Happy St. Nicholas Day! This morning the kids woke up with candy in their shoes, a German tradition we have no real claim to except that it's really fun to wake up and find candy in your shoes. St. Nick suspected Brandan would prefer a book by a favorite author for a treat. And don't worry about Becky's shoe not being out-- St. Nick left the extra candy (Lindt balls and mini Toblerone) in the pantry for her.
We decorated for Christmas this week, including setting up the tree. Acquiescing to the reality of a busy 2 year old, we didn't put anything breakable on the tree and pared down on decorating the rest of the house. Gibson rearranges the decorations constantly.
We decorated gingerbread houses this week, too. This is earlier than we usually make them, but our ward was having a gingerbread house contest at our ward party which we entered. Each of the kids decorated their own little house. In the photo, Sophie is hurrying to practice the piano so she can join the others.
We didn't win any prizes at the party Friday night for our little village. This is what it looked like by Saturday afternoon. By Saturday evening, the last few remains were thrown away.
Here's a photo of the kids dressed for church this morning. Helen and Sophie were delighted with their Christmas outfits. Abe and Gibson-- not so much. They were good sports (almost) about sitting still for a group photo.
We're looking forward to a month of Christmas wonder-- traditions, treats, surprises, lights, music, stories. December would loom dark and dreary without this time of celebration. Although Jesus was born in the Spring, we remember his birth in the darkest time of the year. This year we especially love the carol In the Bleak Midwinter. It's an old carol, but it's new to us and beautifully expresses faith and hope in Christ in a cold and suffering world. You can find a great arrangement with the lyrics here .
6 comments:
I can fully appreciate the Christmas rearranging by the young'uns. They keep me busy, trying to save both the tree and the kids from their curiosity.
You must have coordinated with the Michaelis'. They too had Abe and Gibson's sweaters on at church. They looked like triplets in nursery.
I love the shoe tradition and those gingerbread houses look fantastic. I missed seeing all of the gingerbread houses from the party. Christmas is so magical.
Anna and I just watched the link to the song--and I'm crying a little bit. Anna wants to know why I'm sad. Thanks for that. Your blog has been a gift to me this year. I've loved being a part of your family.
What a beautiful song, sung so well and in such a beautiful venue. Your family is so fun. I am so glad i know you.
Love St. Nicholas Day, love the kid's excitement before and after. Not so fond of all the chocolate and the begging for candy from the moment they wake up--OK only Will does this but I'm tired of it. I notice you only put out one shoe each. Maybe we should try that. Or I'm thinking of asking St. Nick to give us money instead.
In a Bleak Midwinter is one of our favorite carols too. We haven't heard that arrangment before though. We listen to Sarach Mclachlan's arrangment all season long. You can hear it at: http://music.aol.com/video/in-the-bleak-midwinter-aol-sessions/sarah-mclachlan/1778450. Her voice is haunting. Her Christmas album has some of our favorite songs of the season. We miss you guys.
I love that pic of your kids. . . will you email me a copy. . .I need to print it out for my "friends" wall. . .
Post a Comment