Father-Daughter Dance

Last night, our parish held its annual  Father-Daughter Square Dance. That's right, Square Dance, complete with professional caller (who my daughter even said talked "so fast!" lol). 

There were "break" times, I was told, where the girls got to do country line dancing for their dads and even the "hand jive."  :-) 

If my daughter didn't say "it was awesome" fifty times after she got home, she didn't say it once.  She even got to slow dance with her Daddy to "Daddy's Little Girl."  Glad I wasn't there.  I could never keep a dry eye during that song when others dance to it, let alone our little girl.  But, I probably would have paid to be a fly on the wall to see my hubby (and a few hundred other dads) do-si-do-ing.  lol!!!  :-)  All for their little girls!

How wonderful that they even gave the girls corsages.  Our daughter calls it her "flower bracelet" and put in the fridge.  I hope it lasts a few days for her.  But, even if it doesn't, the memories will last a lifetime.

Flashback: New Years' Eve

It has become a New Years' Eve tradition for my family to go bowling. Our local alley has a "Family New Years' Celebration" from 6-9 pm, complete with food, lots of blinking lights, party hats, noisemakers and of course, bowling. :-) It is a fun evening that not only involves the kids, but tires them, too. :-) I, for one, was just glad that I didn't completely humiliate myself and did manage a couple of strikes to outshine my couple of gutter balls.

Some good friends joined us. Our children are all friends, so it makes for an even more enjoyable evening for all. May 2011 be as filled with family, friends and fellowship.

Sewing Class

Three weeks ago, Kiddo #4 started a sewing class and wow, she has taken to it like a natural!  She has made 2 wonderful projects already- a pouch with a liner and a pillow.  She has been very excited learning how to operate the machine and mastering all of the different stitches.  I can't wait to see what she makes next!  The best part is that she is loving it and looks forward to it every week. It also doesn't hurt that she is learning a practical skill, one that I'm sure will help her throughout life.  She has always been such a creative kid-- always making something or wanting to do some kind of art project. :-)  We are very proud of her!

Dreaming of a "White Day-After Christmas" :-)

The day after Christmas brought the first of several snowstorms that have already hit our area. I doubt that we will top our 6+ feet of snow from last year, but the kiddos are thrilled nonetheless with the opportunities to play and of course, sled.


We are lucky that there is a local community center only several blocks away that has a fenced-in field with sloped sides. This is where we take the kids to sled. It is always fun!

Christmas

Sometimes I have to remind myself that Christmas is truly a season and not one day, because the one day goes by so quickly and no one wants it to end. 

The joy and excitement on our children's faces made it all worth it and the fact that they had joy in giving and not just receiving warmed my heart, as well.

What truly touched me was our daughter's insistence on having a cake for the Lord's Birthday.  She wanted Jesus to have a birthday cake.  I saw her "wheels" turning when she asked me about candles.  She asked if Jesus was indeed 2,010 years old.  "That's a lot of candles."  "Yes, honey, it is.  I don't think they'll all fit."  "Mommy, I have another idea."  Scroll down and see what her idea was and how it still brings tears to my eyes just seeing it.  I know the Lord was smiling when we all sang to Him after dinner, but more importantly, because the sweet idea came from the heart of a 7-year old child.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve in pictures

Before Mass

Getting cookies ready for Santa

Putting out popcorn for the reindeer

Pop-Pop blessing the tree and manger

Merry Christmas!!!!

A Blessed Christmas

I just saw a quote in a friend's blog that summed it up so well. (thanks, Allison!)  I wish all of you the most Blessed Christmas and a New Year that is filled with love, health and happiness.  May God bless us, everyone!

"Every mother, when she picks up the young life that has been born to her, looks up to the heavens to thank God for the gift which made the world young again. But here was a mother, a madonna, who did not look up. She looked down to Heaven, for this was Heaven in her arms." Archbishop Fulton Sheen