This year you...

This year you;

-were highly enchanted by Santa and chatted with him for about 10 minutes the day we saw him when Auntie G came to visit.

-were horribly disappointed when we had to leave church early on Christmas Eve and miss the candlelight "Silent Night" singing because your sister needed to go home.

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-carefully wrote a card to Santa on Christmas Eve and simply wrote your name and your sister's name and drew a picture of Santa with a beard.

-left 2 cookies, a handful of carrots and an espresso cup filled with Coke for Santa.  Everyone knows Santa likes Coke.

-slept so soundly all night and didn't awake until 7:30 am on Christmas morning.

-saw trains travelling beside the expressway and dreamed they were taking supplies to the North Pole.

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-worked very hard on your table manners because you were certain the little elves and trolls were peeking at you through the kitchen windows at dinnertime.

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-enjoyed any holiday craft/project that included candy or sweets.

-wished for 5 things for Christmas: princess stickers, princess haybaise (chap-stick), a purple wagon, flowers and a night-light like yours for you to give your sister.

-were totally captivated (along with your momma) by a dreamy breakfast with Santa at an old hotel in town.

-enjoyed laying under the Christmas tree.  Many a morning after breakfast, we'd find you there just gazing up at the twinkling lights and ornaments.

-read many bedtime stories by the lights of the Christmas tree.

-wore your red sparkle shoes everywhere (thanks, Target).

-you sang lots of Christmas songs.  Our favorite were:  The Hawaiian Christmas Song by Bing Crosby, All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Away in a Manger, Oh Come All Ye Faithful.  You sweetly sang: "oh come let us adore he" instead of "him."

Camilla

Camilla is a family name.  It has been used for many generations in all kinds of forms.  A few years ago, my mother thought it would be suitable for me to own a Camilla flower in my garden.  It was beautiful when she gave it to me in the pot from the store.  I planted it in my one of my front beds with few expectations for it to bloom as vibrantly as it did when it was given to me.  A year went by and no blooms.  I toyed with taking it out of the flower bed but kept it in because it was a Camilla flower and it had nice greenery -- even with no blooms.

Last year, it bloomed.  It was a tiny little bloom but gave me enough hope for more blooms to come.  All year passed and there wasn't a thing.  The leaves on the plant seemed to grow weary from the stress of heat and sun and shade.

On Christmas Eve, my girl came running to me and said that I should come see the beautiful flower in the garden.  I quickly brushed her comment off because everyone knows that there is absolutely nothing that blooms my garden in the winter.  {I am a huge fan of plants that take care of themselves and die away in the winter and then return in full glory in the spring.}  My girl insisted that I come see this flower so I walked out to the garden with her.  I was completely awe-struck by the beauty of a single bright bloom on the Camilla plant.  It had glorious red petals with a golden center.  Standing among the greenery of the bed, it couldn't have been more perfect for Christmas.

I love the little miracles that seem to pop up when you least expect them.

12 Days of Christmas

I love this wonderful time of year... especially the way this tree lights up the room so softly.  

The little pine cones that were lovingly placed my by big girl as she helped decorate are my favorite part.

It seems that everything this time of year is filled with the same soft light creating such intense calmness and happiness all around.  Enjoy your 12 days of Christmas!

Sweet Baby

I enjoyed watching my girl tend to a sweet baby today.  She prepared for him yesterday with swaddling cloths, placing his parents close by and tending to the little nativity under the tree.

Unprompted, these were such beautiful gestures today.

Quiet Night

Merry Christmas!  

Magic

Do you remember the magic you felt as a child this time of year?  Sometimes, I get lost in the rushing about, traveling, gift-wrapping and cooking to really remember the magic.  My kids help me remember the simple and sweet joys of the season.  I hope you can take some time away to enjoy the pure magic of this beautiful time.

Thoughts of a curious elf...

This sprite little elf was completely lost in confusing thoughts after being thrust a candy cane following her terrifying Santa visit.  The candy cane (in wrapper) made it to the mouth and ceased all wailng in an instant.  The elf stood wondering about the man in a bright red suit as she watched her sister gleam with joy in Santa's lap.

Tree trimming

This year, my big girl really got into picking out our tree and trimming it.  We were fortunate to have our 90-year-old Busha here to share in these delightful festivities with an almost 4-year-old and a very curious and semi-destructive 1-year-old.

Ornaments were so sweetly grouped in areas of the tree that only a preschooler's hands could reach.

Busha did her best to gently guide the placement of ornaments so that the whole tree was covered.

Together, they completed the tree trimming and enjoyed nightly stories read in the twinkling lights of the tree.

Thanks, Busha for making our holiday so memorable!

"This used to kill people before we had the medicine we have today..."

Those words cut through my chest and made my heart skip a beat while I talked with the doctor about my babe's struggles last week.  I shivered in disbelief when he explained the severity of bacterial pneumonia on a little body.

Luckily, we do have medicine that can effectively treat the infection in my babe's lungs.  Thankfully, she has made great progress in a week.  Amazingly, she has been a trooper with medications and breathing treatments that seem to consume our days.

Momma Lesson Learned #465:  Always listen to your gut when your kid is concerned.

Get better soon, sweet girl.

All I Want For Christmas...

All They Want For Christmas...

1. Momma to NOT place me on the lap of a complete stranger dressed in a funny red suit

2. To wear whatever I want no matter what the occasion

3. To secretly enjoy watching my little sis cry on Santa's lap

4. "Just four things, Momma: princess stickers, princess chapstick, flowers and a purple wagon"

5. For Santa to bring my little sister a night-light just like mine

All I Want For Christmas...

To remember this day with my girls that was filled with wonder, amazement, tears and fright.

"You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."

My daughter came home from school today saying this familiar phrase: "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."  I had heard these words muttered many times by teachers when kids complain. The only problem was that she was getting some of the words mixed up.  By the time she said it to my husband that evening, it came out as, "You get what you get and don't throw sh#$."

Yikes!

My husband was horrified and asked my daughter where she heard such horrible words.  She promptly talked all about a teacher at preschool.

Later that evening my husband confronted me about our choice in preschools citing the little phrase our daughter had learned from a teacher there.  I laughed and explained that she got the words mixed up.  My husband was relieved when he heard me state the phrase correctly.

I love the sweet and innocent words that come out of the mouths of preschoolers!!

Cookies, cookies and more cookies!

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find the recipe for these beautiful cookies here

My girls and I attended a wonderful little holiday party today.  The party was a cookie decorating party hosted by a sweet friend.  The hostess provided the sugar cookies and each attendee brought a different type of decoration or frosting.  The kids loved decorating and eating cookies that they decorated.  The kids ran wild together after eating their decorated cookies.  It was the perfect holiday get-together for 10 kiddos that are all 4 and under.

Meanwhile, back at home, we have been baking like crazy.  With the addition of great-grandma the past few weeks, we have certainly enjoyed baking with her.  Here are some of our favorites (these are definitely holiday-gift worthy!):

Candy Cane Cookies

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this one is a classic from Betty Crocker

-makes about 4 dozen -

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter 
• 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• red food coloring

Procedure

1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. Mix butter, sugar, egg, and flavorings thoroughly. Measure flour by dipping method or by sifting; mix flour and salt; stir into the wet mixture.
3. Divide dough in half; blend red food coloring into one half.
4. Roll a 4-inch strip from each color. For smooth, even strips, roll them back and forth on a lightly floured board. Place strips side by side, press lightly together and twist like rope. For best results, complete cookies one at a time--if all the dough of one color is shaped first, strips become too dry to twist. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Curve top down to form the handle of the candy cane.
5. Bake about 9 minutes, until lightly browned. While still warm, remove from baking sheet with spatula; if desired, sprinkle with a mixture of sugar and/or crushed candy canes.

We also made these delectable treats from i am baker

Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Spice Cookies!

They are fabulous!

You can find her yummy recipe here.

This afternoon we will attempt Key-Lime Bars from this month's issue of 

Coastal Living.  I love holiday baking! 

I need to start packing some of these treats up and bring them to the neighbors.  

Otherwise, they seem to end up in my belly!

Fresh air

"I must get out and breathe the air deeply again. "

-Gustav Mahler-

I love the fresh air of Autumn.  It is cool and crisp.  There is something so refreshing and cleansing about the cool breeze that blows through an open window.  It freshens the house and the folks inside.  I eagerly throw open the windows in the morning to breathe the chilly air.

NOW, I understand that this is a cardinal sin among allergy sufferers (like some members of my family).  Who could really forego the fresh morning air blowing in because of a little sneezing?  I know, I know, allergies are really a killer for some but the outside air energizes me and my home.  

Are you as energized by the outside air as I am?