Sunday, October 31, 2010

Christmas Snow, Santa Letters, Fun And Love

The snow swirled around the yard outside making everything blindingly white. The kids were already pulling on their snow suits and boots. I wrapped scarves around each of their necks. They have to show me that they have their gloves on before I will let them out the door. Bessie our dog follows the kids out to have some fun kicking up snow as she goes.

While they are outside I gather up everything the kids will need to letters to Santa. The kids like to have something to do when I make them come in for warm up breaks. As I put the sugar cookies in the oven I set out six mugs for their hot chocolate. From the window I see the kids having a free for all snow ball fight. They are all covered in snow from head to toe. By the smiles on their faces it is clear they are having a good time.

When they come in they are ready to warm up with the cookies and hot chocolate. The girls were the first to ask about writing letters to Santa. I showed the kids the paper they had to choose from. Soon all of the kids are writing a letter to Santa. Sally used the star hole puncher all around the outside edge of her letter.

The snow outside piled up deep. The world outside had become a wonderland of snow. It wasn’t long before the kids were ready to go back out. I told them they could finish their Christmas letters to Santa when they came back in.

I watched my kids making snow angels. They all worked together and built a huge snowman. The backyard looked like a scene from a snow globe. The large flakes of snow float and spiral, painting out the world in white. The bright colors of their snow suits glow against all the gleaming white. It reminds me of a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting.

When the kids came back in they had icy red cheeks. I sat them down to warm back up. Bessie curled up on the rug in front of the fireplace. It didn’t take long and she was fast asleep. The kids changed out of their wet clothes and put on warm pajamas.

They gathered back around the table and I passed out grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup. They finished up the meal and went back to their Santa letters. They all had finishing touches that they wanted add before the letters were sealed in the envelopes. As they finished their letters they stacked them on the shelf by the front door. One by one my kids fell asleep scattered around the living room watching Christmas movies. This was a good day – it was one of those days that only happens during the holiday season and the kind of day that mothers cherish long after their kids are grown.

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Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Loving Family & Sant Letters – The Best Christmas Gift Possible

Last year I received the best Christmas present I have ever been given. It was a complete surprise and I never expected it. Let me tell you how it all started. Like most families we all write letters to Santa every year.

Last year while the kids were writing their letters I wrote my own asking for a photography studio. I never intended to do anything with it. I tossed it aside to help Trenton with the glitter he wanted to use. From there I can only assume one of my other children found letters to Santa. I didn’t think about that Santa Claus letter again until Christmas morning.

Before I had children I loved taking and developing photographs. There came a point that we no longer had the room for my dark room. We sold my projector and chemicals. At the time I wasn’t even sad about it. I had a digital camera and no free time to spend in the dark room. Now my kids were older and they no longer need or want to spend every moment of every day with mom.

I had been so busy raising kids for the past several years I didn’t know what to do with myself now that they were older. I was actually finding time to get bored. I needed something in my life that was just for me.

Christmas morning we all rushed around the tree to find gifts from Santa. The kids ripped into the wrapping paper and rainbows of ribbon rained down around the room. When the gifts were all opened I couldn’t help but notice I hadn’t received even one.

We all gathered the wrapping paper and cleaned up the bits of ribbon and tape. I was about to take the trash out to the can when suddenly all six members of my family were at my side. My husband took the bag from my hands and told me to close my eyes. He led me through the back yard. The sound of crunching frozen grasses stopped and I opened my eyes.

They had read my letters to Santa. Before me was a nice sized ‘shed’ with a green velvet ribbon on the door knob. I can’t imagine how they got the shed past me. Inside the shed was everything I could possibly need for my photography hobby. The interior of this building is extremely comfortable and inviting. But the best part is that my loving family worked so hard to keep everything a secret just to surprise me with a gift that was beyond my wildest expectations and dreams. Tears filled my eyes and I couldn’t speak for a few moments. I was surprised that they had been so sly. They told me sneaking out to paint the inside of shed black was the hardest part to pull off.

Every time I walk through the door of my dark room I can’t help but take a few moments to be grateful for being blessed with such a loving and giving family.

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Monday, October 25, 2010

Cupcakes For A Party And Letters To Santa!

At my children’s school we always have a winter wonderland party for the children. I wanted to make something special for my kids to take to share with their classmates. In the past I had sent in store bought cookies or juice. When I asked the kids if they had any ideas I got the same answer from each of them. They all wanted cupcakes.

I knew that it would take awhile for me to get all of the cupcakes done so we set up an assembly line on the kitchen counter. All three of the kids were responsible for collecting and measuring an ingredient. While we all moved around the kitchen I asked them if they knew what they were going to ask Santa for in their Christmas letters. My daughter wanted a horse farm set and a basket for her bike. Both of the boys wanted new video games. We talked about the surprises they had found under the tree last year.

We had room in the oven to do two pans of cupcakes at a time. Sally said she was going to add in a picture of the cupcakes when she writes a letter to Santa. We started to divide the cupcakes into three different groups. I had let each one of the kids pick out the icing and toppings for the cupcakes they were going to take. The kids and I had made both chocolate and red velvet cupcakes and we wanted to be sure they all had equal amounts of each.

The kids all talked about how they couldn’t wait for Christmas morning when they would find gifts from Santa under the tree. I love to see the happiness on their faces when they dream about the magic of Christmas together. It’s obvious that they believe in the possibility that anything can happen – it’s as if the magic of Christmas is visible in their angelic little faces.

After the cupcakes had all cooled we started to put on the icing. They all take their time I was glad that they were taking so much pride in their work. Slowly all the cupcakes were covered in sugary sweetness. Next the kids put on the sprinkles they had chosen. Sally had picked tiny candy canes and red sugar crystals. Trenton liked the rainbow sprinkles mixed with small candy gingerbread men. And green sugar crystals sparkled on the top of the emerald frosting that Doyle chose.

The kids decided we should start leaving out cupcakes for Santa. Trenton said he was going to ask if Santa likes cupcakes in his Christmas letter to Santa. I told them we could make a special batch on Christmas Eve using the left over decorations from their class party.

The cupcakes were a big hit at the school. All my kids wanted to know if we could make cupcakes for all their class parties. I’m not sure about the all the parties idea but I think we have just started a new tradition this year with leaving them out for Santa. After the kids received a ‘thank you’ note from Santa last year that mentioned the great snack the kids are all convinced that the cupcakes earned them extra gifts from the old guy!

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Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Special Christmas Job That Makes Life Easier For Santa’s Reindeer

My son Doyle is so fascinated by Santa’s reindeer. Every year on Christmas Eve it’s his job to put out the magical reindeer food. He takes his job very serious.

Last year Doyle wanted to go shopping to find a special bowl to put the reindeer food in. He took his time and looked at each and every bowl in the store. He wanted a bowl made out of either plastic or metal so he doesn’t have to worry about breaking it. Doyle chose a big silver pet bowl.

In the check out line Doyle was so excited about the bowl. He was going to use the paint at we have at home to paint Christmas pictures on the bowl. On the ride back home he told me every thing he know about Santa’s reindeer. I asked him questions about the reindeer and to my surprise he had an answer for all of them.

When Doyle was a very little boy he wrote to Santa and asked if Santa would send him the recipe for reindeer food. When Santa sent a letter back to Doyle he also sent him the recipe. Doyle showed everybody the recipe Santa had gave to him. I was glad that the reindeer food recipe was so simple. Doyle wanted to do it all by himself, without any help from anyone.

Doyle always mixes up the reindeer food the day before Christmas Eve. He wants all of us out of the kitchen while he works. He also fills up nine little cloth bags with food for each of Santa’s reindeer. He hangs those on a small tree that grows in our yard. He explained that the bags are so that reindeer have a snack to take with them on their long trip around the world.

Doyle can’t wait to set the food outside for Santa’s reindeer. Last year he also put out a bowl of water. He thought that since we put water out for our dog Bessie we might as well put some water out for them too. When the sun has set on Christmas Eve Doyle’s eyes constantly scan the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer flying by.

Every year that Doyle has set out the food he has received a special Christmas letter. These letters are from Rudolph. In the letter all the reindeer thank Daniel for the food. They really liked the bags of snacks he made. They hoped that next year they could count on him to help them once again. Doyle’s reindeer food adds a bit of magic to our Christmas.

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Sunday, October 17, 2010

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Your Branches!

Every year our family buys a fresh Christmas tree to put in our home. It is a tradition that started the first year we were married. My husband Drew had surprised me by taking me to a Christmas tree stand and letting me pick out whatever tree I wanted. From that year on Drew takes me to get a tree for Christmas. I love the smell it brings into the house. I can’t imagine Christmas without a fresh green tree to decorate.

On the way to the tree stand we talk about what the kids are going say in their Christmas letters to Santa. They never have a problem coming up with gifts they hope to find under the tree. My youngest daughter said she was going to ask about the elves. We always have so much fun writing letters to Santa.

When we pull into the parking lot we all pile out of the van. The kids take off through the maze of bright green trees. Drew and I walk hand and hand looking at the different kinds of Christmas trees they have to offer. The kids always find tree after tree they are sure will be the perfect tree for us. The boys always wanted the biggest tree on the lot. We had to remind them we had to have room for the star on top of tree.

Last year it didn’t take long at all for us to find the tree we knew was going home with us. It was a deep forest green with branches packed full of needles. It wasn’t a very tall tree but the whole family agreed this was the tree for us.

Drew and the man who worked at the tree stand tied the tree onto the roof of the van. I told all the kids I was sure that they would be on the nice list this year for being so well behaved and helpful at picking out a great Christmas tree.

When we got the tree home Drew brought the tree in and set it up in the living room. While he did that I helped the kids write letters to Santa Claus. The kids all told Santa about the Christmas tree. Trenton and Doyle drew pictures of it to send along with their letter. When the letters were finished we started the fun of decorating our Christmas tree.

I love getting out the old ornaments and putting them on the tree. Each year the kids get to pick out a brand new Christmas tree ornament so most all of them have a story. And of course, every year we spend time making homemade ornaments, so all of them have special meanings to us. It takes us a while but one by one all of the ornaments find a home on the tree. When it is finished and Drew has the honor of placing the star on the top of tree. Then, we turn on the twinkling lights and as a family we sit around together and marvel at the magic of our Christmas tree.

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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Magical Reindeer Food Really Does Exist!

Down the street from our house lives Mr. Tinker. He is an older man and he has trouble getting around. Trenton and Doyle my sons help him with small jobs around his house. Just little tasks, like taking the trash to the road or raking up fall leaves. They have formed a good friendship with each other. In fact, Mr. Tinker often invites the boys to come over to sit on his porch just to talk.

While we were writing our Christmas letters the boys told me that they were worried about how Mr. Tinker would be spending his Christmas. He had no family that either of them had ever heard of or seen. The boys decided that they would ask Santa to bring something special for Mr. Tinker that year.

Doyle and Trenton couldn’t wait to mail a letter to Santa. They just knew for sure that Santa would bring something to make Mr. Tinker’s Christmas a little brighter. I was glad to see the boys showing so much compassion for Mr. Tinker. It was good for him to have them stop by and give him company.

I told the boys that I would take them shopping to buy a gift for Mr. Tinker. Trenton picked out a thick flannel coat. He chose blue because Mr. Tinker had once told him it was his favorite color. Doyle wanted to buy a pair of warm house shoes and gloves. He said Mr. Tinker always complained of having cold hands and feet.

That week a snow storm blew in over a foot of snow. We walked down to see if Mr. Tinker needed us to get him anything while we were out in the truck. He handed me a list and the money, he told me to keep the change for my trouble. Mr. tinker than turned to the boys and told them to close their eyes and hold out their hands.

In each of their hands he placed a small cloth bag. When they opened their eyes they didn’t know what to think. Mr. Tinker grinned and explained that inside the bags was magical reindeer food for them to leave out Christmas Eve. They showed off their gifts to their dad that night at dinner.

On Christmas Eve the boys went out in the backyard to put out the reindeer food. I gave them a big plastic green bowl with pictures of snowmen on it to put the food in. They took their time trying to decide what would be the best place to leave food for Santa’s pets. On Christmas morning they couldn’t wait to see if the reindeer ate any of the food that Mr. Tinker had given them. To their surprise the bowl was completely empty and there were deer tracks in the snow across the yard.

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Monday, October 11, 2010

A Christmas Party That Gives To All

I am a member of a mothers group in my area. We throw a Christmas party every year. We divide the party into sections such as the cake walk. Each section is wrote down and placed in a bowl. Each member of the group then picks out a slip of paper from the bowl. Last year I drew the Christmas letters table. I was thrilled because this is a project that I have always enjoyed with my own kids.

I would be responsible for helping children write their letters to Santa. I had plenty of space to use. There were three long tables that looked like they came from a school cafeteria. I decided I would use the tables for different tasks. The first table would be for the actual writing a letter to Santa. The next table would be for glitter and the messy stuff. The last table would be for addressing the envelope to the North Pole.

My two oldest daughters volunteered to help out at the party. I was glad that there would be someone to help out at each table, other wise I would have probably been spread real thin. With their help I knew that I would be able to help the kids to make real nice letters. The end result would be Christmas letters that the kids would be proud of – and that’s how it should be when they are writing something as important as letters to Santa Claus!

When I went out shopping I found some real pretty holiday paper in several different colors. Next I picked out envelopes the kids could use to put the letters in. I took plain colored ones to match the paper I had chose. I found all kinds of glitter that would make the letters sparkle with magic. There were so many choices it was hard to decide on which stickers to buy. I stopped by the post office and bought the stamps.

Before the party the girls and I set the tables. The girls both said that they didn’t want to do the glitter table. My oldest takes charge of the writing table. She will help the kids to write a letter to Santa. She sets out the different kinds of paper and put the special pens and pencils in Christmas cups. Jackie has envelopes and stamps. I was surprised, she was eager for the party to start. She had filled out an envelope for the kids at her table to use as an example – it seems that Jackie knows Santa’s secret North Pole address.

At the party our tables were a big hit. I think every kid who came to the party wrote a Christmas letter. The kids thought it was cool that Jackie knew Santa’s workshop address. I was proud of how mature my girls were. We had a wonderful time with all of the children at the party. I was glad the girls and I had some special Christmas activities to share together. They are both teenagers and so busy between school, friends, and work – it sometimes seems like we hardly see each other. This annual Christmas party is a great way for us to ‘bond’ and it gives us memories that we talk about for months to come.

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Jasper - Lost and Found

Our family has a gray and black stripped tabby cat. We rescued him from a shelter about four years ago. He is the kind of cat who is happier curled up on your lap rather than chasing toys around on the floor. Jasper was an indoor cat and we had never known him to try to make an escape.

The first Christmas Jasper was part of our family he got lost. My husband Drew and the boys brought home a gigantic Christmas tree. It was a beautiful tree with full deep green branches. I couldn’t wait to have the tree set up. It was going to be a magnificent Christmas tree once it was covered in our ornaments and twinkling lights. The problem was it was going to be tricky getting it through the front door.

I got the kids to start writing letters to Santa while I tried to help Drew get the tree in the door. It wasn’t an easy task. I think the kids thought it was humorous to watch us struggling with the tree. Jasper must have slipped past us while we were wrestling the massive tree in the house.

No one noticed that Jasper was missing until the next morning. Jasper always came looking for his breakfast when I put the coffee on. At first I didn’t think much of it but when lunch came and went with his bowl of food untouched I became worried. The kids and I looked all over the house.

We posted signs around the neighborhood about Jasper. Some of the local shops in our town let us put posters up on their bulletin boards. Sally decided she was going to write a letter to Santa and ask if he would help bring Jasper home. My daughter had become real attached to Jasper. She walked up and down the street several times a day calling his name to avail.

Days went by and we still had no sign of Jasper. We put food out on the front and back porch. I worried that Jasper might not know how to deal with the cold weather. In our area the temperatures often drop to well below freezing during the winter. I hoped that he was resourceful enough to find a place to keep warm. Sally thought that maybe Rudolph would know what to do so she sat down to write a letter to Rudolph.

On Christmas Eve Sally came running in the house with Jasper in her arms. She was overjoyed that Jasper had come back home. She thought that because of the Christmas letters she sent to Santa and Rudolph our pet was home. We never found out where Jasper had been or what finally prompted his return home we just assumed that maybe Santa used a little of his Christmas magic to bring Jasper back to us.

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Monday, October 4, 2010

A Cedar Chest Filled With Christmas Letters And Precious Memories

During the summer my daughters Jackie, Melanie, Sally and I love to search yard sales. We never know what we will find while we are out. We find holiday decorations all the time. We have a special tote we keep out in the garage for holiday items we find. My husband Drew always laughs when he sees us loading Christmas decorations around in July. It doesn’t bother any of us girls, we don’t understand how anyone can have too many decorations for the holidays.

This summer we found a huge neighborhood yard sale. We walked up and down the streets keeping our eyes open for any treasure we might want to take home. Jackie found a fountain to put on top of her dresser. Sally squealed in delight when she spotted a small plastic aquarium she could use to put lighting bugs or butterflies in. Melanie picked out a few books here and there. I found a few Christmas ornaments and a set of new Santa Christmas cards.

Our little wagon started to really fill up. We were on our way back to the car when I saw an old hope chest holding up a set of tires. I asked the man in the driveway if the hope chest was for sale and if I could get a better look at it. He rolled the tires out of the way so I could open the lid. It was full of newspapers, old Christmas letters from Santa, and photos. The man said everything in the chest went with it. He told me he had found the chest in the basement when he bought the house.

Once we had the chest at home the girls and I couldn’t wait to see what was inside. I told the girls to keep their eye out for any full names that might be on any of the letters from Santa. I was sure someone out there would like the return of the photos and letters. The girls and me spent hours reading the letters and looking at the photos. We recognized some of the places in our town and were surprised by the dramatic changes that had occurred in such a short time. Finally we found an envelope with a full name.

After searching we tracked down Mrs. Maple Hardin. She had tears in her eyes when we delivered the photos and letters to her. She said the return of the Christmas cards was the best gift she had ever received. It made my girls and me feel real good to give back something so precious. Mrs. Hardin said looking at the photos brought back memories she had long ago forgotten.



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