This Christmas Season, Part 2

Garrett had a Christmas party and book exchange on his last day of preschool. He was so excited to give his teachers their presents, he handed them over, then asked if they wanted him to open them. He said he had fun decorating sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles, but that his ended up in the trash, because he didn't really like the taste (I don't know whose kid he is). I was there for the book exchange, and I snapped a couple of shots.

Garrett's not the only one who had some party fun. Ryan and I attended his annual office Christmas party out at the Texas Disposal Exotic Game Ranch and Pavillion. I actually went with the Howards, and Ryan met me there later, because he was running a race in Huntsville that day. He literally ran across the finish line, ran to the showers, and came out in a suit and tie. We had a lot of fun with his co-workers. The food was great, and the prizes and entertainment were fun. They gave away some great door prizes, including a flat-screen tv, grill, phones, iPods, cash, and other goodies. The wives of the owners go all out at this event and have a large budget. I got to go to my friend Jonna's annual girls' Christmas party, which is an event not to be missed. We enjoy good company, great holiday food, and a dirty Santa gift exchange (the kind where you get to steal someone's gift). It starts out sweet, but it can definitely get dirty. We each bring a homemade gift, and some of the girls are really talented. There were a lot of great gifts this year, and I got a good one. Thanks, Jonna, for all of your hard work! Finally, we attended a family Christmas party hosted by our friends Kim and Derek Reaves. They have a great playroom upstairs and big backyard, so the kids are mostly out of our way while the adults chat and eat. We didn't see Garrett much that night, except when he wanted food or drink. We also had a gift exchange, and we ended up with another good gift. Thanks, Reaves Family!

Garrett, Scout and I made Christmas cookies. Scout mostly helped with the mixing and then tried to prevent her brother from rolling them out nicely. Luckily, she got bored quickly and let us finish them up. Garrett and I were a cookie decorating machine, after I got them all baked. I iced them, and he decorated them. When Ryan came home and sat down to help, G immediately explained the very strict rules: 1) wash your hands first, 2) don't touch your face while you're doing it and 3) don't put too many sprinkles on at once. Ryan was very obedient. Then, we packed them up and delivered them to our neighbors. Later that week, I took the kids to TDS to take a few plates of them to Ryan's co-workers.

Little hands getting in the way

The master at work

Ready to deliver

My sister Andrea was in town for Christmas Eve, which was nice. Ryan packed us up and took us to a Christmas Eve service at a nearby church. They had an earlier service than our church, which started its service right at our kids' bedtime. It was a huge church, with a great musical program. Garrett listened to every word, I think, while Scout spent the time eating snacks and applauding herself everytime she managed to get a little pencil in the appropriate hole in the seat back in front of her. They ended with everyone holding candles and singing "Joy to the World." We then rushed back home, grabbing some dinner at the first place we saw open on the way home, which was Panda Express. Nothing says Christmas Eve like orange chicken that's been sitting under a heat lamp for a couple of hours. After the kids' baths, we let them each open one gift, and they chose gifts from Ryan's aunt Betty Jean. Scout loved her pillow and books. Garrett's ended up being a game, so we had to all play it once. Then we set up our plates on the table with cookies for Santa and carrots for Rudolph. We sprinkled reindeer food on the front lawn, and put the kids to bed. Finally, "Santa" got to work - the stockings were filled, the presents were placed under the tree, and Ryan spent a thrilling three hours putting together a kitchen for the kids. Don't worry. That one wasn't from Santa, so Daddy got all the credit the next morning.

This Christmas Season, Part 1

This year has definitely been more fun, now that Garrett is starting to understand and enjoy our holiday traditions. He's definitely getting the Santa thing. In clarifying what he wanted from Santa, I ended one conversation by asking if he was sure enough that I could call Santa. His eyes got wide, and he said, "You can call Santa?! What's his number? Is it 911?" Though I told him the number was a secret that only mommies and daddies know, I did make a point to emphasize that the number was not 911 and that that number was only for emergencies (and not toy emergencies). Though Scout doesn't get what's going on, it is really nice that I can buy her gifts right in front of her, and not worry about having to hide them. She's still enjoying the season, though. She loves the tree, which I caught her lying under to watch the lights the other day, and she doesn't miss a beat when it's time to dance to Christmas music.

We got our tree at Home Depot again this year, which I never intended to be a tradition, but we seem to have made it one.

We attended the Living Nativity at Park Hills Baptist Church, in their outdoor theater. It was beautiful and a great performance. They bring in animals for the show and for a little petting zoo for the kids. We got to touch camels, goats, rabbits, and a donkey. We also enjoyed some hot chocolate and cookies after the performance.

One Friday evening we went to the Southpark Meadows laser light show. It was so much fun. They have lasers and Christmas lights that are covering the performance area and all the trees set to great Christmas music. When Frosty the Snowman plays, they drop "snow" on the audience. The kids just ran to the front grassy area and all danced together. Santa was there, as well, though we didn't make it over to see him. We did grab some hot chocolate, though, and shared a couple of cups. We even let Scout slurp the last couple of drops of one. Our friends, the Howards, got there just as the first light show was ending and the live performance started. It was a musical duo called Above Ground Austin, and they sang all of the beautiful Christ-centered Christmas songs.

G, Cohen, and Scout watching the performance through the gate

Scout peeking in

Scout, Daddy and G

Our lights at home, both the outside ones and the ones on the tree gave us troubles this year. I don't think they're ever perfect, but it felt like we spent a lot more time adjusting them and replacing bulbs this year. I even plugged in one strand to check them in the house, and then once they were on the house, they didn't work. I think we all have those stories. Here's a picture of Garrett "helping" Daddy fix some decorations.

Daddy's little helper

G's Christmas program

There are few things I can think of that are sweeter than my baby in his first Christmas program. I knew I was going to love it, but I don't think I was really prepared for how precious it was going to be. Garrett was so excited to get to his classroom two Sundays ago, to get dressed in his costume. His class dressed as sheep, and he was most excited about the black dot of makeup they were going to put on his nose. When he started to walk down the aisle to the stage with those floppy construction paper ears on, I lost all dignity and became the cheesy parent, proudly and frantically waving to him and giving him the thumbs up. I think he got a little overwhelmed with emotion (not unfamiliar territory with G), because his lip curled a little, and he started doing his purposeful breathing through pursed lips. Ryan and I noticed and gave him even cheesier faces and more thumbs up, and by the time the music started, he recovered. His class was on stage the whole time, and they did great. No one fell over or cried, so I think that counts as a major success for preschool. They all sat and stood and rang their bells on cue, and Garrett sang every word. Scout loved watching and clapping, and even happily missed her nap for it. Grandma and Abuelito were sitting proudly in the audience, as well. We met the kids back in the classroom afterward, and then had a little reception with all the families. It was a sweet time.

The flock

My little sheep

Proud sister and grandparents

Snowy Day

As I was braving the blustery near 70 degree soup of a day today (and preparing for the 80 degree day tomorrow), I reflected back to a more Christmasy morning last Wednesday when we woke up to snow. So, I had to post a few pictures to help myself remember it. It started as we were going to bed, but seemed more like sleet at the time. We woke up to a thin blanket of white on everything, and I rushed the kids outside, before it melted. G threw a bunch of snowballs at the fence, and we gathered as much as we could to make a little snowman worthy of central Texas. Scout seemed a little confused as to why we were so jolly in such freezing weather before morning milk, but she complied. We came in pretty quickly to warm up, and Skittles got her warm milk.

Garrett in our backyard

Sleepy Skittles

Frosty

Garrett and his finished project

Scout's losing patience

Snowball fun

Back in the warm house

Finally, my milk!

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas season, Ryan and I have been made more aware of how blessed our family is compared to so many with whom we come into contact everyday. We also realize that we have the ability to make a difference in others' lives by using what God has given us. In light of this, we have decided this year to spend what we usually do on Christmas cards, to spread some Christmas cheer and God's love to those who need it most this season. So, except for a few family members, most of you will not receive in your mailbox the usual card that we send each year. Instead, I've posted our card below. We know that our friends and family will be more blessed to know of the good that is being done with their "Christmas card", than actually receiving it in the mail. That is one reason we choose to call you our friends. We pray God's blessings on all of you who receive this, and that you will know His love for you.

Quick to listen, slow to speak

I was in Scout's room today when Garrett yelled from his bathroom down the hall, "What's a virgin, Mommy?" I immediately went into panic mode. My brain was racing trying to come up with a truthful but appropriate answer for a three-year old. I was also simultaneously cursing those who refer to Mary as the Virgin Mary and have inadvertently introduced my son to this concept. I had a moment of clarity and just responded, "You mean Virgin Mary? She's Jesus's mommy." I held my breath, praying that he'd just go with it. He paused, "I mean, like a version of a song." Phew! Yet another lesson in making sure you know what your kids are asking before offering WAY too much information.

The Word of Don

We read books to G before his nap and at bedtime, and I like to say the author's name each time before we start. Tonight, when Garrett chose his Bible, I asked if he knew who wrote it. "Don Freeman" he said confidently. Hmm. Though he's great, and we love the Corduroy books, I don't think I'd quite call his work "God-breathed".

Garrett's letter to Santa

I had to record this. G asked if he could leave a note for Santa, since he knew he'd be asleep when he came. I have to admit that I prompted him to ask Santa for something and to ask for something for Scout, since she can't dictate her own letter. He complied, though he didn't quite understand the concept. He just wanted a note to leave next to the cookies and carrots we'll put out for Santa and Rudolph. Here it is, as he dictated.

"Hey, Santa. I have a hat that's just like yours. I hope you like it, and Happy Thanksgiving, Santa. Santa, can you give me a popcorn maker, please? Can you give a pink baby doll to Scout, please, Santa?

Love, G"

Merry Stinkin' Christmas

I took the kids to see Santa at the mall just before Thanksgiving. As we were waiting in line, Scout was waving to him, but her attitude quickly changed when I handed her over. I think Garrett was a little stunned and maybe wondering why Mommy was snapping pictures instead of rescuing his sister. Or maybe he was wondering if Scout knew something he didn't and he ought to be crying, too. It's a memory, anyway, and G got to have a little conversation with Santa before Scout's tears started. He asked for a popcorn maker, by the way.

Garrett's pet

Last night, I was cleaning up after dinner, not worrying about the kids, because I could hear them playing and giggling together in the living room. Then, my brain caught on to what G was saying, "Fetch, Baby!" I walked in there to see Garrett throw a tennis ball across the room, then Scout scramble to get it and bring it back to him. He was treating her like a dog! At least they were getting along, right?

Rendon Family Reunion

Every other year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my dad's side of the family gets together for a family reunion. We've been able to attend the last two, since we've been in Texas, and they're a lot of fun. If you haven't had the chance to get together with a huge group of Mexicans (or any family of Latin descent, I imagine), who all grew up together, to eat, drink, laugh and dance, you don't know what you're missing!

I have to admit that I don't know most of the people there. I've heard all their names and at least a million stories about them, but other than my dad's immediate family, we mostly saw all of them at the occasional funeral or reunion. So, these gatherings for the kids and grandkids, are mostly about introducing ourselves, hearing stories about when we and our parents were younger, and getting re-acquainted with our family. It's always loud and a lot of fun.

We met at a banquet hall adjacent to softball fields to eat, play softball and kickball, have a pinata for the kids, take pictures, honor the elders, and dance. We divide ourselves into family units of each son or daughter of my great grandparents. So, my great grandparents start the family tree, then we identify with the son or daughter from which we descend. Our patriarch would be my dad's father, Marcelino (whom they called Chelo), but since he's no longer living, his eldest son, my dad, is now the elder of our family. He and his cousins lined up to each represent their family units and receive honors. We also took pictures in those groups. We had to leave early to get the kids to bed, so we missed the dancing, and I'm told we missed a lot. Garrett would have loved it, since he was out on the dance floor with cousins he doesn't even know before the DJ even got started. He was sad to leave and kept asking to go back to "the family reunion with my cousins". When your family reaches a certain size, everyone becomes your cousin. Scout had a good time tearing the table decorations down to decorate herself and toddling around. She got plenty of squeezing, kissing and cooing that night. Maybe the next time we go, we'll get to watch my parents and aunts and uncles cut a rug!

Scout "decorating" herself

Gathering some more table decorations

Garrett and a cousin

Garrett and Lito

The family elders (my dad Richard is second from the left)

Mommy and Scout

Garrett participating in the pull-string pinata for the littlest ones

My cousin Marcella, my sister Andrea and me

Lito stealing a kiss from Scout

Chelo Rendon's family

My dad's cousin Gilbert in the back, his cousin Manuel on the left, his cousin Aaron, his brother Bob, and my dad Richard

The Rendon Family

My Grandpa Chelo (he passed away when I was a baby)

A picture of the family elders at another Rendon reunion (my Grandpa Chelo on the far left)

My Grandpa Chelo, my grandma, whom we called Mo, and my dad Richard