Merry Christmas Y'all & Happy Anniversary Team Whitaker Blog!

I'm enjoying the week with family (Scott has the better part of the week off - yeehaw!!) and we are doing some MASSIVE cleaning of closets.  The verdict is in, seven people accumulate a lot of {ahem} stuff. 

The rule around here is for every toy that comes in, two go out.  We are donating all of our gently used toys to a refugee center downtown and the ones that were beat to death are being donated to the trash man tomorrow.  We're givers like that.  The clothes are going to a potpourri of friends in town, friends moving to Australia (how mean of them!), the clothes center at Luke's physical therapist's office and the Gabriel Project.

Yes, we have THAT many clothes.

For the record, cleaning out closets - as neat-freaky as I am - is emotionally exhausting.  Especially the kids' clothes.  Another post, another day.  As many times as I say that, I could take us well into the new year, couldn't I?!

And, I couldn't let it pass without mentioning that "Team Whitaker", the blog-the myth-the legend, is officially three years old as of 12/25/10.  Wow.  I have been chat-tee.  It's fun and sometimes scary to read through old posts.  HA.

I'll be taking a blogging break for the remainder of the week, but when I come back I'll have your Christmas re-cap.  Don't worry, the Christmas season lasts until Epiphany on January 6 so I'm totally legit.

See you next year!!

{Advent} Christmas Eve

It's finally here - what a beautiful, peaceful Advent it's been.  I can honestly say for the first time in a very, very long time, we have actually savored every moment of the season.

Amazing what happens when you say 'no' to some things.

We have lots of fun family traditions surrounding today, a few oldies but goodies and a newbie to the bunch are in our repertoire of memory-making.  Hopefully, I'll capture them all.  Truly, I do this because I want the kids to enjoy reading about this someday.

FAMILY LUNCH
Today, as we've done for several years, we meet my family for lunch.  Because we all splinter off later in the day to do our own Christmas Eve celebrations, this has become a fun way to connect.  Where there's food, we will meet :)

GIFTS FOR JESUS
This afternoon, I'm throwing a new tradition in the mix.  The kids will be drawing photos of the gifts they want to give to Jesus.  Maybe it's loving their brother/sister, giving away a toy to another child...I'll let them decide.  Whatever it is, the spirit of Christmas and Jesus' love must shine through.  I'm anxious to see what they'll do.

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS
After picture drawing and sharing, we'll take baths and get all cleaned up for Christmas Eve Mass.  Someday we'll make it to the Midnight one, but with littles in the house, we opt for the early bird special.

Note:  If you are a rookie parent, send one parent and non-squirmy/complainy children an hour early to save seats while the other parent and squirmy/complainy chilren arrive 15 minutes before Mass to enjoy said saved seats.  You can thank me later for that little tip.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
After Mass, we'll eat the traditional shrimp cooked in a thousand gallons of cream (yum-ola) and pasta dinner.  It's a Southern Living recipe, so you KNOW it's good.  Then, we will eat cake.  Birthday cake, that is.  This is something we've been talking about doing for YEARS and we're finally doing it this year.  Yea for new traditions!!  My fav-o-rite bakery made this masterpiece.  We'll be singing a round of "Happy Birthday Jesus", blowing out candles and then reading the story of the Nativity.

Yes, opening gifts is fun, but when my kids look back in 20 years, I want them to remember exactly why we celebrate.  I want them to have memories of how we celebrated the birth, not just the gifts.  Which is why, in our house, our kids only get one gift from us.  We put much thought into that gift and when it's opened, there is joy.

GIFTS
Everyone changes into their Christmas pajamas and we open gifts.  A couple of years ago, Scott started leading us in prayer over the gifts we open.  We pray for the givers, the recipients and those who made the gift and the jobs that they provided.  It's a really wonderful way to refocus the gift giving and opening. 

PREPARING FOR SANTA
We get the reindeer food, cookies and milk situated just "so" near the fireplace, make sure the notes to Santa have been written (you know, just in case he forgot), say goodbye to our sweet Elf on the Shelf, Sparkly, until next year, track Santa on the Norad Tracker...and then head to bed.

It is a day full of many memories, many reflections and a boatload of joy and anticipation.  Christmas is near!  Can't you feel it??

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!

p.s. photos to come soon of all this revelry!

{Advent} Keeping Christ in Christmas

You know, earlier this week, I read an article about how 9 in 10 Americans celebrate Christmas by giving gifts and celebrating with family.  I was thrilled.  Then I read the second paragraph.  Not even 3 in 10 Americans even reads the story of the Nativity nor do they attend a religious service.

Now, I'm not foolish enough to think that all those who read my blog, follow me on Twitter or are my friend on Facebook fall into the 3 in 10 category.  I'm down with that.  This post is not meant to be judgmental or condescending.  If it were, I'd tell you straight up.

I'm just curious how one celebrates Christmas without attending church, without fully knowing what took place 2,000 years ago and why I believe it's worth our time to prepare, reflect and celebrate in that miracle.  I'll admit, I grew up Protestant and we attended church services every Christmas (well, the rest of the year, too).  Most of my friends did, too.  It never occurred to me that some people celebrate the birth of Christ by simply opening gifts and skipping church services.  Or, that some people did attend church, but only out of social obligation.

So, I suppose this post is for the 7 in 10 of you.  How about reading the Nativity this year?  If you don't have a Bible at home, google it, or click HERE.  Then, consider attending a Christmas Eve church service in your area.  I promise, there are many.

Of all the things we do to celebrate the "season" here at our house, attending Christmas Eve Mass is our most precious.  Here's hoping it will be yours, too.

God bless.  And Merry Christmas :)

{Advent} It's a Wonderful Life

A few years ago, Scott and I watched It's a Wonderful Life for the FIRST - yes, I said first - time.  If you have neglected to see this piece of stellar cinema magic, do yourself a favor and go buy it.  Renting it just won't do.  You must have this movie in your possession.

Jimmy Stewart was the consummate gentleman.  I haven't seen all his movies, but I really think this is his best.  Hands down.  It's one of the few non-Disney films that kids of any age can watch and it has a fantastic message.

Two years ago, we started watching this movie with the kids just before Christmas Eve.  It's become a really fantastic family tradition.  We pop some popcorn, whip up some hot chocolate, get in our pjs and watch a spectacular show about the season of giving and being thankful for what ya got.  Tonight's the night and Scott and I are excited!!

Yes, George, it really is a wonderful life.

Can you feel the anticipation?  Christmas is almost here.  YEA!!!!

{Advent} Top Ten: The Nativity

We've certainly had our fair share of fun and reflective moments these past three and half weeks of Advent.  It's been lovely.  The last week of school was slightly nutty, due to the stomach bug (post soon on that ball 'o crazy), but all in all, this has been one of our most enjoyable Advents to date.

As I was driving Scott's car the other day, I was listened to some XM radio.  Specifically, the Busted Halo Show with Fr. Dave Dwyer.  It got me thinking, as it usually does.  Here are a few questions / reflections I've been thinking about quite a lot.  Maybe they'll get you thinking, too.

TOP TEN:  THE NATIVITY

1.  Just how uncomfortable was it to ride, 9 months pregnant: on a donkey, fearful for your life, with no McDonald's bathroom pitstops along the way? 

2.  What kind of grief did Joseph get from his friends?

3.  Why do people celebrate Christmas, but not read the Christmas story?  (merely a question, not an accusation...post to come on Friday about this very topic)

4.  What was it like to be the direct beneficiary of St. Nicholas' generosity?

5.  When Mary gave birth, I wonder what her first thought must've been.

6.  What went through that inn keeper's head, when he led that sweet family of 2.5 to the back stable?  What went through his mind when he found out who it was?!

7.  I wonder what it felt like to feel the joy as it was all happening?  I can imagine, but to really experience it...to be there live and in color.  Wow.

8.  Do we really stop to think about what these two words mean when we say them:  Merry Christmas.

9.  What would Jesus think of the "Christmas" we celebrate today?

10.  After the flurry of parties, plays, presents and candy, will my children truly understand the Christmas story and pass it along to their children?

{Advent} Church Play

For the last six weeks, the "bigs" (Will, JP and ALG) have been rehearsing and practicing for the church Christmas play.  They had several rehearsals, lots of line practicing and costume fittings.  Here's how it broke down:

Will playing the prophet Isaiah

John Paul playing a talking angel

Anna-Laura playing a non-talking angel

Showtime was Friday evening.  My dad joked that he stood in line and scored $65 mezzanine level seats for the production.  Funny guy.  Scott, Luke, Clare and I, along with my parents and cousin Mickey were their cheering section.  It was great fun.  They told the Christmas story from the perspective of the angels.  It was really, really well done.  You could hear the kids, most of them had their lines memorized, the backdrops and scenery were beautifully crafted and the story was so well written.  Little sweet, little humor, lots of love.

Can you tell I was proud?

Will was very nervous beforehand, but you couldn't tell once he came out on stage.  As a non-talking angel, Anna-Laura happily followed the older angels on cue and smiled the ENTIRE time.  She was totally in her element.  John Paul just cracked me up.  Par usual.  The angels all wore sunglasses during one part of the play.  Just before his two big lines, while the rest of the angels were facing forward, he turned around, hiked up his costume and started digging in his pockets for his sunglasses.  He spun around just in time for his line, sunglasses in hand.

Before I could give the actors proper hugs, they beelined for the cookie reception.  Actors.

I hope they decide to do it again next year.  I might even volunteer as a stage mom!



{Advent} Christmas Parties!!

Yes, that got two exclamation points.  Going up to the kids' school for Christmas parties is always so much fun.  Mainly because they still want me to come to them.  In fact, I got asked like a bazillion times (I counted, thankyouverymuch) if I was coming.

One quick story and then I'll get back to the day.  As I was leaving, I ran into a friend who has a son in Will's class (my oldest), her third.  She said B asked her not to come to his parties anymore.  That just made me sad.  For her and for what's coming for me.  I mean, I don't want to be the weird mom still crashing the party when he's a senior in high school.  I'm hopeful I'll be the "cool" mom.  The one where his friends beg him to invite me.  Yeah, that's probably not gonna happen, but a girl can dream, right?

The kinder and first-grade parties were just nuts.  The kids were all hopped up on sugar with crazy happy grins on their faces.  Parents were snapping photos like lunatics.  And there must've been 500 pizza boxes stacked in the corner.  It was still fun to see them so giddy with their friends.  Aren't school parties the best?

Clare's into this new thing of not looking anywhere near the camera when we say "smile!"  Stinker.  The party mood definitely shifted when I hit the fourth grade room.  Way less mania, alot more socializing.  We stayed there the longest :)

Will's class was definitely stoked about the school play.  He was one of the 10 lords a leaping, while some of the girls were the 9 ladies dancing.  They were all so nervous.  So cute and innocent.  Will informed me he had stage fright and was very worried about not leaping right.  "Mom, I'm not very good at leaping," he muttered.  "It's just not my talent."  At least the boy knows his gifts.  I would disagree, though.  Scott said he did beautifully.  And, I don't know about you, but he looks like SIXTEEN in this picture!?

I was on party duty, Scott was on play duty.  He said it went off without a hitch and the kids were fantastic, as expected.  All in all, a really great way to get us in the Christmas spirit and focus our hearts on Advent.  The waiting, the anticipation...it's awesome!

I'm still here!

I am, indeed, still alive.  The stomach virus, Christmas plays (2), parties (4), rehearsals (2) and a bazillion loads of laundry have kept me from blogging.

I'm such a slacker :)

Look for it today...a flurry of updates from last week.  Cross my heart.

{Advent} Teacher Gifts

I'm all about gifts with meaning.  Teachers are a tough bunch to get the perfect gift for, I think.  We've done Starbucks and Barnes and Noble.  We've done gift cards and sweet treats.  But in the spirit of "the little things" this Advent, I thought it might be fun to put together a homemade gift mix that would allow them to spend some sweet time with their own kids making some cookies during the holiday break.

I hope they enjoy making these as much as I enjoyed putting them together!  SO easy and they turned out pretty cute.

To Mrs. M, Mrs. R, Mrs. T, Mrs. H, Ms. Lisa and Ms. Ginny - thank you for teaching our children.  For loving them, nurturing them and putting up with their crazy mom.  We love you!!

{Advent} Girl Time

In an effort to have some quality time with the kids, I wanted to do a fun activity with the girls (individually) during Advent.  I thought about lots of things, but ultimately decided to something girlie and fun. 

Yea for pedicures and cute holiday toes!

It was a fun outing with each of them.  Clare sat perfectly still and squealed - ever so quietly - when they added the flower to her big toes.  Very cute.  Anna-Laura asked when we were coming back to do it again.  HA!

I suppose I set the bar high for the "quality time" activity.  I guess next year we'll do toes and fingers :)

15 Months!

I'm interrupting the usual top ten and the more recent Advent posts to celebrate a big milestone.  Luke is 15 months old this week!!

He's guzzling some of his latest and greatest - the dietary supplement prescribed by his gastroenterologist.  I'll give you a quick update.  Luke was losing weight - big time.  In July he was 15 lbs. 13 oz.  In November, he was 14 lbs. even.  YIKES.  So...he has a super high-calorie shake he drinks throughout the day which provides all his nutrition.  Any table food he eats (which these days, ain't much) is gravy.  He and table food aren't really love-loving each other.  It could be texture, it could be sensory.  Who knows.  We have an evaluation with a speech therapist in January.  And, of course the super-duper supplement is NOT covered by insurance.

The good news in all that is that he IS gaining weight now (just over 16 lbs) and we hope to keep the trend alive.  He's making good progress in his twice-weekly physical therapy appointments.

Our immediate goals?

1.  Get him to 20 lbs. sooner rather than later
2.  Get him eating table food and off the supplement
3.  Get him walking

We have many more goals than that, but those are the biggies right now.  As always, he continues to amaze us.  With Luke, we don't take an ounce - or a bite - for granted!

Love you, sweet boy!

{Advent} Wrapping!!

There's usually one night during the Advent season when I crank the Christmas music, pour myself a glass of eggnog (man, I love that stuff) and wrap all our presents.  Truly, one of my top 5 favorite nights of the year.

This year, Anna-Laura and I enjoyed a wrapping and bow demonstration at The Container Store - you know, the place where I feel like the mothership has come home!  They had some great suggestions and it brought back some fantastic memories of my Granny Mary showing me how to wrap a package.  She and my grandfather owned a jewelry store in West Texas.  She wrapped many a package and shared some of her secrets and best tips with us, as kids.  Of course, I'm kicking myself now for not paying better attention :(

I had such a great time making everything look pretty.  May the gift recipients know just how much they are loved and appreciated!

{Advent} Visit with Santa

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving (hold on to your comments, please) I loaded up the van with Christmas-dressed kids and we chatted with Santa Claus.  Why?  Because I H-A-T-E standing in lines waiting on anything.  Detest it.  Such a waste of valuable time.  And, I want my kids to actually have the opportunity to visit with SC instead of just snap the picture and hear, 'next, please.'

We started going to see him earlier in the season a few years ago and it has been awesome.  Why did I never do that before?!  To be perfectly honest, my kids have no clue whether we're visiting Santa during Advent or just before Thanksgiving.  And, even if they did, I'm pretty sure they could care less.

The rule at our house is one gift from Santa.  Although, we have encouraged them to give him a backup gift idea, just in case their favorite toy is um, unavailable, in Santa's workshop.  In a world of overconsumption and more-more, we are desperately trying to buck the system and teach our children to be thankful.  In fact, a family saying around here is:  You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.

Santa is a fun thing we do (yes, we have an Elf on the Shelf), but it's certainly not the focus.  I don't believe he's evil or takes away from the spirit of Christmas.  He can.  But in our house, we work hard to make sure he adds TO the spirit.  It works for us and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And, as a sidenote, you may not know that Santa actually hails from Texas, his winter home is in the North Pole.  Just look at his boots.  Another reason to love him :)

Poor Clare. She is really not a fan of boys - of any kind. The waiters at restaurants, Santa's, babysitters, older brothers of friends. Nada. She only loves eight boys: her three brothers, dad, papa, the two uncles and great papa. If you're not on that list, I guarantee you she will hide behind my leg. If said boy advances to give her a friendly high-five, she will start crying. Case in point. When we celebrated the Feast of St. Nick, she WIGGED OUT. She was terrified "that boy" was going to come in her room. I assured her, I would take him down if he did. Fortunately, I did not have to make good on my promise.

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

non-digital - can't find it!

2004

QOTW: December 10, 2010

ME:  "Clare, you were so cute at the Christmas play this morning."
C:  "I know."

C:  "Mom, watcha doin'?"
ME:  "Cooking dinner."
C:  "But I want to eat lunch first!"

"ooo...ooo...oooooo"
Luke, everytime he sees the Christmas tree.  So. Stinkin'. Cute.

"Wow, these Christmas lights make the ones in our neighborhood look like a joke."
Will, commenting on the stellar light show we saw last weekend.  To be fair, the lights in our neighborhood our pretty great, the others were just amazing!!

Like most of you with school-aged children, we have a full weekend of parties, play practice and basketball.  The next 14 days will be busy, but I am really looking forward to next week being the last week of school for the kids.  It's time to have the chicks home for a while.  The slower pace and time off will be so nice.  Hopefully, I can squeeze in some baking this weekend.  I've missed doing it.

Make it a great weekend!  I'll be back next week with some more Advent traditions and celebrations.

{Advent} Preschool Christmas Program

Every year, the Catholic preschool hosts a really adorable Christmas program.  I know, all preschool programs are high on the cute factor.  You've got Joseph tripping over the manger, nearly knocking down the scenery, the two-year-olds crying their heads off, another one picking his nose and the papparazzi of parents documenting it all on film.

I love being a mom to little people.  On this day :)

We dropped Clare off at her classroom and then Luke and I scouted the church for prime picture-taking seats.  Let me just say this.  When picture taking of your small children is involved, you see a different side of people.  Fortunately, this ain't my first rodeo.  I've done ten preschool Christmas plays and I've learned a tip 'er two.  We scored some pretty good seats, minus the fact that I forgot to factor in I was supposed to film, shoot pictures, entertain a baby and watch the play - all with two hands.  I was flying solo this morning.  Minor miscalculation.

The video is mostly steady, the photos mostly in focus, the baby escaped with no permanent bruises and I saw just about every second.  As much fun as Clare was having, I was loving every moment.  I finally - after four tries - have a kid that actually sings, does the motions and loves being the star of the show.  She was so stinkin' cute, it hurt.  I had a few moms ask me afterward if I had her enrolled in dance as much as she was moving.  HA!  I think I smiled all morning.

Clare has been practicing her songs - alot.  In Mass, walking the aisles at the grocery story, while getting dressed in the morning, on the potty.  Pretty much everywhere we've heard, "Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem x3...riding on a donkey."  Be sure to tune in tomorrow for some pretty outstanding QOTW!

The big kids have their play next Friday.  I've got two angels - a speaker and a non-speaker, along with an Isaiah.  The pictures may be just as blurry, but the memories will be just as sweet.

{Advent} Top Ten: Tree Hunting Photos & a Funny Story

This farm has been a family favorite for many years.  One of the great things about having a big family is that's it's a party wherever you go.  We're just destined to make memories - some we'll laugh about and some not :)

I hope you enjoy these 10-takes (plus a bonus!) as much as Scott and I did taking them.  Scroll to the bottom for your funny story.

Ok, on to your funny story.  When we arrived, it was a little chilly and windy, plus we knew we were going to do some walking.  So, we bundled Luke up and put him in the stroller.  Once the hunt for the tree got serious, the stroller became a pain in the a$$, so I parked it and plunked Luke on my hip.  Just as I was going back to the stroller, I hear "Hayride's leaving!" and beelined to the tractor so we wouldn't miss it.  Didn't give the stroller another thought.

Until LAST NIGHT.  Scott was cleaning out the van and asked where it was.  My mind did a quick fast forward and we both looked at each other in horror.  Not only did we leave the stroller in Salado, but we left Luke's favorite blanket there, too!  Thankfully, after a quick call, the farm still has them both.  Wow.  That's pretty much the worst case of mommy brain there is.  I mean, how does one space the absence of  a stroller for a good NINE days??  On the up side, at least it wasn't a kid we left behind :)

{Advent} Blessing of the Tree

Last night we gathered the kids around the tree and officially blessed it.  Our first-ever tree blessing.

There was some shoving, some giggling, hitting (playful jabs by Luke) and some shushing.  Overall, exactly what one would expect with five kids, 9 and under.  We said a few prayers (click on the link above) and then lit 'er up.  Great fun.  Tomorrow, tune in for our top ten photos from the annual trip to the Salado Christmas Tree Farm...and for a REALLY hilarious story.  Honestly, folks, I can't make this stuff up.

Happy Advent!