Day 17--Z's Rockin' Holiday Hits :)

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Day 17

Today I am celebrating my "lake family".  As many of you know, I spend much of my free time in the spring, summer and fall at my family's lake house.  Our house is part of a very special community and they have been like a second family to me.  I am so blessed to have this group as a part of my life and feel closer to many of them than I do my own relatives.

Every year we have two big picnics a year where we all get together and laugh, eat great food and enjoy each others company.  Throughout the year we have campfires where my dad and S play the guitar and everyone enjoys singing and chatting.  We all love the water and many of the families have boats for tubing, skiing and wakeboarding.  There is a nightly happy hour for the over 50 crowd on the sundeck and others enjoy spending time on the beach gossiping and catching up on the days news.  I am so lucky to have these wonderful people in my life and often find myself tearing up when we all say good-bye in October.  I love them all like family and wish them all a very Merry Christmas!

Z's Top Ten Rockin Christmas Hits

Z loves Christmas!  He especially loves Christmas music (they say the apple does not fall far from the tree ;)).  He wanted to share with all of you some of his favorite Christmas songs.  We hear them at least 8 times a day but they are still a lot of fun to listen to.  So here we go :)

1.  Everybody Loves Christmas Time by his Daddy :)
2.  Step into Christmas by Elton John
3.  Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano
4.  Chimpmunk Song by Alvin and the Chipmunks
5.  Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry
6.  Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys
7.  Hanukkah Blessings by Barenaked Ladies (yes we are not Jewish but he LOVES this song!)
8.  12 Days of Christmas by John Denver and the Muppets
9.  Jingle, Jingle, Jingle by Burl Ives
10.  O Tannenbaum by Vince Guaraldi Trio (Charlie Brown Christmas)

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 16--Z's Teacher Gifts

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Day 16

Today's letters went out to my 6 favorite blog friends :)  I started blogging almost 3 years ago.  S encouraged me to do it as part of my New Years Resolution to keep record of my daily life with Z.  It started off as a way to journal, reflect and vent (cheap therapy).  I had no idea when I started that I would soon become part of a community of mom bloggers and "meet" some wonderful people.

Today I celebrate, Connie over at the Young and the Relentless, MamaB at the Cripe Family News, Lisa at Mommy's Nest, Dana over at MommyBrain, Annie at the Santiago Twins and BJMama over at For What It's Worth.  Over the last few years, I have really enjoyed getting to know these woman through both their blogs and their comments.  They make me laugh, smile, cry and I feel as though I shared some wonderful (and not so wonderful) moments with them.  They have been a big support to me, especially through the loss of S's sister and very loyal.  Despite my very long blog break this summer and fall, they were right there waiting for me whenever I returned (and it was sporadic).  An email letter will be going out to each of you today.  Thanks for blogging, for making me smile and for being wonderful "blog friends".  Merry Christmas.

Z's Teacher Gifts

This week we handed out Z's teacher gifts.  With four gifts to buy, I needed to be both frugal but original and thoughtful ;)  I wanted the gift to be something they would use but something that would standout from the rest.  When visiting the Re-usies (reusable snack bags) website, they had suggested wrapping teacher gifts in one of their bags.  I LOVED this idea and also the promotion that if I bought 4 bags, I got free shipping!  Inside we put a few pieces of lindt chocolate and a card explaining that their present this year was the wrapping :)  They were a big hit and cost about $7.50 a gift!

Day 15--Daddy's Girl

Happy Birthday O!!!  I love you very much :)

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Day 15

My father is one of a kind, he is a family man through and through.  Family always comes first for my dad and he has had to work very hard to make this possible.  He is one of the most hardworking people I know and will work late hours or weekends in order to make sure he does not miss one family moment.  I am so blessed to have this wonderful man in my life and need him to know how much I appreciate all he has ever done for me.

I will never forget the day that my acceptance letter to the college of my choice came in the mail.  I came home from school to find the letter on the counter.  It had been opened but I think I was too nervous to notice.  The envelope was thin and everything I had ever heard said that a thin envelope was bad news.  With trembling hands I read that letter and gasped at the part with the large academic scholarship.  I had done it!  I had gotten a scholarship that would allow me to go to my dream school!  My heart was beating so fast and joy filled my body. Then my dad came around the corner with a big smile on his face, beaming with pride (I will never forget that face).  He hugged me and told me how proud he was of me.  It is a moment I will treasure forever.

My father wrote and performed an original song for all of his girls at our weddings.  My wedding was first and thus the song was a complete surprise.  I remember sitting with my sisters close by, watching my dad play the guitar and sing the beautiful song.  The three of us held hands and cried as we looked up at the man who raised us.  He loves us with all of his heart and we are so blessed to have him as our daddy :)

I am so very fortunate because my Dad, Mom, LB and K are four of my favorite people on the planet.  We are a family who actually looks forward to getting together and tries to make time for each other whenever we can.  We LOVE to vacation together and because of this, we have so many wonderful memories to celebrate. 

I love you daddy, thanks for loving me, believing in me and always cheering me on.  Merry Christmas!

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 14--Z's Homemade Gifts--Family Members Do Not Read Bottom Half!!

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Day 14

Today's letter was personally delivered to my good friend K :)  K and I met back in the spring of 2007 when she called me out of the blue and asked me to meet her (with a few other moms) at the park for a playdate.  At the time of her call, I had just about given up on our local MOMS Club (they were way to cliquey) and was starting to feel that I would never meet anyone in this new town.  K's call was a life ring, being thrown to me when I needed it most, and it changed my "mommy life" forever!

K is a very special person and has been such a wonderful friend.  She is always there whenever I need her and has been a wonderful support to me since the birth of Lil' C.  K's daughter Ab and my son Z are two peas in a pod.  Z says he is going to marry her someday and we always joke that that would be a bad idea (they both are so sensitive to sound and have anxiety so they would never leave their house!). 

The Raising Z household is so lucky to have K and Ab as not only our friends but as our neighbor too.  We love them very much and can't wait to meet their new addition this spring.  Merry Christmas!

Z's Homemade Holiday Gifts

WARNING!!!!

Neene, Mimi, Chi Chi, Grandpa Jeff, Auntie Laura, Auntie Amber, Auntie Kristen, Uncle B and Godfather Matthew........Don't go any further!!!!  You do not want to spoil your Christmas gift from Zachary!!!!!  Turn off your computer NOW :)

Are you still looking Mom??  I am serious, time to put down the computer :)

For the last few weeks, Z has been working on his holiday gifts.  Since the beginning of November, we have spent a little time each week on this project.  I did not want to stress anybody out, as the holidays approached, so I figured that this would be the best way to do it.  I am soooo pleased with the way this gift turned out and Z is so very proud.

So here is what we did (I think it is now safe to talk about it ;)).  We made note card sets (picture below).  Each family member is getting a stationary set of 8 note cards, each with an original design.  We did one design each week (water color, crayon resist, stamps, finger print animals, tempera paint, glitter paint, marker picture and a splatter paint) and Z made 8 of each technique.  All of the note cards and envelopes were put in a big envelope with a big sticker that said, "Z designs".  They came out so cute and I know that the recipients will love them!

Here they are :)

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 13--Reflecting on Childhood

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Day 13

When I think of my childhood, two families immediately come to mind....The J and the M families.  Most of my favorite memories were spent with these two families including many family getaway weekends ;)  The parents are still all very close and we kids like getting together when we can.  Every Christmas Eve my mother has a party where all three families get together.  It is so much fun, especially with my dad's crazy "Road to the 3 Kings Competition" and we love to relive the grand days of old.

We met the M family when I was in elementary school (our moms were Brownie Leaders together).  They have three daughters, just like us, and Nik is LB's age, Boo is K's age and Deetz is a few years younger but was usually my partner in crime :)  We spent many vacations at each other lake houses,  choreographed many dance routines (Circle in the Sand is my all time favorite) and theatrical performances (Pete's Dragon is a riot) and even a grown up vacation to Florida where S asked my dad for my hand in marriage :)   We have had a lot of fun over the years and I am so glad that we are all still in touch!

The J family has been my second family since we became neighbors when I was a tween :)  The family includes Papa J, Mama J, and the boys N (who is a few years younger than my sister K) and B (the baby) :)  I use to move in with them whenever my parents first turned on our heat in the house (so allergic to the dust and mold) and whenever Papa H would go out of town on business (I had to protect Mama J ;)).  I was one of their top babysitters (my sister was the other), started a tradition with B where I would pull him out of school for a day to have an adventure (Fun, Free, Friday), went on many vacations together (Cape Cod, the lake and Block Island) and the boys were both asked to be in my wedding (B couldn't make it due to a summer program but he did send Ducky....a story for another day ;)). 

I was really lucky to have these two wonderful families in my life growing up.  They were a very important part of my childhood and continue to be today.  I always know that whenever we are together there will be lots of laughs.  I can't wait for Christmas Eve!

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 12--Light a Candle for Those you have Lost

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Day 12

Today's letter is too painful to write right now but the spot is reserved for my beautiful sister in-law Kiki.  I promise to write the letter someday soon, burn it and send it to her in the heavens but for now, it has to remain unwritten.

Kiki has been gone for 6 months but it is all still so sureal.  As we enter into this time of year it is even more difficult.  As I was wrapping a package for Caroline last night, I flipped the box over and there was a gift tag attached to the box.  It said, "To Princess Caroline, Love Auntie Kiki and Dum-B".  I gasped when I saw the tag and my eyes welled up with tears.  Here I thought I was just resusing a box but in away I was keeping her spirit alive at this time of year. 

Tonight at 7pm the Compassionate Friends are having their Worldwide Candle Lighting for people who have lost children of any age.  This is how my in-laws are celebrating Christmas and they are encouraging all of their friends and family to participate as well.  I wish I could be with them tonight because I am sure the house (inside and out) will be glowing with candle light.  We will be participating too and invite you to join us as well.  Light a candle from 7-8pm (your local time) for someone you love who is no longer with us.  It is a world wide event so the candles will be burning for 24 hours as the light circles the globe.  I think it is a beautiful way to welcome in the holidays and let Kiki know that she is still with us.

"The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memory of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries."

Day 11-This Christmas was Funded by Amazon and Ebay :)

If you would like to learn more about my personal project called "Advent Letters", please click here :)

Day 11

Today's letter went to another dear friend from my college days :)  J is one of my husband's best friends and believe it or not, J and I were friends a few years before S and I met or started dating!  J and I got to know one another on the Entertainment Committee Board at our University :)  We had so much fun together and even went on a "date".  He is one of the sweetest, funniest and most talented guys I know.  Whenever you are with J, you know that you are in for a bunch of laughs and a good time.

When I started having feelings for S, I went to J for help and advice.  He was so excited that I was finally going after a nice guy and agreed to help in anyway he could.  So I guess you could say that I have J to thank for my wonderful marriage and beautiful children!  Thanks J for being such a good friend and such an important part of our lives :)  Merry Christmas!

Holiday Thoughts

Over the summer I decided it was time to minimalize our lives.  I started with our Family Room and then moved onto the upstairs hallway :)  Both areas look great but I got distracted by the stuff in the basement and have not had the time to do much with the rest of the house (that is my goal for 2011).  I was a teacher and our entire basement wall filled with boxes of my teaching materials (from the floor to the ceiling).  The books were doing no good in the basement and so I decided to start selling them.  I put all of my professional books up on ebay and Amazon (as well as some my mom was ready to get rid of) and also a bunch of boxes of children's books.  I also had a few moms come through and buy some of my chapter books. 

So far I have sold about 1/5 of my books and I have made just over $600!  Throw in the other items I have sold on ebay (children's DVDs, our gamecube and some toys) and I have made over $700.  This money is what we have used to buy Christmas gifts and it has been so nice to not have to worry about credit card bills and debt that we don't need right now.  I hope to continue selling over the winter and then have a yard sale in the spring.  Whatever I do not sell will be donated to Children's hospitals or our local library book sale.  It is my goal that by next summer, that wall will be empty :)

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 10-Homemade Gifts

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Day 10

I have decided to stick with the sister theme and so today's letter went to my best friend La :)  La and I have been friends since freshman year in college (we met watching Friends in our dorm lounge) and she has always been more like a sister to me than a friend.  We have had our share of fights (we have had some big ones) but through it all our friendship has grown stronger and we have grown closer.

It was always our dream to live close to one another and raise our children together :)  This dream came true when La moved back to our homeland the day Z was born.  Our children are now growing up together and it is wonderful (Lil' C has already imprinted on La' son Li....a little Twilight reference for ya).  Thanks for always being there for me La, I am so blessed to have you in my life.  Merry Christmas.

Holiday Thoughts

We are trying to simplify our lives and show our children that one of the most special parts of this time of year is giving to others.  I thought that one way to do this would be to start a tradition of making one gift for each child.  My mother use to make the most beautiful gifts for us as children.  Money was tight growing up and she was quite handy with a sewing machine.  I will never forget the Christmas that she made us beautiful fabric bassinets and a complete wardrobe for our baby dolls.  I wish I had realized at the time just how special those were and had taken better care of them over the years! 

I do not have my mom's talent when it comes to sewing but I do have some of her creative spark. This year I made Lil C her very own alphabet book and I am making Z this .  They might not be amazing gifts this year but I hope to start planning next years gifts earlier and do something a little bigger, like build a cradle for Lil C's dolls ;)  I do hope that they will like their gifts and know that they were made from the heart.

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 9--An Amazing Day

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Day 9

Today's letter has been sent to my baby sister, the middle of our family, LB.  LB and I are two years apart and were polar opposites growing up!  They say that the middle child either does everything that the first does or does everything differently....that is what LB did ;)  I played soccer, she played field hockey.  I focused on music, she danced.  I loved to read, she did NOT.  I remember each September I would ask her, "Did my old teachers ask about me?"  She did not like living in my shadow and I now understand how annoying it must have been.

As I said to my sister in her letter, if I was to go back in time and tell my 15 year old self that I would one day be best friends with my sister LB, I would have laughed in disbelief.  We were so different that I would have dreamed that to be impossible.  Luckily as we grew, we realized how much we do have in common and have grown very close over the years.  We now call each other every day (sometimes 10 times a day), our children love to play together and we love to be together.  I am so fortunate to have LB in my life and want to thank her for everything she does for me.  Merry Christmas LB :)

Holiday Memories

Day 8 turned out to be one very special day for our family!  Because of the stomach bug, we never got to go to see the Curious George Movie last Friday.  When Lil' C took an early nap, I knew that today was the day to make that adventure happen.  Z had no idea what we were doing until we were standing at the concession stand.  When he heard me say, "Z pick out any candy you want" he about died and went to heaven (usually we sneak in snacks or stop on the way but I had no time).  We snuggled into our seats (5 minutes late) but they didn't start the show until we got settled because we were the only family in the theater!  A private showing of A Monkey Christmas just for us :) 

They both loved the movie (Z had seen it last year on PBS)!  Lil C could not take her eyes off the big screen and sat still for the entire 60 minutes!  They were both perfect angels and the movie had us all singing and laughing.  I didn't think it was possible but following the movie, Z had even more Christmas Cheer ;)  He was beaming and singing as we walked to the car.

To top the day off, S came home early and after dinner we got the kids in their Christmas jammies and drove around looking for the craziest Christmas lights.  We licked candy canes, sang Christmas Carols and drove to a house I had heard of...it was AWESOME and Z was jumping up and down with excitement.  No house was impressive after our destination house but it was still fun looking at the lights.  What a wonderful night and great memories made for all :)

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.

Day 8--Stopping the Madness :)

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Day 8

The next few days will focus on my sisters :)  I am so blessed to have two wonderful sisters in my life and today I have written to my baby sister K.  K was often last in everything that we did growing up and also had the most hand-me-downs.  It is for this reason that I decided to write to her first :)

I am so very proud of my sister K.  She is working hard to save our world and the way that big companies operate in it.  Her job is very important and she gets paid so little for the great work that she does.  Despite her little pay, she works so very hard and puts 110% of her self into her job. We are all really lucky to have someone like her out there working to help make this planet a cleaner, safer and more fair place to live.

K married her high school sweetheart (almost 2 years ago) and though they don't have children yet, I know they are going to make WONDERFUL parents :)  I am so blessed to have my sister K as one of my best friends and I love her dearly.  Merry Christmas K.

Holiday Thoughts

As always, I finished my holiday shopping before Thanksgiving.  I do this because I like to enjoy the holiday season and do not want to be stressed about not being able to find the right gift, lines etc.  As wonderful as it is to be all done with my shopping (and this year we had a very strict budget with which to shop) there a few drawbacks.  The first is that it is more difficult to return items because you bought them so long ago...if stores have a 90 day policy, you are all set but many only have a 30 day and so you better pray that the gift works out just fine!  The second thing is that some items get cheaper as you get closer to Christmas (however some do get more expensive).  The last issue that I run into, and is the biggest issue of all, is that it is so hard not to be tempted to buy additional things when you see them!!!  My children are sooooo easy to buy for and I am constantly seeing things that would be perfect for them.  I have given in to this temptation a few times but it is time to STOP the madness ;)  I am officially giving S my credit card and will not go to a store without Z (that way I can't buy anything for them).  I did so good with the budget and I do not want to blow it now :)  Happy shopping!

Special Christmas Fundraising Project

Click here to learn more about my husband's special fundraising effort to raise money for Make A Wish.