Christmas Eve

Now that Christmas is over and we've spent a couple weeks doing absolutely nothing, I'll share some pictures and memories with you about our wonderful Christmas.

On Christmas Eve William and I decided to let Rosie open her gift from her Godmother, Julie.

I'm not sure what the official roll of a Godmother is... but if it's to totally spoil a child then Julie has that completely covered.

Julie remembered, from her visit this past summer, that Rosie loves to sit at the vanity table and "put on her make up." So being the wonderful Godmother that she is, she sent Rosie her very own make up.

As you can imagine Rosie was very very excited about it. She spent hours putting on her make up. She'd even be playing with something else and remember her make up and run away saying "Rosie's make up" and go back to put some one. She carried it around the house and put it on while we watched a Christmas movie.

And in case you're wondering, it is special mineral make up made especially for delicate children's skin.

Another fun thing that we all really enjoyed was being visited by Christmas Carolers. I can't remember the last time I've been Caroled to. Not only were they friendly and festive but they could all sing really well too.

Last year we all went to a midnight Mass. But we were all so tired the next day that we decided it was better for every one if we went to an earlier service this year.

William and I have been attending the local Catholic church so every one agreed to go with us to the 5:00 mass.  Look how adorable Rosie and my dad look on their way to church.

Father Michael gives some of the best sermons I've ever heard. He also does the best Christmas services than any one I've ever encountered. It was really special that my family was willing to try something a little different and go to a Catholic Mass with us. It was also really fun that we got to take up a whole row in our little sanctuary.  It reminded me of when we were kids and took up most of an a row.

At the end of the Mass Father Michael called all the children up to the front to sing "Away in a Manger" to the baby Jesus while Father Michael played the guitar. You can see Rosie at Father Michael's feet watching him play.  She always loves it when he sings and plays his guitar.

I wanted to take a picture of Rosie in her pretty dress in front of the huge pile of presents we had before she went to bed. The pictures are a little dark but you can see how tall the pile was... it got taller by Christmas morning. Santa was very generous this year... we must have all been very very good.

Rosie LOVED having all the presents under the tree. She loved looking at them all and asking who they were for.  Annie went around and told her who each gift was for and then Rosie would remember it hours later and tell me "Nana's pesant" or "mama's pesant" she is so so smart.
She especially loved the gifts wrapped in shiny paper and the poky-dots paper.

Before we went to bed we asked Rosie if she wanted to leave some cookies and milk out for Santa. She said she did and she took it very very seriously.

Aunt Annie told her she should leave a carrot for Rudolf too so Rosie asked for a carrot and left that with the cookies.
Since Mass was so early we had time to watch a Christmas movie together before we all fell into bed. We watched "The Santa Clause."

I didn't even know Rosie was paying attention to the movie.. she was playing the whole time. But when we were putting out the cookies and milk Rosie insisted on Soy milk! (there's a scene in the movie where Santa tells a girl he's lactose intolerant so she gives him soy milk).

We couldn't believe that's what she was saying at first but she kept shouting "soy mirk" so we all had a great laugh and decided that if she wanted Santa to have soy milk than that was what he was going to get.






In the end I think Santa was pretty pleased with his cookies and soy milk and the thoughtful remembering of his reign deer because our stockings were all over flowing. 

I'm really glad I started decorating and celebrating Christmas well before Thanksgiving. I felt like, even though I'd gotten a head start on thing, the last few weeks before Christmas really flew by and Christmas snuck up on me.  It was really a wonderful Christmas season though and a very happy and memorable time with my family. We all managed to get our gifts wrapped before Christmas Eve so we were able to spend a relaxing time together.

I'd added a white candle to the center of our advent wreath and lighted it on Christmas Eve.  It was really fun to make and light the wreath and I think it's a tradition we might keep up. Here's a picture of our wreath all burned down to the very last bits of candle stubs. Remember when they were all tall and new?

Franklin Dickens Festival

 Ever year the city of Franklin, TN has a street festival in honor of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

I read about it this summer and I've been looking forward to it and counting the months, weeks and days to it since then.

FINALLY, this weekend was the weekend to get bundled up and wander the historic streets of downtown Franklin in search of Father Christmas, Tiny Tim, Scrooge, roasted chestnuts and apple cider.

(Rosie and her Nana are like two peas in a pod, bundled up and ready to be festive)

 The day did not disappoint. People of all ages we dressed up in costumes from the 1800's. Some were actors with specific rolls to play, like Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the ghosts, and others were just people who decided to get into the spirit of things and dress up.

There were street performers all over the place. I really liked this girl who played and sang songs from the 1800's.  There was also a group of kids who did scenes from Oliver, as well as a stage where an Irish Dance School really captivated Rosie's attention.

Besides street performers there was lots of great food, including hot chocolate, chestnuts, apple cider and meat on a stick. And to top it all off there were booths and booths of artisans and crafts people selling unique Christmas gifts.

There was also a horse drawn carriage that I was very excited about.  Every time the carriage stopped to pick up and drop off passengers this dog would climb out and stand on the horse. It was very funny and very cute.

Even the Police officers on duty got into the spirit of things and were dressed in Victorian inspired uniforms. 

AND we met Father Christmas! He was very nice and actually got Rosie to talk to him and smile at him.

Here's a random family that decided to come dressed up. Aren't they cute!  

We also found a stand that was selling Sugar Plums!  We each had one and yes.... they've been dancing in my dreams ever since. Even Rosie liked them. 

Rosie is such a cool baby in her sunglasses. She loves wearing them.
She also really loves to watch people dance. Here she's mesmerized by all the dickens characters dancing 300 year old dances in the street.

 Our favorite part of the whole day was when all the Dickens Characters got together in the street and danced traditional dances for the 1800's. It was so much fun to watch them.  Even Rosie couldn't take her eyes off them.  You can even see the Ghost of Christmas Past (in the white dress) dancing with The Ghost of Christmas Present. (the Ghost of Christmas yet to come isn't much of a dancer apparently.)
It made me want to learn how to dance all those all dances... and dress up as a Dickens character.

It was a wonderful day with yummy food and fun things to look at. A lot of the churches had performances in them too but there was so much to see we couldn't do it all in one day. With a toddler and a pregnant lady in tow we were pretty tired and had to go home to sleep. But I'm very much looking forward to going again next year, and hopefully next year we can go both days of the festival and attend the Christmas All Sing in the town square.

For information about next years event and other Festivals check out www.historicfranklin.com

Our Happy Halloween

As I mentioned before, we started our Halloween celebrations in September at Disney World when we attended "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party"
Which mean our Halloween season lasted extra long and we got lots of use out of our costumes. It was a magical life changing experience.

We got 3 uses out of our costumes this year. Once at Disney World, once at the Nashville zoo's Halloween Party, and then on Halloween night. So we got lots of use out of our costumes.

On Halloween night we had planned on going to a local church carnival to play games and eat hot dogs. But Rosie woke up with a runny nose and not feeling too great so we were a little apprehensive about taking her out in the cold.  We didn't want her sniffles to turn into a full cold.

So instead, we put our costumes on and went took Halloween treats to Uncle Joe and Aunt Janna's house. (Reverse trick or treating is much more fun).

Rosie was happy to get a bag of Reeses bits and to play with Joe. He always makes her laugh and smile... even when she's feeling under the weather and shy.

Then we took Apple Butter to Aunt Mae. Rosie and William enjoyed Aunt Mae's stash of children's books. Aren't they so cute?!

After our fun visits we went back home and dressed the dog up in Rosie's fairy wings and played chase around the kitchen. While William got carry out dinner from the Mexican restaurant and we watched some sci-fi.

Rosie wanted Andy to stay close to her. She love bossing him around.

So even though Halloween night didn't turn out how we'd planned it was ok, because we'd gotten lots of use out of our costumes already and done alot of fun Halloween things.

The next day, when Rosie was feeling better, Nana carved a Pumpkin with her.

She thinks it great fun and giggles every time she sees it and says "Pumpkeee! eyes. Mouth. Teeth. hehe"

So that was our Happy Halloween.

The Magic Kingdom

I do not remember life without Disney.  I do not have a time when I can ever remembering NOT knowing what Disneyland was and that I loved it. My mom says I was 2 when I first went and I think ever since my first visit I carried the magic if Disneyland in my heart always.

Growing up in California we were lucky to always be driving distance from Disneyland.

As kids Disneyland was the ultimate vacation. We always had fun with our parents. We were always going to interesting places and learning about fun things. But always looked forward and enjoy Disneyland the best.

Even in High School Disneyland was my favorite place to visit. And it still is even to this day.

When William and I started dating one of the first things I did was buy us a Disneyland pass.  We went every weekend and sometimes we'd even meet there after work just to walk around, have a hot chocolate and sit and talk. It was truly a wonderful and magical way to start our relationship and marriage.

Our first time at Disneyland as a couple

When I was a kid I heard that there was another Disneyland. Something called Disney World in a place called Florida. I looked it up so I knew where Florida was. I knew it was far away but I was told that Disney World was even bigger and better than Disneyland.  It was always one of my childhood dreams to someday visit Disney World.

Well, you know what they say, When you wish upon a star dreams do come true, and last night my dream came true.

Last night was the first night of the Halloween Season at Disney World and it was the first night of their after hours Halloween party.  Guests not only get to stay in the park till midnight, but they are also encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes!

Tinkerbell and Peter Pan check things out

We started our evening out with dinner at Tony's Italian Restaurant. It's the same restaurant that Lady and the Tramp ate at on their first date.  This was the most amazing meal we (my mom and I) have ever had in a restaurant because it was all Gluten Free! The chef came to our table and talked to us about what he could make us and then brought it to our table. We even got Gluten Free dinner rolls! hot ones!

Of course since we were at Tony's Rosie and I got Spaghetti and meatballs. It's Rosie's very favorite food... after chocolate.

 Then it was out to the Magic Kingdom to have a magical time!

Disney knows how to do holidays! 

All the decorations were changed for the season along with the music and the lights.

I never would have imagined that Disney could ever be improved on, but Disney with costumes is spectacular.

So many people were dressed up, and not just kids. A lot of adults were there in really great costumes. Even adults with out any kids with them were enjoying the festivities and the tick-or-treating.

I was very impressed with everyone's costumes, but I was especially gleeful about meeting these two. Captain Picard and Captain Janeway from Star Trek!

Since it was a Halloween party we dressed up as the Peter Pan movie. We were Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and Nana... the nurse maid dog. I always thought it was unfair in the movie that Nana didn't get to go to Neverland with the kids... So last night we took her.

Rosie LOVED all the flashing lights and wonderful costumes. She especially loved pointing out all the Mickeys she saw... she was pointing and saying "Mickey" all night long.  Nana got her this flashing balloon (that is still floating the next morning by the way) and she loved playing with it and dancing with it.

Rosie also loved the parade very much. We managed to get front row seats on the ground and she danced and clapped the whole parade. Except when the zombies came dancing by. She wasn't sure about them. I don't blame her... zombies creep me out too.

Here's a great picture of my mom as Nana. She was by far the best costume in the park. It was so much fun having people recognize her and seeing their reaction when they realized who she was.  A number of Disney employees said that she was the first Nana they had seen and that she made their night.

Since we were the Peter Pan group we decided we needed to visit the Fairy Forest

We were in the park from 7pm to midnight. We got back to our room about 1am. It was a wonderful wonderful night of magic and holiday fun but it wasn't long enough.  I think we are going to have to go back again tomorrow and see the park in the day time.

Rosie did so well the whole night. She smiled and laughed and stayed awake and in a good mood all night long. In fact, at 2am she was running around our room squealing and laughing.  I'm so happy she enjoyed it as much as I did.  It's so important to me that she grows up knowing Disney and having the Magic of the Magic Kingdom in her heart.  

This trip is supposed to be her birthday trip. It's about a month early for her 2 year birthday.  I don't know if she'll have specific memories of this trip or not, but I know she will never know a time Disney Magic wasn't in her life... and that's important ... to me.

"Fezzes are Cool" 141/365

 Baby Girl loves hats. She likes to wear them and she likes other people to wear them. Her current favorite hat is actually my Giant Cupcake pan. She likes to wear it and dance around the kitchen and help with the dishes. We call it her Fez. Fezzes are Cool.

First Communion 127/365

Last Sunday was First Communion at the little local Catholic Church we've been going attending.  It was the first time I've ever seen a "First Communion" service and I thought it was sweet.

Communion is something that both Protestants and Catholics do, but we do it very differently. Actually, even within the Protestant faith there are many different ways and views of taking communion. Which I've always found rather ironic since the word "communion" basically means unity.

In the Catholic faith it is taught that the bread literally becomes the body of Jesus, and the wine actually becomes the blood of Christ. Catholics take Communion every time they go to church. To them, they are literally taking into themselves the body and blessing of Jesus Christ.  They go to great lengths and pains to make sure they never drop a crumb or spill a drop.

Protestants believe a wide range of things about Communion. Some believe it's just a symbol, an act we preform at church to remind our selves of Christ sacrifice. Others believe it's more than just a symbol, that something spiritual happen when we take Communion.  Some Protestants take Communion every Sunday, some take it on the first Sunday of every month, and still other hardly take it at all (I went to one church that only took it three times a year).

When William and I were in Prague on our honeymoon we learned that for centuries the churches in that city would fight and even kill each other over how to take communion and what to believe about it.

(Picture we took in Prague of a church that changed hands several times between "we want to drink the wine" and "only the Priest takes the wine" groups)

One thing we all do agree on though, is that it's a special thing we do to honor and show our faith and love for Jesus. 

The Catholic church has a very long process of classes one must take in order be presented to the Priest for their First Communion.  These adorable second graders have been studying and learning for about a year in preparation for this special Sunday morning.

Whatever you believe about God or Communion, you have to agree that these 
kids look so sweet all dressed up in their white dresses and tiaras and veils (some even had family veils handed down through the family) and suits and ties.