Archive for the ‘celebrations’ tag

Runnin’ From Baby Jesus

So the other night, our neighbor set up the nativity scene in the front yard. It’s a fairly old version of the manger scene and this year, we have a new twist: the baby Jesus flickers a bit more than it has in past years. Which is why, Elf took one look at it and ran yelling down the hallway. When I asked her what happened, she said: “I’m runnin’ away from Baby Jesus! He’s scaren’ me!”

And as the final days come to a close on the month of December, we celebrate all that the season has to offer – menorahs, bells, snow, trees, advent wreaths, ginger-bread making, light-watching and Santa Claus – even if it involves walking a little faster past a blinking Baby Jesus every once in a while. And, of course, the humor that can be found in stories like the one above.

Blessings and gifts appear when you become aware and conscious of them. Hubby and I work hard to raise that awareness in our children, especially the joy in non-material items and experiences. It can be really tough work to go against what lots of other parents consider the norm for their children. But we strive to cultivate a sense of joy in nature, a sense of interconnectedness and appreciation for the work of others – even if we can’t see it.

Now that school is out for the year, we can breathe more freely. Freedom and flexibility are their own blessings. The need to adhere to tighter time frames is lifted for this brief time. Our family is free to linger a little longer, cuddle and snuggle a little longer and play with long-time friends who now attend different schools and various after school activities that conflict with our own. Hubby and I can enjoy the sounds of Elf and Giant calmly working out a problem together and all of us can enjoy staying cozy and warm inside on a chilly day. We can relish the ability to make choices about whether we do a craft or homework. We can wear pajamas all day.

And that is precisely what we’re going to do. Breathe, enjoy and create memories.

From all of us at the Little Yellow House, may this holiday season bring you peace, joy and love. And may your days be merry and bright.

Source: This is not my neighbor’s nativity set. This photo is sourced to an internet-based catalog.

The Cloud Blanket

Oh, what a happy day. I am thrilled to share news that our friends recently welcomed their third child into the world – a girl. And so, herein lays the challenge – choosing the perfect welcoming gift for her.

As I was about to pick a cute little onesie off the rack at a local store, I paused and re-considered the wisdom of what I was doing. I thought about how special, unique and momentous a new baby’s arrival into this world really is and I wondered how I could share a little bit of that feeling of awe and wonder with Elf and Giant.

And that is how Giant, Elf and I came to decide on making little Malley a cloud blanket. It’s a simple project – a sheet of sky-blue fleece dotted with perfect white clouds that requires us to cut out small 1” strips down the sides. Then it is up to us to tie off the strips into little decorative fringes. A simple yet ideal project for my kiddos to tackle.

When I asked Giant what he thinks little Malley will like most about our gift he said, “This blanket will help her learn about some things in the world. She’ll see the things that are white and she’ll learn that they’re clouds and she’ll see the blue and learn that it’s the sky.”

We’re hard at work here at the Little Yellow House. So as not to ruin the enthusiasm, every few days or so we mark off a few more strips of fleece. Giant cuts the lines ever so carefully with his scissors and then each of us takes a strand to create a special knot just for Malley — to warm her during her days and to comfort her during her nights.

To our new little friend, Malley, may you be wrapped in love and light all the days of your life. Welcome little one and blessed be.