Sunday Snapshot - A Merry (Birthday) Christmas

Guess who's 6 years old?

Will!

His birthday is Christmas Day but we celebrate it
a little early. Otherwise there's just
too much going on and his birthday gets lost
in the day.

At age 6, Will is:

confident,

handsome,

smart,

athletic (he may be teaching his hip hop class pretty soon),

funny,

a love bug,

loves Kindergarten, his teacher,

and his family.

He's grown more emotionally in the last year
than in the previous 2 years combined.
When I look at these pictures, I see a very happy little boy.
We've come a long way
and I'm happy we've made the journey!

Favorite Photo Friday - celebrating the Holidays at school

Yesterday these 2 had their holiday programs at school.
I didn't take many pictures but got this one before we left
and we shot video of the performances.
If you pause the playlist at the bottom of my blog,
you can hear all six Kindergarten classes at Grace and Will's school
sing and watch Will. He's awfully cute!

50/52 - the adventures of Max and Elfred

This is our second December with these two

and their names were chosen by Grace and Will.

They show up in unusual places like among the wine

bottles (above).

Sometimes they're mischievous

and do naughty things like squeeze toothpaste out of the tube.

Occasionally I don't have a clue what to make them do.

Pinterest has inspired me with some of their adventures.

It's been great fun for us all.

The man in the red suit

(Taken yesterday afternoon).

There's been a great deal of anticipation

and talk about Santa around here lately.

Last year was our first visit

and it definitely was a huge success.
Previous to that they both were a little afraid to speak to him
and get up so close.

I think the best part for me is to listen in on the conversation...

whether they've been behaving well and 

what they'd like for Christmas.

Thankfully Santa's got it covered...Will is asking for a 'Ninja Castle'

and Grace a 'Holiday Barbie.'
I love seeing Christmas through their eyes, I know this stage doesn't last long
and it's just precious to me!

We have a busy week ahead with final dance practices, the rehearsal for the Christmas recital
next week and their school has it's Holiday program on Friday.
I still have my Christmas cards to address and send.

Favorite photo(s) Friday - in search of the perfect tree

In years prior when we visited our favorite tree farm in early December,
we have for lack of better words...
basically frozen our rear ends off.
This year was a pleasant exception.

I did notice that I didn't get a shot of Dan actually cutting down the tree,
but I'm sure you get the idea.
This is obviously one of our favorite Christmas traditions and after the tree is tied to the top
of the car, we go inside
the little house on the property to warm up and have hot apple cider.
I find that I look forward to this experience almost more than actually putting up the tree
and decorating it.
Grace and Will have so much fun here and can race up and down the rows.

Hope you all are enjoying this season
and taking time for yourself too.

(Will and his Daddy, they are best buds).

49/52 - tree kiss

Sunday afternoon we went to cut a live tree,

this is the first year there was no snow and the temps were fairly mild.

I have more pics to post tomorrow and the kids had a blast.

Will was quite taken with what I call the "Charlie Brown trees,"

the small ones, some of which were kind of scraggly and sparse.

He went around kissing a few of these little guys and I found it incredibly cute.

I've heard of tree huggers but never a tree kisser.

Texture Tuesday - Celebrate

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

~ Norman Vincent Peale

 


Ornaments from my husband's Grandmother that have been handed down.
I don't hang these on the tree, I put them
in a bowl or on a platter in the dining room.
Up high from kitty paws and doggy tails.
The glass ornaments remind me of days gone by and of a simpler time.
And I hope to pass them down to my children some day.

I'm linking to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday where her theme
is 'Celebrate.'
First I desaturated the image to my taste,
then added two layers of her texture 'Lookup.'
the first at soft light at 35%
and the second at exclusion at 11%.
I loved the vintage feel they gave to the photo.

Favorite Photo Friday - Deck the Halls

'Tis the season.
For decking the halls, bringing out the bling and sparkle,
and putting up a tree or two with lights and decorations.

I  love Christmas time, and everything about it.
I love sending cards, listening to the music, looking at the lights and baking cookies.
I love my home at this time and how it looks, feels, smells and sounds.
I love our family traditions that bring back memories of my own childhood
and Christmas' past with friends and family.

(The important task of tree decorating requires close concentration for William).

My husband Dan was out of the country for work this week,
so I enlisted 2 helpers that happily complied.
This was the first year that the tree was decorated
in record time, without me finishing it by myself.
It wasn't completed in the above photo but
I think they did an amazing job!

(Grace even decorated Jack with a little Santa hat. 
Obviously it didn't stay there long!)






Our December is already filling up quickly.
We have cookies to bake, a couple of trips to Chicago planned, school programs to attend,
a Christmas dance recital,
Grace and I will be going to the Nutcracker
later in the month and Will's 6th Birthday is coming up soon.

I'm trying not to focus on the time frame and enjoy each of these special moments.
And reflect on the true meaning of this season...
of Jesus' birth.

(Each year I buy my kids a new ornament.
Grace is holding a handmade Paris inspired one for the little white tree in her room).

Please check out more Favorite Photo Friday images
on Lisa's Long Road to China blog.

While you're there see what's up for today
at the "12 Days of Giveaways"
to benefit orphans in China.
It's a wonderful cause.