Easter 2014

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, especially since having kids.  Of course we don't forget the true meaning to Good Friday and Easter and we make sure the kids understand as well.  However, we like to have fun with coloring eggs and seeing what kinds of things the Easter Bunny has left.

 

I had recently started to wonder if exposing my children to the idea that "Santa Claus" and "The Easter Bunny" are real will hurt them in any way as they get older and learn the truth.  Will they be mad at me for lying and more importantly will this cause them to stop believing in God as well?  I never really had that worry before because this is exactly how I was raised.  I believed in Santa, The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy when I was little and once I learned the truth about those myths it didn't change how I felt about God nor was I mad at my parents.  I continued to believe in the Lord without question.  So I had always imagined it would be the same for my children ... or will it?  I'm just not sure what to think anymore but it's all in good fun.  

So yes, Easter morning started when my son woke up early to see what this mysterious "Bunny" had left for him and his sister.  He patiently waited for the rest of us to wake up.  Both of them were so excited and loved everything.  I ... I mean ... the Easter Bunny tried not to add too much candy to the baskets.  The joy in their eyes was priceless.  

Unfortunately Rob couldn't join us for church since he's still recovering from surgery and was unable to walk up and down stairs at the time.  So after I made the family a breakfast that consisted of pancakes, fruit and bacon in the shape of a rabbit I took the kids to my father-in-law's church.  We don't usually go there since we attend another church that we all enjoy so much.  I was running late that morning and decided to just take the kids there.  They have enjoyed seeing their grandfather preach before so they were excited when I mentioned the idea of going.  The kids are used to our church which has separate rooms for the kids in all age groups.  They can be with their peers and learn on their own level while being loud and playing.  Sitting still for an hour is just not suitable for both the 6 year old and especially the 2 year old.  My daughter wouldn't sit still no matter how much I tried to bribe her and towards the end she started to fuss like crazy.  Fail!  I don't feel it's best to go to that church again for many other reasons aside from the fact my kids can't sit still long enough for me to hear the message; but I'll spare you all the details as to why my husband and I both feel it's not right for us to go.  

After church we headed home.  My daughter wasn't acting like her happy self and was very fussy and unbearable.  She kept insisting on taking off her pretty yellow dress and white shoes that I had recently purchased for Easter.  I begged her to keep it on until my parents came for dinner.  She did thankfully but refused to keep it on for much longer after that.  

 

Even though I was busy taking care of my husband who is still recovering from a double hip surgery and a fussy daughter I managed to make a big dinner and invited my parents and also my husband's sister.  My father-in-law called and said he and Rob's stepmother wanted to stop by.  

It was an okay day ... and I mean just that.  An okay day.   I tried hard to make it wonderful but it wasn't entirely and I won't mention why.  I'd rather just forget the downer parts of the day.  

However, through all the ups and downs of Easter, I am very thankful to Jesus for his sacrifice.  I am grateful to have a husband who loves me and takes care of me and is everything I could ever hope for in a husband and I'm also glad that he's been recovering well after surgery.  I'm also grateful to have two beautiful and healthy children who can drive me crazy at times but also give me a reason to want to be a better person.  I am blessed ... and I thank Jesus for that!  

Hope you had a Blessed Easter! 

A Snowy Valentine's Day

Thursday we had over an inch of snow, then more fell on Friday and then today we had more.  It's not even over according to the forecast.  What a winter!  My son and husband had both Thursday and Friday off from school and work.  As much as I am sick of this white stuff it was nice having everyone together yesterday on Valentine's Day and of course the kids begged to play outside.

My kids have never seen this much snow before so it was exciting for them.

Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays.  It gives us a day to do something extra special for the ones we love.  I started the day by making heart-shaped pancakes and also found ways of making other things throughout the day heart-shaped.  Like my attempt at this cake.

We exchanged chocolates and gifts and just had an overall awesome day.  But let me tell you ... I'm ready for this winter to be over.  It's time for some sunshine and warmth. 

The Season Has Begun

Can you believe that it's almost Christmas?  22 days to be exact!  My son is counting down and reminds me every morning of how many days we have.  He's so excited.  My daughter, being only two, still doesn't quite understand what Christmas is all about but seeing the tree and the decorations are enough to get her excited.  When she sees Santa she'll say "Jesus" but that's okay.  It's the best time of the year for these children and I love seeing the holidays through their eyes.

The day after Thanksgiving we took all the decorations out of the attic and started to set everything up.  The artificial pre-lit tree we've had for the last 7 or so years had a few strands of lights that stopped working.  My husband,who already tried fixing it last year, decided instead of fussing over it again it was time to get a new one.  The new one is smaller than the other but it's perfect.  The kids busied themselves decorating most of it.  There are still plenty of bare spots around the tree but that just leaves more room to add onto our ornament collection in the years to come.  We have a tradition of buying a new ornament or two each year and that's something we still have to do for this year.  We don't have many decorations for the house but what we have is enough.

 

 The angel that sits on top of our tree was a gift from my mother-in-law years ago.  She keeps watch over us during the Christmas season.  

The stockings are hanging from a shelf in our living room.  In the middle is our porcelain nativity scene, also from Mother-In-Law. 

 A little garland wraps around the bannister.  Excuse the boxes.  They have to go back in the attic.

And here's my homemade snowman behind the door.  I love this!  Thank you Pinterest!  

We have a collection of stuffed toys too.  The children had fun adding window cling stickers to the living room window.

Our next step is getting the outside decorating done but since my husband has been fighting a horrible cold he hasn't had the chance.  I love how the neighborhood homes are already setting up.

I started a new tradition with the kids.  I bought them each an advent calendar.  Every day you open up a door and there is a small chocolate candy surprise.  My uncle bought one for me when I was little and I've been wanting to do the same for my kids.  I also found an advent calendar you can do with Bible verses but we have some catching up to do there.

Also, this time of year means lots of food, candy, cake, pies, etc. will be consumed.  A good reason to break a sweat with the 30 Day Challenge.

Halloween

Halloween is tomorrow!  The kids are so excited for it.  It's one of my son's favorite holidays and he looks forward to it all year.  I know some people do not care to celebrate Halloween and that's okay.  You make the choices you feel are right for your family.  It was part of my childhood and I want it to be part of my kids' childhood as well -- along with Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.  It's just fun little things that bring them joy.

After a trip to Walmart a few weeks ago we left with a Thor costume for my son and a Minnie Mouse costume for my daughter.  They both picked them out and luckily have been able to wear them multiple times.  Trunk or Treat night at Matthew's school, a benefit for our neighbor and the local amusement park during their "Happy Hauntings."  We'll be trick-or-treating around the neighborhood tomorrow and will attend a Trunk Or Treat In the Park event on Friday.  I'm glad they are making the most out of these costumes but ... sooooo much candy!  Oh my!  What are we going to do with all this candy?  They already have so much and will only be getting more tomorrow.  The worst part is every time I pass the buckets I'm tempted to take one ... and sometimes I do.  Shhh, don't tell them!

 

I've heard several parents make remarks about Halloween and why they choose not to expose their children to this holiday.  It certainly doesn't have to be about ghosts, monsters and everything spooky.  I make it all about kid-appropriate costumes, candy and fun decorations.  You won't find anything spooky and scary in my house.  All fun!  I enjoy these events for my children's happiness. 

Happy Halloween y'all! 

4th Of July Fun

Happy Independence Day (1 day late).  I hope it was good for you!  I can't put it into words just how grateful I am to be an American and being part of this great nation.  Freedom wasn't handed to us.  It was fought for.  I can't say I'm happy with the direction our country is going lately but I'm still grateful (and I'll leave it at that). 

We stayed at home most of the day and had my parents over for a barbecue.  Hot dogs, cheeseburgers, kielbasa, baked beans and I made potato salad the same way my mother always made it (sorry not sharing that recipe).  I also made some desserts. 

I made Matthew a red, white and blue drink I saw on Pinterest.  It didn't come out as perfect as it should have but Matthew liked it.  First you add ice, then cranberry juice or fruit punch (I chose cranberry), then blue Gatorade.  The recipe also says to add Sprite last but he doesn't like carbonated drinks so I left that out.  

I made cupcakes but I regret this.  24 cupcakes for 6 people?  There is so much left but I guess it will be nice for Rob and the kids to enjoy.  Anyone want a cupcake?

This is a dessert I found on Brianna's High Five magazine.  So yummy!  First you crush some strawberries with a fork and put them on the bottom.  Then add vanilla yogurt.  Then blueberries and a little more yogurt.  Then top it off with crushed sugar cookies.  Matthew said he wants me to make this again. 

Of course, The 4th of July isn't complete without watching fireworks.  We sat outside of a nearby church so we could see the ones that were shooting off from the city.  I am not an expert on how to take firework photos so this was the best I could get. 

Then back home to play with sparklers before going to bed. 

Valentine's 2013

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  For many, it's just another day.  I used to be one those people.  I never understood why we should take one day out of the entire year to tell someone we love them.  My husband and I share our love for each other ever day.  So for us Valentine's Day might seem unnecessary.  However, since I had children I decided I wanted to make a big deal out of every holiday and that included Valentine's Day.  This is a holiday to celebrate the ones you love ... so why not?

The day started with heart-shaped pancakes which has become our tradition.

 

Then  gifts were presented.  

My children received their own stuffed animal and small box of chocolates among other gifts.  I also gave my husband some chocolates as well.  

Here was the biggest surprise of the day!  After my husband left for work I found a gift bag in our bedroom.  Oh that sneaky man!  I wasn't expecting anything from him and he didn't even give a clue that he bought something for me.  In the bag was a card, with sweet words that literally brought tears to my eyes.  He gave me Jillian Michaels' new book Slim For Life.  I had heard about this book just a few days ago and mentioned I wanted to read it.  There was also a bag of chocolates.  Oh how I love chocolate!  The gifts actually gave me a chuckle ... a weight loss book AND a bag of unhealthy chocolates.  Too funny, but I love it!

I look forward to reading the book and I will definitely give a review on here.

Our three year old friend who lives across the street spent part of the day with us while her mother went to work.  My kids were happy to have someone to play with.  Unfortunately with all the chaos I didn't take a moment to figure out what to make for dinner.  I felt bad about that.  My husband decided to bring home a steak that he grilled.  We ate by candlelight.  It should have been a nice meal but Matthew suddenly felt ill.  He spent dinner time laying on the couch with a slight fever.  We had a bad parenting moment where we allowed him to skip dinner and go right to dessert.  The poor kid didn't even want to finish his ice cream.  I thought the cold dessert could help kick the fever.  Well, I later sent him to bed with fever reducing medicine and hopes that he would wake up feeling better.

Valentine's Day had it's ups and downs.  Better planning and hopefully healthier children will happen next year. 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas ...

However it sure doesn't feel like we are just a few weeks away from Christmas.  The weather here in Pennsylvania the last two days has been rather nice which isn't typical for December.  I do not like having to cover myself and the kids with layers of clothing and coats just to stay warm so this weather is very much appreciated.  Unfortunately it's not going to last, is it?

Like we do every year on Black Friday we started decorating for Christmas.  Rob pulled our pre-lit artificial tree out of the attic and set it up.  I spent a lot of unnecessary time trying to fluff the branches and then wrapped the garland and beads around it.  My least favorite parts.  Matthew was impatiently waiting for his chance to start hanging the ornaments.  I tried to lay out the rules of spacing the ornaments and not putting the same color balls too close to each other but then I decided to just bite my tongue and allow my 5 year old the chance to decorate the tree his own way.  It turned out pretty nice.  I love looking at the tree that was decorated by my child.  Someday my daughter will be able to add her touch to it as well.