Christmas decor Dec 2014

This year for Christmas decorations I re purposed old sweaters that I picked up at DI because we really don't have sweaters like that.  I recovered our couch pillows in them to make them look festive.  When I was sewing them Peter says to me. "Hey mom did you make those? I didn't know you could sew like a grandma!"  apparently only grandma's can sew.
I was wondering when I was going to have time to put my Christmas stuff up when miraculously all of the kids got sick at the same time.  How often does that happen? Almost never, its usually one kids is sick for a couple of days, and then the next, and the next, to where it drags out for weeks. This particular sickness was the perfect kind of sick where they just slept the whole day leaving me plenty of time to get stuff done because I couldn't go anywhere.  I really think it was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father.  I was feeling stressed and over worked with a list a mile long.  When they got sick it forced me to cancel some things that really weren't that important and just have a day of 2 to reminisce and take my time putting up the symbols of Christ and remember what Christmas is really about.  Its kind of sad really when I need these kind of reminders every year.  Maybe someday I will get it down.  

A New Christmas Tradition Dec 2014

We went to see the lights and deliver blankets to the homeless. At first the kids were hesitent to give the blankets.  I think Brennen threw his first blanket at some poor guy.  We of course apologized and gave it nicely.  The kids warmed up to the people and stopped being so shy around them. After we gave away our last blanket the kids begged to get some more because there were more people in need. We told them we gave them all out, so hey dug in their pockets to find change to give instead. It was so sweet, this might become a new tradition.
I hope they are always blessed enough that they can give to those less fortunate than them.

William turns 11 Dec 2014

William decided this year that he was going to have a survival party. I agreed that it would be a perfect theme for an 11yr old birthday party.  My idea for the party was to gather a backpack full of a some materials to survive.  I broke the kids into 2 teams.  Each team was given a backpack with some rope, twine, a roll of duct tape, scissors, a tarp, some clothes pins, and a flashlight.  Each team was given some time to construct their own shelter using what ever they could find in the backyard.  I purposely placed some items that would normally be found in the wilderness in plain sight for them to use.  

The boys absolutely LOVED!! this activity.  We probably could have had that be the entire birthday party and the boys would have been happy.  Once time was up I chose who did the best shelter and that team got a prize (a candy) then we got to play "capture the flag" with the flags being hidden in the shelters.  Another huge win for 11yr old boys, again this could have been the entire party but I had one last game, and 1 more activity.  After a few rounds of "capture the flag" I gave each boy a flashlight (which they got to keep as a part favor) and a list for a flashlight scavenger hunt.  The first 2 people back won some para chord.

After all this time outside it was getting quite dark and chilly so it was time to come in for some cake.  Can I just say this was probably the easiest cake I ever made and it went perfectly with the theme.  For the last part of the party I had a craft of some homemade crossbows with Popsicle sticks, snap barrettes, and embroidery floss.  I pre-made most of the crossbow to minimize craziness and for lack of time.  We used q-tips for arrows.  Apparently the boys had all seen these on a YouTube video and were ecstatic to make them. 

This party was so fun for me to do and the fact that the boys all loved it made it even more fantastic.

I am so grateful I have kids that go along with parties like this so I can come up with fun stuff.  I don't know what I would do if I had to come up with super girly frilly stuff. 

William also received his arrow of light on his birthday.  He was so proud to be able to graduate that level of scouts.

gingerbread houses Dec 2014

This year we did our first ever gingerbread houses with actually baking gingerbread from scratch.  I found a recipe online along with some templates.  The trick of course is roll and cut out the templates on the cookie sheet.  That way there is as little movement as possible and it wont warp.
The kids and Scott all got to decorate their own houses.  Scott turned his into a church.  We really had a lot of fun making these.  Sure it was a lot of work to mix, bake the gingerbread, make the special icing, prepare, the foundations and put it all together. but it was one of those moments where we were brought back to the family togetherness that Christmas always seems to bring about.  We had the music playing and it made me think of simpler times.  That maybe I could give my kids a taste of that wonderfully simple tradition that they could savor and tuck away for times when they are older and needing a sweet memory.

Eat like a Pilgrim Nov 2014

 Scott and I tried out Thanksgiving Points "Eat Like a Pilgrim"
It was a dinner similar to what the original Pilgrims would eat. The set up was spot on, cast iron dishes, no cutlery.  The entertainment was pretty decent.  We got chastised for not having a head covering.  Thankfully I had a sweater on to cover my arms otherwise either I or Scott (most likely Scott) would be put in the stocks.
They were a little off in that they actually served turkey and no fish but it was the idea of the whole thing I guess.
Scott joined the tug of war with colonists against Indians.  I am proud to say my man pulled them over the top. Gotta love those muscles.
They had a folk dance that we participated in.  Scott said this counted as his yearly "take me dancing" but I disagree because we weren't even allowed to touch each other in this dance.  We leaned over to give each other a kiss and were scolded for our inappropriateness.  It was still fun to flirt with each other and we had a good time. Sometimes I feel guilty for leaving the kids out of something like this but then I just chalk it up to date night with my sweetie and those are very important.

Trans Siberian Orchestra Nov 2014

We decided to check out the transiberian orchestra one more time.  They were playing the album that we really like so we wanted to see it live.  Our seats are pretty good right in the center and as usual the light show was pretty entertaining.  It is like going to a rock concert though, really loud with weird people and I might be getting a little too old for that sort of thing.  I was a little disappointed in the one song that I just love from them with the children's choir.  They used a bunch of adult singers instead and I felt like it really took away from the how special the song is.  It just wasn't quite the same without the angelic voices of children.  Aside form all of that the musicians really are amazing.  Their stamina alone is impressive and of course one only really goes to see Transiberian Orchestra for the light show.