I will be offline the next couple of days celebrating and creating special memories with my family,
so from our home to yours,
we wish you a Happy, Healthy and Holy Christmas full of good cheer and wonderful memories!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Christmas treats
On Saturday I was really in the mood to make some Christmas treats. Usually by now I have made bunches and bunches of cookies and treats. Not this year. I just haven't had the time or the energy.
Well Saturday, after the debacle of the busted up lip, I needed chocolate! So I decided to try out a couple new to me recipes.
First up were these Chocolate pretzel treats. I was given some a few years ago as part of a cookie plate and oh my they are SO GOOD! I had pretzels left over from Rebecca's AHG party and I had the kids unwrap all the hershey kisses and my hubby put the m&m's on top as I burned myself when I was trying to do the first one. LOL Seriously though, these are worth all the effort. They are time consuming but so easy and yummy to make.
Then, later Saturday night, Rebecca was out at a lock-in with her friend. Bill was at work and the boys were playing and I decided to try my hand at Christmas Crack. I had this for the first time earlier in December, but the day I had it I wasn't feeling too well so I only had one piece. But it was really good as well. I think mine turned out really good as well. Again, it was super simple to make with ingredients that I had in my pantry! And even my hubby liked it when he came home.
Last, but not least, on Saturday night my dear friend stopped by to pick Rebecca up to take her to her first lock-in with her friend Amelia (first time both girls had stayed away from home without mom present). She also came bearing gifts for my kids and for Bill and I. Rebecca got a barbie and a candy cane full of Reese's pieces (she can't have red m&m's due to the red dye). Benjamin got a new choo-choo and Jacob got a set of cars. She also included a gift for Bill and I.....of some Christmas treats! She knows me well!
Well Saturday, after the debacle of the busted up lip, I needed chocolate! So I decided to try out a couple new to me recipes.
First up were these Chocolate pretzel treats. I was given some a few years ago as part of a cookie plate and oh my they are SO GOOD! I had pretzels left over from Rebecca's AHG party and I had the kids unwrap all the hershey kisses and my hubby put the m&m's on top as I burned myself when I was trying to do the first one. LOL Seriously though, these are worth all the effort. They are time consuming but so easy and yummy to make.
Then, later Saturday night, Rebecca was out at a lock-in with her friend. Bill was at work and the boys were playing and I decided to try my hand at Christmas Crack. I had this for the first time earlier in December, but the day I had it I wasn't feeling too well so I only had one piece. But it was really good as well. I think mine turned out really good as well. Again, it was super simple to make with ingredients that I had in my pantry! And even my hubby liked it when he came home.
Last, but not least, on Saturday night my dear friend stopped by to pick Rebecca up to take her to her first lock-in with her friend Amelia (first time both girls had stayed away from home without mom present). She also came bearing gifts for my kids and for Bill and I. Rebecca got a barbie and a candy cane full of Reese's pieces (she can't have red m&m's due to the red dye). Benjamin got a new choo-choo and Jacob got a set of cars. She also included a gift for Bill and I.....of some Christmas treats! She knows me well!
Have you made any Christmas treats lately? What is your favorite Christmas treat to make?
Monday, December 21, 2015
Teacher gifts, snow, decorations, and busted lips!
This is a this and that kind of post. Nothing really warranting a stand alone post, but some stuff that I want to remember for the ages.
First of all, Friday was the kids' last day of school before Christmas. They have 2 weeks off! In years past I have done several different things for teacher appreciation Christmas gifts, including gift cards, homemade goodies, etc. This year I decided to let the kids get crafty and this was their finished product. We wrapped large candy bars in white paper. Put a pair of fuzzy socks on top tied with a ribbon for a hat and the kids drew snowman faces on them. I also had the kids sign cards for their teachers. The 3 on the left are the ones Benjamin did (he has a teacher, assistant teacher and his aide). Rebecca did the 4th one from the left and Jacob did the one on the right. (Jacob also forgot to give his to his teacher on Friday so I guess she will get hers when they go back). I think they turned out adorable!
The weather here has been crazy. Earlier last week, we had record high temperatures. Thursday it was in the 50s. Then Friday evening, I looked out to this! SNOW! It was really coming down and right after I took this picture it was almost white out conditions. It didn't stick, but it was very pretty to look at. Doesn't look like we will have a white Christmas but it was nice to look at and begin the kids' Christmas break.
Bill and Rebecca got all of the outside light up and on. Each year we add something new. This year it was the net lights for the trees. I think it looks really festive!
Each year I also try to add just a little something to our inside the house decorations. This year, we added a small tree to the boys' room. Rebecca has had a tree the last couple of years in her room, after she took the one I used to use in my classroom when I was teaching full time. This year, I bought a pre-lit one to add to the boys' room and they love it. They have a blue star on top and bulb and drum ornaments. Makes the perfect nightlight for December.
I also bought Rebecca a pink sparkly star for her tree and some new ornaments, including some really cute pink and purple owls. I also added a string of lights to her tree.
On Saturday morning, we had a bad start to the kids' Christmas break. The boys woke up and were playing in their room. Things got out of hand; Jacob was on Ben's bed and apparently Ben tried to get back into his bed and Jacob pushed Ben away causing him to fall face first into the edge of Jacob's metal bed. Ben started screaming and there was so much blood as Ben cut his lower lip in several places and has a bruised and scraped up face and mouth. Oi! Not the way to start break. He cried for almost half an hour, but then began to feel a little better. I know it bothers him because he keeps touching his face, but it could have been so much worse. (If they are like this now, how are they going to be when they are older?)
How are things going at your house? Are you ready for Christmas? Any craziness going on?
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Kids' Christmas programs
This past week we had the pleasure of attending holiday programs for all 3 of the kiddos.
First up on Tuesday night, we had Rebecca and Jacob's school's holiday program. They had a concert called "Simple Gifts" in which all the grades got to sing 3-4 songs each. It was really sweet and just long enough to not overwhelm. (Jacob is in the 2nd row right next to the microphone in the red striped shirt. Rebecca is in top row to the right of the microphone in the black shirt).
Then on Friday morning I headed over to Benjamin's preschool for his class' Christmas party. They sang some songs including "Jingle Bells," "Up on the Housetop" among others. My sister was able to come with me to Ben's party. It was really cute.
We are so blessed that the kids have caring teachers and an aide who love each of them. It was a sweet way to start our Christmas celebrations!
First up on Tuesday night, we had Rebecca and Jacob's school's holiday program. They had a concert called "Simple Gifts" in which all the grades got to sing 3-4 songs each. It was really sweet and just long enough to not overwhelm. (Jacob is in the 2nd row right next to the microphone in the red striped shirt. Rebecca is in top row to the right of the microphone in the black shirt).
Then on Friday morning I headed over to Benjamin's preschool for his class' Christmas party. They sang some songs including "Jingle Bells," "Up on the Housetop" among others. My sister was able to come with me to Ben's party. It was really cute.
We are so blessed that the kids have caring teachers and an aide who love each of them. It was a sweet way to start our Christmas celebrations!
Friday, December 18, 2015
Our family's annual Christmas letter-- 2015 version
Every year I have my husband write up a Christmas letter to include with our Christmas cards. Since the kids have been born, and since I love them, I order photo Christmas cards from Shutterfly and we include a Christmas letter in each one. My husband has a knack for writing and he does such an awesome job on them. We have gotten several compliments over the years and people saying they look forward to reading his letter each Christmas season.
So I decided to share it with all of you out in blog land that might be reading this blog.
Merry Christmas! Or Happy Holidays. Either way. Just try not to be offended.
As usual, the year has been an eventful one. I’d write a book about it, but no publisher would accept it. Definitely wouldn’t be realistic. No family ever has this much stuff going on, they’d say. Maybe a reality show?
The year started on an ominous note when all three kids came down with the flu. Then my wife caught it. Then I caught it -- the day before the Super Bowl, of course (which, if you don’t know, ranks right up there with Christmas on the Bill Calendar of Fun Holidays and Events.) It wasn’t a bad flu -- just a fever, complete lack of energy and appetite. On Day 2 of my flu, just as Tom Brady celebrated his Super Bowl win, my wife doubled over in pain. A trip to the hospital revealed kidney stones. She was in for three days, going through surgery and kicking it with the yummy hospital food, while I had a 101.5 temperature while taking care of three kids. By a miracle, we got through the week. The wife made it home, none the worse for wear. I got healthy. It took weeks of legal wrangling to undo the different contracts and bank loans the kids did while we weren’t paying attention.
Our cries for a respite from the illnesses led to the discovery of Essential Oils. When our kids started showing signs of a cold, we’d rub an Essenial Oil on the bottoms of their feet. The next morning, the cold was gone. I mean, gone. I had no idea these things would actually work, and I don’t know how they work. However, after much research that involved me thinking really hard, I figured out that these Essential Oils work because they contain microscopic gnomes that penetrate the pores and, using their extensive knowledge of Jiu Jitsu, wrestle the germs into submission, Ronda Rousey-style. I think.
Our annual summer trip was a return to our Honeymoon spot in the Smoky Mountains. Our cabin was a bit higher than my wife’s comfort level permitted, and at one point, the brakes began to burn out coming down the mountain. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan took my (panicky) wife and kids back to the cabin, while I got the van towed. One burned caliper and about $80 later, the van was good as new. I wish I would find a way to repay those good folks in Tennessee for all they did. Perhaps I will send them some Essential Oils.
The wife finally quit her job at St. Vincent and started her own business. She now has her own tutoring clients and has a pretty decent schedule. The business has been nothing but a success so far, as she is pulling in profits and has many happy parents. I have a feeling her business is going to explode in 2016. Not literally, because that would be loud.
Rebecca left St. Vincent and began going to local public school. As expected, she’s a social butterfly and made a bunch of friends immediately. She had her First Communion this year, wearing the same dress Rachel wore for her First Communion. She still plays softball every chance she gets. When she’s not doing those things, she’s got her nose planted in a book. She’s a rare combination of intelligence, kindness and positive energy and I can’t even remember what life was like before she was born.
The youngest boy Benjamin has begun preschool. Because of his autism, he was placed in an integrated classroom. He loves it and has made a ton of friends. (Appropriate, since he weighs nearly a ton himself.) He has fallen in love with “choo-choos” and over the summer we took him to Cincinnati for a “Day Out With Thomas.” He got to see a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine and got to ride in a real train. The look on his face when they unveiled Thomas’ face was worth the whole trip.
Jacob started kindergarten and loves it. He has anywhere from three to six girlfriends, depending on the day of the week apparently. The boy has fallen in love with football, and all he talks about are how teams are doing and who plays quarterback for what team. Lately, we’ve noticed his physical motor skills haven’t been keeping up. He doesn’t have any official diagnosis yet, but he’s set for a CT scan and an in-depth assessment through Children’s Hospital.
Jacob’s adventures with doctors led to some inner soul-searching on my part. In the past year, I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, which explains everything from my love of numbers and tick-like movements to my depression and my unusual sense of humor (wait, what?) I continue to find peace, and have become quite content to just allow people to live and let live, rather than try to change the world. Maybe it’s the diagnosis. Or the journey with my family. Maybe it’s the realization that we’re all in it together on this planet, and the only way we can survive and be happy is to help each other survive and be happy.
No, it’s definitely the Essential Oils.
Have a great season!
-The Davis Family
So I decided to share it with all of you out in blog land that might be reading this blog.
Merry Christmas! Or Happy Holidays. Either way. Just try not to be offended.
As usual, the year has been an eventful one. I’d write a book about it, but no publisher would accept it. Definitely wouldn’t be realistic. No family ever has this much stuff going on, they’d say. Maybe a reality show?
The year started on an ominous note when all three kids came down with the flu. Then my wife caught it. Then I caught it -- the day before the Super Bowl, of course (which, if you don’t know, ranks right up there with Christmas on the Bill Calendar of Fun Holidays and Events.) It wasn’t a bad flu -- just a fever, complete lack of energy and appetite. On Day 2 of my flu, just as Tom Brady celebrated his Super Bowl win, my wife doubled over in pain. A trip to the hospital revealed kidney stones. She was in for three days, going through surgery and kicking it with the yummy hospital food, while I had a 101.5 temperature while taking care of three kids. By a miracle, we got through the week. The wife made it home, none the worse for wear. I got healthy. It took weeks of legal wrangling to undo the different contracts and bank loans the kids did while we weren’t paying attention.
Our cries for a respite from the illnesses led to the discovery of Essential Oils. When our kids started showing signs of a cold, we’d rub an Essenial Oil on the bottoms of their feet. The next morning, the cold was gone. I mean, gone. I had no idea these things would actually work, and I don’t know how they work. However, after much research that involved me thinking really hard, I figured out that these Essential Oils work because they contain microscopic gnomes that penetrate the pores and, using their extensive knowledge of Jiu Jitsu, wrestle the germs into submission, Ronda Rousey-style. I think.
Our annual summer trip was a return to our Honeymoon spot in the Smoky Mountains. Our cabin was a bit higher than my wife’s comfort level permitted, and at one point, the brakes began to burn out coming down the mountain. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan took my (panicky) wife and kids back to the cabin, while I got the van towed. One burned caliper and about $80 later, the van was good as new. I wish I would find a way to repay those good folks in Tennessee for all they did. Perhaps I will send them some Essential Oils.
The wife finally quit her job at St. Vincent and started her own business. She now has her own tutoring clients and has a pretty decent schedule. The business has been nothing but a success so far, as she is pulling in profits and has many happy parents. I have a feeling her business is going to explode in 2016. Not literally, because that would be loud.
Rebecca left St. Vincent and began going to local public school. As expected, she’s a social butterfly and made a bunch of friends immediately. She had her First Communion this year, wearing the same dress Rachel wore for her First Communion. She still plays softball every chance she gets. When she’s not doing those things, she’s got her nose planted in a book. She’s a rare combination of intelligence, kindness and positive energy and I can’t even remember what life was like before she was born.
The youngest boy Benjamin has begun preschool. Because of his autism, he was placed in an integrated classroom. He loves it and has made a ton of friends. (Appropriate, since he weighs nearly a ton himself.) He has fallen in love with “choo-choos” and over the summer we took him to Cincinnati for a “Day Out With Thomas.” He got to see a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine and got to ride in a real train. The look on his face when they unveiled Thomas’ face was worth the whole trip.
Jacob started kindergarten and loves it. He has anywhere from three to six girlfriends, depending on the day of the week apparently. The boy has fallen in love with football, and all he talks about are how teams are doing and who plays quarterback for what team. Lately, we’ve noticed his physical motor skills haven’t been keeping up. He doesn’t have any official diagnosis yet, but he’s set for a CT scan and an in-depth assessment through Children’s Hospital.
Jacob’s adventures with doctors led to some inner soul-searching on my part. In the past year, I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, which explains everything from my love of numbers and tick-like movements to my depression and my unusual sense of humor (wait, what?) I continue to find peace, and have become quite content to just allow people to live and let live, rather than try to change the world. Maybe it’s the diagnosis. Or the journey with my family. Maybe it’s the realization that we’re all in it together on this planet, and the only way we can survive and be happy is to help each other survive and be happy.
No, it’s definitely the Essential Oils.
Have a great season!
-The Davis Family
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Christmas in America (Ellis the Elephant)
Ellis the Elephant explores Christmas throughout American history!
In Christmas in America, the fifth in Callista Gingrich’s New York Times bestselling children’s series, Ellis discovers the meaning of Christmas and learns how this cherished holiday has been celebrated in America for more than four hundred years!
Join Ellis as he travels back in time and experiences Christmas in America with:
Colonists in Williamsburg, Virginia
George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon
Andrew Jackson at the White House
Civil War soldiers on the battlefield
Calvin Coolidge as he lights the first national Christmas tree
Apollo 8 astronauts as they orbit the moon
With vibrant illustrations and charming rhymes, Christmas in America explores the tales and traditions that have made Christmas a beloved part of the American experience.
MY THOUGHTS:
I will admit that I love kids' Christmas books; however, there are only so many ways to tell a story about Christmas before they all sort of start to sound alike. That was why I was interested in reading Christmas in America by Callista Gingrich. A new take on the Christmas season and what it has meant in the history of our wonderful country? Sign me up!
I wasn't sure what my kids would think of Christmas in America by Callista Gingrich. When I received it in the mail, I read through it and there was ALOT of time periods in American History covered-- starting with the first settlers heading to the New World, to the Patriots during the Revolutionary War, to the time of the Pioneers, to the first national Christmas tree, to the mission of Apollo 8. I didn't know if the kids would like the story or not or if they would even be able to understand the passage of time in the book. Well, I worried for naught...my kids LOVED the book. Rebecca (age 9) was very interested in the different historical events that Ellis the Elephant was able to travel back to and share with the readers. Jacob said his favorite part was the rhyming words. Benjamin loved trying to find the eagle on each page. I liked that the kids got a mini history lesson while enjoying a fun story about Christmas. I also liked the illustrations in the story. Ellis the Elephant is so cute and perfect for kids to relate to. This is a book that will be perfect to read every year as the kids get older and they learn more and more about the history of the USA and will gain more appreciation for the history of Christmas in the USA.
Overall, I would highly recommend this to be added to your Christmas library. Perfect change of pace for kids!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of the book through the Hachette Book Group and Gingrich Productions in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
More park fun (at a different park)
On Saturday we explored a new to us park in our area-- Honey Run Highlands Park. Not to be outdone, we decided on Sunday to spend some more time outside enjoying the warmer weather, that is anything but typical for Ohio in December.
After we went to see Santa, we surprised the kids with lunch out at another favorite park of ours. Yes, we broke our no fast food rule....
After we ate lunch, the kids had fun looking at all the geese and running around the banks of the pond and trying to skip rocks across the pond.
Then we went up another path that we had never taken before to another bridge that we hadn't seen before.
It was another lovely way to spend some time outdoors in the unseasonably warm weather!
After we went to see Santa, we surprised the kids with lunch out at another favorite park of ours. Yes, we broke our no fast food rule....
After we ate lunch, the kids had fun looking at all the geese and running around the banks of the pond and trying to skip rocks across the pond.
Then we went up another path that we had never taken before to another bridge that we hadn't seen before.
It was another lovely way to spend some time outdoors in the unseasonably warm weather!
The Berenstain Bears, The Very First Christmas
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
A Christmas story from the bestselling Berenstain Bears Living Lights series.
The bestselling Berenstain Bears brand and Living Lights series continue their proven tradition of teaching children valuable lessons in a fun and creative way. In the affordable 8x8 softcover format, The Berenstain Bears and the Night Jesus was Born gives fans of the Berenstain Bears the story of Jesus’ coming … from the angel’s announcement of a new baby to the visit of the three wise men.
This newest Easter title in the Berenstain series is perfect for gift-giving or as an easy addition to any holiday library.
MY THOUGHTS:
Every Christmas, for the last several years, we have done the Christmas tradition where the kids each have an advent calendar and we read a Christmas book each night before bed. I was excited to be able to add The Berenstain Bears, The Very First Christmas to our collection. My kids, ages 9, 6 and 3, love the Berenstain Bears and I will admit that I love the wholesome, timeless stories that they portray.
The Berenstain Bears, The Very First Christmas by Jan and Mike Berenstain is no exception. The story begins with Papa Bear asking his cubs which story they would like him to read to them. They chose the Bible story of the First Christmas. The story begins with the Angel appearing to Mary and retells the story of Jesus' birth through the time that the Wise Men brought him gifts. The illustrations were very cute and the story was very appropriate for a kid audience. Personally, I liked how they did not include the Wise Men in the manger scene, but rather portrayed them giving their gifts to an toddler Jesus, which is probably more likely to have happened. The only complaint that I had was the the story did not come back to Papa Bear and his cubs to make the book go full circle. It just abruptly ended with the end of the Biblical story.
Overall, my kids really liked this version of the First Christmas story and this will be added to our library of Christmas books to read for years to come.
DISCLAIMER: The publisher, Zondervan, provided me a free copy of this book through Booklook Bloggers program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Exploring Honey Run Waterfall and Park
This past weekend, we had record temperatures here-- it was close to 70F both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, I had a mountain of laundry to do and the house was a mess...however, I said forget it, we were going out.
We decided to head out to explore a waterfall that is not too far from our house (about 20 minutes). Honey Run Highlands Park is in our county's park district; however we have never been there.
There are 2 sides to the park...we chose to explore the side with the waterfall.
The park features a 25 foot tall waterfall feature which is beautiful. The kids had a blast seeing the Honey Run Waterfall for the first time. We had fun hiking and climbing over rocks.
Rebecca said she was surprised to find that the rocks under where the water was running was slimy! (She told me later that night that her favorite part of the day was climbing over the waterfall with me!)
After we left the waterfall area, we hiked along some of the paths...
At one point, we came across a huge hills with large rocks. Further up the path, we could see some guys climbing them and I made the comment that I could get all the way up to the top too...my hubby said no you can't. Well, don't tell me I can't do something so I did it, just to prove him wrong and to show the kids that mom can do things too.
After I successfully came down, without falling or breaking anything, we headed off down the path some more, where it reaches the Kokosing River.
The kids love anything with water and had fun throwing rocks and sticks into the river. It was very pretty and felt so good to be outside without coats on 2 weeks before Christmas! We will definitely be making this part of our outdoors rotation come Spring!
We decided to head out to explore a waterfall that is not too far from our house (about 20 minutes). Honey Run Highlands Park is in our county's park district; however we have never been there.
There are 2 sides to the park...we chose to explore the side with the waterfall.
Rebecca said she was surprised to find that the rocks under where the water was running was slimy! (She told me later that night that her favorite part of the day was climbing over the waterfall with me!)
After we left the waterfall area, we hiked along some of the paths...
At one point, we came across a huge hills with large rocks. Further up the path, we could see some guys climbing them and I made the comment that I could get all the way up to the top too...my hubby said no you can't. Well, don't tell me I can't do something so I did it, just to prove him wrong and to show the kids that mom can do things too.
The kids love anything with water and had fun throwing rocks and sticks into the river. It was very pretty and felt so good to be outside without coats on 2 weeks before Christmas! We will definitely be making this part of our outdoors rotation come Spring!
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Took the kids to see Santa
Each year we try to take the kids to see Santa. In the past, we have done the mall Santa. We have taken them to see Santa near their paternal Grandparents house. We have taken them to see Santa on the square here in town (can you say "Willie Nelson" Santa in both looks and smell!). Each year is kind of different as we haven't found one place or way that we really like.
This year, a friend posted on facebook that Santa was going to be at a local real estate office on Sunday for free pictures with Santa. So we decided to surprise the kids and took them to see him after church.
The kids loved seeing Santa! The setup was beautiful and this Santa was so good with the kids, interacting with them and talking to them.
Rebecca went first and she told Santa that she wanted Beado gems for Christmas.
Jacob went next and he actually sat on Santa's lap. Last year, he wouldn't go anywhere near Santa. He told Santa that he wanted football cards and super heroes!
Benjamin went last. I had to walk him over to Santa (or as Ben calls him "Ho, Ho, Ho") but once he was near there and Santa gave him a hi-five, Ben sat down on his lap and started talking to him. No one could understand what Ben was saying but that is okay; I am sure Santa understood.
Then all the kids had their group picture taken.
I am so grateful that they had a great experience with Santa this year!
This year, a friend posted on facebook that Santa was going to be at a local real estate office on Sunday for free pictures with Santa. So we decided to surprise the kids and took them to see him after church.
The kids loved seeing Santa! The setup was beautiful and this Santa was so good with the kids, interacting with them and talking to them.
Rebecca went first and she told Santa that she wanted Beado gems for Christmas.
Jacob went next and he actually sat on Santa's lap. Last year, he wouldn't go anywhere near Santa. He told Santa that he wanted football cards and super heroes!
Benjamin went last. I had to walk him over to Santa (or as Ben calls him "Ho, Ho, Ho") but once he was near there and Santa gave him a hi-five, Ben sat down on his lap and started talking to him. No one could understand what Ben was saying but that is okay; I am sure Santa understood.
Then all the kids had their group picture taken.
I am so grateful that they had a great experience with Santa this year!
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