Saturday, December 24, 2011

Where Can I Turn For Peace?


I recently found this sketch by Jessica titled "Where Can I Turn For Peace?"  She apparently sketched it while sitting in a class at EFY this past summer.  Isn't it amazing?  I hope she finishes it.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Legendary Holidays


  One of our favorite holiday traditions here in San Antonio is Westin's Legendary Holidays.  We discovered it a few years ago and every year since several of the kids insist on going again.  


I'm so glad that at least some of the kids enjoy it because I love it! 


 
 This year we actually went on two different nights.  The first night I was mistaken about the time and so we missed the walk with the story teller.  Instead of just leaving right away, we visited with Santa, decorated gingerbread cookies, and made some wooden creations.


I'm so thankful that my kids are so patient with me and such great sports about things.  Even though things didn't work out the way we expected them to, we still had a great time!  Maybe even more fun than we would have had if things had happened as planned.  The best part:  we went back the next night for all the events!

Inside they have beautiful decorations that make for amazing pictures, like this one.


 At the beginning of the walk, they hand out bells and the children love the bells.


At one of the spots where along the trail, all the children gather up on the rocks and the story teller tells about the legendary snow fall.  Then he says, if we all believe there will be snow that evening.  Then the children walk toward the building and sure enough, there's a Texas snow fall. 


I won't spoil the surprise for you, but my children love the Texas snow fall!


After all the fun, there's hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy while we warm up by the fire


... and rest!

...


Monday, December 19, 2011

The Inevitable Question

It happens with every kid & tonight it was Deborah's turn: 

"Mommy, why are all the other mommies bigger than you?"  :)

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Gingerbread House Time


Today was the day.  We built the annual gingerbread house and I let Deborah and Johnathon take the lead.  I figured it couldn't go too bad, right?  Afterall, I bought a kit.  Actually, I bought 5 kits.  Target had them on clearance and Deborah was so cute.  (Dwight says I must have been feeling guilt about something.  A story for another day, perhaps?)


All was going well and Jessica and David were kind of helping them along.  THEN, one of the gingerbread men had an "accident" ... and it all went downhill from there.


I don't know what happened, but Deborah announced that the gingerbread man had "fallen to his bloody death."  Oh, boy.


Soon after that, there was another bloody mishap at the gingerbread house.


When I asked Deborah why all the bloodshed, she said, "You said we probably wouldn't be able to make it look just like the box."
 

 Hmmmm.... I don't think THAT'S exactly what I intended for her to take from my statement.

While the rest of the kids made the gingerbread house, Ryan rested peacefully, he's not feeling very well this week.  But, the good news is that he hasn't had a seizure since the 13th.  FIVE full days of being seizure free!  Whewhoo!


 And, finally, this week at work, we had our Christmas party and did a gift exchange.  My Secret Santa gave me the most beautiful gift!  And, in it were the most wonderful pajamas and socks.  I think I'd like to live in these pajamas all the time!  The pants are SOOO soft and the socks are super soft and cozy. Thanks, DJ!  You are awesome!!