Nap strike

Nap strike - going on two days. At some point parents say their child gave up naps, but I'm not convinced yet. I remember having to take naps up until I was five years old if not older. Even then, quiet time will be reinforced. How else will I gather my wits? 

After a bout of impetigo, an odd rash from nowhere, which ended up being an allergic reaction, we're now battling what seems the common cold. We've been busy building our immune system over here … both of us. For what Creed gets, mama usually follows and hopefully daddy has the good fortune to miss the illness altogether. The weather has been odd ranging from 30-70 degrees all within the same week over the past weeks, which is recipe for viral illnesses, I think. The first day of winter we spent snuggled inside the lake house half the day, where we were visiting family, as weather threatened hail and tornadoes and the last half, walking down the banks of Natitoches, La., taking in the Christmas lights and fireworks display, while a mist of rain came and went. What was amazing was watching the weather cross the lake towards us, slowly blocking the view. First a few stay leaves, then noticeable breeze and finally whips of wind accompanied by thundering rain. A few hours north of us a tornado ripped the front end off a local Books-A-Million. 

Creed and I have kept busy with the Alphabet, Shapes and Colors Usborne Sticker Books. He's used plenty of play time, learning a variety of motor skills and educational fun games on PBS.org, as well as NickJr.com, this past month. One Christmas treasure is the Leap Frog Learning Desk he inherited from his Uncle Lance (Uncle Whance, as he says clearly), where he "gets ready for work." What I love most about this desk is the ability to take the My First Leap Pad on car trips. It's not a permanent fixture to the top of the table. The set also includes shape stamps, as well as durable plastic alphabet stencils.  

One very cool thing I'd like to share is the Conscious Box. The conscious box is a monthly subscription to a box filled with new non-gmo products for body, home and belly, which include healthy, natural alternatives for everyday products. For $19.95, which includes shipping, three varieties include classic, vegan and gluten-free. Each month you'll receive 10-15 natural products to try. You can earn points by rating these products, towards future purchases. (Be warned - the site is super slow updating rating the products, which I've already sent a message. Could be a glitch … who knows? I will soon, hopefully) The products also include promo codes for discounts and coupons for future purchases. Please note that you'll receive sample sizes in some products, like soap, tea, laundry soap, baby wipes, etc. I was pretty impressed with my first box which included some great loot! I received a full-sized gluten-free food bar, which wasn't that great, but the one that stood out in particular was the marshmallow soap. Very unique, it was light as air and floated instead of sinking in the water. What's more wonderful? The 50% off code for a future order, that I'll put to good use. It was a silky piece of heaven-scented candy cane, melting over my skin. 

Get your first box free here (You pay $4.95 shipping for the classic box and $7.95 for the gluten-free box): http://www.consciousbox.com/rediscover-onefree?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=core-onefree&utm_content=harvestbox-image

Elfing around town

Our itty bitty monkey showing off the gingerbread train

Today we started out elfing around town delivering cookies and running errands. Creed got to play with friends while Mama spent much needed time with a special friend, making upcycled Christmas stockings out of beautiful wool from Goodwill. The boys played well together and I enjoyed extra snuggles from a very small itty bitty. Together we made a gingerbread train, which the boys enjoyed eating the candy just as much as decorating the train. The icing, by the way, is super yummy. ;-) 

Next stop was a visit the pediatrician's office. Creed said he was going to give the doctor a check-up. I was really surprised how quickly we went in and out of the office. Creed decided that he didn't want to sit on the white crinkly paper, after marking the examining table with what turned out to be permanent marker! Eeeek! He went straight into monkey-mode with an explosion of energy, that I'm sure came from having an appointment during nap time. Up and down … up and down, off the table, on the table. He was having a blast. Mama was less than thrilled. When the nurse tried to hear his heart beat, he was explaining to her he had a frog in his throat. (I haven't said that phrase before and it's really funny how he picks things up. If I remember right, Little Bear told his mother he had a frog in his throat). As she was shushing him he said, "I love you Mama." "I love you too, " I answered. "Shhhh Mama. We have to be quiet," he said, in a very hushed tone. He was wiggling and wriggling around and she was amazing at redirecting his focus. Not all doctors have the best bedside manner, even when you'd think all pediatric physicians would. I had been bothered by swollen lymph nodes that made an appearance earlier this year and never went away. I saw his first physician in the same practice, that made me feel ridiculous for even bringing him to the doctor's office. Finally, when this last lymph node showed up and was made clear just looking at his neck, I decided that I was going to take him again, even if it meant just paying for peace of mind, however we would see a different physician. When the doctor came in he was really compassionate and explained that most small children have them and that they swell up and go down over time, sometimes taking a couple of years. He said the only reason I could see or feel them was because he was skinny, but a healthy skinny. He said in no way was it anything to worry about with childhood disease or illness. I was immediately relieved. Cancer is always in the back of my mind. My younger sister died of Lukemia when she was six years old. Other members of our family have had and survived and had and not survived cancer. My father has had cancer taken from his body off and on in the past few years. I prayed to God last night to restore complete health to my child and watch over him. When he gets sick I think it's something I've done or not done. This thought is from the enemy, I know. And yesterday I rebuked the enemy in great anger. Sometimes it's completely exhausting being on the defense all the time, but with every rebuke he loses power. So, in short, I have a healthy son, one that will exude his livelihodd, with hearty toddlerness. I smile when I think of this and thank God for him.

Yummy gluten and dairy free cookies (except for the m&ms)

I've been able to find some free Christmas printables online. I printed an alphabet banner from A-Z, which I can't wait to cut out and hang up for Christmas. We half-way played a Thanksgiving game this morning matching uppercase and lowercase letters. 

I had it in mind to do something Christmasy every day for December, which hasn't panned out, but we've been able to do a lot of things so far including driving around looking at Christmas light displays, making Christmas cookies, wrapping presents, singing Christmas songs, building a gingerbread train, watching Christmas movies, going to the theater, making Christmas magnets, decorating the Christmas tree … more to come! I know these memories will last a lifetime, like the ones we had growing up. So, we're busy making every day count as something special. Sometimes that's hard to do, especially when our itty bitty is throwing either an itty bitty fit or a colossal tantrum, but hey, I'm no angel either!
Visit the blog one plus one equals one here: http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net/2013/11/christmas-alphabet-printables/ for the Christmas A-Z printables. It's totally free and the quality is amazing. I love her opening quote, "To the world it makes no sense, to God it makes perfect sense." Plus, the fact that she states, "Never planned to homeschool. Now wouldn't trade it for the world."

If you were here … I'd invite you over for a Christmas dinner

If you were here … I'd invite you over for a Christmas dinner and we'd enjoy laughter and memories of Christmas past. We would start off right with a plump turkey surrounded by cornbread dressing. Green bean casserole sounds about right, alongside broccoli quiche. You'd enjoy mother's cherry cheesecake along with Lori's pasta salad. Spice cake would bring back fond memories with a twinkle-eyed Grandma Bertie. Grandma Rose would bring a ham to the table right after Grandpa Charlie placed her creamy mashed potatoes. The dinner would not be complete without Nanna's famous biscuits. Aunt Kelly would bring the most wonderful sausage rolls. Yes, you'll be sneaking them all … day … long. Daddy would bring his Mama's peanut butter fudge that is simply irresistible.  Yes, if you were here … our hearts would be filled with gladness. 

Yuletide Carols would be sung around the fire while Aunt Nancy played the piano, Grandpa Chuck picked the banjo and Jamie strummed the guitar. What is it about Christmas music that makes your spirit feel alive? Glorious songs have been written by the famous David, a man after God's own heart. Imagine the choirs of angels singing God's praise, rejoicing. 

If we were there we'd go sleigh riding at night under the brightest moon you've ever seen. It would seem like daylight as the moonlight reflected the crystal-like snow. We'd lie on our backs watching the magical display of God's natural wonder, making snow angels. We'd stand under the street lights seeing the intricate designs of snowflakes as they billowed to the ground. After we'd had enough of Jack Frost nipping at our noses we'd warm up with hot cocoa and feast on the tastiest Christmas cookies that mother makes each year, while Granddad tells us the story of Christmas. 

Since you can't be here …  and we can't be there, let us be together in spirit as we worship, remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

For once upon a time, in a land far away … Joseph and Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child, made their way to an itty bitty town called Bethlehem. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified (Can you imagine what they were thinking?). But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The shepherds made their way to see the baby. (Imagine Mary giving birth in a stable, afterwards people showing up to worship that child.) Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (For the rest of the story - visit, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

I can imagine the quiet in the field before the angel appeared to the shepherds, with a stray baa from the sheep. I can imagine the sense of awe and wonder as they saw the Christ child. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to hold the Savior., be the mother of her Savior, or the father that held His tiny hands as they gripped His fingers, like they do when they're first born. What must it have been like to look into His eyes as you sang a sweet lullaby, rocking him to sleep. Peace fills my heart as I think on these things. It is our hope that your Christmas season is filled with this same sense of quiet wonder and the peace and love from our Savior, Jesus Christ floods your heart.    

Merriest Christmas wishes from our home … to yours.

Abominable Snowman

First package wrapped with art paper created by Creed and Mama

Once again we are headed into the Christmas season and with that in mind we used our first piece of artwork as wrapping paper. Much to my delight it turned out a complete success. With Creed’s help we adorned our first package with Mr. Todd, the beautiful, but ornery, not to mention, sly fox from the hit TV show, at least at our house, “Peter Rabbit”. I’m looking forward to wrapping the rest. Usually I’m not thrilled in even the smallest amount because I wouldn’t say I’m great at it, but this year it’s a little different. I’m taking my time instead of rushing around wrapping haphazardly, coming out with cockeyed contraptions or last minute stuffing into whatever bag I can find lying around the house. With a little care, it’s a little more special, I think, even more so to the giver. I think about the person it is intended and wonder what they’d look like opening it. A great deal of our presents travel more than 1,000 miles. Why is it that we give presents, after all? Is it to fulfill a tradition or out of love? Our tradition is giving three gifts that represent the gifts the wise men gave to the baby Jesus. I remember a long time ago, it wasn’t fun, mostly because I stressed out whether or not we would have the money to buy gifts, let alone wrap or mail any. Each season became one of dread instead of what it’s meant to be …. true giving from the heart, not necessarily in materialistic form. These days I have a sense of wonder and amazement when I realize the miracle that took place, one in fact, that would impact humanity forever. If we don’t stop and think about it … if we don’t take the time to ponder as we’re busily keeping schedule with the order of it all, the business of it all, the hustle and bustle of Christmas that is, we may fall short of His glory. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” – Luke 2:10-14 Good tidings of … GREAT JOY, which shall be to all people! I’m counting my blessings and thanking God we’re not living in bondage at the disposal of the enemy. My heart is that you take in all the blessings and joy of this season of the birth of our risen Savior.

Creed and I are just getting over a nasty little bug that made its way into our home. It knocked us both on our backs and carried on a little more than a week. We ended up spending Thanksgiving watching TV and playing the computer, cooped up in quarantine. When Sunday rolled around Creed seemed back to himself completely, though I had some lingering sensitivity over the muscles that ached under distress. Nevertheless, I decided it was high time we left the house and went out to eat, because it was December 1, and we did not have an advent calendar. My favorite place to get one is from the Cracker Barrel, because there’s tasty little bits of Hershey’s Kisses chocolate hidden beneath each door. Little did I know this would be the day the abominable snowman would first make his appearance well ahead of schedule, I might add. Before going on I explained to my son that we were going to get a calendar that had chocolate inside. He was pretty excited about this idea. I also told him we would look around for a Christmas ornament after we finished eating. When we came in there was a small wait and I told him we could look around before they called mama’s name. He got to work immediately exploring all the wonderful toys they have settling on a small wooden kitchen. He pretending to pour me a drink and then clanked his cup against mine. I wondered where he learned that. Finally we made our way around to the toy trucks and cars when they called my name. I told him it was time to eat and he disagreed in a not so cute toddleresque way. I picked him up and carried him to the table where he refused to sit, so scooping him up I told him we would have to leave if he couldn’t behave. He looked at me wide-eyed in disbelief as I walked out of the eatery. With his mighty struggle against mama’s authority, I hoisted him over my shoulder and carried him the rest of the way to the vehicle, strapping him in safely - hard to do, when arms and legs are flying around in disobedience. He then commenced to kicking the back of the chair and I

Creed's version of Mr. Todd

reminded him that we weren’t allowed to kick the back of the chair and that because he couldn’t listen and behave he wasn’t allowed to watch TV. … big melt down. I’ll give it a four star rating. I drove to the nearest convenience store and turned around telling him he was in time-out. With tears streaming down his red little face, I was hoping this battle would be over soon. I stepped outside the vehicle and onto the curb and prayed for God to give me grace to deal with this child. A few moments later I felt my wits gather and sat down in the front seat. By then he had tired of the whole predicament and was sitting there staring at me. I turned around looking him straight in the eyes and asked,” Are you ready to try again?” “Yes,” he said, “I’m ready to behave.” “Do you have something you’d like to tell mama,” I asked? “Yes,” he said, “I’m ready to behave.” “Is there anything else you want to say to mama,” I asked hoping for an apology? “I’m sorry mama,” he said. I rubbed his leg and said, “That’s OK Creed. I love you.” He said, “I love you too mama.” And with our new given understanding about the process to come, eat first, then shop, we headed back to try again The abominable snowman, aka Creed, had turned into my sweet little boy again and what’s more exhibited some seriously nice manners. The only table left was a small one where we would have to sit across the table from each other. After taking our order the waitress asked if she could bring anything else and Creed said, “A muffin please.” She said, “We have blueberry muffins. Do you like blueberries?” “Oh yes,” he said, “I love blueberries.” We she returned with the large blueberry muffin as promised, Creed gobbled it up. As agreed we looked around the shop and he picked out an adorable orange and white fox that looked just like Mr. Todd. Sitting it on the counter, he said, “Excuse me. I’d like to buy this.” His politeness was greeted with a warm smile by the cashier and a beaming mother who felt proud of her little man’s progress.

We haven’t had school since a little before Thanksgiving, due to our serious illness, but I’ve decided that we will homeschool year around and our winter break will come early starting the week of Thanksgiving and running until the New Year. I’m loving the flexibility. We’ve been spending a lot of time watching Christmas movies and making many Christmas crafts that will be treasured for years to come. So no major homeschool posts for a while, but I’m sure we’ll sneak in a little learning here in there, after all learning is fun at its best. I do however, look forward to posting the merriest of Christmas memories.