Madeleine's Christmas Wishes

Madeleine whipped out this list yesterday and slapped it on the fridge. Oh my goodness gracious; I don't think I started asking for a horse until I was ten or so, and even then it was one item on my Christmas list along with lots of toys.

Anyway, here is Madeleine's list:

My Christmas Wishes

1. horse
2. pony
3. foal
4. horse in labor
5. stallion
6. saddle
7. bit
8. stirrups
9. horse shoes
10. oats

Both numbers four and ten made me laugh out loud the first time I saw the list.

I hate to be a naysayer, but it's doubtful Santa is going to be able to fit a laboring horse into his sleigh. Think Madeleine will be disappointed?

Good-Bye, Christmas Tree

Good-bye, dear Christmas tree.

I think I read The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Anderson one too many times as a child. I know that trees don't have conversations with rabbits or dream of moving out of the forest but, for some reason, every year I look at our beautifully adorned tree and I can't help but wonder if our tree isn't somehow feeling a bit prideful of its new beauty and the attention it receives.

And then comes the new year and the its time to shine has come to a close. Again, I have to remind myself that our poor, still healthy little balsam fir is not really sad and confused to be left, discarded, on the side of the road as tomorrow's garbage.

It's not, right?

Christmas Eve Recap

A lot of disjointed posts today. The house is getting cleaner and more organized, and so is my computer; 2008 will start out right!

This post, in and of itself, and notwithstanding these first two introductory paragraphs, will not be entirely disjointed since its sole purpose is to recap our Christmas Eve celebration, it's just that everything I've posted here today has been out of order, and this follows that pattern. But, who cares. It's still 2007; I can be organized and logical in 2008.

Christmas Eve kicked off our Christmas festivities. Dad, Diana and Alex (QV) joined us here for an early afternoon feast of roasted beef tenderloin, Mrs. Butland's potatoes, Pioneer Woman dinner rolls, glazed carrots with pecans and grapes, fresh green beans tossed with fresh garlic and tarragon and a tossed green salad.

Here's the table before the meal...


and during.


A five o'clock church service beckoned us after our meal and, with the children's assistance (Hank as a sheep and Madeleine as a reader) we celebrated the birth of our lord.

Here are the two older children in the church basement, readying themselves for their awaiting performance, Madeleine pensive and nervous, Hank excited and brimming with naughtiness with the prospect of sitting through the entire service relatively unsupervised.

Of course, all goes off without a hitch. Well, relatively. During the service a quick thinking parishioner near Hank snatched his bell when it hit the floor after he'd spent half the service serenading the congregation. When asked later how, if he wasn't playing with his bell that it managed to hit the floor Hank, ever the master of quick explanations, was stumped.

After, all head to our house for eggnog, punch and cookies.


And, for the three children, a Christmas Eve gift of...

fleece pajamas; blue with a white polar bear for Hank and light and dark purple stripes for the girls.

Shortly after the kids are anxious to get to bed so that Santa is sure to stop and the evening, full of excitement in its own right, but also brimming with anticipation, comes to a close as guest say good-bye and children say good-night.

Christmas Photo

Madeleine, Elisabeth and me on Christmas evening. Aren't their matching nighties darling?

Christmas Celebration Interlude

We've already been part of two Christmas celebrations, consumed three calorie laden meals, opened countless presents and have been partaking in good company and fun for the past three days and even though, interspersed in all that fun, we've been in our home from time to time, we haven't really been home.

So, for today, we rest. It's a brief stop at home before our Christmas celebration with the Super grandparents. A time for putting away new treasures, throwing clothes in the washing machine and, of course, the best after Christmas chore of them all, paying our property taxes.

However, despite the drudgery of chores, with each new toy that finds a proper home and each box that is dismantled and thrown away, order is restored and a sense of calm washes over me. My house becomes what it was before, before guests, Santa's brief though profitable visit and toy assembly, yet improved with its new cooking utensils, reading materials and running clothes. I am at peace. Rejuvenated, even, for more Christmas celebrations to come and then, after that, New Year's Eve revelry.

All seems well, though quiet, in the blogosphere. Hope all are enjoying past celebrations and future gatherings to come as well!

And, if I don't get a chance, Happy New Year to all!

The Christmas Countdown

Did you know there are only four days until Christmas?

I'm actually not as anxiety ridden as I thought I might be, but that's because I haven't been blogging and instead have been wrapping, baking, shopping and baking some more.

I remember last year at this time I was washing sheets and cleaning up my children's vomit as one after the other fell sick, all they way up until Christmas Eve almost and... oh wait, I'm doing that this year too. So there's another good reason I haven't been blogging. Pre-Christmas and stomach bugs; they're synonymous at my house.

Never fear though, they all appear to be on the mend and I promise a germ-free home to those participating in Christmas festivities here with us.

And, to the rest of you, I hope to blog between now and Christmas but, if I don't get the chance, have a very merry Christmas!

Just the Right Tree

There is one truth in regards to Christmas decorating that holds steadfast in our household year after year, despite any amount of grumbling on my part and that is: thou must cuttest down thou own Christmas tree. It's the eleventh commandment, I think, and this past Saturday we set out to do just that.

Part of that tradition is that we eat eggs and bacon at a restaurant before we head out into the bitter cold, which is the part of the day I really, really like. How much fun is it to slurp hot chocolate and sop up sticky syrup with yummy pancakes on a plate you know you won't have to wash?


But after all that sugary wonderfulness, it's out into the nineteen degree weather. Or was it sixteen degrees last Saturday? I don't know, but it was cold. And we spent a looong time out there. Superdad (and Hank, for, like two seconds) diligently searched for Just the Right Tree while the kids and I whizzed up and down the open lanes in our sled.


Well, OK, I didn't get to do much (OK, any) whizzing. I got to do a lot of huffing and pulling, but at least that kept me with only my toes feeling like they were going to freeze off as opposed to my entire body.

And then, at last, he found it. Just the Right Tree in row four about a third of the way back. We all quickly agreed with Superdad that it really and truly was Just the Right Tree and we anxiously watched while Superdad cut it down.


No, that's not true. I stood and watched and photographed while Superdad worked away. The two big kids on the other hand...


well, those two little bozos found the tallest snowbank ever (so they said) and played there and pretty much ignored both parents for the remainder of the trip.

And, later that day, after mounting Just the Right Tree on the roof of the van, getting him set into the tree stand, throwing on lights, garlands and ornaments galore we all stood back in awe, reflecting on our wonderful day and nodding in agreement that we had, indeed, found Just the Right Tree.

Christmas

I wish it was Christmas.my sister named Elisabeth she likes me and Christmas of course she wants a baby doll, she loves baby dolls.Hank wants a toy car.I want a American girl doll.My family got a Christmas tree!I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

From,
Madeleine

p.s.I took this picture tonight.

Christmas Dreams

The other day Madeleine, Hank and I were discussing Christmas wish lists and all the toys lately filling their dreams. I explained that Christmas can't bring too many toys because we can't possibly fit thousands of new toys in our house.

"Oh, Mom," Madeleine sighed.

"What?"

"I wish we could get enough toys to stretch all the way to Chicago," Madeleine said wistfully.

"I think we'd need a bigger house," Hank interjected. "But that would be OK."

"But guys, if you had that many toys and that huge of a house we wouldn't have any money!" I reasoned.

A long pause followed this logical nugget. I eased back against my pillow, confident the discussion was over and I'd reasoned them into whittling down their Christmas list.

A small, dreamy smile broke out across Madeleine's face. "Yeah, but at least we'd have a lot of toys."

What I Want for Christmas

Do you think I'm over-reaching?

Christmas in September

I know everyone says that every year it gets more ridiculous with Christmas decorations being put out out earlier and earlier and every year people always complain and roll their eyes without, in fact, really knowing if it's starting any earlier this year than it did last year.

Well, I have proof. The other day I was in my least favorite store in the entire universe but, hey, I needed inexpensive diapers, and while roaming through Hell Walmart I noticed that, a month before Halloween they were setting up red bows, Christmas CDs and snowy villages.

Sick, I tell you. Sick.

Terri Fischer Photography

For those of you who haven't seen me showing off the pictures my dear friend and old college roommate, Terri, took of my kids, let me show off now. Here is a post she has on her photography blog showing of the Christmas card she did for us.

If you live in the Milwaukee area check out her business' website. And, even if you don't live in the Milwaukee area check out her prices page (a selection after you choose her "info" link) because you might just see a familiar face there.

Merry Christmas!

I know it won't be Christmas for a few more days but as the day approaches so does my panic level and I'm sure blogging won't be a priority until after Monday.

I'm so excited, though! Saturday we're attending a performance of The Nutcracker, which will be Madeleine's first exposure to my favorite ballet.

Christmas Eve will be here with lots of family, and even some new friends with whom I'm excited to share the day. In the evening we'll attend church where Madeleine will play the part of a shepherd and Hank an angel.

Santa stops here on Christmas Eve and after eating our cinnamon rolls, reading Jesus' birth story from the book of Luke and opening our presents we'll head down to Silver Lake to continue the celebration.

But, in the meantime, a little something to get you into the Christmas spirit (it's worth the time):



Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas

Christmas.

It's a week from today.

Anyone ready?

I'm not. Every year I resolve that next year I'll be one of those people that shops for Christmas presents in July, wraps in August and spends all of November and December gleefully patting themselves on the back for being such smart planners.

Alas, I am never that person. Still much, much to do!

Christmas Tree Adventure

Our family has managed to turn putting up a Christmas tree into an all day adventure. It's always very tiring and very cold but, mostly, it's always very, very fun.

Yesterday we woke later than we typically do and were out of the house in full Wisconsin winter performance gear by 9 a.m.

After a stop at a local greasy spoon for pancakes and eggs it was off to the tree farm.

This year the hunt for the perfect tree was shorter than most. I'd say our search lasted less than an hour, which for us is fast. Hank was anxious to help cut down the Balsam Fir we chose.

Everyone (minus baby Elisabeth, of course) took turns cutting.

Carrying the tree back to the car... where's Superdad?

Maybe this Balsam will find its way into our living room in 2017.

Superdad ties the tree to the roof of the van and we're headed home to decorate.

And, we're done. Time to enjoy.