Wow! After all the groaning and moaning that I would NEVER complete everything that needed done before Christmas, I was proved wrong. Thanks to Amazon and several other on-line sites, shopping has become much easier. Now, if I could only learn to take one day at a time, holidays wouldn't be such a chore - they would be filled with angels, gumdrops and child-like wonder!. So....my New Year's resolution is to slow down and enjoy the day......one moment at a time! (Seems like I made that same resolution last year - but this time I am determined to stick to it!!) Below you will find pictures of several December "happenings" here at the farm/ranch -- everything from Birthdays to Christmas magic. I hope your Christmas was as blessed as ours was....
PRE-CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
At Preschool, the "Little Caboose" lent his foot print to a plate designed especially for Santa's cookies!
Our fireplace glowed with color....This year was dedicated to the traditional red and green colors. Next year it might be purple...or pink....or blue. I have boxes and boxes of different colored Christmas decorations! Perhaps that is one reason the Christmas season confuses me so. Not only do I have to put up the decorations, I have to decide what color to use! Maybe I need to start all over again and do a white angel tree! No color confussion there!
Talking about angels, the "Little Caboose" was an angel in a Christmas play at his Preschool. I have no idea how the teachers managed to keep the two-year-old children from pulling off their "halos"!
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a parade. This year there were tons of lights on the many floats.
Children of all ages were mesmerized by the colors and sounds..."The Little Caboose" was no exception.
He was even more mesmerized by the candy thrown from the floats. Whoa! Come back here!!
It's always nice to have "help" decorating the tree! That's the "Little Caboose" hanging up a green train engine.
According to this two-year-old, a Christmas Tree has to have a star! So, in keeping with the Christmas star tradition, a glittering gold star was added beneath the bow.
"Hooray! I see the star now!"
A visit from Santa was a must!
Even if Santa did sneak up on the little guy!
The smells of Christmas filled the house as the "young folks" decorated freshly baked gingerbread cookies. Yummy!!
Sprinkles were in high demand that day.
Licking fingers only added to the pleasure! Double Yummy!
THEN CAME DECEMBER 21 - BIG A's 15 BIRTHDAY!!
At the farm, we gathered to eat cake and celebrate a milestone birthday. Big A turned 15 years old on Dec. 21 and would be getting his driver's permit the next day!
Pooh, Meme T and Big A
Awwww. Sibling love!
That's me on the right pondering if there would be any leftovers -- hoping there would be but knowing, in my heart of hearts, that not a crumb would remain. It's just amazing how fast cake and ice cream vanish around here!
Here we are again in a less blurry picture. That's JR's feet you see on the left. That's Papa's G's coffee cup on the left and Meme T's coffee cup on the right. That's Big A's ice tea in the middle. Since they were so predominantly in this picture, I felt like an explanation was in order. That beautiful poinsettia on the end table was a gift from a neighbor. The paper on the coffee table needs to be thrown in the trash!!
For his birthday, "Big A" was allowed to choose a rifle from JR's coveted collection. Drum roll please.......
"Big sister" wanted him to choose the shotgun that had fancy scroll work on it.
"Little brother" made up his own mind! Once he makes a decision there is no changing it.
CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE FARM
Time to distribute gifts......
It didn't take long for this little guy to get the hang of unwrapping presents. One, two, three...RIP!
"Oh wow! I've been wanting Paw Patrol for at least ten years or more!"
And, so as not to feel left out, and because it was a Christmas wish, Pooh received her very own deer hunting rifle! JR even had it engraved!!
After eating way to much in the way of goodies, it was time for some "zumba"! Time to work off those extra calories......" Ready guys? Let's GO! One, two, three, KICK!"
"Look, out the window....it's bird, its a plane, it's Santa Clause!"
LATE CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT- BACK AT MEME T'S AND PAPA G'S HOUSE........
Sitting around playing cards while waiting on Santa....(Someone should have told them Santa doesn't come until everyone is asleep!)
"Huh! That's gonna cost you big time, sis!"
Tiny "Sugar" had to get in on the action too. She was waiting to see the flying reindeer. She's a skeptic when it comes to flying reindeer!
Before long, it was time to put on PJ's and prepare the house for Santa's visit.
But first, there was work to be done outside.......
......like throwing out the "Magic Reindeer Food" for Rudolph and his friends...
Then it was snuggle up time so Meme T could try out her new camera!
Rolling around on the floor is much better than going to bed! Who needs to sleep anyway?
Eventually, it was time to get serious and set out cookies and milk for Santa. HO, HO, HO!
CHRISTMAS MORNING AT MEME T's AND PAPA G's.
Here we go - opening more presents!
"Yea! Cranky the Crane!
"Now I can fix all my engines using Cranky the Crane! Thank You Santa!!"
Pooh opened presents.....
Big A opened presents.....
....with a little help from "The Little Caboose!"
"You're to slow Uncle A, let me do it!"
Big A is all set for hunting. A new rifle, a new gun cabinet, and new camouflage coveralls. With all the deer Big A and Pooh plan to bring home, Meme T won't have to buy meat for at least 120 years!!
As we roll into January 2015, I wish everyone a safe, blessed, and Happy New Year!
My advice for 2015....
A new year means a fresh start, start it right by keeping "God" on your "to do" list everyday!
Dee Dee
