Holding Back

The TreeMy girls in Front of the Tree

Around our house at Christmas we try to keep things really simple. We made a decision the first year we were married to not go overboard. We really wanted Christmas to be more about spending time together than getting lots of presents. Once we had kids we decided even Santa should keep it simple. Santa brings one present for the kids and fills stocking for everyone. He does not bring the grown-ups gifts. Then each of us gives a present to the others. About this time every year I start getting anxiety because the pile of presents looks so small. I have to constantly remind myself that we have everything we need. Cam really helps me stay focused on our goal to keep it simple. I would probably go broke at Christmas without him- or crazy- maybe both. We are constantly bombarded with images of what Christmas "should" look like. Stacks of presents- all in coordinating wrapping paper and bows, a giant tree with matching ornaments and ribbons, trays of goodies, fancy meals, clothes and toys and lights and the list keeps going. Not that any of these things are bad but..... It is easy to get caught up in other peoples ideas of what Christmas should look like. I am finally starting to figure out what I want my Christmas to look like. I don't have the biggest best tree, my decorations aren't fancy- in fact I made most of them myself or got them as gifts. My Christmas is a modge podge of memories all put together in a way that makes me feel happy and loved. I love looking at my Christmas tree and not seeing tons of matchy matchy ornaments that I just bought. I love that almost every ornament reminds me of someone or something. Christmas is a great time to remember not only Christ and the gift his life is to us but also remember all those around us who bless our lives every day. This is me wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful new year full of new memories to last a lifetime and beyond.Our Gingerbread cookiesUs singing the Christmas song we wrote( I couldn't get the video to upload here so I posted it on Facebook if you missed it)

Below are the words and Chords of Our song- for fun.....

All Aboard!!!

Today was one of my favorite days at school. It was Polar Express Day. Let me start by saying I don't love the book or the movie- but the concept I love. I read about polar express parties about 4 years ago and couldn't wait to have one. Sooo I convinced my co-teachers to go along. We now look forward to this day all year- almost as much as for the Fairy Tale Ball. We go on a fake train ride, sing carols, make train ornaments, drink hot chocolate, and do cotton ball "snow" in the parachute to songs on the Polar Express Soundtrack. We sing "When Christmas Comes to Town" in Sign Language. We do watch the movie at nap time as well. This year I had another idea (which usually means a lot of work cuz I have no idea how we are gonna pull it off) - I admit I come up with a lot of ideas. You should see the look I get when I say to Diana (my co-teacher) "I have and Idea." She is excellent at helping me realize my visions. I am slowly learning from her how to do and make-do to create a lot of fun things. Not all of my ideas are good or work out but this time it did. We made some big gingerbread houses out of cardboard boxes. My class looks so cute right now! Anyways I promised I would try and post some pics. Oh and I forgot the best part of Polar Express Day is that we all wear PAJAMAS to school. I have to buy a new pair every year just for Polar Express Day- silly me......
My gingerbread VillageMy class holding up their ticketsMe and Bananas in our Jammies