O Christmas Tree

Aha!  It's done!  The tree is up and the glow of lights is sooooo nice.

We let a mini-Santa help decorate.  Actually, he stopped hugging the tree and helped us hang ornaments.  You know that means most of them are within the bottom 2 feet of the tree.  Somehow, it still looks "beautiful".

Our little guy was so happy the tree was being put up that he literally danced for joy.  All over the house.  Repeating "see?  the tree is up!  see?  I love our tree."   He is truly amazed.   Last week, we had a playdate at church- 4 boys between 2 and 3 years old.  It was a lot of fun- with the most popular toy being... a palm frond.  Yes indeed.  Anyway, we tried to wrangle the boys into a tree photo.

What were we thinking?  It was like trying to herd kittens to sit together.  There are 4 boys in the photo above.  Kaden is all the way to the left.  One boy laid on his stomach and the others started to follow.  Then they realized they could swing their legs up and kick the tree ornaments.  Seriously- herding kittens.

Tomorrow begins the -so-many-holiday-party-days.  I think the schedule goes:  morning party and night party, night party, day off, work (giving gifts to volunteers), work, work with kids party, afternoon party.  One of those parties I don't have to prepare, and all are related to church or work in some way.  I'd like to do our cookie party again this year (we make the dough and ppl just come over and roll, bake, decorate whilst we chat and drink cocoa).   We'll see.    If nothing else, I'll have some fun photos for everyone :)   How's your Christmas season going?

Christmas Fret (and maybe poop)

Despite the title, I'm actually in a good mood- or maybe a mellow good mood.  It's probably because I found a LOT of Christmas music on my computer, which I can get to and play.  As opposed to the nice Christmas CD collection, packed away with all the other holiday stuff in the attic, which only my husband can get to.

Which means we haven't drug out the tree OR the lights OR the nativity sets OR any other holiday decoration.  And I was all fine with that, and then suddenly I wasn't.  Where was the window of time that had both "I'd like to get the decorations out and up" AND "we have time to do this."  GONE, I tell you- I went from fine to annoyed in .6 seconds, and it's no one's fault but my own.

Still, I'm laughing at myself- after just one or two nights of cranky annoyedness, now I'm more like "heh, I'm annoyed without giving a reason".  SO I highly recommed stashing Christmas music in an easily retrievable and rememborable spot.  Also, having a kind husband who listens to your rant and is STILL kind afterward helps very much.  Also, having plans to decorate jsut before the crazy holiday party circuit (and we're not even going to them ALL) helps.  Oh, and don't forget having a toddler who likes to sing along with the Christmas carols even if he doesn't know the words.  Hmm, well that's helpful for about 5 minutes, and then only as a memory to smile at.  Otherwise, the FIVE GOLDEN RINGS  starts to clash with the nice Christmas music feelings.

Well, believe it or not, I'm knee deep in wrapping presents and making all SORTS of compromises to my "original, best plan" that involved everything being equal and fair and recycled wrapping that Kaden colored or painted on.  Which is odd, since I had finished shopping about 2 weeks ago.  Well, except for the alternative gifts and one online special that I missed the deadline on and was waiting for another deal to come up.  And now it IS up, but there's no way for me to tell if i can GIFT it to another address before I click the 'pay now' button, which makes me a bit nervous.

And then, with the alternative gifts, there's a spousal debate raging about whether we include them in the Box-o-Gifts or mail the acknowledgements out separately with the Christmas cards.  Actually, I'd like to include the Christmas cards too, but I haven't taken the "Florida Christmas" photo, even though I've had the idea since halloween. 

I think the shipping deadline is today, for regular dont-sell-us-your-arm shipping prices.  But in addition to all the above, I need two large boxes and instead have one XXL huge bog and one medium large-ish box. I THINK I can use the medium big box for one family but then the other family's box will have lots of air packs, which makes it look way less exciting. Especially because we really don't go overboard AND it's got recycled wrapping paper, which looks less exciting.  I like to think our Christmas gift boxes say:   "we love you, and we carefully picked out these few presents, AND we also love the earth so we've recycled paper AND we also want to share our creativity so we've painted the paper to make it look festive"   I don't know, though, maybe it says something else entirely. 

Anyway, I have two hours before going into work, and should have all the gift-y stuff off the table before kaden comes home too.  Plenty of time if i'm just wrapping and sealing boxes, but not so much if I have to go print and pick up things.  So I'll get off the blog now.

BUT I really have to share my most favorite alternative gift:   Manure.   Really, with the tagline that says something like "show your family you give a sh*t this Christmas".  Oxfam makes me laugh so hard!!  And I could think of a few people to send it to, but I think maybe they'd take it the wrong way.  Would you?

Required Holiday Photos

I suppose it's time to drag out the tree, eh?

and dress up to go to holiday stuff...

But if there's still pumpkins around, that's okay.

There's plenty of imaginary characters around this time of year,

what's another three?

Because we'll still smile for the camera,

even when we have no idea what else to do.



Because, as Kaden often reminds us:  "It's okay, we're family."

We can barely contain our excitement at that...

And we'll dress up like Pop.



And remind ourselves, it's all about the Light of the World

(which is, of course, "ME AND JESUS")



Our goal is for a simple, meaningful season.

Being sick and unable to decorate the first two weeks is helping.

So is crafting an ornament each day (part of an Advent calendar/devotion).

Though I use the term "craft" lightly.  Maybe I'll post some examples later.

Peace, y'all.

Still Thankful (long post about pumpkins and races)

There may be all sorts of stuff happening, but today is still the last day of Thanksgiving break.

Do you remember, a month or two ago, we went up to Pennsylvania and enjoyed Grandma and Pop's garden?  Here's a refresher of the mini harvest for the day:

The specimen (fruit? veggie?  I feel like I should know this...) that Kaden is holding below is a "neck pumpkin."  As in, it has a long neck.  It's also called something like a "dutch crooked neck pumpkin" and there's an official name for it.  Anywho, it pretty much grows only in central Pennsylvania. And it's perfect for baking pies.

Which is what we worked on down here in Florida, with one of Grandma's pumpkins.  Kaden was so excited to help - here he is carrying it across the kitchen:  "Mama, this is BIG and heavy."  (Yes, it DOES look like butternut squash on steroids.  But it ain't.)

Then we started cutting it up.  Well, I did, while Kaden manhandled one piece with a butter knife.  Anyway, here's WHY neck pumpkins are so good at baking pies-- the neck is pure pumpkin meat!

The little bump at the end is where you'll find the seeds, but even still it has a lot of meat there too.

Here's our yield-- one small dish of pulp and seeds (far left), one small plate of the skin for composting, and two large dishes full of chopped up pumpkin.  I think about 10 cups total.

Next step- cook it in a bit of water until a little soft.

We also spread the seeds out to dry.  We're going to try a few down here and see if we can get a plant or two growing...

Other steps included: draining well, storing in fridge until bakign day (within a week), then putting in food processor to get rid of the stringy bits, then measuring and baking.  We made about 24 mini pumpkin pies (think baby quiche), one pumpkin custard (think pie without crust), two pies and a loaf of pumpkin bread.  Pure heaven.  I forgot to get photos of those, but trust me.

And here is our little turkey on Thanksgiving day- this shirt has his handprints from 2009 and 2010.  I forgot to put one on this year, so I guess we'll add it when we do Christmas crafts...

Thanksgiving day we also did a "Turkey Trot" as a family.  Jim did a 5k first, with his personal best time (go Jimdad!), and then Kaden, Jim, my mom and I all did a 1 mile "fun" run.   We all gathered together, and when the race started, Kaden honestly took off and was in the middle of the back of the pack.  He ran for about a block or so, then started walking (My energy is gone, Mom). 

Kaden did a half mile in this walk/run/walk fashion.  We were in the absolute back of the pack, near a old guy with a cane (more power to him for going out!) and the peeps walking their dogs.  After a half mile, Kman took a break and rode in the stroller for a while.  Then, about 2 blocks (quater mile ish) from the finish line, we started to talk him into finishing the race on his own.  A nearby teen girl heard us and asked Kaden "do you want to run in with me? I'll run with you." Kaden said YEAH and jumped out of the stroller.

Poor girl.  We should've warned her that the toddler was faster than he looked.  He *took off*, people! The teen gave her friend a startled look, and then ran to catch up.  With the teen beside him and encouraging him, Kaden ran the rest of the way!!  When he turned the corner for the final homestretch, the crowd cheered for him!! and then he got a nifty ribbon and a bottle of water when he crossed the finish line.

Later, I asked him how it felt to cross the finish line and finish his first race.  His reply?  "It felt sweaty."   So then I asked how it felt when the crowd cheered for him:  "It made me feel happy."  Aww, that's the sound of my heart bursting with pride.

See?  Lots to be thankful for!  And this long post is just a few things :)

11-11-11 means....

a) Happy Veterans Day

b)  a few photos

c) not much else

d) all of the above

Above and below, "glitter pumpkins".  Super easy, fun and messy.  We painted glue on them, then dumped glitter on them.  Then dumped glitter in the glue, mixed it up and re-painted.  Then left the pumpkins outside :)

Yes, that was from a few weeks ago.  I'm slow posting these days.  Notice the emoti-pumpkins- Kaden's request was for a "mad one" because he likes mad best.  I'm hoping this is a phase.

Above, just a random play photo.  But doesn't he look so... big?  and all concentrated-y?  *sigh*

And here, the boy took photos while we were cooking (the infamous neck pumpkin is on the right there).  There's a few that aren't too bad.  Out of maybe 100.   He's quick, that one.

Ah, and tonight his dad was going off to a race, and Kaden says to him "I bet you'll get first place."  Jim chuckles, and says I don't think so.  Kaden responded, "Yes, you can because I think you have fast legs."  :)

Random October-ness

We once again bought an annual pass to a butterfly place (thanks, Groupon).

Here's hoping we use it more than once this time.

Kaden came home with the following 3 scratches/cuts on his face.  He told me that he was tickling a friend while they were getting a drink at the water fountain, and his friend fell and he fell and hit his face on the water fountain.  But it didn't hurt.  Later, he told my mom his friend pushed him at the water fountain and he hit his face on the step- but it didn't hurt.  Still later, when a lil' friend asked him :"hat happened to your face", Kaden said "I don't know."

This was on Wednesday, and the photo is from Friday. I took it after I called the daycare and asked 1) did anyone know what actually happened and 2) why didn't I get an incident report?    The woman in charge is new- she didn't actually remember/know who my son was, nor did she know what happened as she "wasn't on the day crew."  I used to work at a daycare, so I get this, but still:  would you be upset at this?  BTW, later I asked Kaden if he told the teacher about getting hurt and he said, no it was a secret.  So we had another chat about the importance of NOT keeping secrets from teachers or parents.  But I think 4 yr old boys who wear superhero shirts are starting to have more influence than I am.  Sigh.  It's almost enough for me to quit working right now.

And the pic above is a random fireman.  We were at a school gym one weekend, to see a friend in a karate tournament, when the fire alarm went off.  Someone checked and assured us it wasn't a real fire, but since I remembered the recent station visit (where we learned that it takes less than 5 minutes between "fire starting" and "house-consumed-and-everyone-dies", I talked our boys into a stroll outside to look for the fire trucks.  And then they showed up!  Very calm but quick, grabbing axes and shrugging into oxygen tanks.  The driver stayed near the truck, and let Kaden go in to explore a bit.

I love this philosopher pumpkin photo.  Not scripted (exactly).  I also love the avocado peeking out, just to the right of kaden's hat.  Well, that and the palm tree.  We've actually gone to this church "pumpkin patch" for many years-- but I can't find the other pics of Kaden as a wee one next to the orange globes right now :)



Yet Another Fire Station Visit

Our city had a special "visit the firehouse" kind of day recently.   The places were CLEAN (nice going, fireguys and gals) and they had all sorts of vehicles and equipment on display. 

Look closely below, and you'll see a junior firefighter driving the truck.

We had a "tour guide" for a little bit- first a volunteer and then a fireman nicknamed Scout.  But after the usual tour, with our boy still enthralled and interested, they just sorta let us roam around a bit (!).

Which is how Kaden figured out the built in truck steps on engine 9 below, and started climbing.  He was a little miffed we wouldn't let him go on the top of the engine.

They also had these awesome ATV type vehicles. Kaden jumped in, flipped the key and a switch and wa-la: lights and sirens went off. All in less than 20 seconds. No, I'm not kidding.   In another rescue pickup truck, he actually called someone on the CB- which Scout deftly turned into a siren test call (they were expecting those all day).

I think the firefolk were pretty lenient with him because he was decked out in full fireman gear. He had a fire truck shirt on (thanks Grandma), a firefighter jacket (thanks, Annette) and fireman boots (thanks Nana).  The volunteers and firefighters kept saying things like, "oh, he's ready to go if we get called" and "hey, we've got a new recruit"  

Kaden seemed to like spraying the water hose the best.  He did it three different times.  The first time, the Chief had visited and was driving away-- Scout and Kaden adjusted the water and hit the Chief's truck.  Niiiice.   The second time, Scout showed him how to change the water spray from a stream to a fan.  The third time, Kaden had picked up the hose and turned it on  before Scout was near him.  Basically, the firefighter was just holding the hose while Kaden worked the water.  Seriously.

Later, when we colored a page for a thank you, I asked Kaden what were we thanking them for (thank you fireguys for letting me in your house) and what he liked best (spraying the Chief's truck.  And driving the truck.).    Good times.

No Words.

I've started this post 1,000 times over the past 2 and a half weeks.  There's no good way to tell it.  If you're not in the mood for sadness, you've got to move to another post or blog.

Because there really are no words that adequately explain how my pregnant sister in law could be induced a week after her due date, and not go home with a babe.   What was God thinking?  Eden Hope was born, and for a few minutes the family rejoiced... and then the medical folks said something about her not being pink enough.  I can't even write out the details, so I'll give you the facts (in a much more direct manner than the 6 hour ordeal unfolded).  It turns out that our neice had a rare lung disorder, where the lungs look okay on ultrasounds- but aren't formed.  There's nothing to be done.  And so she came, and six agonizing hours later, she went back home.

There are no words.  Plenty of tears, but no words.  

You know the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words?   I have two images in my head from our recent visit.   Her parents showed us a few pictures- imagine the standard 'newborn baby with the family in a hospital' - mom holding baby, dads arms around them both.  Or grandparents looking down at the tiny one.  But in all of these, our babe doesn't have a healthy pink color, and no one is smiling.  Not even close- you can see everyone's heartache on their faces.  It is the saddest, surrealist thing I've ever seen.

Jim had made it up for the funeral (it's his brother who's the dad).   The uncles were pallbearers, and all he could say to me after was, "The coffin was so tiny, it weighed *nothing*."  Later, he'd just repeat himself, "it weighed nothing."  A few days later, he told me, "There shouldn't be something made so small."  I knew what he meant, but the reality of the tragedy hit me when we visited her grave last week.  The fresh mound of dirt was... so tiny.  So small.  There shouldn't be a need for a grave that barely fits two flower arrangements.

Even now as I type, I know that I could write another thousand pages, and there would be no words that capture this.  No words that would ease her parent's suffering.  No words that would explain the mystery to her siblings or cousins.  No words to calm the dragons of doubt, the "if only" saboteurs.

Perhaps her name can be the only word that gets the family through this darkness:  Eden Hope.  Once, God revealed the Divine Self as "I am who am" - a name that makes no sense.   And when the angels announced the Messiah, they named him Emmanuel, "God with us."  There is no theology that can make sense of how a loving God allows such tragedy.  But perhaps we can find Hope in the Presence of God, revealed in so many ways by so many people "with us".  Perhaps those names- Hope, Presence- are the only words that matter.

I think he's Serious.

So... when I told the boy to give away all his toys in order to get a "mater truck",

he got busy.

After each room, he'd come and tell me he had all his toys together.  I'd mention another room, another stash.  He'd go and get those.  No kidding, folks, he didn't blink an eye. He did comment at one point "this is heavy" and another time, "this is a lot of toys."  But his resolve didn't waiver.

Mine did.  I was bluffing at first, and then thought it was a great idea.  I was intrigued to see what a one-toy house would do to our daily life.  But as we started gathering it all up in bags and boxes, I caught sight of a truck one set of aunt/uncle had given him, a turtle another aunt had given, a plane a cousin had painted, a boat from an uncle, a monkey from a bunch o' cousins, a firetruck from Pop and Grandma, books from other aunts and uncles and Nana... I was reminded how many relatives we have (mostly far flung).  I couldn't give this all away.

(Note- much later, my mom asked me why I just didn't pack everything up for a while.  Brilliant idea!  But I am a rookie parent, still, and one still recovering from a cold at this point.  I punted.)


Anyway, we did go through *all* the toys, books and clothes in the house.  We came up with 2 diaper boxes and 2 bags of "stuff" that will go to a local abuse center for women and children.  And the next night, look what JimDad and Kboy are working on:  

It's hard to tell here (we're not noctural, it's tech and lighting issues).  But this is a very happy boy, with a fully assembled mater truck wagon, towing another truck behind.

I'm not sure what he learned, exactly, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't what I wanted to teach him.  Sigh.  Such is life, I suppose.  Perhaps I'll be better prepared next time...

an even trade?

Honest to goodness conversation that we just had: (and a very needed smiel on a rough day):

Kaden:  Mommy, I want this Mater truck.  (pointing to an ad)
Me:  You mean the wagon?  We don't have room for that.
Kaden:  But I want it.
Me:  Well, I suppose if you wanted to pack up ALL your toys, and give them to a little boy who doesn't have anything, then we would have room.
Kaden:  OK!  (runs off to the living room)
Hmm, what I need now is a bag.  I've seen one around.
Nana:  You could use this box over here.
Kaden:  Yes, thank you!
Nana:  What are you doing?
Kaden:  I'm packing up all my toys to give to a big boy like me.
Nana:  Why? 
Kaden:  So I can go buy the Mader truck.
Nana:  Is it really worth it?
Kaden:  Oh, yes.

After a few minutes, he has piled all the living room toys into a box and a bag.
Kaden:  Ok Mom, let's go get the Mader truck.  I packed up all my toys.
Me:  Well, that was just the living room.  What about the toys in your bedroom?
Nana, speaking to me:  I don't know where you got this from, but it wasn't your childhood.

Now, if you'll excuse me folks, I have a huge pile of toys that either need to be loaded in the truck or put back away...

Captiva Tri

This morning, Jim had another triathlon... on Captiva Island.

And when I was standing on the almost deserted beach (after the swim part ended),

I saw a dolphin swimming and thought, this tri thing is good.

 I did forget my camera, so if you squint below to the left of the cones,

you'll see Jim coming around the corner at the start of the run.

As he passed by, he told me his time was unofficial, since he blew a tire, tube AND spoke...

so he walked the bike back and didn't finish that leg.  Suprisingly, he wasn't in a bad mood about it.  And, God Bless him, instead of quitting, he said "I'm not ready to be done yet" and kept going.

The pic above is a random racer. It occured to me that there were a lot of competitors who *looked* good-- not only because of fancy/matching trisuits, but also good form on the run: even breaths, calm face, nice stride. Then I realized they were smack dab in the middle - or even end- of the pack. Hmm. 

Jim loved the idea of carrying Kaden across the finish line.

I didn't mention that the boy had a wet swimsuit.

Or that the finish line wasn't that close.



But they did it in good stride, anyway.  Kaden was thrilled to get a bottle of cold water (just like the racers, mom).... and the tri medal.  I don't think Jim will get it back ;)

Mail Call!

Yesterday, we came home to this outside our door:

 Kaden says, "I think it's for me."  I look at it and say yes, it is.

"Because it has my name, right here, see?  KADEN (LASTNAME)

Who's it from?"  Uncle Steve. 

 "I don't know what it is, Mom.

Do you know what it is?"

You know what I love most about this?

He didn't let me help unless he got stuck (i.e. packing tape).

So look at all the ways he kept moving it around, trying to get it open.

"Mom, this is big! But I still don't know what it is."

"Hey, look, it's a chair!"

"Thanks, Uncle Steve!"