Christmas Day 2009

We hope you all had a wonderful, safe and blessed Christmas, remembering the real reason that we celebrate.
We awoke to more, wet, heavy snow on Christmas morning, but all was warm inside. We spent the morning at home as a family, opening gifts and giving the kids some time to play with their new treasures.

Seely's siblings gave him several boxes of his beloved Mike N Ikes in addition to some Chuck Norris' Texas Rangers on DVD.

Monkey received Batman's cave and a Batman computer, amoung other things.

The three oldest kids all got Ipod touches from Mom and Dad. It was rather quiet the next hour as they all "hooked up" to their machines and played happily!

Mango got an MP3 player and a bunch of other stuff, but the thing that really made her eyes light up were the pair of glasses that she'd been wanting ever since trying some on at her last eye exam. She really doesn't need glasses, just thinks they are a fun fashion statement, so these glasses have no correction in them.

Later that afternoon we made our way through the slushy snow back to my parent's house for more food, gifts and time with family. It was a wonderful Christmas for us this year. Thank you God for sending your precious Son to a fallen world just to be able to save it.

Christmas Eve 2009

The day of Christmas Eve was spent dealing with and digging out from several inches of snow. Later that afternoon, we headed to my parents for good food, conversation, and gift-opening.

Seely and Random both received cash locked inside of a puzzle box that they had to figure out before they could get their hands on the money.

Mango got her long-awaited Wowee Lion Cub that she has named Baby...when she wasn't wearing the box.

It was a great evening!

Dear Cashier

Dear Grocery Store Cashier,

Please know that you do not have to feel sorry for my five year old son when he tells you that he (gasp!) earned the money for the candy bar he is currently (and quite happily) purchasing from you. You asked him where he got the dollar, and he told you. He earned it himself by folding laundry. No, I do not make him do this chore; he does it by choice. Yes, he folds the whole load, and yes, I have to refold much of what he's folded, but he didn't realize that until you said it in front of him. Thank you for pointing that out to a little boy who has taken much pride in his work.

While you were busy giving me the evil eye for "making" this young child earn his candy money, you completely missed the look of absolute pride on his little face as he bought this favorite treat with his very own money. Instead of commending him for his work, you gave him the impression that there was something wrong with working for his money. And he stood there, still smiling at you; still just happy to be buying his candy bar.

What you don't realize is that at five years old, he already knows that you have to work for what you want, and that you can't spend what you don't have. He also knows that it feels really good to help out the family. I think those are some pretty important lessons. And as he will someday be the one paying your social security, I bet you think they're important lessons for him to learn too.

And just so you know...he enjoyed every bite of that candy bar. I bet it tasted extra sweet to him knowing he'd earned it himself. And when he was done, he asked me if he could fold another basket of laundry....already planning ahead for our next trip to the grocery store. I hope you can find it in your heart to greet him with a smile and a word or two of praise the next time he ends up in your check-out line.

Monkey's Mommy

Simple Woman's Daybook for 12/14/09

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For today, December 14th, 2009

Outside my window...the deck is covered in a fresh layer of snow with several varying sized footprints across it from taking the new puppy out. It is cold here today...about 6 F currently, and windy.

I am thinking... about my great-niece Malia who is battling cancer at 8 years old, and who is perhaps one of the bravest people I know

I am thankful for...my new puppy Cooper, for 14 years with Random (who recently had a birthday), and a husband who didn't mind turning 40 (he also recently had a birthday!)

From the learning rooms...Our last week of school before Christmas. Monkey is reading a story about a big pig and working with the numbers 15 and 16. The girls are studying clouds in science and the beginning of World War I in history. Random is also reading about World War I. Seely is at his last day of college classes for the semester.

From the kitchen...pork ribs in the crockpot...to be covered in Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce later today and served over rice. Simple, but one of my favorites.

I am wearing...a striped sweater, old jeans, and striped socks

I am creating...a week of good memories and laughs

I am going... to go pick up Seely in about an hour. While out, we'll gas up the SUV and buy a couple of toys for our older dog Chloe who is jealous of the puppy's toys and keeps stealing them. Tonight is our last night of BSF before Christmas break.

I am reading...Hostage by Don Brown. It is second in his Navy Justice series and I got the whole series FREE on Kindle. (Sorry, I just checked - it's no longer free!)

I am hearing...Random singing along quietly to his MP3 player, pages turning, pencils scratching, and someone sniffling their nose.

Around the house...Two dogs are sleeping, lunch dishes need to be cleaned up, and a rather bedraggled Christmas tree is heavy laden with ornaments.

One of my favorite things...as usual, curling up with my Kindle and a passionfruit-greentea smoothie from Caribou.

A few plans for the rest of the week...a solid week of school, continuing to housebreak the new puppy

Here is a picture thought I am sharing: Dream big!!!

Mini Cooper

Last Saturday, we came home with a mini Cooper....not a car, but an 8 week old miniature Australian Shepherd who we've named Cooper Christmas. He is all that a puppy should be - cute, clumsy, playful, a little rocket of energy, a professional "outputter", and a whole lot of work! After a very rough first night, he is settling in well and enjoying all of the attention that living in a larger family can bring.
This afternoon, he took on the Christmas tree skirt and lost.Shortly after that, we noticed our cat Squeakers lounging in the branches of our Christmas tree.
There is very rarely a dull moment at our house. And we like it that way!