Each holiday season we make a trip to the Chester County SPCA to donate money, blankets, and towels to the shelter. William and Benjamin have enjoyed going to see the animals in need & offer wishes that the animals will find a forever home. They boys collect money all year long in their 'doggy bank' and we head to the shelter. This year we were surprised to see Tow Mater on our route to the shelter!
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This year William really began asking questions about Santa & whether he was 'real' or not {he asked for pictures of Santa in every state & books about elves}. He is almost eight and seems to be on the older end of believing, however we are doing what we can to encourage him to believe what he wants to believe & that it is okay either way. I took some time this season to find two books that have children questioning Santa and his being. Our elf {his name is Stix} delivered them lastnight along with new Christmas pajamas and the artwork shown below. He also left William a very special letter which I have included in this post. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & may you find the magic of Christmas in your heart. xoxo December 24, 2012
Dear William, I heard you are starting to have questions about whether or not I am real. I have heard you ask your Mom and Dad questions and I soon realized you were skeptical when you asked for pictures of me this Christmas along with books on elves. I even think you told one of my helpers you wanted pictures of me from each state. William, I must tell you that I will not appear in pictures. I have magic and you must believe in me from your heart if you wish to see me. Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing. What this really means is you must look in your heart and believe, even if you can’t see what you want to believe in. There have been many Santa Claus’ through the years. However, our reason for being Santa has always been the same. We are Santa Claus because we want to bring happiness to others by giving. The true spirit of Christmas is giving. Saint Nicholas of Myra was the very first Santa, and he began the tradition of giving by filling three young sisters stockings with gold. They were hanging above the fire drying. The sisters’ were surprised when they awoke on December 25th and found the gold coins in their stockings. You see, their family didn’t have much money and the gold coins meant so much to them. Soon the young sisters shared what happened with their friends. Hence began a tradition of hanging stockings above the fire each year on the eve before Jesus was born. Children everywhere hoped for treasures in their stockings. Traditions have been added through the years from families around the world that include the Christmas tree, parades, writing letters to Santa, singing Christmas carols, cookies for Santa, and even the Elf on the Shelf. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the ‘stuff’ involved with Christmas. The lights, the presents, the cookies, oh my! I wish some grown-ups would remember the reason for the season; to spread joy and happiness by giving. I have left you a few books about other children who in the past had questions about me. I hope you enjoy reading them tonight with your family. I will need to take them back late Christmas Eve to share with a few others who are having doubts. I also left you a picture with an important reminder. Regardless of what you believe, I want you to know it is okay and I love you. I know you have the spirit and love in your heart. Love, Santa P.S. I left a secret message in my letter reminding you about the spirit of Christmas Pottstown Tournament, December 23, 2012 The boys had their first wrestling experience on Sunday. They just recently started wrestling {November 2012} and are still considered novice. Benjamin was 1-2 & William was 0-2. Neither of them lost by getting pinned; they lost by points. From what I am learning as a wrestling mom this is a better way to lose if you are going to lose. The videos below are their very first matches ever. As a mom, it is so tough to even watch the playbacks. They still have so much to learn. It was a sobering day for the boys when they realized they weren't as good as they thought they were. Up until this point they have had limited experience with 'losing' since they have mostly played team sports & the motto seems to be, "everybody wins." Well, not in wrestling, which is why we signed them up. We believe they need to learn how to lose & learn from the experience. I can say we certainly built some character today. *They are in the royal blue colored singlets* William's first matchBenjamin's first matchThe boys decided to make some pictures one evening. They insisted that they drew 'Mistletoe.'
Hmmmm. . . next years' Christmas card design? Not so much. We got quite a chuckle & thought yoy might too! Each year we (well I) bake several different cookies to give to neighbors & friends. This years line-up included:
1. Red Velvet with cream cheese icing with holiday colored nonpareils 2. Orange Snowballs 3. Mint Chocolate chip 4. Chocolate chip 5. Coconut Oatmeal Raisin Happy Baking! xoxo Steve and I had the pleasure of attending an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party" last Saturday night. You can't really see too much of the sweaters in this picture, but Steve was sporting a black v-neck sweater with sequined poinsettias. Classic! Hope you are enjoying the season.
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AuthorTraci, a wife, mother of two boys, Special Education teacher, and sole proprietor of Eco Alternatives LLC. Archives
September 2021
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