Sunday, December 23, 2007

Tis the Season

As Christmas approaches I find myself wandering back again to my childhood. It was such a simple time homemade gifts, candies, cookies, breads, cinnamon rolls, pies, decorations. Large family gatherings at my grandparents house. Kids everywhere. My family had 6, one aunt had 7, the other had 2, plus more distant cousins, oh so many kids and generally we all spent the night at Grandma's and Grandpa's house. My favorite parts were the homemade hard candy made with oil flavoring rather than extract, and peeking down the stairs looking for Santa.

On Christmas day we would have sled races, snowmobile rides, horse rides in the snow with my uncle was one of my favorites. The horses dressed in their winter shaggy fur, along with the snow and shaggy cows feeding in the snow. The sun shining on the snow and making it sparkly .

The Teens have their own memories of past Christmas at grandparents. Though very different they are also cherished. As a parent I have striven to create memories and traditions for my children as I had growing up. And as we were remembering past Christmases I see that I was successful. They have many memories of great Christmases and I feel blessed.

Recently the grandparents have moved far enough away that we can no longer spend Christmases together. But the Teens have a strong since of family and traditions that they will hopefully carry on to their children!

Hope this season find everyone with fond and blessed memories.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

New Experiance

Last night I went with the teens to a youth club to hear an all age concert. . I found out that I like techno. I also learned that there are people who just see you as a great person no matter how long you've known them or what you wear. They are sure of who they are and that is all they need, they were kind and open, no judgment is made on anyone, free to move as the music moves them. And NO drugs or booze were involved. It was such a relief to just be, no expectations, no stress. It introduced the teens to a side of life I have just found. I was raised in a very sheltered bubble. Not that it was bad just sheltered. A lot of things I did not understand and still have a hard time with. The teens have a great grasp on much more in life then I did, they accept people and situations better then I had.

I do have to add that the clothes took me back a few years. Oh the Spandex, lots and lots with Bright colors. One girl had on a pair of shiny turquoise it reminded me of my sophomore year in high school I had a friend she had a pair the same color. The memories that floated through my head. I never really cared for the spandex. The styles were so 80's WOW. Mob surfing. I had to even push through the masses looking for some one. The smell was strong that many sweaty teens in one place! But what a great time we had.If you have a chance to visit a teen club Go.

It was so worth the long drive, messy house, (I skipped cleaning it so they could go), to see the teens have such a great and carefree time.

A dear person even bought them T-shirts of their favorite band of the night. Thank you.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Squeak, SQUEAK

Today the nasty cold bug that the rest of my family had last week caught me. The 3 teens are laughing because when I talk all that comes out is air and squeaks, they have to get really close in order to hear me. They also found out that if they pretend not to hear me then I yell and a very high pitched SQUEAK comes out. They just laugh, BD just came by chasing BP I said I don't want to yell tonight he heard SQUEAK, squeak. squeak, then just laughed. It also doesn't help that AC has had an ear infection and can't hear.

I hope each of you has a great season. Enjoy the snow.