Holiday Hits and Misses
We had a great time on Christmas. Now that we are two days out, we've mostly got stuff put away but I wanted to record what was a hit and what was a miss, mostly to remind myself when we are doing this all again in 363 days!
Josh:
Hit: Scrambled States of America Game
Miss: Yankees bedding. While it was what he wanted, he was a little disappointed to not have something to play with on Christmas day. And the sheets don't even say Yankees on them (I ordered on line), so I am glad the pillowcases do.
Caroline:
Hit: several outfits and "little miss matched" socks...love these
Miss: crafts that she needs help with...I got her a sewing kit as well as a make your own quilt kit. These will be fun to do together, but we just haven't had to sit down and do this.
Matthew
Hit: Shake and go cars, Samuel's new toys (ball popper and Amazing animals train)
Miss: Not adding to our Thomas stuff. Even though he's enjoyed his new toys, he still retreated to his bedroom to set up a train track in the middle of opening presents.
Samuel
Hit: Anything that looks real that he can put in his mouth
Miss: Toys for now. He's much more interested in "electronics": baby monitor, phones, remotes, white noise machine.
Mark
Hit: Yankees shirts for him and his 3 boys...it was a surprise
Miss: luggage tags from Target...too hard to open. Good thing I have the receipt.
Kathryn
Hit: the few gifts I bought for myself
Miss: Not really anything!
Egg Nog from Carolyn across the street
For some 20 plus years now, Mark's mom has made Egg Nog from a recipe from her neighbor, who is usually referred to as Carolyn, from across the street. Stop by our house on Thanksgiving or Christmas, and we serve it up as well. In fact, all my siblings and Mark's siblings make it as well. You may want to double or triple this, depending how many you make it for.
Carolyn's Egg Nog
2 eggs, well beaten (I skip the eggs if there are pregnant or nursing mothers amongst our guests)
1 can Eagle milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 quart of whole milk (or you can use 2 percent)
1/2 pint whipping cream, whipped
nutmeg
Combine first four ingredients with hand mixer.
Gradually beat in milk.
Gently fold in whipped cream.
Chill. Sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg when serving, if desired.
The puffy, baggy look
So, I guess the puffy, baggy under my eye look is catching some attention.
At a school program last week, one of the moms from school said (for maybe the fourth or fifth time to me in the last couple of months,) "Kathryn, you just look so tired."
I said, "I thought I looked pretty good tonight. I am wearing my new black turtleneck sweater."
"
Charlotte's Web
Oh how cute.
One thing I am really looking forward to this weekend is taking the kids to see Charlotte's Web.
I hope it's good!
I loved the book as a child. My grandma gave me my own copy for my baptism. Our elementary school did a play of Charlotte's Web that I remember being involved in...maybe 5th grade.
I read the book to the kids the summer before last. We even found an egg sac on our swing set with tiny spiders.
I love that several of my favorites voice characters in the movie...Julia, John Cleese, "Bob" (you know, Robert Redford), etc. etc.
I also am eager to see The Holiday. Anyone local up for a girls night out to see this before New Years?
Working from home
Today Mark worked from home and I think it was the first successful day we have ever had at it. Which is why he RARELY works from home.
He took Josh to and from school, which was a big help. He got Matthew apple juice since we were out.
He stayed with the sleeping baby while I went to the Singing Time Christmas party with Matty and Caroline (who stayed home sick).
He ran errands with us at the end of the day (combining it into a FHE/Looking at Christmas lights experience.)
He also did a bunch of stuff for work.
Why it was successful:
I didn't try to sneak out and leave him with the kids.
I tried to be more hands-on. He's very hands-on. I will go about my business at home during the day and leave them to their own devices at times, but he rarely does that. If he's here, he's here.
I didn't feel like I took advantage of his being at home, which is apt to happen.
I was just more grateful for the help he gave me than worried about getting things done or running here and there.
Thanks Mark for a great day! I will try to be less taking and more giving when you try and work from home in the future.
California Christmases
1976 Our first nativity--Kathryn, Don and Sally
1983 Three Wisemen--Kathryn, Grandma, Chrissie
Oh, our Christmases in California are filled with such good memories.
Growing up, Christmas eve day was the BEST because of the anticipation. We spent the day helping Mom get ready for the Christmas Eve dinner we'd host at our house.
We'd put the leaves in the dining table, set the table, help with dinner, and help her finish deliveries to ward members. Then around 4:30 or 5, the family would start arriving. First grandma and grandpa. Then Uncle Don and Aunt Sally and kids would come over. We'd eat a great dinner of ham or turkey. Mom's rolls were always so good. Lots of laughing and catching up. Sometimes we'd have an extra guest or two.
Then it was time to get ready for our nativity play. As the oldest grandchild, I would take on the role of director. We'd assign parts. For a long time, John (my brother) was Joseph and my cousin Jenny was Mary. When we first started our nativity, Julie was Mary and Mom was Joseph. Dad was always the narrator. I liked being an angel because the angel had a speaking part. Some years we had a real baby to be baby Jesus.
We'd get out the doll cradle for a manger. We'd find costumes and dress up. Then, we'd have our play. We always had the same script, and we'd sing the same hymns. We'd take pictures of us in our bathrobes, with ties around our heads, with mom's perfume bottles as the wisemen gifts.
We did this every year from when I was six. The last time I did it with my whole family was when we had our last Christmas in California in 2002.
At some point during the play, the Kunkels would come caroling and interrupt everything. It was always a welcome interruption, though.
After the play, we'd set out trays of goodies, usually gifts from our ward members. There was always some Sees candy and Martinelli's and egg nog.
The extended family would leave and then we'd open a present and then get ready for bed and try and try to go to sleep.
I hope Mark and I can create these same kind of memories for our kids. Although it won't be the "exact same" as my childhood, they will be more of a fusion of our two families and some new things mixed in. I hope they will be just as wonderful.
Enjoy this week of Christmas, everyone!
Bedding Update
Well, I looked at a lot of bedding online to see what was out there.
I narrowed it down to Calvin Klein bedding from Macy's. But I had to see it, I couldn't just order online.
I went to one Macy's location Friday. No Calvin Klein bedding there. "Try other local store."
Went to other local store at 7:30 a.m. Sat. Saw Calvin Klein bedding. Not overly impressed.
Then put together my own ensemble based on a pillow and above painting. Damask stripe collection. Robin's egg blue goes perfectly with Van Gogh print I love that's in our room. (I love Van Gogh! The day we found out we were pregnant with Josh, we had gone to Van Gogh exhibit in Washington, D.C. and bought Almond Branches poster there (above picture). And went to favorite DC restaurant--Carlyle Grand Cafe.) I will post a picture of said pillow at some point.
I LOVE IT! 4 decorative pillows, quilt, duvet cover, sheet set, bedskirt....
Back to Macy's tomorrow since they charged me twice for the sheet set.
Mark says we can't put it on the bed unti Christmas night. I can't wait!
Fishhap
So we have 3 fish. Josh's betta is named Delta and his goldfish is named Bubbles. Caroline's betta is Swimmy. Mark wanted the kids to have a pet experience. My role has been limited by choice. Mark cleans the bowls and reminds the kids to feed the fish. It's nice. They remind me to feed the fish when Mark is gone. Wait, I do contribute...I find the fish sitters when we are going out of town. (Thanks Laura and Allysha and Lizzy)
Yesterday we had a fish emergency or fishhap as I like to call it. Matthew and friend had been playing in Josh's room. They were so happy I just went about the house doing my stuff. Josh comes home from school to find all fish food dumped out into both fish bowls. Aargh! I would have to change the water. There is no way sweet teary Josh could wait for Dad to come home to do it. We tried to remain cool--figured they'd survived 2 hours at least before we found them in over-fed state. Josh plucked out the fish with the net and put them in clean water. I threw out the rocks, not wanting to have to rinse them out. Caroline was our cheerleader. Matthew observed. All fish survived and so did I. I had just settled down to nurse when Josh reminded me that we didn't put the drops in the water. I may not be the best caretaker of fish, but we got through it.
Amazing Women
I am fortunate to know lots of amazing women. There are 2 amazing women I'd like to post about today.
The first is my sister Chrissie. She had her fifth baby this morning at 12:05 a.m. The midwife broke her bulging water at midnight. She went from a 6 to a 10 to pushing him out in 4 minutes. Joseph is here safe and sound.
Chrissie is probably the best laborer I know. I have heard lots of labor stories, and have a few of my own. But she does it the best of anyone. She is calm, she doesn't scream, she visualizes, she is totally in tune with her body. She is so good at labor. And now it's over and it went beautifully. Congratulations Chrissie! I admire this so much because I panic in labor.
While I was on the phone with Chrissie this morning, she told me about the second amazing woman, Theyls. Theyls is the mother of my sister Julie's husband, Sam.
Theyls became a widow in June. She put in her papers to go on a mission as a single senior sister. The call came for her to go to Chile at the end of January. She had served in Argentina when she was younger, so she knows Spanish. The missionary department called her yesterday. "Can you report to the MTC on Monday?" This coming Monday! "Sure!" She will be in Chile before Christmas because she is only spending six days in the MTC. She's amazing! She just is doing it, regardless of Christmas coming or going to another country for 18 months or having a house to sell.
Maybe I can manage making a peanut butter sandwich or two today.
Sam-centric
So Sam had his first haircut today. He looks so cute.
I didn't want to cut it and asked several friends if I should. They all said no.
But, it was getting ratty in the back. Like a rat's nest. I spent some time on Sat. trying to untangle it all.
So, I took him to sweet Clara. I brought the bumbo. She had a very small cape for him. She was gentle and he looks great. She said the youngest she had cut was 4 months. He is 7 months. She saved his curls in a little envelope.
I got my first tooth
What do I want for Christmas?
I know it's the season of giving. But let's talk about getting for a minute.
Mark was frustrated. I returned his gifts last year. These gifts were the ones he went out for on Dec. 23. They were thoughtful and kind, but not really what I wanted. One gift was an ice cream scoop. It's true, I love ice cream. We had a scoop that worked though. He tried so hard.
I have always been a "little hard" to shop for. No one else can really buy me clothes. Plus, I don't really need anything since I have no problem buying stuff for myself when I need/want something. Some women have a hard time with this. Doesn't bother me at all!
So when Mark asked me what I wanted, I said new bedding.
But, it's not something he can get for me since I am very specific in what I want. He told some folks in the foyer yesterday, "It's not about surprising, it's about pleasing."
So on Christmas morning, I will set out my new bedding in the living room and I will be happy later that day to put on new sheets and bed skirt and shams.
Meanwhile, if anyone out there in cyberspace knows where I can find a really stylish, but not too feminine quilt or comforter set that has chocolate brown, robin's egg blue and mauve in it, please let me know!
Eager beaver
I am finding that my eagerness about everything can come back to haunt me.
It's true, I don't like waiting in lines. I don't like crowds. If it's open at 10 a.m., I will be there at 10. It's even better if you open at 8 or 9!
I eagerly signed up our family for the first slot right after church for tithing settlement so we wouldn't have to return later in the day. Bishop had an emergency.
I eagerly took the best bedroom when my sister and I shared the guest suite at my mom's apartment complex. Bed bug bites (see below).
i eagerly took a great parking space at school. My car was hit by a lexus SUV.
So, we got to the mall for our pics. with Santa at 10 a.m. We'd called ahead to see when they'd open. At least 12 other eager families were there before us. We waited for 45 minutes. Normally this would drive me crazy. But Mark was there to entertain Matthew on the escalators so it was okay. We got a great picture. The kids had a great time. I didn't feel eager.
I don't always have to be first. This is a good lesson for me!
I can now laugh about this
Don't let the bed bugs bite.
It's true. They are horrible. Two weeks ago yesterday I started itching. I had many many little bites on the small of my back, up and down both arms, on my neck, all over my hands, on my calves, etc.
I went to the derm. a week ago Friday. Yes, bed bug bites. I must have gotten them either in NC or in Manhattan. My mom says missionaries in NC have had bed bug problems. Luckily, Sammy who spends part of each night nursing in bed with me had no bed bug bites. Mark had none.
I am guessing they are from NC since I spent 4 nights in that bed. And it's about a 9 day period before they show up.
The Dr. said lift up your mattress, if you see things moving, they are in your bed. I washed everything. It seems like we have not transported them home. But this can happen, so be careful. I have had no new bites.
It wouldn't have been so bad had this not been my second outbreak of the year. I had sand flea bug bites from Sandals Cay when Mark and I went to the Bahamas in March.
So, I am a little scabby, and hopefully the bites will all heal. But for now it's all about long sleeves and trying not to pick my scabs. And maybe find an insect repellent that I can slather on every day!
A day out with Bitty Baby
Caroline and Grandma had a fun day in the City. We got Caro all gussied up for her trip with Grandma and Bitty Baby to the American Girl Place Cafe. They had a fun dinner.
I know there are a lot of strong feelings out there about American Girl. People generally love them or have great disdain for them.
We fall in the "love them" camp. Caro has LOVED her Bitty Baby, which I bought before Josh was born at American Girl Place when Mark and I visited Carma and Greg in Chicago one cold January.
I wanted to have a doll to pass down to by little girl, but I didn't have one from my childhood--they had been passed down to my sister. I did recover my favorite doll, "My Friend Jenny" several years ago. Julie had My Friend Mandy. Oh we spent hours dressing them. Mom made us outfits for them, and we had sleeping bags for them and we loved them.
I am glad Caro still loves her Bitty Baby and we're adding the Bitty Twins this Christmas (yeah, they made them with longer hair and so you could get 2 girls instead of a boy and girl). She's read her Kirsten books from Emily and will most likely get Kirsten for a future birthday or Christmas. Caroline was obsessed with pioneers this summer. We read the little house on the prairie books, went to this is the place in SLC, and acquired a pioneer dress up.
Oh, it's so fun to have a girl!
My new favorite Christmas CD
How I love thee James Taylor!!! I have been a huge fan for years.
Anyways, I am very excited to now own James Taylor at Christmas album which I absolutely love. Thank you Costco!
Included are such favorites as: winter wonderland, go tell it on the mountain, Christmas Song, etc. etc.
And on iTunes tonight you can have free download of Jingle Bells.
I don't know the last time a new CD has made me so happy!
Christmas in New York
There are many many things we love about Christmas in New York City. These trees filled the fountain adjacent to the Plaza.
Rockefeller tree (but not when it's crowded)
Bronx Zoo holiday lights
NYBG Train Show
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
Grand Central Boutique
The Hustle and Bustle of the City
The model train show at Citicorp
The store windows
Santaland at Macy's
Mark's office always throws a great party
I am finally feeling festive! Mark's mom comes for a visit tonight and we'll probably do some things in the City with her on this list.
What's your favorite Christmas sight in the City?
