Fall flew by

When I started writing down these stories Ellie was young and Max was just born. It feels like it was not that long ago, but yet I know it was. Today Ellie is 18, Max is 15.5 and Clair is 12.75. Another year has passed. Stages and phases come and go. 

I remember often when they were little thinking that something (anything in particular such as Ellie's need for a nightlight that lasted a long time) would never pass. Then, one day, it's gone. This is parenting in a nutshell; this too shall pass. I pray for this in the little daily battles such as Max keeping things moderately clean or Max and Clair learning to use an agenda and organize themselves. I pray that I am being the parent they need and not failing too bad, because I'm certainly flailing in this journey often. 

Last night at the Mom's group at church it was mentioned by one wise mother that she wishes the parent she is today could speak to the parent she was 16 years ago when her first child was born. That statement resonates with me. I wish I could go back and do better; be more patients; teach how to manage emotions; play with them more. 

But I sigh and take a breath and know that I am thankful for this journey - regardless of how well I have handled it. The one promise I will make my kids is that each day I do try to do my best AND I know I mess up a lot. Thank goodness for God's Grace. 

Know you are always loved and always wanted!

Photo from our at home NYE's celebration. 

The longest Christmas Break Ever

 This year the kids were off school for over two weeks. It was a great gift based on how the days of the holiday fell. The didn't go back to school until January 5th. 

This gave lot of time for all the traditions and extra time for relaxing. We also took an adventure to DC to enjoy the ICE exhibit at the National Harbor. This year's exhibit was The Polar Express. The ice carvings were impressive. It was a long wait, but we enjoyed the art and the adventure, including dinner at the local Rosa Mexicano. 

Christmas Day 2025

 Christmas Day is fun. Since having teens who like to sleep in, there's always a debate about what time we will go downstairs and start the day. This year we compromised on 8:30 am. That's a long wait for a 12 year old. She is a good sport about giving in to her older siblings. 

Santa was good to everyone this year. They were all happy with their take and had favorite presents. 

Ellie and Max were excited for their trip to Scotland from Grannie. Clair was thankful to get her math camp reserved. 

Ellie got a lot of makeup and clothes. Max got a lot of clothes and legos; his favorite was probably his drone he's been playing with a lot. Clair got a lot of softball tools and a few other fun things she has been enjoying. David and Julie enjoyed their gifts from the kids and watching the kids enjoy the day. 

I was able to capture the wrapping paper picture. Though they don't really play in it like they did when they were younger, I think they appreciate the tradition still. 

The afternoon was relaxing. On Christmas night we hosted a lasagna dinner again with some of the family who is close. This ensures we get to see our parents on Christmas which I appreciate very much. We even played a game of charades as a group. 

Another lovely Christmas full of traditions, family, fun, food and time together. Thank you Jesus!

Christmas Eve

We continued the Gingerbread hose tradition. They make their structures on the 23rd and they dry overnight. Then we start Christmas Eve with them decorating. They got to pick out the candies this year and there were so many, none of them used them all!

Three beautiful houses. You can see their maturity as they age with this process. I love that they each still enjoy this tradition a lot!

 

I love this picture of Max inspecting the loot he has and trying to decide what to eat and what to use for decorative purposes!

We also get a new type of advent calendar this year - a lego nativity scene. With a little push from Mom, we finished it on Christmas Eve before heading to Church. 

This year we decided to go to church downtown at the Lutheran Church we used to attend. I really wanted a traditional Christmas service with traditional carols and traditional preaching. This is not common at our new church and though I love the progress I've made as a christian understanding the Bible and drawing closer to God, on Christmas Eve, I want to remember my childhood and belt Christmas Caroles at the top of my lungs! It was a gorgeous church, service and candlelight Silent Night!

We had our traditional charcuterie dinner before church and cookies after. The kids hung stockings and were good sports about getting to bed so Santa could come. 

It was a peaceful Christmas Eve this year. The chaos of childhood is fading from my life. 

Making Grandma's Sugar cookies

 Cookie making is another tradition the kids seem to look forward to. Gramma always joins us and for many years we have been able to do it with some of the cousins as well. 

We made 6 batches of sugar cookies on this day. Apparently sugar cookies are only a favorite at my house compared to the others. Their loss! We still love them. 

Max is running Varsity Indoor Track Meets

 Max has really taken to Track this season. He has worked hard and his race times are much improved. This year he has been invited to run all JV meets and most Varsity meetings. His future is bright in this sport if he can figure out how to take care of his body. He seems to be plagued with various pains such as shin splints and ankle pain. 

I love watching him run. He's quite good at it!

Christmas Preparations

 When I was younger the Christmas Tree was real, the lights were old school hot, and trees didn't get decorated until about a week before Christmas to ensure that they were fresh and didn't catch on fire. 

As a parent, thanks to the kids excitement for the holiday, the day of decorating has moved earlier and earlier each year. I've given up the delay and just accepted that the decorations go up as soon as Thanksgiving is over. The kids have even added a couple traditions into the mix which I welcome - such as a Cherry Pie after we decorate the tree and so many lights outside - colored lights. We even got a second tree last year for the front room. 

I'll admit, I love Christmas as a season and the decorations. 

This year the kids took the lead outside due to David and me having limits to climbing and lifting thanks to our backs and knees. I am thankful seeing them grow and take on these roles. I think they did a nice job too. 

Clair took the lead on making this year's Cherry Pie. She even learned to weave the crust like my Grandma used to do. 

We decorated both trees by Nov 30th and enjoyed the delicious pie together.