In my blog I plan to chat about nature, crafts, baking, gardening, beekeeping, family, and whatever else seems appropriate at the time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Christmas Tradition with my nieces 2012

For those of you who follow me regularly, you know I've been computer-less for the last month.  During Christmas....the busiest picture taking season of all. 
 
And for those of you who know me, you know I take a lot of pictures.  
 I always thought laptops were made like desktops...to last until you got tired of them. 
Not so.....my laptop only lasted 2 1/2 years. Bummer. 
 
So anyway, I use my blog as a journal, of sorts...what I do...family stuff...friend stuff...tradition stuff...gardening...baking...beekeeping...crafting...house-building...etc. 
 
And if you know me, and if you look at this post or this post you  know I'm big on traditions.
And since I use this blog as a journal, of sorts, I'm going to start up where I stopped...before Christmas.  So in a couple of weeks we'll be celebrating NYE on my blog again!
 
  Let's start with the weekend I always get my nieces to go to the We Care park. I would have bet money that I took my great niece with us in 2011....but she had spent the night another time...not this one.  So I am JUST NOW realizing that this year, 2012, was the first year for her to experience the We Care park with us.  She went along like she's been going for years.
 
The weekend started with crafting.

I will have an awesome craft room in our house when it's finished.  Right now you can't use it when it's cold outside because the upstairs of our house isn't finished.  We are living in one room in a basement.  The craft room is in the basement and closed off.  There is heat, but it doesn't do any good to heat it when the ceiling is open and the upstairs is still open to the cold air.

 But this weekend was fairly warm so I gave them run of the craft room.  They were creative.
 
They made these angels, and a few other fun things.  But mostly just played in there. 
After I let them craft for awhile, we ate dinner, then headed to the We Care park.
 
 
And THIS is the We Care park.  (for more pics of it, you can go to the posts I mentioned above) It's a local thing.  Two dj's started We Care years ago as a way to raise some money to help a family.  This family had called in to their talk show, I believe it was the father that called in.  He had lost his job at Chrysler and didn't know how he was going to provide Christmas for his children.  From that one call a few hundred dollars was donated to help him. 
And from that one call, this whole WE CARE explosion happens in our town at Christmastime.  There is a huge weekend auction on TV.  There is a store.  And there is the We Care park. And all money is donated to help people in our town.  You can walk through or drive through the park.  If you walk through this park you go into a garage all decked out for Christmas and you get to pick a stuffed animal off of the rotating Christmas Tree. 
 
And I should have known by the look on her face this was her first year to join us.  She won't be left out again.  (She probably had plans last year during this weekend)
 
 
 You also get cookies and hot chocolate inside this room.  (look at all the lights-it's a magical place)
 When these girls are too old and don't want to do this anymore....
we're going to volunteer together...they don't know it yet...I just now came up with the idea! 

 (Sorry about some of the pics.  Some were taken with my phone and some were taken with a camera that I had just purchased right before that weekend.)

You can tell my Shug is just having the time of his life.
 
 
 
Photo op!
 
 
 Another photo op!


When we returned to our house, I had them get ready for bed before crafting some more.

 Now if you look in the above picture, besides seeing my Shug having more fun, you can see where we are living.  This is it.  I'm taking the picture from the bed area.
(and yes Fiona from Teacups and Tiscuits, that is a "baker's rack" in the background and that is what we call them here....baker's racks.)
 And while My Shug was blowing up the 2nd mattress with the air compressor.  The air compressor blew.  Or just quit working. Either way, he and I took turns blowing up that 2nd air mattress.  And Emily was quite content to lay on a sleeping bag and spongy thing on the floor.  Thank goodness because we wouldn't have been able to blow up another mattress!



 
 They were all quite comfy and cozy with their snacks,
 their movies, and each other.
Even Dixie got in on the act.
I wasn't going to see my great-niece at Christmas so I gave her a present early.
It wasn't an accident that I gave it to her about an hour before we left.  It was crayons, markers, books, pencils, drawing paper, etc.   Well, we are living in one room and had enough chaos going on!
 
 
I'm so glad they still enjoy this tradition with their Aunt Cindy and Uncle Dave.  I'll keep doing it for as long as they'll come.
 
Now...about this computer...is the fan supposed to get really loud...off and on...and blow hard enough to move a bag hanging on a chair a couple of feet away.  I have a bad feeling about this peeps.
 
Cindy Bee

14 comments:

  1. No the fan should not do that.
    I love this family tradition and look forward to next year.
    I love your cozy little house it is perfect and the girls do not seem to mind a bit.
    I hope your new computer will last a long time. Gotta go feed Annie. Hug B

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    Replies
    1. I hope my new computer lasts a long time too. I'm having my doubts.

      Cindy Bee

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  2. Oh my, looks like you had a lot of fun. And I know since I stood in the middle of that room you were all stuffed in there with the mattress on the floor. But if I know kids they loved that the most! I do not know anything about laptops, saving for one myself, hopefully your new one is ok. Let me know what you bought and what you think of it and if you have any ideas on what I should get?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Brenda, I forgot! You did stand in the middle of this room. How did Ma and Pa Ingalls do it?
      I'll email you later about ghe computer question. At this point, I can tell you I like apple better than microsoft.

      Cindy Bee

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  3. goodnees I need to borrow someones cute kids so I can go out and do that fun holiday stuff - that looks like so much fun!!!! You are making memories that will last them for a life time...

    can i be your niece next year :) ?

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    1. Sure, you can be my niece, or better yet, take a couple of kids and start your own fun traditions. They don't have to be related. Parents love the break this time of year. You'll prObably be getting some grandkids soon anyway!

      I wsnted to say I am sooo sorry about your blogger friend passing. She was so young and full of life. You tske care.

      Cindy Bee

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  4. So glad that you've finally had the chance to share this weekend.
    The girls are going to really appreciate this journal in years to come. I moved to Australia from Scotland when I was fifteen, and all my childhood memories were left behind.
    This is so brilliant that you have this record of their childhood moments like this.

    So, it is a baker's rack there too.....mine is in my shed, I am using it as a soap drying rack at the moment. It changes uses frequently.

    cheers
    Fi

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    Replies
    1. I never thought about my nieces enjoying this blog later on, but you're right I bet they will! I hope so anyway.

      My baker's rack has had a ton of uses. They are so versatile. I've had it over 20 years. Of course, it's not the original color.

      Cindy Bee

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  5. Cindy, You and your husband are always going to be special in the lifes of these young girls. It always looks like the best fun too. My computer is iffy at times. xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thanks Susie. I have to keep my thoughts to myself right now about computer companies. Not nice thoughts!!! I'm on my phone right now.

      Cindy Bee

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  6. May I come to your house to play? :)

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  7. Jill, you may. Right now we are painting... So wear old clothes!

    Cindy Bee

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  8. Looks like a home full of love and fun... good luck with the computer. Doesn't sound promising.

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  9. Belated Happy New Year and BEST WISHES for your 2013 !!!
    Hello Cindy Bee,hope you enjoyed HAPPY HOLIDAYS with your family !!!
    I am sorry, I could not make enough cards so far, still working and will be Winter greeting card for you...(;*.*;)""" I went back to my family house from the end of the year and just came back to Sasebo last Monday night. Mr.Wolf and dogs also went there and had a good time with my family. Had not been there for over two years and 3 months. it was good to see my family...
    and now Mr.Wolf and I are getting super busy for moving to the states. (@.@;)"""
    Looking forward to see you this year ...!!!

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment on my blog. I enjoy reading them. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cindy