Wordless Wednesday • New family activity

We went out for a walk-about specifically to look at all of our neighbors' holiday lights. The kids couldn't have been more excited about each house. So fun and positive, plus it helped wear them out after dinner and before bed. I'm tempted to add hot chocolate to the next walk-about, but that might not have the same calming effect.

OK, that's enough words for Wordless Wednesday...

Cheers!

My Christmas tree is not perfect, but it's perfect.

It's a new phenomenon for me to share Christmas tree decorating duties with anyone. I used to be really picky about how it all went together. I would spend hours as a child re-arranging the family tree, and have really enjoyed having my own tree as an adult. The kids were mildly interested in helping me last year, but I did most of it without them, then let them add a few ornaments around the bottom at the end. They were fine with that, I think. To be honest, in the past I didn't really care if they were fine with it!

This year, we did the whole thing together, and WOW, was that ever fun.

They were so enamored with the process; delighted to look at each ornament and find the perfect spot for each one. Anna said to me several times, "Mama! This is SO MUCH FUN!"

I agree, Darling.

Louie was quick to inhabit empty ornament boxes!

A sad moment for me came when I pulled out this rottweiler ornament. Our friends Pete & Karen gave it to Brian and I the Christmas after Kato died. It looks a lot like Kato, in fact.

The weird thing about that ornament is how the front leg broke off. The same front leg that Sancho lost when he first got bone cancer. So now the rottweiler ornament is a tribute to both K-Doggy and Sancho. Sweet memories.

Eric, being three, got tired and crashed on Brian before too long. As did Louie, but Louie will take any opportunity to crash on Brian.

 Anna was with me until the very end. She had a little melt-down when I wouldn't let her put up my Swarovski snowflakes. I've been buying one each year since Brian and I got married. They are very expensive, and very special. As a compromise, I laid them all out and we talked about each one. Important things that happened each year, what the snowflakes represent. Even why 2001, 2002 & 2003 are each a little bit broken because Sancho knocked over the Christmas tree in 2003. She was especially interested in 2005 and 2007, as those were the years she and her brother were born. (I'm kicking myself now for not buying an extra one those years so they could each have the one from their birth year!) I finally agreed to allow her to hand me the snowflakes, one at a time, and I put them on the tree. It seemed like a good compromise to both of us.

2005 Swarovski Snowflake

It was so much more fun for me to share this experience with the kids, and I couldn't be happier with the final result.

I love that the ribbons we use as garlands are unevenly clumped together. I love that Eric wanted to place all the animal ornaments, and Anna only wanted to place "The Pretty Things."

It's not perfect, but Wow, is it ever PERFECT.

 

And we only broke three bulbs.

5QF: Five Question Friday

OK, so there are all these bloggy memes. I really like Wordless Wednesday, although it's a struggle to not include some words. I just learned about Five Question Friday, started by My Little Life.

I don't know about this, but I'll give it a shot. My non-joiner tendencies are fighting with my new-found interest in the blogosphere community. 

So here are the questions, as posed by My Little Life:

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

I really don't loathe any Christmas songs that I can think of right now. In fact, I don't like to dwell on things I loathe at all, so how about instead, I'll tell you that I love Ella Wishes You a Swingin' Christmas. I also am in love with a Starbucks compilation from yeeeeeaaaars ago,

called Winterludes, especially the Bach, "Sleepers Awake." It's not necessarily Christmas, but it fits the season. In fact, I love that piece so much, I used an accoustic guitar version of it as the processional at my wedding. Love it. Oh, and back to Christmas music — I HAVE to listen to the London Royal Philharmonic's Nutcracker as many times as possible every year. It just doesn't get old for me.


OK, next question:

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

Mostly opposite, I'm afraid to say. Especially if kids are in the bed -- which happens less now that they're older, thankfully.

3. Have you ever had surgery?

Yep, a few. Most notably, a c-section when I had the Boychild. There really isn't much I want to say about that, except a c-section was so much easier than having the Girlchild completely naturally, no drugs. A LOT easier. However, if I were doing it again, I would insist that Brian be allowed to be in the room with me while they administered the numbing agents. It was borderine terrifying to go through that part alone. Fortunately, he was brought in right after that, and he calmed me down.

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

Is there really a "typical" for this? I often think I'm done early, but then realize I've forgotten some major category. I also keep thinking of little extras that aren't necessary but keep me running.

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?
Do I have to pick just one? 
Let's see... a private jet (environmentalism be darned), my own island resort, Cashmere blankets, a giant closet with room for everything to have it's own place... ok, the closet wins. 


So... here are the rest of the Five Question Friday responses:

Wordless Wednesday: Spooooooky

Anna as Ladybug Girl, in front of our house (w/all our spooky décor):

Here are the neighbor kids, after chili & snacks, ready for trick-or-treating!

We had about 24 or so people over (haven't actually counted) for pre-trick-or-treating dinner. I love this neighborhood SO MUCH! I feel so blessed to have such great neighbors that we want to hang out with.

I didn't go out last night

Man, I hate missing costume opportunities. Last night, I didn't go to a witches party. Arguably the best idea EVER: a bunch of moms dressed witchy, descending on a karaoke bar. I went last year and it was a BLAST. I also didn't go to Equity Foundation's fundraiser -- an over-the-top costume party with amazing entertainment, all to support a good cause.

After being gone at work all day I realized my kids needed me at home. So the Daddy Man made grilled cheese sandwiches, and we made ghost candles. I had some feelings of longing when I started seeing the facebook posts from all the parties. I almost experienced a little regret, until I reminded myself how much fun my kids were having. I can't say it was the easiest decision. I'm glad I made the choice I did, but I a little bit feel like I missed out on some super fun last night.

I don't have any glamorous photos of amazing parties, but I do have these awesome ghost candles that we made last night!

 Here's my silly Girl Child, wearing an infant-size pumpkin costume:

 More ghosts...

 And a few of the jack-o-lantern candles we made last week:

Happy Halloween!