Monday, December 31, 2012
Festivus in Virginia
Earlier in December, our brother-in-law Terrill fell and hurt his leg, and has since not been able to travel. We were going to go ahead with Festivus in South Orange, missing the Gosas, but then Jack and Deb's dog needed medical attention and it just wasn't going to work for them to come. Terrill had the idea of moving the party to Virginia and we were so happy to be able to visit them there. We had hoped that Brian and Marykate could join us there as well, but they got turned back to Philly by a snowstorm Saturday morning. So, our determined remnant celebrated as best we could. For the Feats of Strength, a few of us took a walk, and since I didn't bring any beans with me for the Festivus Bean, we settled for an almond and dubbed the finder (Terrill) "nuts about Festivus!" It was a great mini-vacation though we really missed the family who couldn't be there. Looking forward to the next get-together!
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Boxing Day Brunch
Christine hosted a brunch the day after Christmas -- another chance for all of us to be together and enjoy some time.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Day in Tivoli
After opening presents and spending some time in South Orange Christmas morning, most notably enjoying Fer's One Direction concert DVD, we packed up and headed to Tivoli for the rest of Christmas Day. We stayed with Christine and Matt this time, a first for us all and so much fun, and we had a great time celebrating with much of the extended family on Gigi's side.
Two pictures of the adults at dinner as Christine and I took turns with the camera:
The kids' table:
Some before dinner conversation and revelry:
Two pictures of the adults at dinner as Christine and I took turns with the camera:
The kids' table:
Some before dinner conversation and revelry:
Christmas Morning in South Orange
We had a really lovely Christmas morning -- Fer and Wendy were so sweet opening their stockings and gifts. They just had this sense of peace about it -- after each one they would spend a few moments looking it over and then calmly go to the tree for the next. We mainly did books and clothes, they each got a DVD they had been wanting, and then the "big" present was a bike for Fer and a scooter for Wendy -- we realized during Sandy that they had outgrown those and really needed new ones.
Though we didn't have nearly the level of intensity about Santa this year, Wendy did write to him to ask him his phone number and the names of his reindeer, and we left her letter out along with the obligatory cookies and milk. This is Santa's reply:
HO HO HO!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!!
Dear Fer and Wendy,
We are so happy to see how well you are doing. You have had a fabulous year and the elves and Mrs. Claus and I are so proud of you!!
I don’t have a phone because there is no reception at the North Pole. We communicate by letter and I get a lot of mail! As for my reindeer, you know the song – but a few of them are Dasher and Dancer and Prancer.
Merry Christmas! We love you very much!! You are wonderful girls!!! And thank you for the cookies and milk!
Much love,
Santa
HO HO HO!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!!
Though we didn't have nearly the level of intensity about Santa this year, Wendy did write to him to ask him his phone number and the names of his reindeer, and we left her letter out along with the obligatory cookies and milk. This is Santa's reply:
HO HO HO!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!!
Dear Fer and Wendy,
We are so happy to see how well you are doing. You have had a fabulous year and the elves and Mrs. Claus and I are so proud of you!!
I don’t have a phone because there is no reception at the North Pole. We communicate by letter and I get a lot of mail! As for my reindeer, you know the song – but a few of them are Dasher and Dancer and Prancer.
Merry Christmas! We love you very much!! You are wonderful girls!!! And thank you for the cookies and milk!
Much love,
Santa
HO HO HO!! MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!!
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve
The morning of the 24th, Chris and the girls worked on the gingerbread house, courtesy of Tia Amy:
And we loved having Tia B and Uncle L with us for Christmas Eve dinner! We had a smorgasbord of Christmas fare, with Tia B eating vegan and gluten-free, Larry a vegetarian, the girls and Chris on the meat/potatoes side of the spectrum, and me able to swing both ways. But we made it work and all was yummy if I do say so.
After dinner we went to the candlelight service at First and Trinity. It was a wonderful chance to reflect on all the gifts we have been given and on how grateful we are. When we got home, we indulged in what has become a rather sappy family tradition, a viewing of a Disney set of Christmas videos that culminates with the story of "Small One" a probably little-known cartoon set in the time of Christ. It's about a donkey (Small One) who is taken to the market by his young owner to be sold because he is too old to work, and it at first appears that Small One is only of interest to prospective buyers for his hide, of course totally unacceptable to the young boy who loves him dearly. At one point the local horse auctioneer makes fun of Small One, with the boy insisting that Small One is fit for a king's stable, and then, of course, in the final minutes, Joseph buys Small One to help take Mary to Bethlehem, and the last scene, with swelling violins, is of the Christmas star over the manger, with Small One presumably there bearing witness. It is completely silly, and I cry and cry. The girls peer at me weeping and scold me and hand me kleenex, but I think they secretly love it too. :)
And we loved having Tia B and Uncle L with us for Christmas Eve dinner! We had a smorgasbord of Christmas fare, with Tia B eating vegan and gluten-free, Larry a vegetarian, the girls and Chris on the meat/potatoes side of the spectrum, and me able to swing both ways. But we made it work and all was yummy if I do say so.
After dinner we went to the candlelight service at First and Trinity. It was a wonderful chance to reflect on all the gifts we have been given and on how grateful we are. When we got home, we indulged in what has become a rather sappy family tradition, a viewing of a Disney set of Christmas videos that culminates with the story of "Small One" a probably little-known cartoon set in the time of Christ. It's about a donkey (Small One) who is taken to the market by his young owner to be sold because he is too old to work, and it at first appears that Small One is only of interest to prospective buyers for his hide, of course totally unacceptable to the young boy who loves him dearly. At one point the local horse auctioneer makes fun of Small One, with the boy insisting that Small One is fit for a king's stable, and then, of course, in the final minutes, Joseph buys Small One to help take Mary to Bethlehem, and the last scene, with swelling violins, is of the Christmas star over the manger, with Small One presumably there bearing witness. It is completely silly, and I cry and cry. The girls peer at me weeping and scold me and hand me kleenex, but I think they secretly love it too. :)
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Advent Lunch
We got together with good friends to put up our Christmas decorations and celebrate the last Sunday of Advent. It was so nice to be together and to get ready together for Christmas!
Earlier in the day, Wendy put up the creche on the mantel:
And the girls wanted their white tree, so that got a place of honor:
Two more days to Christmas!
Earlier in the day, Wendy put up the creche on the mantel:
And the girls wanted their white tree, so that got a place of honor:
Two more days to Christmas!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Newtown
We were so shocked to hear the news from Newtown, Connecticut on Friday. I got a text from a friend during the day, and Chris of course learned of it at work. We also heard from Apple and Milli's mom that she had not shared anything with them, and with little Jack with us as well, we didn't say anything to the children on Friday night about what had happened. Not having technology in the house does have its advantages as there was no chance for the children to see anything about it on a TV or computer. It may also have served as some emotional protection for us -- people who I saw at the PTA party on Friday night who had been watching the devastating news reports all day were so shaken and upset from vicariously living through the event, and while we were of course deeply saddened, we hadn't been living with the images all day.
On Saturday morning we did tell the girls briefly, because we didn't want them to hear about it from other people whether at dance practice or at church -- we knew people would be talking about it and be very upset and we thought it would be frightening to them to hear about it that way. We did hide the newspapers though so they wouldn't see any images or coverage, and of course no TV or computer. It was a little surreal to go through our fun weekend with the background knowledge that so many families had suffered unimaginable loss and were in such overwhelming grief. Our first instinct was to try to protect the girls and Jack, because they are so young to have to face such tragedy. And, because being with the children and doing all our fun activities was so consuming (there really is a difference between taking care of 5 children and taking care of 2!), I had stretches of time when I wasn't thinking about it, and then it would come back. At night when I was able to read the paper and look at the computer after the kids were asleep, that's when I really felt it.
This morning I got a text from the girls' school outlining plans for processing with the children. They plan to have brief class meetings that focus on feeling safe and on coping skills rather than the details of the event, which are so horrific. I pray that Fer and Wendy are able to feel compassion for the families that are suffering while still retaining some sense of safety and security for themselves and for us. They have already gone through so many hard times, and while a tragedy like this one is so frightening for all of us, I believe it is especially so for children who have known suffering on such a personal level. We will hold them especially close in the days to come.
On Saturday morning we did tell the girls briefly, because we didn't want them to hear about it from other people whether at dance practice or at church -- we knew people would be talking about it and be very upset and we thought it would be frightening to them to hear about it that way. We did hide the newspapers though so they wouldn't see any images or coverage, and of course no TV or computer. It was a little surreal to go through our fun weekend with the background knowledge that so many families had suffered unimaginable loss and were in such overwhelming grief. Our first instinct was to try to protect the girls and Jack, because they are so young to have to face such tragedy. And, because being with the children and doing all our fun activities was so consuming (there really is a difference between taking care of 5 children and taking care of 2!), I had stretches of time when I wasn't thinking about it, and then it would come back. At night when I was able to read the paper and look at the computer after the kids were asleep, that's when I really felt it.
This morning I got a text from the girls' school outlining plans for processing with the children. They plan to have brief class meetings that focus on feeling safe and on coping skills rather than the details of the event, which are so horrific. I pray that Fer and Wendy are able to feel compassion for the families that are suffering while still retaining some sense of safety and security for themselves and for us. They have already gone through so many hard times, and while a tragedy like this one is so frightening for all of us, I believe it is especially so for children who have known suffering on such a personal level. We will hold them especially close in the days to come.
Holiday Fun 2012 (finally!)
We had a wonderful time hosting Jack, Apple and Milli while their parents were away at a wedding. Between Christmas cookie baking, a few holiday videos, Wendy's holiday dance performances, and the Christmas pageant at our church, we certainly (finally) got into the spirit of the season, though tempered for the adults by the knowledge of what was going on in Connecticut.
Hot chocolate at Starbucks while we were waiting for Apple and Milli to arrive by train:
After we got back from the train station and had dinner, the kids did some puzzle time together and watched a post-dinner video. I timed my attendance at the PTA holiday party and was able to get there and back in the time it took them to watch "Cheaper by the Dozen!"
On Saturday afternoon, the kids enjoyed some holiday videos (Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Returns) and cookie baking with our neighbors Amy and Abby joining in:
Wendy's dance team performed at the Livingston Mall on Saturday evening, so we all headed over there to support her:
On Sunday Fer and Wendy took part in our church's Christmas pageant:
And then Sunday afternoon we all went to see Wendy's dance team's holiday show. Christine and Matt and Katie and Harriss joined us straight from the airport. They were able to catch the end of the show and were reunited with their children after a very busy and fun weekend. For us, we had a lovely quiet evening last night after such an active time -- Chris watched another Frosty the Snowman video with the girls (by Wendy's special request, he was quite touched), and I did some holiday cookie baking and holiday card writing. Countdown to Christmas -- one week left. . .
Hot chocolate at Starbucks while we were waiting for Apple and Milli to arrive by train:
After we got back from the train station and had dinner, the kids did some puzzle time together and watched a post-dinner video. I timed my attendance at the PTA holiday party and was able to get there and back in the time it took them to watch "Cheaper by the Dozen!"
On Saturday afternoon, the kids enjoyed some holiday videos (Frosty the Snowman and Frosty Returns) and cookie baking with our neighbors Amy and Abby joining in:
Wendy's dance team performed at the Livingston Mall on Saturday evening, so we all headed over there to support her:
On Sunday Fer and Wendy took part in our church's Christmas pageant:
And then Sunday afternoon we all went to see Wendy's dance team's holiday show. Christine and Matt and Katie and Harriss joined us straight from the airport. They were able to catch the end of the show and were reunited with their children after a very busy and fun weekend. For us, we had a lovely quiet evening last night after such an active time -- Chris watched another Frosty the Snowman video with the girls (by Wendy's special request, he was quite touched), and I did some holiday cookie baking and holiday card writing. Countdown to Christmas -- one week left. . .
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