According to Ashley, Christmas is now officially over. After spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my Mom and Stepdad and my brother and his wife, we traveled to Virginia to do it all over again with Ray's parents and my Dad and Stepmom.
But nothing would say Christmas without throwing in a few extras we weren't prepared for. Ray's Grandfather on his Mom's side was married twice - his first wife, not Ray's Grandmother, died the day after Christmas. Get it? I am still confused by Ray's family sometimes. I can never remember who is cousin and who is an aunt or what. So Ray attended the wake on Sunday night for that.
And my maternal Grandmother was transferred from the hospital to a nursing home, so we spent some time with her on Sunday as well. She smoked a ton for a lot of her life, but she is doing okay considering she isn't on oxygen. She didn't know me when I was there, and often confused where she was, but I think visiting her lifted her spirit for the day.
We are back. I am off work until Friday, so the girls and I are going to spend tomorrow unpacking and getting things together while Ray works. I am hoping since Ray is working through New Year's, I will get a chance to sneak away one night and go see Twilight. Ray got me the book for Christmas, and I literally could not put it down. I finished it Sunday, and now I really want to see the movie.
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Santa Claus
I have struggled slightly with the fact that we are basically lying to the kids. I can't quite get my head around that idea, and hopefully I still have a few years before I face Ashley questioning the validity of Santa Claus. The things that keep me a little sane about the how thing is that I don't remember the "moment" I knew Santa wasn't real, and I still believe in a little magic every once in a while (Disney, anyone?).
And then I read this post by one of my favorite bloggers. I am reposting a little bit of the story here because part of it happens where I grew up - Stafford, Virginia. The same place where my Grandmother will spend Christmas in a hospital bed, unable to get up and take care of herself.
"And then one Christmas my friend Angela told me a story of when she was an elementary school teacher in Stafford, Virginia. Every Christmas Angela and her co-workers identified families who might be having trouble making Christmas happen, pooled their money and helped to buy presents for them.
Angela was coming down the hallway on the last day of school when she found a little girl crying on the steps.
“Santa’s not coming to our house this year,” she said. “My mother says it’s because we don’t have money, but I know it’s because I wasn’t a good girl.”
The little girl wasn’t one of the children Angela and her friends had identified, but her situation turned out to easily be the worst. The girl and her brother, mother and grandmother were struggling to survive, much less have Christmas.
Angela called her husband, a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
“I feel so bad,” she told him. “What do we do?”
“Get the family’s name and address,” he told her. “And the ages of everyone in the house. I’ll see what I can do.”
From Japan, Angela’s husband called back to the Marine Corps base at Quantico. The following afternoon, Christmas Eve day, the little girl from Angela’s school was playing in her house when there was a knock at the door. Her mother opened it to find two young Marines in dress blue uniform.
While her mother stared in astonishment, the Marines began to move boxes of things into the house — food, gifts for everyone, and a tree.
The 20 year-old Corporal — stationed away from his own family (he would have dinner at Angela’s the following night) — stopped to speak to the little girl.
“Santa was worried he might not make it to your house this year,” he said. “So he called in the Marines and asked us to help out. He said to tell you you were a very good little girl and he was proud of you.”"
Read the whole post about Da Momma and her girls here. Take a box of tissues with you.
Merry Christmas.
And then I read this post by one of my favorite bloggers. I am reposting a little bit of the story here because part of it happens where I grew up - Stafford, Virginia. The same place where my Grandmother will spend Christmas in a hospital bed, unable to get up and take care of herself.
"And then one Christmas my friend Angela told me a story of when she was an elementary school teacher in Stafford, Virginia. Every Christmas Angela and her co-workers identified families who might be having trouble making Christmas happen, pooled their money and helped to buy presents for them.
Angela was coming down the hallway on the last day of school when she found a little girl crying on the steps.
“Santa’s not coming to our house this year,” she said. “My mother says it’s because we don’t have money, but I know it’s because I wasn’t a good girl.”
The little girl wasn’t one of the children Angela and her friends had identified, but her situation turned out to easily be the worst. The girl and her brother, mother and grandmother were struggling to survive, much less have Christmas.
Angela called her husband, a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
“I feel so bad,” she told him. “What do we do?”
“Get the family’s name and address,” he told her. “And the ages of everyone in the house. I’ll see what I can do.”
From Japan, Angela’s husband called back to the Marine Corps base at Quantico. The following afternoon, Christmas Eve day, the little girl from Angela’s school was playing in her house when there was a knock at the door. Her mother opened it to find two young Marines in dress blue uniform.
While her mother stared in astonishment, the Marines began to move boxes of things into the house — food, gifts for everyone, and a tree.
The 20 year-old Corporal — stationed away from his own family (he would have dinner at Angela’s the following night) — stopped to speak to the little girl.
“Santa was worried he might not make it to your house this year,” he said. “So he called in the Marines and asked us to help out. He said to tell you you were a very good little girl and he was proud of you.”"
Read the whole post about Da Momma and her girls here. Take a box of tissues with you.
Merry Christmas.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Ornament Exchange
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Contest
See those words up top? The ones that say "A new look"?
For the person who comes up with a great tag line to replace that, a $10 Starbucks giftcard.
You have all week...And yes, I am totally copying my friend.
Anyone want to come to my house to take down Christmas decorations??? It's the only thing I hate about the holidays.
For the person who comes up with a great tag line to replace that, a $10 Starbucks giftcard.
You have all week...And yes, I am totally copying my friend.
Anyone want to come to my house to take down Christmas decorations??? It's the only thing I hate about the holidays.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
More Christmas in Pictures
Ashley has always been into dollhouses and such. And knowing how much she loves Disney and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, this gift was a must. Of course all the people to go in it sold out before I could buy them, but Ashley is good at improvising. This has now replaced the Dora Dollhouse in her room.
No Christmas would be complete without the Virginia Tech presents. Ashley and Audrey received matching outfits from our good friends Wendy, Matt and Ethan (and soon to be baby sister!!). And as a good girl, Ashley insisted on wearing this Christmas day. We are so good at brain-washing...
Ray's Mom normally gets me something from Virginia Tech, and I love my new sweatshirt. I also received Virginia Tech toe socks. Very cute. I am going to wear them on Saturday in honor of the game.
This is what a three year old looks like who hasn't napped in four days (and it's only 4:00pm on the 4th day).
TMX Elmo has been banished to the floor. Audrey is not too keen on him. He is kind of scary...
No Christmas would be complete without the Virginia Tech presents. Ashley and Audrey received matching outfits from our good friends Wendy, Matt and Ethan (and soon to be baby sister!!). And as a good girl, Ashley insisted on wearing this Christmas day. We are so good at brain-washing...
Ray's Mom normally gets me something from Virginia Tech, and I love my new sweatshirt. I also received Virginia Tech toe socks. Very cute. I am going to wear them on Saturday in honor of the game.
This is what a three year old looks like who hasn't napped in four days (and it's only 4:00pm on the 4th day).
TMX Elmo has been banished to the floor. Audrey is not too keen on him. He is kind of scary...
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas in Pictures
I hope I didn't lose anyone in my absence, these past couple of days just flew by. Don't worry, I didn't just forget you guys, I totally forgot to call my Grandmothers on Christmas Day. I know, totally horrible Granddaughter I am. But I called them the day after, does that count?
A special "Thank You" to CPA Mom (another Blogger who totally rocks) for the great gifts for me and my kids. The outfits have already been washed and are ready to wear! I will definitely take a picture of the kids in them.
Here are some updates in our lives over the Christmas holiday (which isn't really over since the kids' school is closed all week) (and don't get Ray started on that since we had to pay for that week even though it was closed).
Audrey:
Last Friday night was another sleepless night for us. So Saturday morning we took her back to the pediatrician and yes, she had an ear infection. She JUST finished the Zitromax she was on, so we are assuming the ear infection just never got better. Now she is finishing up Omnicef. Any wisdom on when I should start discussing tubes? This is three straight weeks she has been on an antibiotic.
She had a great Christmas. Her favorite presents included one of Ashley's, the Mustang my Mom and Stepdad gave her. She grinned from ear to ear the entire time she was in it. And anytime we even go near the garage, she throws a fit to get back in it. It takes off kind of fast, so we have to keep a blanket behind her head to prevent bumping her head. But she seriously could care less, she is in a cool car with her sister, what more could she ask for?
A special "Thank You" to CPA Mom (another Blogger who totally rocks) for the great gifts for me and my kids. The outfits have already been washed and are ready to wear! I will definitely take a picture of the kids in them.
Here are some updates in our lives over the Christmas holiday (which isn't really over since the kids' school is closed all week) (and don't get Ray started on that since we had to pay for that week even though it was closed).
Audrey:
Last Friday night was another sleepless night for us. So Saturday morning we took her back to the pediatrician and yes, she had an ear infection. She JUST finished the Zitromax she was on, so we are assuming the ear infection just never got better. Now she is finishing up Omnicef. Any wisdom on when I should start discussing tubes? This is three straight weeks she has been on an antibiotic.
She had a great Christmas. Her favorite presents included one of Ashley's, the Mustang my Mom and Stepdad gave her. She grinned from ear to ear the entire time she was in it. And anytime we even go near the garage, she throws a fit to get back in it. It takes off kind of fast, so we have to keep a blanket behind her head to prevent bumping her head. But she seriously could care less, she is in a cool car with her sister, what more could she ask for?
Audrey also found excitement in climbing our stairs. And we are having a hard time finding a gate to fit them so for now, we are just trying to deter her. She also likes to grab your fingers, says "Ga", and makes you walk her around for hours. This is getting really old and our backs hurt. So if you come to our house to visit, please sit on your hands to hide them. She gets pissed off if you don't comply to her demands.
Ashley:
Ashley had a equally cool Christmas. She received a ton of great gifts to include a digital camera and a MP3 player (thanks Fisher Price!). Her answer changes every time you ask which is her favorite.
A new addition to our foyer it seems is one of her favorites, a tent that "Santa" brought. Santa found this at Target for $19.99 and we could barely keep them out of it. I am thinking to try to get Ashley to nap in it...
Ray:
Ray received great gifts as well. I got him a bike, and I don't think he had any clue. Of course he was pretty mad that I spent that much money when we said we weren't, but I couldn't help myself. We have been saying we were going to buy bikes for years.
His parents always do great with gifts. This year, he got this so that we can enjoy our deck that much longer...
But my Stepdad takes the cake. Anyone want to play poker (and not poke-her)?
Doesn't it look great sitting next to the Little Mermaid vanity set?
More pics to come...I'm going to bed. I actually have to work tomorrow (blah).
Friday, December 22, 2006
The Friday Before Christmas
My boss came in my office at exactly 10:22 this morning and asked me what I was working on. I of course told her important stuff (when I was really reading blogs and doing schoolwork) and she then told me I could go home. Holy crap, I could actually get my last minute shopping done.
On my long walk to my car, I started to cry. I finally felt that it was really Christmas. Shopping was almost done, presents are wrapped. We are unbelievably happy here in North Carolina, and happy that we are going to get to spend Christmas in our home. Ashley is at an age where Christmas is really exciting to her. Everyone is healthy, and family is coming to visit.
Why I really started to cry? I am totally PMSing and if someone looked at my sideways, I would probably cry. But hey, Merry Christmas anyways!
On my long walk to my car, I started to cry. I finally felt that it was really Christmas. Shopping was almost done, presents are wrapped. We are unbelievably happy here in North Carolina, and happy that we are going to get to spend Christmas in our home. Ashley is at an age where Christmas is really exciting to her. Everyone is healthy, and family is coming to visit.
Why I really started to cry? I am totally PMSing and if someone looked at my sideways, I would probably cry. But hey, Merry Christmas anyways!
What I remember
Audrey is better, thanks for those of you who have asked. She still has snot issues and somewhat of a cough, but last night she feel asleep at 6:45pm and was still asleep when I left for work this morning. I think she just needs some rest at this point.
Being so close to Christmas, I thought I would share some of my fond memories of Christmas from my childhood.
First all, I don't remember when I found out Santa wasn't real. I just don't. I guess I figured it out, but who knows. I will just blame it on my brother.
A favorite memory I have is from when I was really little. We lived in a trailer until I was about five years old. My parents would erect a cardboard fireplace at Christmas time, the one that even made it look like there was a fire burning. Like this picture, only think 1970's style. I loved that fireplace and actually thought Santa came down it.
Being so close to Christmas, I thought I would share some of my fond memories of Christmas from my childhood.
First all, I don't remember when I found out Santa wasn't real. I just don't. I guess I figured it out, but who knows. I will just blame it on my brother.
A favorite memory I have is from when I was really little. We lived in a trailer until I was about five years old. My parents would erect a cardboard fireplace at Christmas time, the one that even made it look like there was a fire burning. Like this picture, only think 1970's style. I loved that fireplace and actually thought Santa came down it.
I also remember the year we got a real Christmas tree. And the damn thing would not stay up. So my stepbrother decided we would nail the tree stand to the floor. Yup, nailed it through the carpet into the subflooring of the townhouse we lived in.
I had a couple of years in high school were I did unwrap all my presents and wrap them all up. I hate waiting, I am the person that reads the last page of a book first. And I am dying to open the presents that are under are tree right now. I even tried to convince Ashley last night that we should open one present. Her response?
"It's not Christmas yet, Mommy."
Smart girl, smart girl.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
