Christmas Traditions

It has been so fun as the kids get older to see our family Christmas traditions come together and be repeat year after year. Here are few of them...

1. Nan always sends the kids advent calendars at Thanksgiving. The kids love opening them each day and counting down. This year both Charlie & Annie did great counting themselves - They were very good at reminding us if we didn't bring it up after dinner each night.

2. Duke - our special elf. Nan sent the kids a book, The Elf on the Shelf, a few years ago that came with a little elf Doll. Well our kids named our elf Duke. Duke arrives the day after Thanksgiving and each morning the kids have to find where he is hiding. Duke watches everything that goes on in the house and then reports back to Santa each night. The kids love waking up each morning to find Duke. Many a morning either John or I is rushing down the stairs before the kids to help him find a new hiding place.

3. Letters to Santa. The kids love writing letters to Santa. This year we were out front on a Saturday and the mail man came by our house. Charlie ran and got his letter and gave it to the mail man before mom & dad got a chance to read it. Every time we asked him what was on his list he would tell us that he didn't need to tell us because he already told Santa!



4. Gingerbread house. When I was in the hospital after having Audrey John got a gingerbread kit at Costco and did it with Charlie and Annie. Now every year they have to have one and they decorate it with John. It is fun to watch them have a tradition they do just with dad.



5. Christmas Tree. When John and I were first married he never wanted to go and cut down a tree. He finally talked me into getting a fake tree a few years after we were married and as much as I hated it after that first year I became a believer - it was wonderful, (no watering, no mess, easy to clean up). Well last year John decided we needed to get a real one and the kids needed to help cut it down. This year we had the best time going to Apple Hill to a tree farm that John went to as a kid to cut one down. The owner even remembered John's family and asked if we were going to get a short, fat tree also - we laughed and said no - we got a really tall one - we had to cut off about 3 feet to fit into our front room with a 14 foot ceiling!

The kids love helping to decorate the tree and the house. I have a beautiful Nativity I always set out near the tree and I love watching the kids pick up the pieces and talk about them (even though they are not supposed to touch it). We hang all our stockings that are like the ones I grew up with that Grandma made for all of us. We have a train that John and the kids love to put out under the tree. This year Oreo went crazy every time we turned it on.

6. Driving around and looking at Christmas light! We love this one. In years past we would pile the kids in the car and drive around the neighborhoods looking at lights a few times a week. Living so far away from other developments we only did it a few time this year but we had so much fun every time we did!




7. Baking!!! As the kids are getting older they are starting to help but one of my favorite things to do the week before Christmas is to bake and make candy to give out. Growing up I had a friend named Danielle Ferguson whose mom made tons of Candy. I remember they would put ply wood tables in their garage for all the candy she made. As young as 9 & 10 I remember her mom letting Danielle and I mix candy and form balls, she even let us dip it in chocolate. This year I tried not to go over board but it is hard - Homemade peanut butter balls & english toffee - Yummy~ I could go for some right now!

8. Christmas Eve. In our house we make homemade pizza on Christmas eve. Each kid gets to make their own and we have Peppermint Ice cream with Hot Fudge Sauce. We put a plate of goodies together for Santa and we leave out celery and carrots for the reindeer. Annie wanted to leave out a water bottle for Santa this year because she thought he would be very thirsty. The kids each get to open one gift and play with it for a while. Then it is off to bed for the kids in their new Christmas pj's. This year they amazed us and were all asleep by 8:30! Can you believe it - no one even came down the stairs. After that Santa & I put out all the presents. I don't know who is more excited for Christmas Morning, John & I or the kids!

9. Christmas Day - the kids wake us up and we all rush down stairs to start opening presents. I don't know when my kids will catch on but I always wake up super early to brush my teeth and run down and turn on the Christmas Tree lights. I also herd the girls into the bathroom before we can go down stairs to quickly do something with their hair (am I a bad mom because I want them to look cute in all the Christmas pictures?) We always have such a great time opening presents! After that it is a mad dash for the kids to start playing. At this point John & I usually try to gather up the wrapping paper and make some reasonable order of the chaos. We always have eggs & ham and Monkey Bread for Christmas breakfast. I don't know how it came about but I think we have been having Monkey bread for 5 or 6 years now. In years past we have family over or we go to families for dinner but this year not everyone was feeling great so we had a big turkey dinner at home.


Some how the holiday take forever to get here then flies by, but what fun we have while it is here!

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas. Audrey happened to wake up around 3 in the morning and I heard her coming to our room. Well she never appeared. I crept out to try to find her and she was standing at the landing on the top of the stairs starring at the Christmas tree. After a minute she realized I was there and looked back with huge eyes and said "Santa?" She was so cute. I brought her into bed with us and I think she barely slept. At about 6:45 I got up to use the bathroom and I thought she was still asleep next to John. I came back and she was gone - She had ran in and woken up Charlie and Annie. She was shaking them saying "SANTA". I think she got it!

I know Christmas isn't all about the gifts but we had so much fun opening presents. Santa was very kind to us this year. Here are some of the gifts the kids got. Audrey got some pony's, a cash register, new play food & kitchen appliances. Her big gift was one for both her and Annie to play with - A new play kitchen. Annie got a little pony amusement park, Polly pockets, a cupcake maker, a barbie car and her big gift (again she gets to share it) was a doll house. Charlie got Lego's, laser tag, a robot, a dinosaur digging adventure kit and his big gift was a new bike. The family all got a Wii!

John got me a very sweet gift. He hasn't worn a wedding ring in a very long time (the one he got when we got married is too small) and I always bug him about it - I just wish he would wear one. I suggest we get him a new one every year on our anniversary and on valentines day but he always would say no. Well this year he gave me one for him to wear - I love it. He also gave the kids and I a great gift and tv set for my car. We live so far out that to drive anywhere in town takes at half an hour each way so the TV has been a big hit! I got john a new tool chest. It was fun to surprise him with it. I had to hide it at Dante's house so he had no clue. I also got him all the missing Sports Illustrated Gator covers that he didn't have. I think that was his favorite.

We had a very relaxing rest of Christmas. We just lounged around the house and played Wii and the kids loved playing with their new toys. (funny Wii story - John and I were bowling and I didn't realize Audrey had walked behind me and as I went to release the ball - Whack right into her face. She had a nice little bruise right on her eye for about a week! Do I win Mother of the Year for that one?)

With Christmas now almost over I am a little sad but feel very blessed. Blessed to have such a wonderful family. Our kids truly are great and they bring us so much happiness. I am blessed with a great husband. He works so hard to provide a great life for us and loves to be with us. I feel blessed for a nice home and place to live. I know times are tough in the world but I feel like our home is haven from all of that for our family.

Merry Christmas

Santa's on his way!

A friend told me about this great site that we have been going to with the kids today. You can track Santa! Right now Santa is in Iceland! I am hoping it will help the kids go to bed when they see him getting closer to our house.

It's cold outside...

I can't tell who is more excited for Christmas, the kids or John & I. We are all hunkered down in the house for the most part today. It is rainy and cold outside and nice and warm inside! John should be home from work soon. The kids and I have a few goody bags to drop off today and then we are done! The side dishes for dinner are done, the pies are cooking in the oven right now, and the kids are watching a movie. What could be better!

Christmas Break

I was so excited to wake up this morning and know that we didn't have to go anywhere today, there is no school, no activities, nothing. Just a day at home ~ well as good as can be when you have sick kids. Charlie has been fighting a cold and the cold has won! He is curled up in the recliner watching Smurfs. It is 9:00 and Annie is still asleep. She wasn't feeling well last night either and came into our bed in the middle of the night saying her throat hurt. Hopefully it isn't to bad.

Today we are just going to clean up the house and hang out at home. I was telling a friend recently about how when Charlie was a baby and it was just him and I at home I remember feeling so bored and lonely. I could just sit and hold him and read or watch tv all day. Those days are long gone. We seem to be always running in or out to the next thing. There is always tons of chores waiting for me, a meal to cook or lunch to pack. Audrey will now grab my hand and pull me to the couch and say couch sit so I will sit and hold her. Even now she is curled up in my lap. I am hoping we can really enjoy a quiet two weeks.

Snow Show

Today Annie had her Snow Show at gymnastics. The kids did special Christmas dances and activities then they had a visit from Frosty the Snowman!

We WISHHHHHHHH you a Merry Christmas!

This morning Charlie had his Christmas program at school. Each child read a line or two from the night before Christmas and then they sang a bunch of Christmas songs. Charlie is such a ham that yet again he made everyone laugh. His line was:

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

Well as the kids were saying their lines they just sat in chairs, our son added hand gestures. He laid his finger on the side of his nose and then nodded his head, and then as he said "up the chimney he rose!" he stood up and raised his hands to the sky. Then he bowed! It was quite cute.

They have also been practicing the song We wish you a Merry Christmas. Well Charlie likes to sing in with the Wish very loud and drawn out. Imagine "we WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH you a Merry Christmas". He has been singing it at home this way for a few weeks now. Well on Thursday night we had a talk about it and how his teacher wanted him to sing it in the normal way during the program. He did great until the last "we wish you a Merry Christmas." but it was so cute that everyone couldn't help but sing.

Happy Birthday John!!!

Today is John's birthday! This morning we opened presents and he was supper excited about his new watch (he helped pick it out). He made me laugh when he didn't like the shoes I ordered him. I will admit he is slightly right that they kind of look like old men shoes, I just thought they would be comfortable. Then that night we had yummy spaghetti for dinner and then Gator cake - yes, I made him a gator cake and it turned out great if I do say so myself.

We are very blessed to have John as a dad and husband in our family. He is a great father and the kids adore him. I truly appreciate all he does for us. He is a wonderful provider, father, friend and husband. He can always make us laugh and he is so kind and caring. He amazes me with his patience with me and the kids. We love you John!

Gingerbread Men

Today after school the kids decorated gingerbread men. They were all so cute and intent of decorating their cookies, even Audrey. We are all excited that tomorrow is the last day of school then Charlie is on Christmas break and we get to be home and have a great vacation.

A get things done day!

Today is a get things done day at our house. On the agenda is Laundry (John will be sooo grateful for this one), vacuuming, bathroom and floor washing. Then it is on to the fun stuff. Goody bag making for Christmas & Christmas cards. I am almost done with shopping and wrapping. After John gets home from work tonight I am going to go out and finish - it is mostly stocking stuffers for the kids and John. I have mailed most of my packages and am feeling like we are getting there! How nice it will be when I am hopefully done tonight or tomorrow and can just relax with the kids and enjoy their holiday partys and the rest of the Christmas season!

Laugh for today

This morning I was getting out of the shower and Annie came up stairs with a worried look on her face. When I asked her what was wrong she didn't want to tell me. After some finagling she told me she put a button up her nose. John and I tried our hardest not to laugh, but really who wouldn't laugh when your daughter tells you this. She is 4, I would have totally expected this from Audrey, but not Annie. She was so upset and worried that she would have to get a shot (her greatest fear in life). I sat her on my lap and told her to blow. Out popped a little red button!

Hopefully nothing else goes up there!

Best date ever!

Last night Charlie & I went out on a date. We had a great time and Charlie was so sweet. We went into town and did some Christmas shopping for Annie, Audrey & John. Charlie was so great, he looked at all the toys and picked things he really thought his sisters would love. After we went to Leatherby's and had sundaes. It was so fun to get to go do something just the two of us. On the way home Charlie told me this was his best date ever - I hope he still feels that way in 12 years!

Attempts at a Christmas Picture

Every year I have this grand idea that I am going to get a great picture of the kids in their new Christmas clothes for our Christmas card. Well today, now that everyone is feeling better, I tried. I washed the girls hair and did it up in big bows and got them dressed in their new Christmas outfits, got Charlie all spiffed up in his new sweater and sat them down in front of the tree to take a picture. Well I don't know whose grand idea it was to involve the dog, so after just a few minutes it falls apart, first Annie is holding the dog and Audrey starts screaming because she wants to hold Oreo, finally I give Oreo to Charlie to hold because he isn't in on the fighting then Annie starts crying. I did get a few great shots but I thought I would share this one first!

The gift that keeps on giving....

So Charlie is doing much better today. I kept him home from school a 2nd day just to be on the safe side. With that said, by bed time last night I could barely swallow and finally called the Dr. She said that because Charlie tested positive for Strep Throat she would treat me over the phone. I just have to go pick up my medicine today, which works out because I looked in the girls throats last night and they are both swollen and Audrey's is covered with something that looks like blisters.

Anyway, we will know more after their appointment at 3:00. On a funny note, while I was upstairs laying in bed this morning I thought the kids were all contained watching cartoons, I was wrong. Audrey got into the pantry and got down a bottle of syrup - yes I said got down, because she dragged a chair in there. Anyway, she proceeded to pour the syrup all over the family room carpet. It is true, when you are them mom you don't get to just be sick!

Dilema for a 4-year old

Pop (John's dad) came and visited us this weekend. Everyone had a great time and it was so nice to get to see him. While he was here he got a Christmas present for John and wrapped it and left it for us to put under the Christmas Tree for him on Christmas morning. Well Pop told Annie what it was, (supposedly). They had a long talk today about keeping secrets and being trustworthy. Pop told Annie that if she told anyone what the secret was he wouldn't tell her any more secrets because he couldn't trust her. Annie took this to heart, she has been so good at keeping this secret, even with her Dad trying to tease it out of her.

Today on the way home from dropping Pop off at the airport, I told the kids something I wanted to get John for Christmas and that he would love it if they got it for him. Annie started bawling in the back seat all of a sudden, she said "Mom we can't get that for daddy, that is what Pop already got him. Now since you guessed what it is Pop will never tell me anything again." The poor girl is so confused. Pop is on his long flight back to Wisconsin so we can't call him until tomorrow. Charlie & I tried to convince her Pop wasn't going to be mad and that it was okay. I think she seems to understand the meaning of trustworthy.

Christmas is coming.....

Christmas is coming but strep throat has already arrived at the Garrison house. Annie had strep the week of Thanksgiving and Charlie came down with it yesterday. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it stops with Charlie! Earlier I walked by the living room and saw Charlie lying on the couch, Audrey had walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the forehead. It is always a wonderful feeling when you see your children being compassionate, especially to their siblings. Don't get me wrong, our kids can argue but they don't fight all that often. They play together really well for the most part. As the girls are both getting older they play together really well and really seem to like being with each other.

We have had a busy week and a great weekend even with Charlie sick. John's dad came to town to visit and to watch the Gators win the SEC Championship. The win let's the Gators go to the BCS Championship!! So I guess you can all imagine what we will be doing January 8th.

Firsts!

There are so many firsts you experience with your children. The first time you hold them, the first time they smile, the first time they laugh, sit, walk, talk, eat, play, run. There are first holidays and birthdays. There are firsts when they go to preschool and then kindergarten. And then the first time you realize that your little one isn't really so little any more and is on his way to being a big kid who is getting more and more independent everyday.

Today Annie was at a friends after school and I knew Audrey would be asleep when the bus came to drop Charlie off. He has been practicing walking home on his own with me following him for a week or two now but today was the first day I told him he could walk home all alone. As the time came when I knew the Buses would have come to the park around the corner I went out front to walk to the corner to meet him and there he was walking down the street with his friends. He didn't see me and I was shocked to realize how grown up he is, he waved to his friends and told them he would see them tomorrow and walked the rest of the way home with a smile on his face. I snuck back in the house so he wouldn't know I had been watching him. He was so nonchalant about walking home alone when he came in the house, like "no worries mom".

So today was the first time I glimpsed my little baby boy really and truly growing up. I guess I am still happy he wants me and really needs me because I am sure the day will come sooner than I can ever imagine that he really is grown up.

All About Charlie!

Charlie is the Star of the week in his classroom and had to decorate a poster all about himself. I thought it would be cute to share some of his favorite things.

Charlie is 6 years old
His Birthday is April 6th
He lives in Rancho Murieta
His teacher is Mrs. Boudreaux
His Dad takes him to school
When he grows up he wants to be a Doctor
Favorite color is green
Favorite animals are dogs and zebras
Favorite food is Waffles
Favorite book is Cat in the Hat
Favorite thing to do at school is Math
Favorite thing to do at home is play with his family.

I show others I care by Helping them.
I am a star because I am kind and thoughtful.

3 Super cool Facts:
I am a great big brother.
I am really strong.
I am really good at basket ball (I made 102 shots this weekend).