Overheard at home while pondering what to get Daddy / DH for Christmas:
Boss Lady: What do you guys think your dad wants for Christmas?
Number One Son: More firewood?
Queenie: A new baby girl!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Friday, December 28, 2007
A Giving Heart
Each year around Christmas, we talk to our children about what it's all about. Christmas, that is.
This year the older two really seemed to understand it more. Obviously, it's Jesus' birthday, they understand that very well, Santa Claus comes around, they get that too. Duh. But the giving part. They really seemed to grasp that this year. We give gifts at Christmas to honor the ultimate gift that God gave us when He gave us His Son, Jesus. That clicked for Number One Son & Queenie this year.
So we decided to go one step further than the old Angel Tree. We wanted to see if the gift giving could stand a little sacrifice. We asked the older two go through their toys and find 3 things that they didn't play with anymore that another child might enjoy. And it could NOT be broken. (that through them a curve ball)
Of course, The Flying Monkey could not be left out, so he threw in a couple himself. He promptly pulled them out, of course, the minute he realized they were leaving the house. He's such a 3 year old. :)
They did a great job. We ended up with two laundry baskets full of toys that they wanted someone else to be able to play with. Now granted, Happy Meal toys actually made up one full basket, but there was also Queenie's beloved Little People Dollhouse, complete with the family van and Number One Son's Farmhouse & animals.
We didn't force them to give any of the toys up, I even asked multiple times before the toys left the house if they were sure. They were sure, they said.
It was a proud moment watching Number One Son & Queenie display such a willingly giving spirit. I have to admit, I could really take a lesson from them. God honors a spirit that has a willingness to give.
This year the older two really seemed to understand it more. Obviously, it's Jesus' birthday, they understand that very well, Santa Claus comes around, they get that too. Duh. But the giving part. They really seemed to grasp that this year. We give gifts at Christmas to honor the ultimate gift that God gave us when He gave us His Son, Jesus. That clicked for Number One Son & Queenie this year.
So we decided to go one step further than the old Angel Tree. We wanted to see if the gift giving could stand a little sacrifice. We asked the older two go through their toys and find 3 things that they didn't play with anymore that another child might enjoy. And it could NOT be broken. (that through them a curve ball)
Of course, The Flying Monkey could not be left out, so he threw in a couple himself. He promptly pulled them out, of course, the minute he realized they were leaving the house. He's such a 3 year old. :)
They did a great job. We ended up with two laundry baskets full of toys that they wanted someone else to be able to play with. Now granted, Happy Meal toys actually made up one full basket, but there was also Queenie's beloved Little People Dollhouse, complete with the family van and Number One Son's Farmhouse & animals.
We didn't force them to give any of the toys up, I even asked multiple times before the toys left the house if they were sure. They were sure, they said.
It was a proud moment watching Number One Son & Queenie display such a willingly giving spirit. I have to admit, I could really take a lesson from them. God honors a spirit that has a willingness to give.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Christmas Hoopla
Skittle tagged me for some Christmas Hoopla.
Here are the rules:
1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas.
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.
5. If you want to -- please give Andrea, some link-love as the 'Hoopla-Creator'.
Here goes:
1. We are the only house on our street with outdoor Christmas lights, so we always make up for it in a big way!
2. I hate wrapping Christmas gifts in paper. All the paper ends up in the trash in a matter of seconds anyway, so if I can get away with a gift bag, I will.
3. We love riding around and looking at lights. I remember doing that as a kid, falling asleep in the car while we rode around on Christmas Eve. We do that with the kids now.
4. I think the present is about the thought behind it, not the price tag.
5. I say Merry Christmas to everyone I encounter, because that is what I celebrate. It does not offend me if they say Happy Holidays back, but I am going to say Merry Christmas.
6. We have a Christmas tradition of opening one gift each on Christmas Eve, and opening the rest of them Christmas morning when we are also opening our Santa gifts.
7. My car is decorated for Christmas. That's right.
8. It's a Wonderful Life depresses me. I'm sorry, I know it's a classic holiday movie.
9. Nine Ladies Dancing. Did you know that that verse represents the nine Fruit of the Spirit?
10. We always leave milk, cookies & a note for Santa. I don't know how he keeps from getting full, because he always eats most of what we leave. And he always writes a note in return. It's really cool that he takes the time to do that!
11. I get to dress up as Mrs. Claus at school. It's fun.
12. I love that my children tell me they give Christmas gifts because God gave them Jesus as a gift.
So now I tag Claire & Chick. Have fun & Merry Christmas!
Here are the rules:
1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas.
2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word
3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.
4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.
5. If you want to -- please give Andrea, some link-love as the 'Hoopla-Creator'.
Here goes:
1. We are the only house on our street with outdoor Christmas lights, so we always make up for it in a big way!2. I hate wrapping Christmas gifts in paper. All the paper ends up in the trash in a matter of seconds anyway, so if I can get away with a gift bag, I will.
3. We love riding around and looking at lights. I remember doing that as a kid, falling asleep in the car while we rode around on Christmas Eve. We do that with the kids now.
4. I think the present is about the thought behind it, not the price tag.
5. I say Merry Christmas to everyone I encounter, because that is what I celebrate. It does not offend me if they say Happy Holidays back, but I am going to say Merry Christmas.
6. We have a Christmas tradition of opening one gift each on Christmas Eve, and opening the rest of them Christmas morning when we are also opening our Santa gifts.
7. My car is decorated for Christmas. That's right.
8. It's a Wonderful Life depresses me. I'm sorry, I know it's a classic holiday movie.
9. Nine Ladies Dancing. Did you know that that verse represents the nine Fruit of the Spirit?
10. We always leave milk, cookies & a note for Santa. I don't know how he keeps from getting full, because he always eats most of what we leave. And he always writes a note in return. It's really cool that he takes the time to do that!
11. I get to dress up as Mrs. Claus at school. It's fun.
12. I love that my children tell me they give Christmas gifts because God gave them Jesus as a gift.
So now I tag Claire & Chick. Have fun & Merry Christmas!
Here Comes Santa Claus
We finally visited Santa Claus. We waited in line so that Number One Son, Queenie & The Flying Monkey could tell him what they wanted for Christmas.It was not too miserable, the kids had fun and Santa took his time talking to each child. Queenie even asked him how he was doing.
I can't believe that Christmas Day is 7 days away, it has completely snuck up on me. But we are done shopping so we are determined to enjoy Christmas in a hopefully non commercial atmosphere. Except for the lights. We love having our house completely lit up for Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 9, 2007
It's Christmas, Enjoy It or Else!
We went to a local Christmas attraction this weekend that is quite well known and apparently quite well attended. We thought we'd be able to drop in, take some fun Christmas photos and enjoy all the local Christmas fun.
Yikes. I really had to struggle to enjoy myself. It was so crowded! We waited in line to park, we waited in line to ride the shuttle (well, actually, we walked because of that line, and still beat the shuttle to the gate), we waited in line to turn in our tickets for armbands, we waited in line to get in. Then we even waited in line walk around.
But I was determined that I was not going to give in to the crowd and get cranky and frustrated. It was hard, I'll admit.
But the kids had fun, we did get to see Santa in the parade, we rode the Christmas train, saw lights, even heard the real Christmas nativity story.
It was nice, but I felt really bad for the visitors who were not as willing to stay smiling like DH and I had chosen to stay. Number One Son, Queenie & The Flying Monkey had a great time and we did decide to leave when they finally said, "This is boring, it's too crowded." Up until that moment, I am not sure they had even noticed the miserableness of the crowd.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season and remember to embrace the true reason for the celebration. Queenie reminded me of it last night.
Man telling Christmas Story to crowd: "What do you think Christmas is about?
Queenie to Me: "Christmas is about Giving. Because God gave us Jesus."
Yikes. I really had to struggle to enjoy myself. It was so crowded! We waited in line to park, we waited in line to ride the shuttle (well, actually, we walked because of that line, and still beat the shuttle to the gate), we waited in line to turn in our tickets for armbands, we waited in line to get in. Then we even waited in line walk around.But I was determined that I was not going to give in to the crowd and get cranky and frustrated. It was hard, I'll admit.
But the kids had fun, we did get to see Santa in the parade, we rode the Christmas train, saw lights, even heard the real Christmas nativity story.It was nice, but I felt really bad for the visitors who were not as willing to stay smiling like DH and I had chosen to stay. Number One Son, Queenie & The Flying Monkey had a great time and we did decide to leave when they finally said, "This is boring, it's too crowded." Up until that moment, I am not sure they had even noticed the miserableness of the crowd.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Season and remember to embrace the true reason for the celebration. Queenie reminded me of it last night.
Man telling Christmas Story to crowd: "What do you think Christmas is about?
Queenie to Me: "Christmas is about Giving. Because God gave us Jesus."
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