or skin....)

Oh, and I forgot to mention...I haven't done any wrapping of presents yet....

Yeah, the dream of reading all those books is rapidly fading.

*Sigh*

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,
Here is my Christmas list this year! Better late than never right?
I have been really good!
Ok, maybe, just kinda good....
Well let's not split hairs.

1. Gloves ~ Not this kind....

or this kind.....

but maybe something like this! (Any color will do, and I don't really care if they are striped. I just like the "fun-ness" of these!)


2. Shoes ~ I seem to have a problem finding shoes for my ginormous feet, so Santa, if you could pull some strings and get more shoes in my size at stores like Target, Walmart, etc, I would be very happy!

Like these, or these!!

3. Christmas Decorations ~ I am also into Christmas decor that looks like I brought it in from outside and made something special out of it....

4. Trader Joe's Caramels ~ I actually told Rich to get me these, but if you want to spot me another package, I am fine with that!

5. Fun Socks ~ Santa, I seem to ask for these each year, and you never disappoint!

6. Giant Letter "A" ~ I want one for my Entry Way Wall! Or maybe my living room. I might not know exactly where I want it, but I know that I DO want one!

7. Space Heater for the Garage ~ Santa, since it appears that we are going to be staying in our house for awhile, the garage is a definitely well used space. The only problem is that it is really, really, really cold out there right now, and if I want to use my sewing machine, I have to bundle up in below freezing type clothing. Its not fun. Maybe one of these would make my crafting experience a little bit better!
8. Kitchen Shears ~ We broke our last pair, so these would be a nice replacement!


9. Candles ~ Specifically Yankee Candles. Actually, specifically candles in a glass container. I have been forbidden to burn candles that are NOT in glass containers, ever since I nearly burned down the house a few months ago....oops.


10. Stuff on Etsy ~ You pretty much can't go wrong here. I am fond of handmade jewelry that is not gold toned, so there are a TON of options! I really like the stuff that has initials on it, specifically my kids initials, so Santa, if you could get your order in soon, that would be great!

11. One (or more) of these is always appreciated! ~ I mean, who doesn't appreciate a hot cup of coffee every once in awhile! In fact Santa, go ahead and buy one extra and treat yourself while you are at it!


12. Car DVD Player ~ So Santa, this one will take a little bit of work, but I would love to get one of these, installed, by Christmas! I know you can do it! Its all about time management!

13. Laptop ~ And while I am dreaming, we will take a new computer. A laptop would be nice, but if you feel that there is a better option for us, by all means, act on it! Our computer seems to be on its last leg, and although its always exciting to buy something new...this is an area that I am completely incompetent!


14. Oh, and a few of these.....


......I will share, I promise!

Thanks Santa! I know that you will come through for me!
Your fan,
Angie

Brrrrrrrr......Its cold!

I think that it never got above 40 degrees today! That isn't cold for some, but its FREEZING for me!

I know, I know, I am a wimp! PG&E has sent me a thank you for keeping my heating running ALL DAY LONG! - Just doing what I can to keep our economy afloat!

So the kids didn't play much outside today. I tried to convince them that if they bundled up in hats and gloves and scarves it would be really fun to play outside for a bit. Of course, I was going to stay inside where its nice and warm...

So, instead of getting all their energy out outside, this is what they did.

Yes, its my worst nightmare, but I had to allow it. What else are they going to do?
Just to interpret - the blue blanket is the "ship". The books, are the "pathways" that they can walk on without falling into the "hot lava".

It took about 45 minutes of steady work to clean all this up!

Tree Hunting...

This years tree hunt took us again to Davis Tree Farm. I think its our favorite place to go, mostly because you can always find a tree for under $20. Our Charlie Brown tree this year is tall, but is definitely lacking in the "fullness" category. But hey, it was $12. I am not going to complain!

The kids each picked out their dream tree, and we even managed to get a family picture that is worthy of posting.


(Disclaimer - I did NOT dress my daughter. This is all her doing!)

The Girls:
My Boys:

And, as usual, they had a new sign up which I had to get a picture of!

The house is decorated, the tree is up! Christmas is officially here!

St. Nicks

St. Nick was good to the kids this year!

A yummy orange, gold coins, mini puzzle, stamps and some Christmas rings.

I remember when I was a kid, I would look for my biggest shoe so that there was more space for St. Nick to fill with goodies....

Maybe this year I should have put out my shoe and hoped that St. Nick would fill it with cash, Starbucks gift cards, and some cool jewelry.....
Gosh, I wish I was a kid again!

The Start of Something New

I love December, and all the fun that comes with preparing for Christmas! As a child my mom always made the month really special. She decorated the house up in unbelievable Christmas spirit. Our Christmas tree was always huge, and always sat in front of the picture window that overlooked the valley behind the orchard. Christmas music filled the house from December 1st until January 1st. The month was full of surprises with our advent calendars and St. Nicholas day (December 5th - European tradition to put shoes by the door and St. Nick would fill them with special little treats - Fruit, nuts, little toy, some candy or such). The house was always full of invited guests to share meals, and exchange gifts. Such a wonderful time of year!
I am trying to mimic that in our home. We decorate our tree with lights and ornaments, string up lights on the house, play Christmas music throughout the day, burn yummy smelling candles, and put shoes out on St. Nicks day. This year, thanks to the suggestion of Elissa last year, we also have our very own elf (Noll Oliver Elf) who "watches" the kids throughout the day and reports back to Santa about their behavior! (Just in time, because the Halloween candy is all run out...I need these little 'behavior altering' techniques...) I love all of that!
But, I also want the kids to remember a time of hospitality in our home. A time of focusing on others, meditating (do kids really meditate? Maybe I should say reflect....) on the story of Christs' birth, and enjoying the build-up of Christmas.
Every year I have searched out an advent-type activity that I can do with the kids. There is something really special about a daily countdown to Christmas. My sister in law made an amazing advent calendar and I loved the idea! (She is pretty crafty, and a great mom!)
So, this year, we started our Advent Jesse Tree. This is a tree that is decorated each day, usually by the children, with ornaments or objects that represent Old Testament events from Creation to the Birth of Jesus. The ornaments are traditionally handmade, and are added one each day of Advent, with explanations of the symbols and a brief verse of Scripture from the story represented. Some traditions have it as a 29 day process, some as a 25. Some traditions decorate a regular Christmas tree, some decorate a leafless tree. There is a bunch of variance, which allows a family to make their own unique tradition.
I made our ornaments out of Fimo clay, and they will be hung on a leafless manzanita branch. We will do the reading and decorating at dinner, since that is usually the meal that we have the most time to sit and talk. The kids are excited to hang the ornaments, and we are excited to go through some of the events in the bible and family lineage that lead up to Christ's birth. I love the purpose behind the daily activity! Rich and I have started many yearly traditions, but I think this one might turn out to be one of my favorites.

Noll Oliver spying on the kids. Brynn is amazed, Cannon keeps throwing things at him trying to knock him down....

Our Jesse Tree Ornaments. All baked and ready to go!

Our Jesse Tree. Naked now, but soon to be filled.

Playtime

I caught the kids playing the other night with the blocks. I love playtime that is quiet...no fighting...no crying...
I wish it happened more!

Learning to stack! 4 blocks was the max.

Helping out Big Sis...

I think she was writing words? I am not sure....

Purple Potatoes

Our neighbor brought a bag of potatoes to our house the other day. She had been in (?) Siskyou County, and it was potato pickin' time, and she thought of us.
The bag was filled with washed and ready to go Yukon, Red, Russet and Blue potatoes. I knew what they all were except for the Blue ones. Those were totally new to me!
We had some yummy smashed potatoes, some baked potatoes, and roasted potatoes with all the "familiar" ones, but I kept avoiding the Blue ones, cause I wasn't quite sure what to do with them. Finally, one morning I made breakfast potatoes out of them. They were purple when I cut them up, and I thought the kids would be amazed! They were a little indifferent, but tasted them anyways. After a few bites, they all decided that they liked them. - Who wouldn't? They were cooked in butter, onion, seasoning salt and garlic! They were delicious, if I do say so myself!

Blue potatoes....who knew?