Friday, December 25, 2009

The Magic of Christmas

There is something magical about the excitement in your kids that Christmas generates. You sense is in the days and weeks leading up to the big day. You hope that the kids feel that spirit of giving. The boys and I have already had a few talks about what the true meaning of Christmas is and what is means to us. We have talked about being thankful for what we have. We need to realize just how much we do have and should be grateful for. We have talked about charities and gone shopping for some of, with the boys picking out items. Demi and I have had discussions about a good scenario for getting the family actively involved in a charity. The boys and I have discussed thoughtful presents for Demi and others.
So on Christmas morning, when the boys faces light up, I really get excited as well. That innocence and excitement are just infectious. Yes, the boys are excited about their presents, but they are just as excited giving presents. They spent hours wrapping presents for the family. The tied bows and wrote labels. The created presents for the family, ornaments, photo albums, and other crafts. The boys really put a lot of thought and effort in the holiday this year. Demis and I are just so proud of them.

Friday, December 18, 2009

NY Ornaments

The boys decided that they were going to make their NY Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins, some tree ornaments. They used plaster of Paris and molds to bake some ornaments. Then they painted these ornaments, a great variety of colors. They personalized the ornaments with each family's individual names. Then they wrapped each one with great care. It was really great seeing the enthusiasm they had while making these items. They really were thinking about creating something nice for their family. It was a fantastic project. We all got something out of it.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The List

I noticed Coco's Christmas list on his desk tonight. I almost bust a gut laughing but didn't want to do it in front of him. I was all I could do to compose myself and actually ask him about it. It was a very standard, and surprising reasonable list, right up to the last item. Coco had Bionicles, Legos, ITunes gift cards, Bakugans, all the standard items you would expect. The very last items was a Porsha (the way he spelled it) 911 Turbo. I asked him, "What are you going to do with a Porche 911?"
"Nothing.", he said, "but it makes the rest of my list look a whole lot more reasonable."
That almost sent me right back into hysterics. The kid had the foresight to create a Christmas list strategy. That kid is going to go places.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Griswold Family XMas Tree

We went on the annual pilgrimage for the Chin family Christmas tree today. Great timing on our part. There was almost no one else on the lot. We beating the bad weather forecast for the weekend. Caz wanted to carry the measuring stick around this year. Every one spotted a tree that looked right to them. But in the end we ended up with another chubby little tree. It was perfect.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Personal Days

There's nothing quite like taking that last minute personal day at the most inopportune time. There are just times when you feel like you need a break. This week, I had had it. Work has been excruciating. Life in general has been hectic too. I am really getting into the holiday season. But I have yet to really do Christmas shopping. Tomorrow just seemed like a great day take. It should be a quiet day at work. Every issue at work should be able to keep for a day. Tonight, I can spend a bit of extra time with the kids, reading and talking. Extra quality time with the kids, is a good reason to do anything. I can sleep late. I can do some errands. I think I am going to take care of Demi's Christmas present. It's early but it's a good day to get it done. I like the feeling when the stars align like this.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

The networks finally decided to show Rudolph at an acceptable time frame this year. In recent years, the networks had started the Friday after Thanksgiving. That is just way too early. At least wait for December. The boys are old enough now to stay up to 9 PM on rare occasion. So Demi made the suggestion that we all crawl into our bed and watch this classic Christmas special. Demi, the kids, Gizmo, and I all hunkered down and had family time. It was a great idea. On commercials, we discussed the themes that were happening: teasing/bullying, being "different", and even the outdated gender stereotypes. You need to take these opportunities as they come. I don't think most of America recognizes these chances when they happen across them.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Cold and Flu Season

The schools are really emphasizing good practices and behaviors for coughing and sneezing. Especially, with the threat and subsequent panic of the swine flu. But you can see it is having an impact. The boys are washing their hands frequently. They are using hand sanitizer, but not over doing it. The boys are coughing into their elbows and/or shoulders. I know they didn't have that tip back in the day. I have been trying to follow suit. I won't go within 20 feet of my newborn niece. I won't even sit in the boys beds when reading to them at night. I think as a family, we have been very successful with not passing germs back and forth. I was sick to begin this week with a head cold. No one else seems to be coming down with. I have been going out of my way to contain my germs to a small area. I would not bring it to work either. I kept to my cube. No fever, so I didn't feel bad going in. I called into meetings all day, even if it was with people a few cubes over. You would hope everyone would be conscious of their surroundings. Kids at least have an excuse. Adults? Oy....