New Year's Eve

Thought we'd add a little excitement to our New Year's Eve. Getting the right Sterno gel, we were ready to pull out a new "indoor smore maker" I gifted the family this Christmas. Sticks in hand, we all started over the flame. The second picture shows how things quickly turned: Paige holding her ultra-sensitive nose because "it stinks," Meg nervously standing as far from the flame as she could be while still being involved, and Matt becoming the designated one to roast for the girls. (Sarcastically) claiming to know that "it takes the perfect mix of placement and rotation," of course he gets that job!

We let the girls stay up until the worldwide fireworks were highlighted on the 10:00 news. A quick "Happy New Year," an explanation of why those shown live from New York were kissing, and then off to bed. Oblivious young kids + no energy = being completely fine with following Eastern Standard time this year!

Converted Thumbsucker!

Seems like there has constantly been someone sick in this house for the past several weeks. One finishes coughing, the next pukes. We ought to be out celebrating tomorrow's new year a few places tonight, but are opting to quarantine ourselves.

Tyler has had his share of gunk. He has had the humidifier most nights. Poor guy. Only benefit of the congestion has been the chance to take away his binkie. I have heard many swear by tossing the plastic plug during colds. Unsuccessful otherwise (not committed really) for two YEARS, it was high time. I took it away. He napped. It remained gone at bedtime. He slept. That easy! Sure, he has asked for it. But, "It's GONE." For the most part he's been fine. That's a big deal since he was certainly not one who only wanted it at nap time!

I sat back thankful that that weaning stage was done. Late. But, easily done. With no fuss he sleeps in a big bed with no man-made soothing device! Crooked teeth and public double-takes may just have been avoided...

But, I shouldn't have written it off that quick. As this post's title explains, he obviously has no problem converting. A few days into no binkie, he took closer notice of his thumb-sucking sister. Why not follow her lead? Why not convert to something impossible to take away - the thumb and a filthy blanket combination!

Ugh.

Looks like conquering the thumb is now yet another goal on my long list for 2012...

At the Skating Rink

The camera was on the brink. Add that to the motion of kids wanting to glide on the skates, and most pictures here are fuzzy. But, let it still be documented that we made it to the local ice skating rink this past week. Tho the building is completely new, from the rec center I grew up with, I still flashed back to my neighborhood boys who worked the counter there as our skates were handed over. Fun times. And, living in the present, I've gotta say there's not much cuter than seeing the three in the itty-bitty skates!




Matt and I knew we'd be outnumbered. But, we'd promised the girls we'd go as a family. Matt hauled Tyler around for several loops (Matt's poor back). Tyler wasn't as willing to dangle along on one hand, as Paige was. Thankfully, the girls were willing to sit sideline a few times and wait while Matt or I would take each one-on-one. And, thankfully, Meg quickly went solo along the wall. Wasn't long before she could easily maneuver around some orange cones and survive among the public crowd in the middle. Tho there were many falls, she got up each time with a huge smile on her face. In her words, "there was one time it hurt when I fell, and I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I got back up and told myself to keep going." Hurrah for her perseverance!

Wasn't long before Tyler loudly insisted to "GO!" out the open corner each time we skated past the exit. So, he and I took off our skates and sat up in the bleachers for the last while. He was content to pace back and forth along the bench. With classic tunes blaring on the loud speakers, I was able to sit back and watch Matt out on the ice with the two girls. Always fun to see them interact! As fun as seeing their individual personalities press against the glass each time they passed by.

Christmas this year

(best takes of the pajama shots)

(utilizing a modern phone app to follow Santa's progress)

(huddled around a newly published beauty of a classic)

(dressed for Christmas Day church meetings)

Truth be told, Christmas seemed off this year. Our decor has been up all month. The advent boxes were filled. But things still felt weird with no snow outside. And, things were emotionally draining with a lot of bad behavior and repeating discipline. A frustrating mix of trying to be jolly and wanting to put the punching kids into choke holds! Both Matt and I are glad to (yes already) have the tree packed away and the family room reclaimed.

That said, there were still many sweet moments when looking back at the overall. We kept things lowkey. Stuck around our place for both Christmas Eve and day, by choice! There was the setting out of Matt-purchased Oreos, the reading of new picturebooks, the pulling on of fresh jammies, the thoughtful presents in the morning, the excited hugs over sister-picked dollar-store selections, the eager visits from grandparents, the generations-old recipes and family biography from my parents. And perhaps best: the spontaneous round of literally wrestling the kids around the Christmas tree at the end of the night...followed by the solo hour sitting next to the lit tree when all wound down. As my happy guy below shows, we did alright getting the bases covered: Santa brought him the requested "reindeer" and we talked of Christ!

(good mix of reindeer charm and baby Jesus focus!)

Canfield Group for Christmas

Gathering for a party with Matt's Grandma Canfield is an expected part of each Christmas season. Using the large open clubhouse at her place, we start the night off with a low-key dinner and end up circled for an annual round of white elephants.

With the group of great-grandkids expanding, this night can be explained as nothing less than loud chaos. In such jolly chaos, I have NEVER been able to capture any good pictures of this side of Matt's family. Action is fuzzy. Heads are turned. Kids sprint up and down halls regardless of how many "be calm" discussions were had in the various cars. And, it is hard to see who is opening what.

So, a few nights ago as things were winding down with "is there anything else you want to do?" among Marlene (G'ma Canfield) and Caren and Cindee (her two remaining daughters), I threw out the idea of gathering for a picture. I knew it was a crazy idea in a group this large. And I knew it wasn't my immediate blood I was requesting it of. But, in journaling our other personal history blog, it has become especially obvious that I have no pictures of these cousins of Matt...

Thanks to a self-timed camera, we captured all that were there. G'ma Canfield in the middle. Caren and Matt. Their five scattered kids. The five kids' kids. Cindee and Rick. Their five kids. Their kids' kids! People were pleasant. People smiled!

I am printing and framing a copy of the picture for Grandma Canfield. It's not professional quality, but with a bow around it, can there be a much better gift than family together?

Tonight, we gather again with Matt's immediate siblings at his parents' house. Satisfied with this picture...I plan to sit back and let the camera rest. Rumor has it that a Santa may appear for the little ones...but, I've got a picture of that this season (and I'll probably be too busy dealing with questions of why his beard is so different than a few weeks ago!).

Giving Angels

We are told to focus on the giving, rather than the receiving, this time of year. I feel rather successful at that as I gather bargains and stack them in the back of the closet for Matt and the kids. I feel that I did my part in slipping that truth into my recent primary lesson. But it is beyond my selected packages and my lip service in a teaching position, that I recently witnessed the joy of such giving.

This past Sunday, Meg met me after her church class was done with an angel ornament in hand. A delicate glass figure. As she began lifting it towards me, I assumed it might be for a parent and began visualising where this beautiful addition would perfectly fit in our home. Her words of, "this is not for me...my teacher said that she will tell me who I am to give it to..." took me back. No, I wasn't crushed that it'd be given elsewhere. I was more confused. Had Meg heard only part of the instructions? What was I to help her do with this angel?

She and I found, and slid into, a spot next to her teacher and asked for a repeat of directions. The teacher explained that she and the kids had talked about giving and that she had figured that each child in the class could give an angel to someone in ward that was in special need of it. What an extra-mile way to teach the kids hands-on! I sat back and watched as this teacher scanned the congregation. One could tell that she had a short list in mind, but needed to be sure each was there that day.

Spotting a man walk through the open back doors, we were given his name and the assignment to get the angel into his hands that day. Together, Meg and I approached this wonderful man on the back row. Recently widowed, a little extra love for him was perfect. As Meg quietly set the angel in his hands, I explained to him her most recent class lesson on giving. Meg whispered a sincere "Merry Christmas." Repeating it louder, to be heard. He was taken aback and smiled. Worried that she would "not have one now," he fumbled in his pocket and presented her with a Riesen candy in exchange. Both he and she were happy and had a token of love in their hands! Not just tangible items anymore, the angel and candy both became small representations of a sweet moment.

Meg has been blessed by and has learned many things from her teacher. Each weekly lesson has been above and beyond. But, as the year winds down, what better lesson could the teacher have prepared than one which enabled the children to turn around and head out on their own?! This teacher had looked beyond her circle of seven-year-olds. Rather than keeping the "do good/help others" lesson within the small realm of their classroom, she sent each out as an angel placing an angel on the lap of one in need.

As I've finished the last minute preparations around here for my small circle, I have thought about Meg's primary teacher several times. Grateful to have had that moment this season, I question: Do I look beyond my circle? Do I get what I have into laps more needing? Do I create chances for my Little Ones to practice what they just heard preached? Hope so.

Approaching Santa this year

Yes. I was the one who pushed to get my children to the lap of Santa. Knowing that this great Father Christmas would be at Dickens' Festival, I made a visit to his building a priority between shows. All three kids shared the desire to hunt down the man in red. It was an anticipated meeting for the kids! I expected a long line, but I didn't realize that the wait would have us surrounded by perfectly put-together groups of color-coordinated children. In contrast, our group features purposely scraggly hair, whatever long-sleeved tops were clean, and smiles that ended up looking forced (they were sincerely smiling and happy). Never having had the kids within arms length, and therefore not photographed, I was glad to survive the line and capture all three in what may be the last year when all pictured have complete faith in Santa's magic.

This year, Tyler constantly exclaims "Nana!" (for Santa) and "nose" (for Rudolph's red nose) whenever he sees those characters and/or wants the classic animated movies turned on (again!). His pure excitement is contagious. Paige and Meg each had a simple toy that they had ready to ask for. Nothing extreme. Their belief that he'll deliver is endearing. Meg mentioned a "little white stuffed dog that barks and walks with a pink leash." Paige asked for the "Ariel Barbie with the fancy dress." Tyler didn't know...so I prompted him with "A pony?" His immediate "Yes" was changed just an instant later to "Deer!" He wanted to walk away with one of the reindeer. Most likely the red-nosed variety!


I imagine future explanations of Santa. I might take the approach of explaining us as his helpers spreading love, as another parent wrote. I might parallel his symbols with those of the Savior, as one site explained. Maybe those two links will help others already facing big questions of reality. Interesting approaches that I've been thinking about the past bit (thanks Amy for writing of the first and also this last, for me to see/copy). But for this year, I continue on in the "let them imagine" phase that is encouraged in one of my all-time favorite reads - A Tree Grows in Brooklyn:

"...the child must believe in the Lord God and Jesus, His Only Son...Oh, and you must not forget the Kris Kringle. The child must believe in him until she reaches the age of six..."
"I know there is no Santa Claus."
"Yes, you must teach the child that these things are so."
"Why? When I myself do not believe?"
"Because...the child must have a valuable thing called imagination. The child must have a secret world in which things live which never were. It is necessary that she believe. She must start out by believing in things not of this world. Then when the world becomes too ugly for living in, the child can reach back and live in her imagination."

Yes. I encourage imagination. I encourage believing in those who carry joy and encourage giving. 'Tis the Season' for that hope!

Orphans' View

Dickens' overload, I know. Of course, a scan never captures the details of an original...but I want to include these journal pages done by each girl. Their views of the practicing and performing.

Meg was certain to include the order of kids on her bench, the buildings time was spent in, the reality that hair covers their faces when bowing, and her patched costume. Had to have a patch because that is "probably what a 'real orphan' would have."

Paige was sure to include the actions, the props, the bright lights, the fact that they sing the "old, old food song that we sang lots of times," and that there are "tons and tons of people." LOVE her depiction of the heads turned backwards at an awkwardly perfect angle to watch the approaching orphans!

Many have asked if the girls are enjoying it/how they are doing with the shows. They have each had their days of being exhausted. Paige might reply with a blunt, "No!" if asked if she likes doing the Orphan show. "I am just too tired when we have to bow. I don't like doing that part." Three more nights of performing remain for this coming weekend. But, long schedule aside, they have also each had their days of loving it. It has been a good experience. Obviously given them a chance to learn through practicing, a place to perform, and a story to describe.

the Dickens' Festival

My friend, Andrea, planted the idea of the Dickens Festival in my mind an entire year ago when she stepped in as directer of its two plays. Her young boys were in the shows (and very cute in costume). Knowing it would return annually, and that it would only mean a 15 minute commute to rehearsals at the State Fair Park, she mentioned that my girls should give the stage a try this year. I mulled participating over. Push the girls and commit to the schedule of Oliver? Not join and remain ignorant of the event? I chose to participate...well, have the girls participate!

Participation has meant: worrying about each girl singing a song at auditions (I know nothing of what is expected in theatre), coaxing Meg's cold-feet at auditions to follow sister to stand in front of the "ladies at the table," realizing that Matt unexpectedly knew every detail and song of Oliver! - who knew?!, braving cold Saturday morning rehearsals since October, finding that each practice would have the girls changing position as that day's eager child or the one loudly dragging their feet, convincing Paige that she was to follow the director's instructions even if she firmly believed that she was "not an orphan," hearing "Food, Glorious Food" sung repeatedly, laughing when overhearing the girls whisper "let's pretend this is gruel and we have to eat it" over their less-than-favorite dinners these past months, learning the work and tricks required behind stage (cocoa powder as face dirt is really just the cocoa found in my kitchen cupboard?!), befriending other parents among those shuttling to support their children, sitting in rows of empty chairs as rehearsals were run, smiling while watching "grouchy-faced orphans" march towards the official stage, enjoying the confidence Meg has found and her pride in telling any and all about "the show", prodding Paige to stick with it until the whole run in done...and to not jump off the side of the stage...nor touch the stage lights' pole, wrangling groups of orphans while they waited off stage for the ending curtain call, and knowing that I'll love the cast picture once finally in hand. The group in costume is no longer just a bunch of unknown faces!

That long explanation said, here are a few peeks. Some pictures I took during an early practice and the first dress rehearsal when their dirty faces made it on stage.

Learning the orphan line.

One of two orphan tables.

First dress rehearsal. Back row committed. Front row more mesmerized by the lights.

Ready to march to the stage with both grouchy faces and bowls for gruel.

Listening to last minute details.

Andrea's #2 and my #2. Two troubles too close together! Love 'em both.

Just two out of six nights now complete, this is where we'll be this weekend and next. Enjoying the feel of the "London Streets," I hope to wander vendor booths, take our kids to see the authentic Father Christmas and his live reindeer, and watch the hour production of Scrooge which I haven't seen yet...on the days I'm not wrangling others' children. While I don't think that I would have paid the entrance fee and come without a connection, the Festival has proven to have a family feel (crowded, a bit chaotic, and cheesy around some corners...but GOOD) and it seems to be a great way to start the holiday season. Big commitment for sure, but I am glad we gave it a go and have our family involved with it!

Caroling with "street theatre." This time on a small stage.

Visit to the Elves

We made it back to Gardner Village! The same elves as the past years were positioned in different corners and still fun to spot. Meg had not a bit of her previous nerves. Paige determined that her favorite elves were the ones manning the treelot. She walked away from their corner with a hunched back, pretending to be lugging the heavy tree she had been handed from them! Tyler was interested in the little guys, but remained up in Matt's arms for most of the time. Best place to stay in the bitter cold.

With the Christmas store changing to something owned by Modern Display, we were surprisingly unable to find any traditional snowglobes. Instead, each of us made a careful purchase from the glass bakery windows. Matt enjoyed two divine gingersnaps. I found a cookie of multiple chocolate. Meg only had eyes for the one with the most blue frosting. Paige got a cupcake that was topped with inches of green tree frosting. Tyler should have reminded his parents that the same cupcake option for him was not wise! What a mess...

Fittingly, the last elf we spotted sat perched in a tree. Binoculars in hand. Naughty and Nice list dangling prominently from one arm. Served as a reminder to the kids that they are being watched this holiday season! Perhaps I will set the picture of the watchful elf as my screen saver?

Cleaning our Corner

A sight of service I won't forget: Countless trucks and trailers FULL of downed trees LINING Orchard Drive, 5th South, and Millstreet. Corner to corner. Both directions. Waiting their turn to pull into the highschool - the overflow dump!

The following sights, tho representing only a small group among others on our immediate streets, are also ones I'll remember. With the kids underfoot for the minutes we delivered rolls and cookies, I hope they'll also remember this community-wide day of service!