Christmas Traditions

When we expanded our family and welcomed Miss Kinley Grace into our lives, we held tight to one major rule:  We would always be home for Christmas.  We both live a decent distance from our families.  Mine is about 3 ish hours south and his is about 5 ish hours south.  We are lessening our travel as the months go by, which is good.  But we almost always are on the road for holidays.  We are the ones to travel.  Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving.... and Christmas.  But our rule of being home for Christmas is number one.  We will travel to celebrate before the holiday or after, but Kinley wakes up on Christmas morning in her own house.  Not too much to ask, no?

Last year wasn't too bad.  She was super young, didn't care too much about the gifts.  We opened presents and then traveled to my parents house around lunch time.  This year, it will be different.  My in-laws are going on a cruise, so we won't celebrate with them until after the new year.  My family is celebrating the Sunday before.  This is the first time (since Kinley) that we have no where to be on Christmas day.

At first, I was a little sad.  But then I realized what a golden opportunity I had before us.  We can start our traditions this year.  What do we want Christmas day to be like for Kinley?  What traditions do we want to carry on year after year?  What do we remember from our childhood that just made the day "Christmas!" 

So with that, we started to discuss making a big Christmas dinner.  Yes, it's just the three of us, and well, what's the point....but the point is that it is our family.  We deserve just as much a celebration--even if there are only three of us.  I still get kind of teary thinking of not being with our families on Christmas day, but I want to be home.  That trumps all.

We have hopes that someday the families will travel up here to spend the holidays with us (at least some of the holidays) but until then...Christmas will be ours.  And spending it in a car is not how we want to spend the day.

What we're thinking, so far, is visiting a new church for midnight mass (why not break it in on the busiest night of the year!), a special cinnamon roll breakfast after opening presents, watching a Christmas movie together, preparing a nice meal (ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, green beans, deviled eggs.....you get the idea) and then.....  we're not sure what.  That's where the blog community comes in.  Help me plan a day to remember....

What is the timeline of your Christmas day?  Do you have a special breakfast?  Do you prepare a big meal?  What dish is special for Christmas day?  Do you watch special movies?  I'm open for ideas and suggestions!

Christmas In July?

Normally, I am the one that despises the Christmas shopping.  The "who to buy for" list and adding up the cost of everything.  Oh, the cost!  But this year, I am pumped!  It's only July, but I have our list ready to go with who to buy for, how much to spend on each person and an {empty} spreadsheet with ideas for each person.  Obviously, it's July and the nieces and nephews haven't started their "I wants" yet.  But I'm trying to be proactive here.

Like I said, I created this spreadsheet--more like a chart right now...  But I want to be sure that we are planning for every person and every extra expense that Christmas may throw at us.  Right now, I am up to seventeen people (and Kinley, of course) that have made the cut.  We don't buy for the adults {aside from our parents and grandparents} but only for the kids.  We are blessed with lots of little ones!  But then I also added in the holiday cards, wrapping and postage.  What am I forgetting?

I have noticed that the last couple of years, the participating families sending Christmas cards are just dwindling.  It really makes me sad.  That is one of the best parts about the holidays.  You get mail that isn't a bill!  And normally, that mail has adorable family photos that you want to see.  Photos of people that you rarely get to see!  As easy as photo cards are these days {we do ours at Walmart} why doesn't everyone send them?!  So here it is July, and I'm asking you now, to send me a photo card.  Mmmm, K?  It makes my heart smile.

I did a quick search on my beloved Pinterest for Christmas photo ideas this morning and came up with nothing.  I want to be prepared!  I know that some cards have cute summer photos on them and I wanted to see if I could be inspired to take something now for the card later.  Okay, honestly, I am hoping and praying for this kind of card:

via

but I know that our chances are way slim.  So I'm planning for the family of three card photo.  And so far, nodda.  I'm hoping that I can con convince one of my fancy camera friends to take on the challenge of doing our family Christmas pictures {hint, hint}.  Last year=expensive nightmare. {and for whatever reason, I can not find a single picture from that photo session.  I will keep looking.}

We decided on a tradition that Santa can only bring three gifts to our house because of his sleigh only being able to hold so many toys for all of the children of the world.  We plan to continue that this year.  So her big gift will be from us and then Santa will bring her three more.  And this year, she just may be able to get in to the gift of giving and I am so, so excited.  And let me clarify--this is still going to be a Christmas on a budget. We are not being extravagant on gifts--because that to me {us} is stupid.  And since I'm always honest on here, I will tell you now that we will spend a total {and not a penny more} of $870.  That is for all seventeen people, Kinley, cards, postage, wrapping, and each other.  Is that high?  Do share--because I am honestly interested.  And if I can save money, you bet I'm going to do it!  My goal is to come on here in January and announce how UNDER budget we were from Christmas.

I was informed on my personal FB account this morning {have you "liked" Living on Trees on FB yet?  why not?} I was told that every Thursday through the summer, Target clearances their toys.  I will be there every Thursday for the rest of the summer.  I don't know what I am shopping for yet, but if I see a good deal, I am on it.

And I can be on it already, thanks to Connie--the budget coach!  We are almost fully funded for all expenses Christmas.  Yes, that is a first for me, ever, like--ever.  To not put Christmas on plastic, and not stress to holy heaven about how to pay for Christmas--you just don't even know.

I guess that's why I am writing a Christmas in July blog post.  I can finally ENJOY the holiday for what it's about.  Creating the memories, not the debt.  And if you haven't started your savings yet, it's not too late!  You still have 163 days left to save!

Merry Belated

Christmas has come and gone, and I do believe that I neglected to share our attempted Christmas family photos.

I went so far to hire a photographer to come on location at a place where Kinley had plenty of space to run and play and scream and shout...thinking of course that it would only help the whole photo shoot idea.

Haha 

Joke was on me.  Take a look:

This is her saying, "I am so not interested in these pictures."

Luckily, the photographer is also a mom, and fully understood and sympathised, and kept on keeping on and we were able to get some decent shots.

And then we let her get comfortable and attempted some two year pictures.

Yeah..
That wasn't happening.

Here we are begging her to please, for the love of God, just pose with us.

And here she is loving every minute of having three adults chase after her...

I think that I was promising her a pony or something....if she would just sit still.

On our way to the car, we tried one.more.time. 

Merry Belated, from ours to yours.

Expanding Tradition

This video highlights what will  become our newest tradition. 

Kinley loves Christmas lights and refers to them as "pretties."  When we drive through town, she ooohs and aaahs over the lights in our downtown. 

Last night, we booked a babysitter from 9-12 with plans of hitting the local pub and having a relaxing time.  Well, one beer and an hour into it and we were bored.  I had the bright idea to just go riding around (one of my favorite things to do) aimlessly and look at Christmas lights. 

We happened upon this house, out in the "country" not too far from where we live.  Their lights are synchronized to a private radio station.  Not only is this house absolutely breath-taking, but the light show is just tremendous.  Last night, we arrived so late that we were able to drive right up and sit and watch for about a half hour.

Tonight, we knew that we had to take Kage.  Unfortunately, the line wasn't so easy this time.  We were stuck in a line about a mile long.  Yikes.  It took some time to get close enough to enjoy it fully but it was a great time, regardless.

I think that we may have our new tradition for Christmas Eve Eve.  Christmas lights to music!

The Magic...

Despite how un-Christmas-y I am feeling, it's upon us.  I can't run nor hide, because it's coming.  I hate not feeling the Christmas spirit...I really do.  I used to be the one bouncing off the walls with the holiday cheer and filling my home with wonderful Christmas sights and scents.  I had a wonderful collection of Christmas decorations that filled me with tremendous "joy" to set up each year.

I gave them away.  Or most of them.

I didn't even really want a tree this year.

But we decided that for Kinley's sake, we'd buy a small one.

I know that it has a lot to do with being so cramped in an apartment.  I really need to get out of this place.  It's sucking the life right outta me.

So we have a tree, a small tree.  And luckily, Kinley hasn't tried to touch it more than once.  Luckily.

I have heard so many on facebook saying how un-Christmas-y they are feeling as well and it just makes me wonder....why?

Is it because it's become the norm to just observe it like any other day?  Is it because Christmas has become so materialistic and commercial?  Is it because of the recession?  Is it because families just don't come together anymore?

I remember a Christmas time when you had to do all shopping before noon on Christmas Eve, because if you didn't, you wouldn't find a store open.  I remember a Christmas when I had a special dress that was for that special day.  I remember a Christmas when I saw both sets of grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins and friends...in the same day.  I remember the excitement of seeing Santa on the "radar" on the news on Christmas Eve.  I remember feeling so anxious that he was almost to Illinois.  I remember the pure happiness I felt as I went to sleep on Christmas Eve, just knowing that he would bring me exactly what I had wished for. 

I had hope.  I had magic.  I believed.

Today's world doesn't allow for much hope, magic or belief.  How sad is that?

I know that I am trying my hardest to do what I can to allow Kinley to foster that hope, magic and definitely belief for as long as I can.  It's part of the innocence of childhood.  I wish I could still believe.

My husband and I always said that we didn't want her to be one of the kids that received so many gifts that she forgot to be thankful for each one.  We don't want her to get lost in the piles of gifts and forget what Christmas is truly about.  I too often hear about how many things so and so purchased for their child for Christmas.  They are going to be so excited and so happy on Christmas morning!  Woo-hoo.  But does your child know why we celebrate?  Does your child know that there are children out there suffering and receiving nothing under their tree?  Does your child know the beauty of giving; as well as receiving?  I ask myself those very questions this year.

As we sat down during her nap time today with the ten presents between us, we were trying to decide what was from us and what would be from Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Santa is giving her four gifts and we'll give her six.  Ten presents for one child is too many.  I'm almost ashamed.  Granted, some of the gifts are small and simple...but how blessed are we?  We agreed that we would raise her to know that Santa can only bring a few gifts for each child.  Because his sleigh is only so big, you know.  The other gifts that we want her to receive will be from us.  I hope that this works...

This year, she is only two, and the small details that I am worrying over mean nothing to her.  Like the gift tag from Santa and Mrs. Claus having to be so different from ours.  The wrapping from the North Pole has to be different from ours.  The way that the gift tag is attached to the package, needs to different.  Will she notice?  No.  But will she next year?  Yes.  I want her to believe.  I want her to feel the magic.  I want her to have the innocence and excitement that each child deserves.  I use this year as my practice for the next eight when she will notice--and possibly hunt for the differences.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I think that we'll practice the gift of giving with her by taking her to the Lazarus House to donate goods on their wish list.  And then she will take some of her piggy bank money to a Salvation Army kettle.  I want these things to warm her heart as they do mine. 

So many wishes and dreams for this little girl.  I hope that reliving it all with her will restore some of mine.

Playing Santa

My husband spoiled me for my birthday this year.  We drove to my mom’s house to let her watch Kinley for our night out.  We planned to do dinner at a hibachi restaurant and then went to a comedy club.  It was the first time for both of us.  We really didn’t know what to expect.  It sure didn’t disappoint!  We had so much fun and laughed so hard.  It is something that we will most definitely do again.  He surprised me by asking my parents to keep Kinley overnight so that we could get a hotel room.  I was panicked at first.  I haven’t ever left her overnight.  Well, aside from my gall bladder surgery when she was a month old—but that doesn’t count.  Turns out though, it was awesome.  We slept until 8!

Between dinner and the show, we stopped at Toys R Us (how convenient that it was close!) to look at some birthday and Christmas gifts for Kinley.  I really wish that her birthday wasn’t so close to the holiday.  I so don’t want her to lose her special day to the holiday festivities.  But because they are so close, we decided we would just buy gifts and then later decide what would go in birthday wrapping paper or Christmas paper from Santa.

I always said that she would learn to appreciate her gifts and not expect more than her share.  I still stand by that idea.  I try to remind myself of that as I cruise the toy aisles and find so many things that I want her to have.  It’s hard to stop myself.  So far, we have purchased ten gifts to distribute between birthday and Christmas.  I honestly think that we are done.  Aside from some small things, I think she’s complete.

My goal is to teach her that Santa only has room for three presents for each child in his sleigh.  The others will come from us.  But then I know that other children will blow that for us when they come bragging that Santa got them twenty things.  You know?  I just don’t want her to be a greedy and unappreciative child that screams, “is that all?!”

This year we’ll also be starting our tradition of giving.  We’ll have Kinley choose an angel from the Salvation Army tree to buy a gift for a less fortunate child.  Most of all, I want her to have a big heart and want to give rather than receive.  As sensitive as she is toward other children already, I can tell that this won’t be a big feat for us.  She’s so tenderhearted.  When she sees another child crying, she runs to them asking if they are sad and gives them a big hug.  I am so proud of her!

Now this is a scatterbrained attempt at a blog post....

Now that felt like a blogger hiatus.  I think I was only "gone" for three or four days...but it felt like weeks.  And I don't even know why it feels that way...it's not like much has happened.  Aside from Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and all that jazz.  How was your Christmas holiday?  Did you find lots of good stuff under your tree?  Was everyone all cheery and happy and drama-free?

We did enjoy our days of family, food and gifts.  Kinley, she could take it or leave it.



My attempt at another "tradition"--
a family picture in our bed
on Christmas morning before
the tree is attacked.

 She woke up at around 5, and that was just way too early for us, so I nursed her and put her back to bed.  (We have that luxury this year, and maybe next)  She then got up at around 8ish.

Richie carried her out to the tree (where it looked pathetically empty) and she immediately went for Lucy's new tennis balls.  Eh, well.  Whatever.



This Elmo phone was
programmed to say her name.  It
was a HUGE hit.

 We tried to interest her in some of the new toys but she was just like, yeah, cool mom and dad.  What's for breakfast?

It was super important to us that we wake up on Christmas morning in our home, with our tree.  But on Christmas Eve we realized how lonely that made the holiday.  We were scrambling around to do that last minute gift shopping.  So we were busy, but at the same time, we felt that lonliness.  I don't know.  Christmas Eve, to me, is about family.  That is when you all get together as a family and celebrate.  And then Christmas Eve night everyone goes back home to have Christmas morning in their own homes. 

That is how it's supposed to be, in my perfect world.  Living 3 hours from one family, and 5 from the other, doesn't allow for that.  It's the pits.  I guess that once we get into our new home, and Kinley gets a little older, it will feel more like Christmas and maybe family will come up....but this year left us a little empty, I think.

But Christmas is now behind us and we're looking forward to celebrating the new year back in southern IL.  Yes, more traveling.  We'll be spending the holidiay with my in-laws and seeing some friends as well.  I pray that Kinley travels well.  On our three hour trip, it was sketchy.  She slept for 2 hours and cried for 1.  On a 5 hour trip, let's hope she doesn't sleep for 2 and cry for 3.  Otherwise, I may just walk.

We're driving a small rental car in place of Richie's truck right now (he was side swiped about a month ago and it's just now getting repaired) and it's small.  When we travel in our SUV, I can easily slip from the front to the back seat in a jiffy (get your minds out of the gutter, I'm not "well rehearsed" in hopping in the back seat!) to cater to the baby....well, I tried to do that maneuver in this matchbox and I pulled a muscle in my thigh.  That hurts.  So I felt a little gimped up.  Walked a little gimped up too.

So we're kind of hoping that his truck repair takes longer than this week to be finished up so that we can put all of these traveling miles on this rental and not my SUV.  For one, I don't need any more miles on my car.  It's paid off and we're not buying another one any time soon, so this one needs to be handled with care.  Second, mine costs about $60 to fill up, the rental costs a mere $37.  Yeah.  It's a no brainer.  We want to take the rental. 

Ummmm, yeah.  So I can't even believe that NYE is this weekend.  Like *this* weekend.  I'm so not ready to put 2010 away.  Or maybe it's more of a true statement to say that I'm not ready to embrace 2011.  This next year holds so many things for us.  I'm going back to school, Kinley starts child care for the first time, we'll be moving out of this rental and into another, I'll be student teaching.... all of these things that are new experiences and I'm terrified.  I've found that 2010 was the year of my comfort zone.  I got into the groove of being a mom, a stay at home one, at that (which is so NOT easy, btw).  We moved back to my familiar ground, which turned out to not be so familiar anymore.  I was just getting settled and now the game changes again.

I felt bad leaving my mom's on Sunday afternoon.  She knew and I knew that there would be no "see you in a few weeks" as we hugged good-bye.  So we just didn't say anything.  I've said it before, that 2011 is the year that we aren't traveling as much as we did in 2010.  With me back in school, we just can't afford it.  Time or money-wise. 

While I'm afraid of what 2011 brings, I think that all of the changes will be great for us--and great for Kinley.  We'll survive and be stronger for it.

What does your 2011 bring?

And the winner is.....

I want to start this post by saying YEAH ME!  This is my 100th post!! When I started this blog back on September 1, 2010, I wondered if I would keep it up for the week.  And here we are 100 posts later.

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate this 100th post than to give something away....  and today, the winner of the Noxzema Shave gift pack is given away.

And the winner is.... (do the drum roll thing in your head for me please)

The sixth comment is from "Reagan is my world" with her comment:   "Raegan is my world said...

Oh...I follow your blog all the time.

December 22, 2010 8:33 AM

 

Congratulations!  I will be contacting you to arrange the shipping information!

And from me to you, Merry Christmas!

I wish you all a warm, loving, memorable holiday weekend filled with family and laughter and love, lots and lots of love.

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

It got all Christmas in here!

I have got to get a grip!  Seriously, Joy.  Get over yourself!  You have been nothing but a cranky pants, whiney butt all.weekend.long. and everyone (including me) is tired of hearing it! 

Now if that doens't make me sound nuts, nothing will!  :)

I need a good kick in the butt.  It was such a beautiful weekend.  Picture perfect!  Yet, I couldn't climb out of my funk.  I fell in neck deep and it just wasn't going away.  I haven't been feeling the best and I blame it on my germaphobia issues.  Every time I'm in public, I worry about catching something.  I almost feel like I get ghost symptoms of being sick, when I'm not sick.  What is wrong with me?  It's getting to be too much.  Really.  It's pulling clouds over my sunshine. 

Saturday night we took Kinley to go and see Santa.  That was a mess!  Haha  She *freaked* out!  Bad.  She even did the silent cry.  You know the one, her mouth is WIDE open but no sounds are coming out, until a few seconds later, and then its WAAAAAAAAAA!  Yeah, that's the one.  Santa got that.

So mommy had to forfeit her perfect picture chance to run over and hold her *next* to Santa.  Luckily, the "for hire" Santa photographer got a decent shot before the silent cry started.  So $20 later, I own his version of Kinley meeting Santa. 

I actually got "dressed up" that night and wore something other than my jeans and hoodie.  It is because I have all of those pretty clothes from my Black Friday shopping trip!  :)  So despite being terrified of being in public in leggings, I did it.  I wore leggings and hooker boots.  To see Santa.  Classy?  Yep!

Richie said that I looked hot.  And I felt hot!  And so he took me out to dinner at a nice place (yes, we took Kinley--and she behaved!).  Walking out of the restaurant, Richie had his hands full with keeping Kinley covered (we ate at an outdoor mall and had to park a pretty good distance from the restaurant) so I was on my own to get through the snow/ice/slush in my hooker boots.  I am not the most graceful...but I didn't wipe out.  However, that would have been hilarious to see me go flying, in my leggings.  But some stranger guy came up behind me to hold my arm while I negotiated my way through an icy patch.  But not in a creepy way.  More like a "I'm one of the last true gentlemen to walk this Earth" kind of guys.  The kind of guy that just might have put his coat down over a puddle for me.  So thank you, mister stranger guy.  I hope your wife didn't beat you when you got to your car.  :) 

Saturday night, we also went cruising around the neighborhoods that we'll -never, ever, in a million years, be able to afford- to look at the professional decorated Christmas lights.  It has to be one of my favorite things to do in Chicago-land.  There are some amazingly decorated homes out there....and while this one isn't one of my favorites, it is one that I could get a semi-decent picture of without seeming all paparazzi-ish.  But it is a pretty one, nonetheless.

And then on Sunday, we visited another church.  And it made me warm, fuzzy, and happy.  Enough so, that we will go back again.  Not this coming Sunday, cause we'll be out of town for Kinley's birthday party--gulp.  And then not the next Sunday either, cause we have company in town.  And then not the next Sunday either, cause we'll be at mom's for Christmas.  And then not the next Sunday either, cause we'll be with Richie's family for Christmas.  But then the *next* Sunday.  We'll be there.  See what I mean about us traveling too much?  Yeah, after the first of the year, that's ov-ah.  For sure.

After church, we came home to have lunch and put up our tree.  Kinley got to "help" and she was so excited!  I think the bead garland was her favorite.  It surely made the yearly tradition much more difficult special to have her helping us. 

The family picture in front of the tree was a NIGHTMARE!  Getting Kinley and the dog and us all posed right, yeah.  Not happening!  So this is what we got....and after 15 takes of me setting the timer, running, making the dog sit up (she is so lazy and wanted to just lay down) and looking like I didn't just do all of the previously stated....yeah.  Like I said, this is what you get.

And now, I reveal.....the tree.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

It's up in the loft so that we can (hopefully) keep Kinley out of it.  But with her mad stair climbing skills....I'm not so sure that's going to happen.

And did I mention we got snow?

About 4-5 inches on Saturday morning.  And today, it's 9 degrees.  N-I-N-E.  Winter is here.