My favorite time of year growing up was always Christmas. Mostly because of all the presents I got and being blown away by how Santa always knew the perfect gift to get me, and because I loved our Christmas Eve traditions.
My family is made up of just about every ethnic heritage you can think of so my parents came up with a very unconventional Christmas Eve dinner for our tradition. We eat Mexican food! Tacos, enchiladas, refried beans, chips and salsa and more. My mom would occasionally even make flan for dessert. After dinner we would sit around and each read our favorite children's Christmas stories such as:
The Polar Express
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
The Littlest Angel
The Three Trees
new favorite- Too Many Tamales
Santa Mouse
The Night Before Christmas
and many more...
We'd end the night reading the story of Christ's birth out of the Bible and taking a moment to soak in the spirit of the season. It's so easy to forget what we are really celebrating this time of year.
After that, each of us kids would get to open one present which usually ended up being pajamas and then all three of us would sleep in one room. We'd try to stay up as long as we could to see if we could hear or see Santa and his sleigh but always fell asleep before that happened. From the view of our bedroom window was a radio tower which had a red flashing light on its top and I use to imagine that the red light was Rudolph's shining nose and I'd fall asleep waiting to see if it got closer.
Now that we are all older with kids of our own, we've each modified these traditions to fit our indvidual families but I think we've kept if very similar. Spending a quiet evening together letting everyone take part in making that night a very special one is so very important.
So, to all those who read this blog (all three of you) I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a happy New Year. This is the prefect time of year to take some quality time off and spend it with your family. Much love to everyone!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Christmas Festivities by Abbey
I've been wanting to institute some sort of advent calendar into our yearly holiday festivities, but I haven't seen one that I really like. At least, enough to spend money on.
Last night I got a fresh dose of holiday cheer (let's blame it on the new snow!), and thought I'd whip something up to countdown to Christmas. I'm a big crafter so, I already had all of the essentials: cardstock, photoshop, and an endless supply of ribbon.
I had a few goals to accomplish with this project. First, I wanted some sort of religious aspect to the calendar. Second, I wanted something fun, too. Not that reading scriptures isn't a grand ol' time, but I've got a two-year-old. Third, I wanted to stay away from treats. I'm one of those total weirdos who thinks that candy isn't good for you. I know.
So here's what I came up with.
First, I took these gift tags and doctored 'em up a bit. I love the way they look under our tree, so I figured I might as well not re-invent the wheel. I basically made them bigger and added text.
Then, on the back, I added a scripture that pointed to the Savior's birth. I also added a fun activity to do, like baking cookies or watching a Christmas movie.
I finished it up by adding a glittery ribbon to each tag, and hanging them next to our stockings. I'm super excited to show my daughter how it works, and to do all of the fun Christmas-y stuff with her.
Who knows? Maybe next year I'll go crazy and do one for every day in December. This year I thought 12 would be a good start...
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Abbey has her own blog named The Naptime Report and if you would like to visit it, just click on the link
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas Traditions and Recipes by Jana
Christmas time is such a fun time of year and so many families have different traditions! One of my families favorite tradition is creating our own “silent night”. Well, let’s be honest, when doing this tradition with kids, there is no way we have a silent night. Our kids, more appropriately, refer to it as Christmas Camp Out. We turn off the TV and phones, pull out the sleeping bags, read Christmas stories(of course, we share some of our own), enjoy yummy treats, listen to Christmas music, and sometimes even wrap a few presents. The night ends with us all falling asleep under the Christmas tree lights. With all the busyness of Holiday preparations, I have come to love this special night. I know it is a simple tradition, but I also know I’m going to just enjoy the Christmas spirit and the time I'm spending with my family.
During our Silent Night we usually have breakfast for dessert and here is one of our favorites for breakfast... Christmas Tree Toast and we decorate it with raspberry syrup!
Christmas tree breakfast
2 cups eggnog (I like vanilla eggnog and I usually add an egg, and sprinkle in cinnamon and nutmeg) 8 slices day-old bread
8 pork sausage links
Green colored sugar
Confectioners' sugar
Pour eggnog into a shallow bowl; dip both sides of bread in eggnog. In a nonstick skillet, toast bread over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in another skillet, brown the sausage.
Cut French toast diagonally; place four slices, overlapping slightly, on each serving plate for the tree. Place two sausages at the bottom for the trunk. Sprinkle with sugars. Add an orange slice for the sun and herbs for grass if desired.
Here is a yummy treat we also make to enjoy, although usually we are eating from the goodie plates delivered to us by friends!
White Christmas mix
2 (12oz) pkg white chips
3 T vegetable oil
1 lb bag M&M’s (Christmas)
2 oz peanuts (dry roasted)
5 C cheerios
5C corn Chex
Melt chips and oil, in a large bowl mix the other ingredients then pour chocolate and gently mix put on wax paper.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My Honest Feelings
I've kind of struggled with what direction I want the blog to go. I've always known that I wanted this blog to not just be dominated by my own posts; I want it to be a place were other people can feel comfortable enough to post their own thoughts, comments, stories, opinion, and more. But I've also always known that I didn't want to use this site as a personal opinion, whining, complaining site. I guess I've had a heard time finding a balance between writing my own opinion pieces with informative helpful pieces as well.
I think, since I've kind of been on my own on this, I've been trying so hard to be informative that I've forgotten to put a little of myself in here as well. So, starting from here on out, I'm going to write more pieces about my thoughts and opinions on various matters. I know I'm not perfect. I'm definitely not a perfect mom and I consider myself still a new mom with 2 kids under the age of 5. But I think I have an opinion and useful knowledge that actually matters.
So, weither you like it or not, I will start getting more personal with my pieces. I welcome any and all comments especially those that can and will disagree with my view on things. I am open to change and other views that will give me a whole new perspective on life. So if you think I'm being catty, judgmental, small-minded in a piece I'd love to hear that and why you feel that way. But I hope that I'm effecting the readers of this blog more in a positive manner and inspiring to do more.
That is all I have to say for now. Signing off...
I think, since I've kind of been on my own on this, I've been trying so hard to be informative that I've forgotten to put a little of myself in here as well. So, starting from here on out, I'm going to write more pieces about my thoughts and opinions on various matters. I know I'm not perfect. I'm definitely not a perfect mom and I consider myself still a new mom with 2 kids under the age of 5. But I think I have an opinion and useful knowledge that actually matters.
So, weither you like it or not, I will start getting more personal with my pieces. I welcome any and all comments especially those that can and will disagree with my view on things. I am open to change and other views that will give me a whole new perspective on life. So if you think I'm being catty, judgmental, small-minded in a piece I'd love to hear that and why you feel that way. But I hope that I'm effecting the readers of this blog more in a positive manner and inspiring to do more.
That is all I have to say for now. Signing off...
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mothers and Friends
Sorry, I've been working on this post for about a week now. The hardest part was getting the link that I needed to post this piece, but it's finally ready!
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I've attached a link to another blog Motherhood Is Not For Wimps and a specific post The Safe List, And Why You're Not On It which inspired me to write this piece. (Click Here for Link!)
She writes about how as a person we call many people, other mothers, our friends, but if we're being honest with ourselves, there's only a few of those friends we would trust to watch our children.
If I had read this post before I had become a mother I would have thought that this woman was being completely dramatic and rude. How could you call someone your friend yet not trust them to watch your children!?!
But now... I agree with her. Sure, she is dramatic with her piece but there is truth behind the shock value. Since I've moved to Rock Springs, Wy, I'd say that I've made many, many friends. Many of them are moms who I respect and see quiet frequently but there only a couple that I would feel comfortable leaving my kids with.
This doesn't mean that those I would not leave my kids with I consider bad moms. Actually, most of them are quiet excellent moms. They focus a lot of their time and energy on their families and this is why I respect them. But respect and trust are 2 different things. I wish I could share some situations that have brought me to this conclusion but that would only result in hurt feelings and embarrass friends. Although, that would not be my intention.
I can tell you that the major reason why I have begun to think this way is because I have kids with severe food allergies. They are severe enough that no matter where my kids go, epi-pens are always with them. I have seen both of them have allergic reactions and it's not something I would want any of my friends to feel responsible for. It's bad enough that I scare them with instructions on how to use the epi-pens but I'd never want them to feel the guilt of letting something happen to my kids.
The truth is, this is my life and my worries. No other mother here has to worry every second of every day about their child dying from being exposed to something so small as a peanut. It's always on my mind. I walk into a room and have to immediately check if there is anything in there that would put their lives at risk. Other moms I know don't have to do that. They don't have to think like that, so leaving my kids with people who aren't use to instinctively thinking the same way is not an option. I've had scares of leaving them with people who, when I pick up the kids, will tell me that they didn't realize foods (hazardous to my children's heath) had been left out. I understand that they're not use to thinking the same way but I don't think it's asking too much to be a little more alert for a couple of hours. If I don't think that they are capable of that then I can't leave my kids with that person. Nothing against these other mom's but I don't want to weigh them down more if they just can't make room for it.
But there are other reasons to not leave your kids with other parents; if they are too strict or relaxed with their own kids, too verbal about their home situations, you don't like the messiness of their house, you're worried about germs and other ways your child could get sick at their house, the kinds of foods they feed their kids, what the parents do for a living, what the mom's write on their blogs, and much more. It really doesn't matter!
They're your kids and it's your responsibility to keep them safe. If that means being picky about who watches your kids and why you have that right. Importantly, it's not like you're labeling other parents as unfit, and in no way are you trying to be mean, you're trying to be safe. And if we're being realistic there is a mother out there that calls you a friend, but has her reasons to not leave her kids with you. We're all doing it and none of us are trying to be mean. We're just being safe.
__________________________________________________________________________________
I've attached a link to another blog Motherhood Is Not For Wimps and a specific post The Safe List, And Why You're Not On It which inspired me to write this piece. (Click Here for Link!)
She writes about how as a person we call many people, other mothers, our friends, but if we're being honest with ourselves, there's only a few of those friends we would trust to watch our children.
If I had read this post before I had become a mother I would have thought that this woman was being completely dramatic and rude. How could you call someone your friend yet not trust them to watch your children!?!
But now... I agree with her. Sure, she is dramatic with her piece but there is truth behind the shock value. Since I've moved to Rock Springs, Wy, I'd say that I've made many, many friends. Many of them are moms who I respect and see quiet frequently but there only a couple that I would feel comfortable leaving my kids with.
This doesn't mean that those I would not leave my kids with I consider bad moms. Actually, most of them are quiet excellent moms. They focus a lot of their time and energy on their families and this is why I respect them. But respect and trust are 2 different things. I wish I could share some situations that have brought me to this conclusion but that would only result in hurt feelings and embarrass friends. Although, that would not be my intention.
I can tell you that the major reason why I have begun to think this way is because I have kids with severe food allergies. They are severe enough that no matter where my kids go, epi-pens are always with them. I have seen both of them have allergic reactions and it's not something I would want any of my friends to feel responsible for. It's bad enough that I scare them with instructions on how to use the epi-pens but I'd never want them to feel the guilt of letting something happen to my kids.
The truth is, this is my life and my worries. No other mother here has to worry every second of every day about their child dying from being exposed to something so small as a peanut. It's always on my mind. I walk into a room and have to immediately check if there is anything in there that would put their lives at risk. Other moms I know don't have to do that. They don't have to think like that, so leaving my kids with people who aren't use to instinctively thinking the same way is not an option. I've had scares of leaving them with people who, when I pick up the kids, will tell me that they didn't realize foods (hazardous to my children's heath) had been left out. I understand that they're not use to thinking the same way but I don't think it's asking too much to be a little more alert for a couple of hours. If I don't think that they are capable of that then I can't leave my kids with that person. Nothing against these other mom's but I don't want to weigh them down more if they just can't make room for it.
But there are other reasons to not leave your kids with other parents; if they are too strict or relaxed with their own kids, too verbal about their home situations, you don't like the messiness of their house, you're worried about germs and other ways your child could get sick at their house, the kinds of foods they feed their kids, what the parents do for a living, what the mom's write on their blogs, and much more. It really doesn't matter!
They're your kids and it's your responsibility to keep them safe. If that means being picky about who watches your kids and why you have that right. Importantly, it's not like you're labeling other parents as unfit, and in no way are you trying to be mean, you're trying to be safe. And if we're being realistic there is a mother out there that calls you a friend, but has her reasons to not leave her kids with you. We're all doing it and none of us are trying to be mean. We're just being safe.
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