Christmas Traditions

I like Christmas traditions. One of my favorites started thirteen years ago when I was the calm, well-organized mother of three small children and also had seven or eight day care children in and out of my home on weekdays. Christmas Eve arrived and I was still working like mad to get everything done. I had something special planned for dinner but I just didn't have the time or the energy left to do it. So I picked up the phone, called Izzy's Limousine Pizza and ordered our family's favorite, Izzy's Special with thick crust. I lit all the candles in the house, and when the pizza arrived we turned off the lights (except the Christmas tree lights) and had pizza by candle light. The boys loved it, so we have done it every year since. Sparkling cider was added to the tradition a few years later and is also a must. It also wouldn't be the same without Will grumbling about too many candles and muttering dire predictions about burning the house down. (Well, once many years back some greens around the advent wreath at the kitchen table caught fire as we sat at the dining room. It was a bit exciting for awhile but other than a lot of smoke, no harm was done. And it gives Will some credibility.) I gave him more ammunition this year as I was dishing out pizza from the box and knocked a full glass of cider over, but hey, I didn't catch the box on fire. And Nick didn't get too wet.After dinner, the kids usually open a new game. I changed it this year, because last year's game hasn't been played since last Christmas Eve and we have a ton of games. I pulled questons about Jesus from our Bible Trivia game and we got into two teams and answered those questions. I learned that my kids know both more and less than I thought they did. I like to have Jesus questions at dinner during December but I never got around to getting them out this year. Then they normally open a new movie, but this year I didn't buy one of those either cause there just didn't seem to be any worth buying. I rented a couple and let them choose. We watched Superman Returns. I told them I had just read a review that there was some symbolism about Jesus so we were watching for those. My favorite line in the movie was when Lois Lane tells Superman, "We don't need a savior." He replies, "I can hear everyone, and the whole world is crying out for a savior."

Christmas Eve and morning were a little strange with only two boys to open their gifts, but Craig called from Germany around 9:00 am and we all got to talk to him. I asked him what he'd had for Christmas dinner and he said, turkey, stuffing, the usual. Nothing German? He laughed at me. "Mom, I'm having Christmas with a bunch of Americans." Oh, of course. Nathan's in-laws are there and they are doing a little traveling this week. They went to Munich and Dachau last week.

For the first time in awhile. we had our Troyer get-together on Christmas Day. I started something new last year at Christmas dinner of having place cards for everyone with scripture from Luke 2, Matthew 2 and prophecy from Isaiah 9. I managed to set them out in order and after dinner everyone got to read a few verses as the Christmas story was shared. That is our newest tradition.

After dinner the usual game playing took place. Little Cody is quite the expert at dominoes - he kept us all in line. I let Nick beat me at ping pong. Anisa got a lovely picture of me playing with my tongue out, but it's slightly blurry since I was moving so fast.

Galen once again proved what an outstanding brother he is, bravely being the sole person to try the hot picked brussels sprouts. He said it wasn't too bad. What a guy! I don't believe those little treats will become part of our Christmas tradition.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too!

Christmas Cookies and Gingerbread House

Today the sugar cookies got cut out, baked, and frosted. There's even a few left over for Christmas! Eric showed some surprising artistic talent this year with some creative frosting techniques.
Another annual tradition is the gingerbread housebuilding and decorating. Eric has lost interest in this, but Nick is pleased to do it all by himself. The last time Eric and Nick shared decorating duties, they had many creative differences which led to some loud discussions. I have a box of little decorating items that have come with past gingerbread kits, and Nick used most of these items today. As you can see, Mickey and Minnie are on the roof. Apparently they have taken over Santa's duties this year. Eric's one contribution was putting baby Jesus on the roof from a little plastic Nativity set from their childhood days. In general, it's a big mess. (As usual.) I was inspecting it after Nick finished and I was appalled to see a reindeer face-planted in a big snowdrift at the front door. Nick said it fell off the roof. Eric told me to chill out, it adds humor. Note to self: next year beg Nick to let me decorate the gingerbread men and the tree. But isn't it festive looking! It was a fun afternoon. My children are growing up way too fast.

Here they are the first time we made a gingerbread house in 1994. I may have helped a bit more with that one!

Unexpected Gifts

As the secretary in a middle school, I find myself the recipient of small gifts from many different people at this time of the year. The staff is especially good at showing their appreciation. I have an ever increasing collection of Christmas mugs and enough Christmas pins to wear a different one every school day in December. This year a few unique gifts have made me chuckle and wonder what in the world are people thinking? One morning on my desk I found a card with a lovely gift box, about 5 inches square and an inch deep, tied with a ribbon. It was very light, and when I opened it I discovered it was empty. I saw my fellow secretary had one exactly like it and I asked if she had opened it yet. She said she had started to open it when the giver was standing there and was told, "Don't open it, silly, the box IS the gift! It's a Christmas decoration!" Okay. It's cute, but it makes me smile when I see it. Would you give an empty box as a gift?

The all time most unique gift came from a teacher who likes to pick up things for us when he visits his relatives in the south. I still have the hush puppy mix he gave me last year in my pantry. Just never get around to making hush puppies for some reason. Last week he left a jar of Old South Pickled Hot Brussels Sprouts on my desk. I don't like hot things, I don't like pickled things, and I don't like brussels sprouts. However, that's definitely something he doesn't have to worry that everyone else got for me. I am grateful to be appreciated. The part I don't get is that he gave the other two secretaries each a jar of peach preserves! I can only speculate that he thinks they need sweetening up. I took the pickled brussels sprouts to our pinochle get together Saturday night, and out of the 16 people there, only one was adventurous enough to try it. He likes hot pickled things and brussels sprouts, but found the brussels sprouts too hard and crunchy. So get ready, family and friends, I will bring it everywhere I go this holiday season! I do love to share!

The best gift was the brand new first CD of my three neices that I received from my sister Hope yesterday. I wish I could write interesting, analytical music reviews like my brother Tom so eloquently pens, but I will just say that I love this CD. Their voices blend as only close family members can, and the sweetness and purity of their a cappella vocals is beautiful and moving. (Thank you, Tom, I had to refer to your blog posting (http://www.icedteaforever.com/2006/09/a-cappella-setting-a-few-things-straight.html) to make sure I spelled a cappella correctly.) One of these days I need to learn to do those links properly.

So, if you're having a hard time figuring out what to buy someone, don't be afraid to get something outrageous, unexpected or just plain weird! Just because it's something they totally might not like doesn't mean they can't find some entertainment value in it!

I Love Power!

Last night was the long anticipated matchup between Nick's basketball team and the team on which my fellow secretary Helen's grandson plays. Nick nearly gave her and our assistant principal a heart attack in our office at the end of the day when he stood in the middle of the office, undid his belt, and removed his jeans. After a few shocked gasps from the onlookers, it was quickly apparent that he was already wearing his basketball shorts under his jeans.

Nick's team was slightly ahead the whole way through the game. Helen's grandson, who is nearly as tall but more heavily muscled than Nick (who calls him a "beast"), politely reached down and gave Nick a hand up when he landed on the floor, but he nearly launched him to the other side of the gym! We were six points ahead with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, enjoying the game with our youth pastor, when the lights went out. The auxilary lights remained on, but far too dim to continue playing. They gave it 15 minutes, then said the game would need to be finished at another time since the power was still down. We barely got out the gym doors when the power came back, but it was too late. There's a schedule to stick to.

The wind was gusting and the rain pouring in heavy waves on the way home. We were still around the dinner table when our power went out. I already had candles lined up, and Nick got busy lighting them. He lit over 30 wicks, and still wasn't satisfied! Aren't there more candles we can light?! A little later, I heard Will complaining about all the different scents - vanilla, pumpkin, apple pie, cranberry, honeydew (to name just a few) combined for an interesting sensory experience!

Those three wick candles are definitely worth their weight under those conditions! Will did his Soduku puzzles by the light of one of them. I finished my Christmas cards and gifts for my coworkers at the table by candlelight. Nick went to bed early, hoping for no school the next day! Eric made it safely home, then his cat tried to burn the house down by jumping on the dining room table with many burning candles while our backs were turned. I love cats. Although it was pretty entertaining watching it chase the flashlight beams Eric provided for it's recreation.

We woke to a chilly dark house this morning. I called the YMCA and asked if they had power. Yes, so I packed my bag by candlelight and headed there to shower and get ready for work! Tangent Elementary school was without power all day, and I didn't know if we'd have any when we returned this afternoon. What a joy to drive up to the house and see it brightly lit, including the Christmas tree! Of course, we didn't turn off any lights after the power went off!

Power is good. Heat and light are fabulous. I am very thankful! But one cozy candlelit evening was enjoyable.

A New Nick Name?

We were blessed to have Jody's children Brenden and Jenna in our home this evening. It was entertaining as always. While Brenden was holding onto Nick's head, getting a wild ride on Nick's shoulders, Brenden told him, "You have a furry fart head!" Jody and Kevin are so proud! Ready for a haircut yet, Nick?

Phone Call from Germany

My cell phone rang today at work, and when I saw the caller's number was "unavailable", I abandoned our hectic office to my co-worker and answered it as I hurried to the privacy of the ladies room just down the hall, which is equipped with two comfortable green plastic deck chairs adorned with floral cushions. I sat down and had a nice chat with Craig. Unfortunately, he had just been to a doctor and received antibiotics because he'd had a fever and sore throat for a few days.

It's very beautiful there and he loves seeing the Alps from the castle. He and Nathan have been working on remodeling a room for an accountant there. He has sat in on some lectures in a world religions class, taught by a former Buddhist monk who is now a Christian, and Craig has enjoyed some extensive conversations with this man. Wow, does God know exactly where he needs to be or what? Craig said he has had some hard times but he knows it's where he needs to be and appreciates the opportunities.

God is good.

It's Basketball Season Again!

Nick's team had their first game tonight. He plays on a Boys & Girls Club team, and freshman and sophomores are in this league. They played a good sophomore team tonight. I don't think we'll be playing for first place this year. But the good news is after having only 10 points at half time, we ended with 42, and a less than 30 point difference from the winner! But the important thing is, the kids had fun. It's always fun to sit by Will and hear his remarks. When a kid ran down the court, leaving one shoe behind him, Will says, "You won't see that in the NBA!" We were proud of Nick but we had to chide him gently while we were driving out of the parking lot. Same problem he had at the beginning of the season last year, playing too politely. He only had one foul! Get aggressive, Buddy!

Counterfeit Chaos

We had a bit of excitement in the office a few days ago after school. The principal came in from bus duty with a counterfeit one dollar bill that a student said he found on the ground outside the school. It had been wadded up and smoothed out. The color was pretty good, but the front bottom border was missing. Quite a few staff members tend to come through the office at the end of the day, and everyone wanted to inspect it. Fear seized my heart as I wondered if I had taken any phony bills that day from students paying for lunches. A large percentage of cash that I take in is wadded and crumpled! It would probably be very easy to fool me! I got the day's money out, and much of it was ones. One self-proclaimed expert said that an easy way to tell counterfeit from genuine was that counterfeit would rip easily, but it was difficult to tear genuine. So I started making tiny tears in the bills. Some would not tear at all, but many of the ones and some fives and twenties were very easy to tear. People gathered around my desk, holding bills up to the light and chattering excitedly. "Have you called the police yet?"

Fortunately, I held off on making a call until sanity was restored. It soon became apparent that well-used bills tear easily. Nice new crisp bills do not. The phony bill is still lying on my desk to remind me to be careful. I'll show it to the school resource officer next time he stops by. Thank God I did not allow myself to be pressured into making a phone call to the police telling them I had 75 percent of the day's take in counterfeit money! Will shook his head in amazed disbelief when he heard about it. I think he was very impressed with my belated good judgment!