traditions

Baby girl turns nine.

For odd birthdays in our family, the birthday girl (or boy, as the case may be) chooses a favorite restaurant for dinner.  Eve was adventurous this year (not to mention a little spendy) and invited us all out to a Japanese steakhouse.

It was our most expensive meal to-date.  (Then again, we don’t go out to eat much).

All the kids considered it a huge treat-even Jack was engaged, yelling “Fire! Fire!” every time he saw a grill light up. Even our “picky” eater appreciated the experience and ventured outside her comfort zone to try fried rice and catch grilled shrimp in her mouth.  It almost made me consider investing in a hibachi simply to get her to eat her vegetables.

Eve herself was delighted by the whole thing.  Then we headed back home for cake, ice cream and presents.   She’s our non-chocolate lover, so I’m sure she was thrilled to indulge in rainbow chip cake with sprinkles on top and birthday cake ice cream.  All of her presents were a hit, which is actually somewhat surprising since she kept amending her wish list right up until the day before her birthday, and long after all the presents had been ordered, shipped and wrapped.

As per our tradition, we each took a turn sharing one thing we love about Eve.  It was not difficult to come up with honest compliments for this sweet girl of ours.  She’s bright, generous, a ball of energy, an expert harmonizer, a loving snuggler, an incessant talker, a creative genius and so much more.

What a difference she makes in our family.  Happy ninth birthday to my baby girl!

Flying through December.

And just like that, it’s three days until Christmas!  We kicked December off with Jack’s birthday and a Nutcracker performance by Eve.  Threw in two elementary music programs, two piano recitals, several junior high choir performances, another children’s choir performance.  It’s safe to say that music is definitely one of our treasured holiday traditions.

Another holiday tradition we can’t seem to live without: baking.  I enlisted the girls’ help in the kitchen, one daughter for each of the four items in this year’s goody box.  Homemade caramels, toffee, sugar cookies, and peppermint bark made the cut.  We might have baked up a couple of extra batches after the treats were delivered.  Our excuse was that we forgot about a few families.  But at least half of the extras ended up in our very own bellies.  Yum.

We finally got around to making our annual homemade Christmas ornament.  I must say, it’s pretty awesome when your kids reach an age at which they can actually craft something reasonably cool.  For years I’d either stretch the limits of my kids’ fine motor skills (and my patience) to make something they could be proud of.  Or, when that didn’t work, I’d select an ornament that was well within their skill level but one that broke before the next Christmas rolled around.

This year, I drummed up some wire and beads to assemble one of these suckers.  It was easy, cheap, and produced an awesome result.  Big win for Christmas 2017.

Other than that, it’s been business as usual around here.  A minor fracture for Jack.  A mild case of hand, foot, and mouth disease.  Lots of broken ornaments.  Sugar highs and subsequent crabby tempers.  Gift-buying and giving.  Service in the community.  And as of today, snow.  A good three inches so far.

Most of all, we remember the Savior in all that we do.  I am abundantly grateful to know of Him and His great atoning sacrifice which makes every joy in this life possible.