a new tradition

The year Beckie was born I started a tradition that continues today. Each Christmas I purchased an ornament for each of the kids. Usually they were found at craft shows, some years I made them. When Anthony and Yaharia joined us three years ago, I included them in this tradition even tho at the time I had no idea that they would be staying with us. I loved the idea that some day when my kids grew and moved into their own place they would have a start on their ornament collection, filled with memories and moments from their growing up years. (our first Christmas tree had 5 ornaments on it)
In reading thru some traditions that others do to celebrate this season I stumbled across this one. Each year this person gives her children a hat box filled with pj's, an ornament and a book. On Christmas Eve they receive their hat box and read their new book. (each child receives the same title) What caught my attention was the book, (I already do the ornament and I love buying xmas pjs early in the month of December which they wear throughout the month) So this year I started a new tradition with the new little ones in our lives. All things considering it was the perfect year to begin this tradition since we now know they will be staying in our lives. So the first book I chose was of course an all time favorite of mine and theirs. Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Love that story and loved sharing it with that little group pictured above. Each was so excited about having their very own book.

christmas memories

just a few of my favorite pictures from the past few days

Christmas morning

reindeer food

Preparing the special food for Santa's reindeer.
and then sprinkling it outside at just the right time (just before dark)
and then the fun begins, watching and hoping to catch a glimpse of those magical reindeer eating that special food.

Before and After

that would be moses amongst all that paper and ribbon.
It was perhaps his most favorite part of opening gifts.

Beckie, Josh, and Cassandra

Anthony, Yaharia, and Rosie

Brandon and Grace

alonso and moses

clean up

one of our Christmas traditions is that all the dishes and food has to be cleaned up "before" presents can be opened. Oh! and it needs to be done by the kids since the adults prepared all the food. This is perhaps the "kids" least favorite tradition and listening to the banter is absolutely hilarious. Of course the adults end up helping but it is perhaps the fastest cleanup on record.

snowmen cupcakes

Rosie is crazy about snowmen. Her favorite book right now is "What snowmen do at night"
Linette found these cupcakes at Walmart...needless to say Rosie was super excited when she saw them.
and a max cupcake too.

gingerbread men

a project all the kids participated in. From the mixing to the baking to the decorating.
After all the gingerbread men were decorated Grandpa was recruited to pick the most creative.
He chose Gracie's.

arriving in Nebraska

Kevin, Josh, Anthony, and Goldie came Saturday. We snuck up on Linette on Friday and she didn't get to capture our arrival.
We had an uneventful drive down, a long drive but the weather and roads were good, and the little people did amazingly well. Goldie didn't seem to sure of where she was but certainly was excited to see the rest of us when she arrived. The girls were super excited to see Josh and their dad. Our drive home was not so calm, we ran into snow south of Worthington and the last 1 1/2 was pretty tense driving. Road conditions were awful and visibility was very limited. So glad to reach home. Love the snow, just do not like driving in it.

Merry Christmas

from our family to yours
May you find wonder, happiness, and peace today and in each tomorrow.

ready to go

the van is almost packed, the car soon will be. Yes our Christmas travels require the use of two vehicles, and even with that I am not so certain that everything is going to fit. 8 kids, 2 adults, oh! and let's not forgot the dog, sigh, my head is going to implode! We are heading south for the holiday, where currently they have more snow than we do. There is some cosmic humor in that. A few last minute errands to complete (well actually a few hundred but I'm optimistic I will get them done :) Heading to my sisters to visit (invade) for Christmas. The kids are excited, so is this big kid. Have a safe and blessed Christmas.

1st dance performance

tonight was the night for her first dance performance. She has been over the top excited all week.
I wondered if she would actually dance once she was on the floor with all those people watching. She did, looking adorable the whole time. Tonight also brought her dance clothes order. She commented when she put them on, "now I look just like Beckie and Cassandra"
sigh, I imaging it won't be long and she will no longer be dancing with the "little girls" instead she will be performing on the high school dance team.

waiting

Noticed this yesterday afternoon, while the kids were napping.
Thought it was a perfect picture for this season we are in.
What is it you might wonder, well those would be a few of the children's nativity set we have lined up looking out the window.. What are they doing? Perhaps they are checking out the new bird feeder, (see earlier post), or maybe they are simply watching and waiting for the wonder that is Christmas. No doubt in my mind why I love hanging out with these little people.

Daycare Christmas party

Some of the little people I get to hang out with throughout the days, weeks and months.
a gift to Grandma Betty from Derrick and Brady. Santa sings and shakes his booty. The kids certainly loved it, so did grandma.
So glad Grandma received that gift. :)
Always a busy/crazy time. Love hanging out with these little people. I'm certainly blessed to have such amazing families in my daycare.

and this set...

just made me smile. love her expression. love Nichole's ideas.

and finally

the group shot.
Certainly not a party with these 5.
By this point Rose had simply had enough, so had I for that matter.
Notice the pout? How about that full blown cry? oh and the shoe? we go nowhere without the child removing her shoes and socks. Now that it's cold weather tights do prove challenging for her.