Christmas Traditions

First of all, let me just say that I HAVE NOT forgotten about Thanksgiving. I plan on doing a big ol' post about our Thanksgiving festivities as soon as I can get all of my pictures loaded & organized. But for now I want to talk a little bit about Christmas traditions.

My mom was All. About. Traditions. She loved having little rituals that we repeated every single year. AND YOU COULDN'T CHANGE THEM!!! If it was a Spillman tradition, you could just plan on it being that way 'til the Second Coming. While it was one of those quirky things I always rolled my eyes about a little, I find myself wanting to set up traditions with Sam.

Maybe we'll take a drive through the Horse Park every year to see the lights. Maybe we'll go shopping for our Shoe Box together. We'll probably read the Christmas Story at bedtime on Christmas Eve.

One of Mom's traditions was that we always got a Hallmark ornament every year. Each child had their own series that released a new ornament every year. On Christmas Eve we were allowed to open just one gift, and it was always our ornament. We would then place the new ornament on the tree in a prominent area. (Side note...I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I didn't pick up on this little routine until I was in junior high. So, I was always surprised when I ripped off the wrapping paper to reveal my Christmas ornament.)

I actually really treasure those ornaments...maybe just because she made an effort to get them every year. Last year, Mom didn't buy the ornaments, and in the chaos of everything that went on immediately after Christmas, I didn't realize it for a few weeks. Then, I frantically searched eBay until I found my series because I couldn't stand the thought of a year passing and me not having the ornament.

I thought this might be a fun little tradition to start with Sam. There were four new series ornaments this year, and this is the one I selected for him:



It's called Oh, So Sweet. Every year, it will be a different cupcake. I thought it was cute for a little guy.

Of course, I had to buy my Frosty Friends ornament:


It may be silly, but every year I look forward to seeing this ornament.

We didn't leave Shawn out. I asked him if he wanted an ornament & he just gave me the guy look. While this one isn't a series, I thought it was pretty fitting for him.

Added bonus---it plays the ESPN jingle. That was actually what made Shawn finally admit that he liked it. I swear, he's like Pavlov's dog when he hears the Sports Center song. If it's associated with ESPN, it must be good.

One other goofy little tradition I have is to buy a new Christmas CD every year. I don't know when I started this, but over the years, Shawn and I have collected a pretty eclectic collection of Christmas music ranging from Patty Loveless to Elvis Presley to Celtic Women. (I know...I almost hate to admit that one, but their harmony is fantastic!) This year, I decided to buy the soundtrack from one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies.

I can't wait to get it loaded on the iPod!

He's A Natural

Sam's first piano lesson.

Why Am I Thankful?

I have a little boy that snorts when he laughs.

My husband rubs my feet just for fun. At least that's what he tells me.

I have a job that allows me to spend holidays with my family instead of with my coworkers.

I have nieces and nephews that are going to bust through my door any minute and run...not walk...to me yelling, "Aunt Joooooooeeeee!" (Actually, they're probably going to be yelling, "Hi Sam! Can I hold him? It's my turn first!" but they'll eventually get around to me.)

I have a warm home, in a safe neighborhood, in a free country, with an abundance of food in the fridge.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Sam,

We have increased your clothing size...again. As I was getting your new clothes washed and your old clothes stored away, I felt a touch of sadness. Of course, I'm glad that you're so healthy, but I just feel like you're growing up way too fast. I want to freeze time for a few minutes and hold on to these moments for a little bit longer.

This month, you started making the transition from baby to toddler. You are so into what's going on around you. I mean, you don't miss a thing! If something behind you makes the tiniest noise, you whip your head around to see what's happening on the other side of the room. This makes mealtimes pretty interesting, because Mom is usually trying to hit a moving target. You obediently open your mouth for every single bite...you just have a hard time holding your mouth still. You're far too busy leaning over the arm of the highchair and turning around backwards to see what the dog is doing. But woe be unto the person who doesn't feed you fast enough! If the rhythm of spoon to mouth gets interrupted, you are one unhappy little boy.

You love to eat. So far, you have tried green beans, peas, squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, pears and bananas. You haven't refused anything we have offered you. I love to watch you as you try that first bite of something new. You make the funniest faces! You will purse your lips and scrunch your eyebrows as you contemplate the new taste...then you will open your mouth wide for another bite.

You have this uncanny ability to know exactly what you're not supposed to have. If we go out to eat, you will usually play very nicely with your toys...until the sharp knives and hot plates come out. Then you turn into an octopus. You think glasses offer a much better perspective if they have your fingerprints all over them. And I just know that one day soon you're going to get a handful of cat tail. I keep telling them that they shouldn't tempt you, but so far nobody is taking me seriously. You don't really want to hold your bottle, though. I have, on several occasions, tried to show you how to work it, but we usually just end up making a mess. You much prefer for me to hold it while you eat, and you reward my efforts by gently patting my cheeks. On second thought, let's just leave that little routine alone, shall we?

Your daddy is frantically trying to get you to say, "Dada." Every night you sit in the recliner with him while he chants "Da da da da da da da." You usually answer him with "Ppppllllbbbbbbbb" which really means, "Mom is my favorite." (At least that's what you told me...)

This year, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, I have so much to be thankful for. I'm thankful for the way you wake up happy & chatter to your Pooh bear until someone comes to get you. I'm thankful for the way your hair sticks up at your crown no matter how often I comb it down. I'm thankful for the way you greet anyone who speaks to you with a smile. I'm thankful for the way you snuggle your head on my shoulder and let me rub your back when you're sleepy. I'm thankful for the times that you laugh so hard you can't catch your breath.

I'm so glad I get to be your mommy.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I decided to plant some bulbs this fall. For anyone else, this may not seem like such a big step, but I don't exactly have a green thumb. I'm pretty sure mine is more brownish. I have never had a lot of luck with flowers...probably because they require that you water them and stuff. I love flowers, though, and I have dreams of my yard being this beautiful explosion of color and fragrance. Tulips are one of my absolute favorite flowers, and I always get excited when I see those first few daffodils (March Flowers in my vernacular) pop out of the cold, hard ground. I thought these would be a good starting point for my bulb education.

I only bought a few this year. Baby steps...

I even bought a special tool to measure how deep my hole was. Very professional here...


I had lots of good help...

...and some not-so-good help.

Hey! You better not be doing what I think you're doing!!!

I'm pretty sure this is what my yard will look like by springtime.

What? It could happen!

Operation Christmas Child

For the last few years, I have enjoyed the opportunity to put together a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. I have always done a box for a girl, but this year, I did one for a little boy.

Betcha can't guess why...

I always enjoy doing this little Christmas project. It always gets me in the Christmas spirit, and it's a great way to kick off the Christmas season.

Here is all of the stuff I got to put in the box.

Sam thought he'd try out some of the toys to make sure they were fun enough.

And here it is...all packed up and ready to go!

If you've never participated in Operation Christmas Child, there's still time for this year! You can put together a really fun and cute box simply by walking down the dollar aisle at the grocery store. It's a great way to brighten Christmas for a child, and you'll definitely get your warm fuzzies for the day. This is collection week, so just hop on over to their website and find a drop-off location near you!

Book Worm

I mentioned in an earlier post that Sam loves books. Notice I didn't say he loves reading...just the books. It would appear that Dr. Seuss books are rather tasty.

Just Doing Our Part

...to support the economy, that is. Tuesday, Sam and I went to the mall to do some...er...Christmas shopping. While we didn't really buy any Christmas presents, we did make a few purchases.

We're all set for winter weather now. Except for that no pants thing.

The only bad thing about wearing a really cute winter hat is the hat-hair when you take it off.

We also bought a few books. Sam loves books. He thinks they're delicious.

And lastly, we bought Mommy a new pair of shoes. Yes, they're gold. Yes, I think I love them.

Willy Nilly Silly Old Bear

Several weeks before Halloween, I asked Shawn what he thought Sam should be.

"Winnie the Pooh," he said with authority. No hesitation...no doubt.

I started looking at costumes, and I mentioned that I really thought the Tigger costume was cuter. Just a few days after I let that little comment slip, Shawn came home with a Winnie the Pooh costume. Apparently, Shawn felt pretty strongly about the whole Pooh thing. I have to admit...it was pretty cute.

We went to visit my end of the state so Sam could trick-or-treat West Kentucky style...which pretty much entailed going to my grandmother's and my cousin's house. He really didn't seem to mind the hood on his costume very much. He did, however, eat like a bear this weekend. We couldn't keep that kid full! I guess he just had a rumbly in his tumbly.

Sampling the grass at Dee-Doe's. A little salad never hurt anyone.

Checking out her lawn cats.

Hangin' with Lena.

Makayla The Dog stopped by after her Trunk or Treat.

Vegetarian Chili

Shawn (walking into the kitchen): What are you making?

Me: Vegetarian chili.

(From the look on Shawn's face, I may as well have said "wing of bat & eye of newt stew.")

Shawn: Why???

Me: For a potluck at work.

Shawn: Okay...but...vegetarian???

Me: Our clinic director is a vegetarian.

Shawn: You should let him fend for himself.

Me: Oh for crying out loud...just think of it as bean soup!

Shawn: Well, if there's any "bean soup" left over, send it home with your vegetarian friend.

Vegetarian Chili

Sorry...no picture. If you can get past the fact that it's *gasp* VEGETARIAN, this is actually pretty good. This is adapted from a vegetarian chili recipe from The Food Network's Robin Miller. It's very colorful & pretty...and for a bonus it's an easy slow cooker recipe.

-28oz can diced tomatoes
-I added 28oz can tomato sauce for consistency, but with the couscous you probably don't really need this

-4 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth I used 3 cans
-1 can black beans, rinsed

-1 can white beans, rinsed

-1 can kidney beans rinsed I used 2...1 light red & 1 dark red

-1 cup frozen lima beans I omitted

-1 onion, chopped

-1 green bell pepper, seeded & chopped I omitted

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1 Tbsp pickled jalapeno I used plain jalapeno & it was probably more like 2 to 3 Tbsp

-2 Tbsp chili powder Probably 3 or 4...to taste

-2 Tbsp Mexican or regular orageno I would probably omit in the future

-2 tsp ground cumin I used 3 tsp

-1 tsp ground coriander I omitted

-1 to 2 tsp hot sauce

-1/3 cup couscous

-salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients except couscous in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for about 4 hours. Five to 10 minutes before serving, add couscous. Cover & continue cooking until couscous is tender. Top with cheese before serving.