And to all a Good Night!

The kiddos, in their Christmas jammies, set to snuggle in.

I think I am done with my Christmas series. I have to say it's been such a fun month and it's fun already to go back and read some of it.

We are lucky, here at the Clark house. Santa is willing to come to our home a day early. See, once he's done in Japan he's swinging by our house on Christmas Eve morning to leave presents. Mom and Dad don't want to carry presents back and forth to Utah, so he's accommodating our travel schedule. Never hurts to ask, right?

So, tonight was our Christmas Eve. The cookies, milk, and reindeer food are set out. Now, all we have to do is wait for the big man to arrive.

The Christmas season came and went too fast for me this year. I could use another week of all this merriment. Yes, there's been stress, but all for good cause.

Merry Christmas to All!!

Christmas Baking

The baking is done and plates are delivered.


In case you're curious, the plates had oreo pops (I think I may have an obsession with those), peanut butter blossoms, almond raspberry thumbprint cookies and lemon shortbread cookies.

Nestled, All Snug

Our view up the street, tonight

This cold, foggy evening was the perfect excuse to cancel a night out, cancel the babysitter, and stay snuggled inside by the fire, listening to Christmas music and baking cookies.

I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than this.

One for all

Growing up, I had my own little 3' tree in my room for the entire month of December. We each had a little decorator table - you know the MDF kind that have the tree legs that screw into the bottom? The tables were used only at Christmas and just for the purpose of displaying our trees in our rooms. The tables were skirted with a cute Christmas fabric, and I truly thought having a tree of my very own, in my own room, was the pinnacle of decadence.

So, when Jackson was about 2, he got his very own tree in his own room. He loved it and I've kept the tradition up for each one of my kiddos. When they're two, they get a tree in their room.


I've been wanting a multi-colored light tree in our family room, but could never justify getting rid of the clear colored light tree when it worked just perfectly. This year would have been it's 9th year, so I crossed my fingers when we plugged it in, and as luck would have it, half of the bulbs didn't work! Finally, I would get my multi-colored tree!!

We headed out to get a new family room tree and a 3' tree for Addie's room, now that she is 2. We went to JoAnns and since they were still running their Black Friday deals, we got our family room tree for $55. A great deal, in my opinion

That morning, there was also a doorbuster deal for $30 for a 7', slightly less full, multi-colored tree. I couldn't imagine paying $20 for a 3' tree for Addie when I could spend $10 more and get a real sized tree!


But, the more we thought about it, the big kids would feel bad with their small trees if Addie had a big one, so...new trees for everyone!!

The budget for tree decorating dried up then and there, so decorations are sparse. However, the kids get an ornament every year and so we've decided to start putting those on the trees in their rooms. Eventually everyone will have tree skirts and garland and toppers, but for now, the kids love the full sized trees.

Sunday

The kiddos in their Christmas Sunday finest. Delaney sang "Away in a Manger" with a children's choir at church. Jeff sang in the choir and it amounted to one of my most favorite sacrament meetings of the year, second only to the Primary program.


The kids are out of school for the rest of the year. I'm hoping this week will have a slower pace. And more time to enjoy Christmas.

The rel Chrismis

The differences between boys and girls in our house is astounding. Delaney writes and writes all day long. When Jackson was in 1st grade, he would rather have sat staring at the wall than have to write. Here's a little book Delaney wrote today about Christmas. I'll provide the translation.

Christmas is love and Jesus and the Book of Mormon. I love Christmas.

Jesus brings you into the Book of Mormon.

Jesus is our Savior every day.

This is Christmas. The real Christmas.

It seems some of those "true meaning of Christmas" lessons are actually getting through all of the commercial Santa stuff. However, in the spirit of full disclosure, this is the first religious book after about 20 Santa/Christmas/elf books.

But hey, little victories, right?

Christmas Angels

There are angels I am very grateful for this week.

1. I went to WalMart on Wednesday to pick up some Christmas things. By things, I mean 7 popcorn tins that took over my shopping cart. I paid, brought them out to the car, put them in the car, pushed the cart into the cart corral, picked Addie up out of the cart, put Addie in the car, and went on my merry way.

Fast forward 6 hours...it's now 5:50 at night. I'm on my way to our YW activites at the church. I hop in the car with my three kiddos, planning to meet Jeff at the church to do the hand off. As I'm pulling out of the driveway, I ask the kids if they see my purse. They can't see it anywhere. I turn on the interior dome light, searching through the front seat. Still, no purse.

I turn around and head back toward home. We get out, and at this point I'm panicking and I'm starting to make the kids panic, because I knew one thing. I last saw my purse in the cart as I was putting it back into the corral. A quick and frantic search guaranteed me it wasn't at home either.

My purse would be long gone by now. I was sure of it. I actually never have cash on me, so I knew I wouldn't be out much money. However, the pain of having to replace my license was enough to make me sick. Not to mention, my mom sent me the cutest purse for my birthday in October, and I was most sad to lose the purse.

I quickly called WalMart and the operator connects me to lost and found. When I tell the lady I think I left my purse in a cart today, she just laughs. She asks me if my purse is multi-colored and I tell her it's mostly black. She puts me on hold, telling me she'll see if it may be there. 60 seconds later she's back and says,

"Mrs. Clark?"

Oh my gosh! I was shocked! I hadn't told her my name, so the only way she'd know is by seeing my license inside my wallet, inside my purse!! I was totally elated! Someone had turned the whole thing in. Every diaper, wipe, credit card and ID was still in it. And, my favorite new purse! I couldn't believe my luck! It was a happy, happy end to a typically unfortunate situation.

They had no idea who turned it in. I wanted to send a thank you note but they had no idea. All I know is, I'm grateful for that Christmas angel who found a purse and did the decent thing.

2. Today was Jackson's class Holiday party. It was Delaney's, too, but I'm the room parent in Jackson's class, which means I'm in charge of planning, organizing, and executing it.

Jeff always works from home on Fridays. Always. The party is right during nap time, so me leaving for a few hours to go to the school wouldn't cut into his work day in any way. And, younger siblings aren't allowed at the holiday parties, so this always works out perfectly for us.

Jeff's had a few crazy weeks at work. Lots of long hours and unexpected meetings resulting in an unpredictable few weeks. There was a little voice nagging at me yesterday, telling me to confirm with Jeff that he'd be home today.

You know where this is going, right?

Yep, he had to be in the office today. The first Friday in the office in 18 months. On class party day. I was up a creek without a paddle, so to speak. Every person I know was at their child's holiday party this afternoon. I couldn't think of anyone to ask to help me with Addie.

And then I remember a conversation I had with a woman at church about 2 years ago. Kathy loves her grown kids the way my mom loves her grown kids. She's so fun to talk to because she brings up her kids in almost any conversation. And she's a grandma. In fact, she's such a fun grandma, I'm jealous I'm not one of them. In any case, 2 years ago she told me she knows what it's like to raise kids without any family around, and if I ever needed help, to please give her a call.

So, I took her up on her offer, 2 years later. I emailed her (because I worried if I called her it'd put her on the spot) in a panic yesterday afternoon and within an hour she let me know she could do it. She showed up this afternoon, right on time, and sat at my house for 2 hours while I went and did my mom thing over at the school.

As I was pulling out of garage, headed over to the school, I was so grateful for this Christmas angel. For two reasons. One, I was so appreciative of her generosity. She is a busy lady who is starting a Church Service Mission in another week, or so. There are plenty of other things she should be doing with her time. Two, I'm grateful for the lesson this taught me. I realized that when I am in a different season in life, I need to be sure to remember what it was like for me as a young mom. And I need to remember to pay it forward. Kathy remembered that there were times when she was raising kids that she'd found herself in a tough spot, concerning childcare. And she was sure to mention that to me, in case I ever found myself in a similar tough spot. And, obviously I did, and I'm so grateful to her for her offer, however long ago, and her willingness to make good on it, with less than 24 hours notice.

What a fun week. Two generous acts, one very grateful recipient.

****Oh, and as a post script, it should be known (or Jackson would like it to be known) that he got 100% on the spelling test I was foretelling doom about.

8:47 PM

My kitchen island at 8:47 at night (clockwise from top left corner)

1. Addie's bib from dinner. A lady in my ward makes them and they are the BEST because they cover her arms. Here's her website.
2. Jeff's ipod. Jackson was playing "Tank Wars" and what a shock - didn't put it back where he found it.
3. Addie's Easy Mac snack she had to have before bed, but only took 2 bites of
4. Plastic cinderella tea party set.
5. Delaney's drawing of a cowgirl. She's especially proud of her ability to draw cowboy hats.
6. More pieces to the tea set.
7. School directory which I needed when we discovered that a girl in Delaney's Daisy troop wore Delaney's boots home from school.
8. Red bag that was dropped off by a mom from Jackson's class. It's full of candy canes and Christmas pencils for tomorrow's class holiday party.
9. Football shaped Oreo. That's what grocery shopping with Dad will get you.
10. Jackson's spelling words for the week. He always does great, but this week is going to bomb it. "I before E, except after C" is a tricky principle, and true to the English language, does not always apply. I don't even think I'd get 100% this week.
11. My water bottle. Probably the 3rd or 4th of the day. I am terrible at the number of water bottles I send to a landfill. There's nothing better than a brand new bottle of water, though. I admit it's very un-"green" of me.
12. 57 Oreo pops for Delaney and Jackson's holiday parties tomorrow.
13. 2 rolls of ribbon yielded 58 ties. How's that for close?
14. Nesting bowls from dinner. The missionaries came for dinner and we had Beef Stroganoff. It's a favorite around our house and the elders left with full bellies and and Oreo pop each.

It's amazing the story my kitchen tells every evening.

Lego Village

Aside from the yearly Lego advent calendar, Jackson has been collecting Lego Christmas sets every year and has quite the little village going.

Here it is this year, in it's entirety:


There's the skating pond:


And the toy shop. Next to which is the tree stand.


Lastly, the latest addition from this year - the bakery.


I've always longed to start one of those Dept 56 villages, but couldn't ever justify the cost. Surely this is just as great. Not to mention, Jackson takes immense pride in it. And, it's a fun tradition he's inadvertently started himself!

Toppers

This year I'd seen tree toppers at a lot of boutique stores that aren't toppers, per se, but just lots of bows and "stuff" all jumbled together at the top of the tree.

So, I decided to ditch the toppers and see what I could come up with on my own. I guess these will look differently every year. I had to use what I could find, the week after Thanksgiving when everything was super picked over.

Here's "my" tree. All these ornaments have been shopped for and approved by me. I decorate it and it sits in the office. The concept started 5 years ago when I was at Harrod's in London and fell in love with a few red and gold ornaments.

Here's a close up:


And a farther shot:


Here's the family tree in the family room. I don't like this one quite as well, but oh well, I'll change what I don't like next year. I didn't realize when I bought the blue ribbon that it wasn't sheer like the others. Also, Delaney feels VERY strongly about having a star at the top of the tree, so she wins.

Delilah

I know I am certainly not alone in my love of holiday music. Every year I am itching for the day after Thanksgiving so I can listen to Christmas music without protests from Jeff.

Being a mom of young children, most of my holiday preparations and shopping take place at night, between the hours of 8 and 10 pm as I race from store to store, trying to get as much done without children as possible.

Though most of the day I listen to the XM holiday stations, at night I listen to our local Chicago light station, FM 93.9. Why? It's Delilah. I know Delilah isn't on just in Chicago. I think her program is syndicated all around the country. Her program starts at night at 8 pm and I'm hooked. The oddest callers call in with the strangest holiday "heartfelt" lovesick stories. And Delilah continues to give her cheesy love advice with her silky, smooth radio voice. And somehow, it's become a tradition for me. This cheesy radio program has become a must-listen, nightly event that makes all the running around in the freezing cold, a little more tolerable.

And, for anyone who knows what I'm talking about, the little jingle on her radio show announcing her program cracks me up...De Li Laaaaahhhh....

Anyone else? Or am I the sole holiday Delilah fan? If you'd like, click here to hear what I'm talking about. Click on the "Dilemma: One Sided Love Affair" link.

30

Yes, I know I haven't kept up with my post a day during December. I will hopefully go back and catch up this week.

I had good reason. We were here:

Because my favorite brother turned 30. Wow! How did he get that old? Or, more importantly, how did my parents get that old? I honestly can't believe they don't have any more kids in their 20s.

The Arizona weather was gorgeous, sunny and in the 70s. We left our trip early to make it home because home was about to look like this:
It was such a fun weekend, though. Jeff and I were able to get away without the kiddos and I'm so grateful to good friends who are always so willing to watch our kids while we're gone. Not to mention, two of the cutest 18 year olds who stepped in on Friday and played games, baked cookies, brought Elf presents, watched Christmas movies, and went to three fast food restaurants last night just to make sure everyone got what they wanted, all weekend until we got home today.

But as much fun as it is to go away, it's always more fun to come back home.

Even if the high tomorrow is supposed to be 11*.

Progressive Dinner

I work with the Young Women in the church. I've almost always had a calling with the YW. There have been a few short periods in my life when I was elsewhere, but I really think there's no more fun (and more time consuming) place to serve than with the youth.

Last year we did a progressive dinner for Christmas. The girls loved it and so we decided to repeat it again this year. It is probably our most well attended evening out of the year, with only 3 girls not attending.


With girls and leaders, we had 40 people attend. The YW secretary hosted the appetizers, and had fun pitas shaped into Christmas trees. The main course was at the 1st Counselor's home and she made homemade lasagna, salad and bread for 40 people! We had dessert at our home, and I made yummy Pittsburgh 1st Ward hot chocolate.


It was such a fun night. I hate to think that there's a possibility I won't do this again next year. At that point I will have been in my current calling for 2 1/2 years, so there's a chance I won't still be doing it. So...who knows...but for now, for tonight, I'm having a blast with these lovelies!

Lights!

For ten years, Jeff has decorated our house with icicle lights. Coincidentally, we've always lived on a corner. So, he's always decorated 3-4 sides of the house.

This year we decided to switch it up a little bit. He did the big bulb, multi-colored lights and we love them! It's fun and different (for us), and he's really happy with the outcome.

I would have a picture of all three sides, but it's currently 12* outside, so one's all it's going to be tonight!

Scout

Our family elf, Scout, is back. He greeted us upon our return home from Thanksgiving down in North Carolina.

Scout's powers are strong. Magically, he is able to fly back and forth to the North Pole every night. However, the power of influence is his one power I most love!

The other day Jackson was being a stinker and when all was said and done, he was most upset that he'd thrown a hissy fit in front of Scout. Oh no! Since Scout is in cahoots with Santa, now Santa will question whether he should remain on the "nice list"!

I must say, I can threaten and bribe my kids all year long to try to get them to behave. But, the minute Scout shows up, all I have to do is point to him and the kids decide to be on their best behavior.

Maybe Scout needs to stick around all year long.

Winter Wonderland

The storm did indeed come and brought the promised 4 inches that was forecast. The kids had so much fun playing and helping shovel. This was Addie's first year that she was really excited to get all dressed up in snow gear and get out and play.

Snow Angels!

And a shot of my handsome husband, just because I like lookin' at him!

The Nutcracker

Tonight was Delaney and mine's third year going to The Nutcracker ballet. She has been so excited, anticipating it all week. As she goes to bed at night, we talk about something fun for her to dream about. All week she's been saying she'd dream about The Nutcracker.

Every year we've gone with our neighbors. I'm so glad they initially invited us because I don't know if I would have thought to do it on my own. It's become a really fun tradition. We had front row seats, which was really fun and so fascinating to the girls. The past two years we had first row balcony, assuming the girls would see well when there wasn't any thing in front of them. This year my neighbor decided to do something different when buying the tickets, and it was a whole new experience. The girls loved it!

Here's Delaney, all dressed up and ready to go.


She wanted to wear a red dress this year, but I didn't find one worth buying, so she had to settle for a red jacket.


And because no one can take a picture these days without Ms. Addie jumping in, here's a sisters shot.

Don't you love Addie's dad-dressed-me outfit??

...and Mickey too

We've had a Fisher Price nativity set for a long time now. I would guess 8 years. We got it long enough ago that I ordered it out of a catalog, not off a website. In my mind, that was a long time ago :). It has been the centerpiece of many a Christmas Family Home Evening lesson in our home. And, has kept many little fingers off my nice nativity set.

I was cleaning the house this morning and Addie was playing in the family room. I walked by and noticed she'd taken all the characters and pieces and lined them up next to each other.


The part that struck me as funny? Mickey Mouse found his way into the mix, somewhere in between the angel and Mary (who, incidentally, she insists is a witch).



I guess we'd better have that FHE lesson sooner than later.

Let it Snow!

The ponds across the street from our house.

Two days ago we got our first "measureable" snowfall. Well, it was just a dusting, but Tom Skilling, the Chicago weather guru, posted on Twitter that it was the first measurable amount, so I'm going with him.

This time between Thanksgiving and New Years is the only time of the year when I allow it to snow without getting mad. I love a snowy, white December. In my opinion, it makes all the Christmas lights look better when glowing through blankets of white.

And speaking of lights, Jeff did something totally different this year and we all love it. I'll post pictures soon.

In any case, we're supposed to get a snowstorm starting tomorrow night, through Saturday morning and I say, BRING IT ON!

All Things Advent

I'm not sure why I'm obsessed with Advent. I think it's because I've always felt like the anticipation of something is more fun than the actual event. Or, maybe it's because I grew up in Germany, where Advent began. Or, it could be that I am the daughter of another Advent lover. In a few words, Advent is a big deal in our house.

The kids get their Trader Joe's chocolate advent calendars every day.


They get to rotate getting a chocolate gold coin out of the wall calendar each day.


They also have a toy advent. Every year Jackson's gotten a Lego one and this year I decided to get a Lego one for Delaney too. In years past she'd already gotten the other "girly" ones and I couldn't find anything original, so she's doing Lego too. Addie's still too little to understand the full concept, so she doesn't get the toy ones. However, I don't think one is ever too young to understand the concept of chocolate, so she's fully participating in the chocolate ones.


We also have a cute countdown decoration that Grandma Critt gave us this year. Jackson's the first one up in the morning, and by the time I make it down each morning, he's already updated it.


It's really fun to see them get so excited everyday. Last night Jackson was sure to remind me that Advent started today. It's one of those traditions that I know my kids look forward to every year!

I wish I'd gotten pictures of the kids with the Advents, but the night came and went with a Cub Scout pack meeting, a Young Women's white elephant gift exchange, and a 1st grade homework project. I'll try better tomorrow.

***I'm going to try to post every day until Christmas. Who knows if I'll actually do it, but I'm hoping so. I need to capture our traditions in one place, keeping a memory. So, here's to 25 posts in 25 days!

Harvest Happenings

My blogging makes it appear that I've fallen off the face of the earth. In reality, we're just busy with this and that. Some happenings around these parts:

1. Halloween came and went. We still have oodles of candy left that is all being donated on Thursday to the soldiers. Delaney's Daisy troop is collecting it and the kids don't yet know it's going. However, they haven't touched it in weeks, so I doubt they'll even notice.


2. Outdoor sports are over!! I hate to be happy about that, but I'm so happy to not stand outside for one more windy/rainy/cold Saturday watching soccer and football. We have had the most gorgeous fall, but every single Saturday, all fall long, was the worst weather day of the week. One would assume I'd taken any pictures of Jackson playing football, or Delaney playing soccer, but no. It's my excuse that I have a two year old.

3. Both Delaney and Jackson are doing gymnastics through the winter. Delaney has always done gymnastics, and is on a team there, but Jackson's using it as a way to stay active through the cold months. It's kickin' his tush and he's eating a little humble pie the way his little sister can vault, flip, balance, climb the rope to the ceiling, etc. around him. She should, though, she's there 4 hours a week!

4. Addie "graduated" (I like to say, "got kicked out of") speech therapy this week. The speech therapist seems to think any lingering speech issues she still has are age appropriate. So we'll go back around 3 years old for another eval, to see that she's keeping up like she should.


5. I do wonder if I'm crazy, but I've taken on another T-shirt quilt. This time, I'm doing it for money. I've actually had quite a few people interested in knowing what I charge, etc., and this is the first lady who took a bite. All her daughter's t's are cut up, so no turning back now! This one is a MUCH more manageable size (compared to the one last Spring) and it's a little bit of spending money for me, so it's really not stressing me out.


6. Jackson turned 10! Double digits! How did I get this old?? Honestly, a few weeks ago I looked across the kitchen at him and couldn't figure out how I had a child that old in my home, claiming to be my own, when I, myself, am only 24.

This year was his family birthday party, so we went to his favorite restaurant and then bowling. His best buddy, Steven, came along. Of course, I forgot my camera, but Jeff got a few on his phone so maybe he'll add one in. Jackson got a new scooter, some LEGOs, two Nerf guns and some money. It was such a windfall, he's actually having a hard time thinking of something for Christmas.

Well, that's all for now. I never posted the final pictures of Homecoming. The red eye was terrible in all the pictures and I'm horrible at editing, so that's the delay. I'll post them soon.

School Partay!

Today is the kids' Halloween parties at school because tomorrow they have a day off. Something about a teacher work day...they haven't been since early October, nor will be, at a full week of school until after Thanksgiving. Grr. Anyways, I watch Steve in the morning, so here are all three of them, ready to head out the door.


Steven is an army guy, Jackson is Peyton Manning, and can anyone guess who Delaney is??? I'm doubting anyone will know her costume, but she's pretty thrilled with it, so that's all that matters!


Also, I made these cute Oreo pops for Jackson's class party. They are FAR from perfect, but I'm pretty happy with them nonetheless.


Poor Addie. She had to dress up for school today, too, but I'm the room parent in Jackson's room and I had a lot of errands to run this morning, so I didn't get a picture of her before school. I will do better when I pick her up!