Impressions

They grow up too fast.....

Joining Mamabyrd & From the Land of Cotton in their weekly impression posts.

Impressions

I hope Owy the Owl recovers soon from her broken leg.  It seems shes had a rash of bad luck, just last week she was recovering from a broken wing.  Don't tell Crystal the Duck or Monkey Pants, but I really don't mind tending to her, she is my favorite.  So pleasantly sleepy, and polite..... Unlike Abe's other stuffed friends.  I've had to scold Crystal the duck twice this week for her bad manners (she likes to bite).  And now Monkey pants is demanding a camping trip for his birthday..... somewhere with lots of trees to swing from.... and the nerve of him telling Abe that he was displeased with my choice for a banana bread birthday cake.... I mean really what monkey doesn't like bananas?!?!

Joining Mamabyrd & From the Land of Cotton in their weekly impression posts.

Together in the New Year

At breakfast on New Years morning I curiously asked each of my boys what they thought they could work on in the new year.  When nobody immediately spoke up I began to speak for them listing the things I believed they needed to work on.... homework, helpfulness, controlling bodily functions, kindness, cleanliness... It was only after Jo asked me what my goals were that I realized what I had done.  I was ashamed at how easily I had judged my boy's 'needs work' behaviors, especially when I was yet to list some of my own.  I was pretty quiet for the rest of breakfast.

I really want a New Year's resolution that is realistic and achievable, but also more meaningful than my usual, generic and typical 'be better, exercise more' goals..... I am stumped.  Two weeks into the New Year and still no inspired resolution.  Possibly a look back at 2014 can bring some clarity....

In 2014.....

Jo started 4th grade, and finally got to study the GLORIOUS facts of earth science.

Sol started 1st grade, his first year of 'full time' school, where he quickly realized he was the smartest in his class.... just ask him.

Abe started preschool, which took his love and obsession of coloring to a whole new level.

I lost two children to school during the day, only to gain 8 more for school during the day.

The boys excitedly experienced the single life, each moving to their own room (sniff).

I solemnly and sweatily moved dressers, beds, and toys, as each boy graduated to independent living.

Monte, always such a hard worker, set a new personal record in reaching a 60 hour work week by Wednesday morning. 

I admired Monte's ability to embody the motto 'work hard play hard' as he survives an overly full work schedule and three trips to Snowbasin, on a weekly basis.

Abe perfected his impersonations of almost every creature in the animal kingdom.

I patiently learned to calm a furoucious lion, quiet a howling wolf, wrestle a squirmy snake, and feed a waddling duck.

Sol's fine motor skills are increasingly improving by his consistant building of bionicles, power ranger zords, and legos.

I became increasingly creative in my storage solutions of bionicles, power ranger zords, and legos.

Jo surpassed any and all of his fitness expectations by completing and loving serveral 5 Ks, and a couple of 10 mile hikes, all with plenty of energy to spare to spend daydreaming on the tramp.

I found a new running companion, and Monte a new hiking buddy.

Trigger successfully fufilled his protection duties of the house and yard.

I perfected my aim as I threw my shoes, gardening shovels, sticks, or whatever is within reach, at Trigger while trying to prevent him from biting another dog and/or person as they walk past the house.

Monte rekindled his love for the great outdoors, spending 8 whole days in Alaska fishing with friends. This love is also shared by the boys.

I have rekindled Monte's love for his loves and am now extremely proficient in outdoor cooking, cleaning, sleeping, and any other preparations needed for the families rekindled love for outdoor life..... I think I'm loving every minute of it. 

In 2014 I realized we've each became a little more independent, whether it be by new rooms, or by embarking on self discovering solo trips.  But sometimes it's in that time of independence that we find our clarity..... Jo reads to his brothers together in his bed.... Monte and I together trained for a half marathon.... The five of us (and Trigger) together crammed into a small tent over several long weekends.... How nice it's been to just spend time together.... Clarity?

Now in 2015....

I shall...... hmmmmmm...... ummmmm.... I still don't really know, but hopefully we'll work on finding our balance.... together.

Impressions

His hair is rarely combed, his outfit choices (including added accessories) raise plenty of eyebrows, but his nails.... oh his nails... they always look FABULOUS!

Holiday Break

My holidays were a bit like this post..... a jumbled, fun, somewhat confusing, collection of gatherings, events, parties, and special moments.  I'm always a little sad to see it come to an end, but also a little relieved to get that corner of the house back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the holidays.... I love the excitement, I love the time spent with others, I love my ugly Christmas shirt (& my 'tacky' elf yourself picture... thank you Sarah), I love that everyone becomes a little more childlike, I love my family, I love the thoughtfulness of others, I even love the hectic schedule before the big day.  So much to love is what keeps us clear of all the hype.  

We each have our own traditions surrounding this special day.  I enjoy hearing of others as much as I enjoy my own.  How boring would the world be if we each didn't do things a bit different.  I'm thankful for each tradition and custom we participate in during the holidays. 

I was able to handle a few handmade gifts this year.  Although a nasty flu bug kept us away from our favorite holiday handmade market, we managed some homemade love in the form of sweets, cards, hand warmers, sugar scrub, and one large teepee.  There was a few times that this giant teepee project made me regret my 'handmade gift tradition', but in the end it made the deadline in time for Santa to hide a hand full of presents in. 

There is not a Family Christmas Party that I can remember without a visit from that sweet white bearded man.  And it's unfortunate that my brother always seems to miss our somewhat intimate visit from Santa on Christmas Eve. 

Abe made a wonderful angel in his preschool presentation of the Christmas Nativity, and Jonas scored a front seat ride on our yearly horse drawn wagon/sleigh ride.  And surprisingly, snow and freezing temperatures came just in time for the town to flood the park and create a winter wonderland (new this year the addition of a growing ice sculpture) for ice skating merriment.  And even when things don't go as planned, we can still find the perfect place to let off our sky lanterns on New Years Eve. 

I listened and read some of what my lovely friends had to say about the holidays, eloquent and well spoken, they quoted others in ways that captured their feelings of the Holidays this year.  So before I end with my own found quote (although it won't be Charles Dickens),  I hope that your holiday break was filled with good fun, food, friends, dreams, and toys, and wish all the best in the New Year...

'A gift from the heart is cherished and true, a present is best when love is given too.  So in the end it's love that is the reason that Christmas is more than a gift giving season.  It's a time with our loved ones to show that we care, and families and neighbors come together to share.  So this Christmas Season let us all do our parts, to keep Christmas Spirit alive in our hearts.' 

                                                                                                    -Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

***Yep.... the Hallmark Channel & cheesy animated Christmas movies.....also some of my favorite holiday traditions.

  

Impressions

We woke up Christmas morning to a beautiful blanket of white.... Santa had promised us snow..... the Magic of Christmas..... No non-believers here.

P.S.  Bub.... Thanks for the candy canes & your red suit & the last minute visit with the reassurance of snow & yes I made sure to get your snowmen when I took this picture & yes they look great.

Joining Mamabyrd in her weekly Impression posts.