Christmas--Part 1

I know the middle of January isn't normally when you can't get Christmas off your mind, but since I've yet to record anything about it, I can't seem to move on. I guess it doesn't help that our Christmas tree is still up...we've gotta get that thing down.

Speaking of Christmas trees, I think I'll start there. This year we fulfilled my lifelong dream of cutting down our own Christmas tree as a family. Being novices in this tradition we did make the mistake of trying to do it in the dark. Sam met us after work and at first I didn't understand why the tree farm employees looked at us like we were crazy when we showed up right at closing time completely unprepared.

Fortunately they had pity on us and loaned us a flashlight so we could see where we were going. UNfortunately it only took Ruby about 30 seconds to commandeer the light, making it nearly useless. We loved the tree we ended up with, but it was just by luck that we picked it--we really could hardly see anything.



Reed and Sam cutting-- not burning---- the tree down.


Cutting our own tree was great, but the real fun started once we got home and busted into the Christmas stuff. The kids had so much fun digging through the boxes finding all of their ornaments. Every year I have the kids pick out an ornament that represents something about them or something that they love. I loved hearing them excitedly reminisce as they uncovered their personal treasures.


With only two Christmases under her belt, Ruby didn't have many ornaments of her own to hang, but that didn't stop her from hoarding all the other ornaments she found. In fact, she was more interested in keeping them in a pile than hanging them the tree.


Ruby might not have many of her own ornaments yet, but she sure loves the few that she has. I think this ornament stayed in her hands more than it stayed on the tree.

The boys did a great job getting the whole tree decorated. They were determined to do it all on their own. I admired their determination. I did, however, NOT approve of all of their methods.




While the boys busied themselves with the ornaments Ruby was happy to work on untangling some extra lights.



The lights stayed pretty tangled, but Ruby didn't seem to mind.


I almost had a heart attack when Sam nonchalantly reached up to put the star at the top of our tree. Growing up, putting our angel atop the tree was really big deal and my sisters and I took turns having the privilege of putting it on. Ruby was the lucky one this year.


When we were just about done Reed said, "Now it's really looking like our tree". It makes me happy there is something that looks like "our" tree.


In the end I think the tree looked beautiful. All it needs is a finished tree skirt. I guess there's always next year.

Happy 2nd Birthday Ruby

I always knew it would be hard to have a December birthday. What I didn't know was how hard it is to be the mother of a child with a December birthday. I had grand plans of throwing her a "real" party this year, but after a few failed attempts at picking a date that would work for everyone we quickly downgraded to a little family party which then led to the continual postponement of the celebration. With December being so full and Ruby being so young "tomorrow" always seemed like the best day to celebrate. Thankfully, my guilt caught up with me and we finally celebrated Ruby's birthday on December 31st. (It just wouldn't have seemed right to be celebrating her big day in both a different month and year than the actual date.)

I may have been late with the party, but we didn't totally neglect December 9th (the official day). Sam and I were leaving to South Carolina for my marathon that evening so we decided to at least make a special breakfast for our big two year old.

Ruby loves to cook (or "stir, stir, stir" as she calls it) so it was the perfect way for her to start the morning.


I realize now that for me making something "special" usually involves food coloring. I often feel like the color purple (the actual color, not the movie) rules Ruby's world. If she sees something purple, she's gotta have it. For this special occasion we had purple pancakes.




Besides purple, Ruby LOVES hearts, So for Ruby, heart pancakes were a must! (Can she really be my daughter? I've never been a heart fan. I even had a phase were I actually despised hearts...just ask Sam. Not to mention that purple is easily my least favorite color.)


Not bad for a first try...


Ruby was thrilled with the singing and the candles.


So thrilled in fact, that we did at least ten times. I think this was at about round 4. There was nothing left of the candles by the time we were done.


On the 31st when we finally got around to the big celebration, purple and hearts were both on the scene. The only thing Ruby also specifically requested was a birthday hat. I thought it was so funny that she would always ask for a hat when we talked about her birthday, which,by the way, we've convinced her is a month long tribute, after we spoke and sang of her birthday frequently throughout the month of December.

Ruby in her birthday hat.


Her cake.


Ruby was so pleased with her cake. She was not pleased, however, when we placed it in front of her and made her sit there and not touch it while I took pictures.








When it finally came time for blowing out the candles she needed a little boost from Grandmother.


And boy was she happy to finally get her cake.




This is how she shows "two". We have some work to do.


After cake we opened presents.



I was so excited to give Ruby her little kitchen. She does love to cook and now she can "stir, stir, stir" all she wants.


After presents it was time for some dancing. It was a party after all.









It may have taken a while, but when it was all said and finally done I think she felt celebrated and very loved.


Happy Birthday my baby Ruby! We love you.