And now we begin that frighteningly, sickeningly fast slide into the holidays. I don't think I'm ready for this. I just found my Halloween decorations! Think we're all set to go for tonight, though:
1 HALO 3 Master Chief Costume with matching super-cool helmet (CHECK)
1 Masked Banana Costume with an appropriately masked stuffed sidekick (CHECK)
1 Large Bowl of Assorted Candy that is not my favorite kind (CHECK)
Since my kids are preteens, this year may be my last chance to accompany them on their annual fall candy begging spree. I'm squelching my need for action pics this year. Just going to soak it all in.
And, of course, sneak their candy when they're not looking.
Happy Halloween! May the goblins be few and the Snickers be plenty!
It's a time-honored ritual, a societal rite of passage, or an instrument of torture if you are a 10-year old boy. It's The Family Photo Session. Each year my attempts to corral the herd and snap a decent pic are met with sighs, groans, and agony over shirt color and hairstyle.
Every year we park ourselves on the quaint "gentlemen caller's bench" by the front door and smile. This year we were able to snap a respectable family shot with just a few attempts. I was thrilled.
Not to be outdone, our presence was requested at the queen mother of family photo sessions by the Queen Mother herself, my mom. No self-timer-scramble picture on her watch! She hired a professional to capture our likenesses for posterity.
Surprisingly the kids were OK with Grandma calling the shots instead of mom (OK, not surprising). Dressed in semi-coordinating fabrics, hair neatly combed and smiles at the ready. Snap! Flash! Rearrange. Repeat. Thirty minutes later, no blood had been shed, no major drama ensued, and no spirits were crushed.
Can't wait to see the proofs! Bunny ears can be PhotoShopped out, can't they? :)
We have a Magic Truck. It's a rusty '68 Chevy Camper Special, though nothing special to look at with it's faded calico yellow and rust paint, and dents and dings (compliments of my daughter's ongoing battle with the low stone wall at the end of our driveway), but it is truly magical. It can turn a dull summer night into a party at the drive-in. It has a horn with it's own agenda. It's engine rumble can set off car alarms, even at idle. It garners instant respect from those trying to cut into your lane and it's 2x60 AC system is the envy of the neighborhood. And it never fails to fire up, no matter what the temp.
But the most magical part? It's uncanny ability to select the perfect Christmas tree. For fifteen years, our truck has transported our family to tree lots and farms across the Midwest in search of the perfect Christmas accompaniment. No strapping a tree to the top of the Volvo for us! Each year on the day after Thanksgiving, rain, snow or shine, we tie a bright red Christmas bow on the grill, bundle the crew snugly, crowd into the drafty cab, and off we go. No matter what tree catches our eye on the lot, it is transformed while laying in the bed of the truck, snuggled between the wheel humps and the big spare tire. Big trees, squatty trees, trees with holes that weren't there before, trees with nests (uninhabited, much to our relief), Charlie Brown trees, and even fancy-schmancy Frazier Firs. No matter the tree, it was always perfect by the time we got home. Even this year's "maybe too short" tree looked at least a foot taller by the time we reached our driveway!Our Magic Truck is very forgiving, too. It cringed the year we splurged on an $85 "designer tree", but never made a peep when the tree dried up and dropped it needles weeks before Christmas. Once it transformed a scrawny little grocery store tree into a full and lush conifer splayed against the truck bed.
Maybe it's the brisk November air, the bumpy ride home, or the giggling little heads that keep turning to take a peek from the cab. Or maybe it's just magic. We love our truck and can't imagine Christmas without it.What makes your Christmas magical?
In fact, he'll be arriving at Oak Park Mall this Saturday morning at 10:00AM and KUDL will be on site to welcome him to Kansas City! (I hope he brings me that new Ducati motorcycle I've been dreaming about, and maybe some boots and a new pair of Converse). We may even need some help leading the parade around the mall.... Come out and say "ho ho ho!" I'd love to meet you. It's always great to put a face with a pair of ears. What's your favorite holiday tradition? How will you make this year special? Give us a call (913) 576-7981 between 5:30-9:00AM.
I can't believe I'm thinking of the holidays already, but I am. With four kids and a fairly big extended family, if I don't get a head start it gets crazy! And I've learned the hard way how expensive last-minute impulse shopping can be (ugh). We've reached that "really, truly, we don't NEED anything" stage, and have asked that relatives simply spend time with us. It's better than cheap, it's priceless! Fortunately, no one has said "well, we'd rather do a gift certificate" - ha
For the kids, we suggest memberships to places like the KC Zoo, the pool, or even movie tickets. Last year my BIL (genius!) gave them pool passes and Sonic gift cards and they loved it! Though, I thought they would explode before the pool opened (December to May is a very long time if you are eight). The best part - they can use the gift again and again and there are no pieces to assemble or things to outgrow.
How have you changed your holiday gift-giving routine?
