Happy Holidays

I'm always reminded this time of year, just how truly blessed we are.

 

And busy!

 

Seems like the holidays started after Jaxon's birthday and just kept going...

 

Here's a recap.

 

The kids had their first 'official holiday school program'. Honestly, I was giddy inside. Probably more excited than they were, but that's why they do these programs, right? For the parents? So we can brag about how cute our kids were?

 

And they were.



 

Jaxon was the perfect reindeer (that's him on the end next to the long line of girlfriends).

Kiley. Well, she'll get it someday. This year she chose to just stare, starstruck at the crowd of people, and shake her jingle bells. She sings in the car or shower instead of on stage. And I think that's just fine considering I faked my way through my sixth grade band concert playing the oboe. I was the only one so I figured nobody would know.

We also ventured to the Holidazzle Parade this year. It was a balmy 38 degrees and rainy- that's weather in Minnesota for ya!

And I even decided to get in touch with my crafty side this year and made our own countdown calendar. Which clearly I need to explain better to the kids- it isn't a mix and match, take whatever treat you want and complain if you don't get it calendar. But I guess we'll tackle that one next year.

Next, I headed up to Fargo with the kids the weekend before Christmas. We had our usual cookie making festivities, some games, lots of time with family, and of course, presents!

The Cook Nook was officially open for business with Zoe as the Head Manager, Jaxon as the Assistant Manager, and Kiley as the Worker Bee (she basically had no say in anything.). Jaxon was only fired once or twice by Zoe, but I think he used his authority to fire Kiley more than a few times.

 

There was no perfect photo. This was about as close as we got for the three of them before Sammy started jumping all over them.  

Jaxon was pretty excited with Uncle Cory's gift- a new acoustic guitar. We fashioned him a pick from the cardboard box and a strap from a bow, and he was set. We've been enjoying rock concerts ever since. Goes well with the new microphone we got him!

 And of course he had to help Kiley with all her gifts (as if she couldn't do it herself).

It seemed like way to quick of a trip, and far too few games of Quirckle were had. But we were anxious to get home to see Scott, who did not make the trek with us. We got home just in time Sunday to meet up with Scott's family at the Peking Garden for dinner, where I was quite thankful they gave us the table at the far back of the restaurant. Our kids were a bit too hyped up for Santa to come and they seemed to be bouncing off the walls! Or under the tables...

 But there were lots of hugs and kisses!

It seemed fitting of a family photo since it was the first time in awhile that all of us were there, including Allen! Welcome to the family Allen.

 The next day, Christmas Eve, after a short and unproductive work day, we took the kids outside to disperse their reindeer food. Instructions were to scatter the glittery mixture into the snow, creating a path so that the reindeer could see it glitter from teh sky and find us.

 Then, we laid out some milk and cookies and pretzel rods for Santa...

 And it must have worked!

Jaxon got the Mario Brothers video game he had been asking for and Kiley got a new baby doll. Of course there were some other surprises in the stockings- new toothbrushes and Gushers... marshmellows for Kiley and some other fun toys, which surprisingly, they have been playing with every day. Guess we were getting kind of boring. Glad we could step it up a notch as I haven't heard much whining since Christmas...

 

And a few days later, on the way to daycare, Jaxon said, 'Mommy, I think we need to find another one of those shooting stars so we can wish on it and wish for Christmas to be everyday.'

 

 I was about to explain to him that the spirit of Christmas can be with you everyday, but he was already on to the next question... maybe I'll tackle that one next year!

 

no words

Though there have been many opinions... many tweets... and many posts on facebook about what happened last Friday at the Newtown, CT school, for me, there are simply no words.

Only tears and sadness.

And hope.

As I painfully watched our President speak about the shooting of innocent children, teachers, and school administrators, all I could think of was those parents who had to show up at the school looking for their child, and not finding them.

And before me flashed all of my hopes and dreams for my children...

Kiley and Jaxon,

I hope that you never have to hear about a school shooting on the evening news... have to learn about it from your friends at school, or have to experience it yourself.

I hope you never feel scared to walk down the streets or play in your own home.

I hope you follow your dreams... become a scientist or a rock star, a nurse or a teacher... I hope you find the love of your life and never let them go. I hope you travel the world, try new foods, learn to speak Spanish or Chinese, and walk across the Great Wall of China. I hope you have babies of your own and hold them close every morning before school and every night before bed.

And I hope you never know the sadness that our country undoubtedly felt this past week...

For the families involved in this terrible tragedy, including those first responders, those who were left behind, and yes, even those family members of the shooter... I hope you find peace and comfort in God's hands, if not now, then someday.

Five

Dear Jaxon,

Today is your 5th birthday! I can't believe you're five years old already! The time has flown by, and yet I remember so many things about your first five years...

I remember leaving the hospital with you when you were born with all the nervousness of new parents... only to discover that my car had stalled and needed a jump... and then to come home to three feet of snow in the driveway! I remember sitting with you in the backseat while we watched daddy shovel ;-)
And I remember your special hiding place in the kitchen of our house in Maple Grove... the pantry. Where you'd go to play with tupperware, hide your toys, play hide and seek, and do your 'duties'...

I remember picking you up from Darlene's and fighting with you to get you in the car. I used to think the whole neighborhood was watching. This crazy mom whose kid didn't want to go home with her at night. And how awful it made me feel. (glad those days are behind us!)

I remember your excitement and hesitation when your baby sister was born. How you clung to me just a little bit more. But also how you protected her and told everyone about how you were her big brother.

I remember all the times you've gotten sick...all the times you've come to watch me race... all the 'firsts'... traveling with you to Carol's and to Vancouver... all the excitement in your eyes when you've caught a fish, gone on a ride, or just discovered something new.

I'm sure you'll realize someday, that your parents have taught you a lot about life.

But it's you who has taught us even more. You've taught us that elves can be magical. That God holds the sun and the moon, one in each hand. You've taught us that time doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things- yesterday could be a year ago and tomorrow could be next week. Does it really matter? You've taught us about loving and supporting each other, 'no matter what' as you say.

I hope you have had a fun and fulfilling half decade... if someone were to ask me what my favorite part has been of the last five years, I'd have to say, 'all of it'. We love you to the moon and back, Jaxon. Happy Birthday!

Love you,
Mom and Dad