Ice Skating Fun

This week I took the kids ice skating during Christmas break while dad had to work.  We get there about once a year so we aren't very good.  Jack spent a good amount of time up close and personal with the ice. But we sure had a good time.

Seriously The Best Thing About Christmas!

Despite my ever-increasing feeling that Christmas is a bit overrun year after year by "stuff and busyness," there were really a lot of great memories for us this year.  But what was the best thing?


It wasn't the endless sweets--some generously donated by friends, some eagerly made by us, like our favorite holiday treat, krumkake--this year dipped in chocolate for a little added fun. {Did I say that was a good memory?  Yikes, I have eaten myself silly and now am really going to pay for it at the gym come Monday morning!}

It wasn't the holiday concerts {which were many}.

.

It wasn't the Nativity story we acted out from the scriptures.

{and they were sore afraid!}

It wasn't the Christmas Eve Jammies that are essential {but almost didn't happen--see below} for it really to be Christmas around here.

It wasn't the waking up at 4:30 a.m. {seriously, they get worse the older they get--we made them leave us alone until 5:40, by which time they thought they were going to DIE if we didn't go down stairs!} to go check out what was under the tree.

It wasn't our Christmas Day tradition of heading to the Waukee cemetery {well, behind it, at least} for a little sledding.  Thank Heaven we got a bit of snow yesterday!

It wasn't Skyping with all our Grandmas and Grandpas--which makes us feel like we're with family even when we're not!

No, all these things were good.  But the best part of the holiday this year was the giving my kids got to experience on a whole new level thanks to some pretty crummy behavior.


Here's how it happened. I get that things are crazy and kids get excited at Christmas time.  But that is no excuse for the fighting and bickering we felt earlier this month.  So last week, instead of getting to go caroling to some families in our ward with some treats, our kids got a pretty fed-up mom and dad with a pretty good lectu...I mean lesson on GIVING as the true spirit of Christmas.  And the kicker was the threa...I mean challenge for each of them to provide one thought-felt gift to each member of the family--that couldn't be store bought but needed to be a homemade item or service--for Christmas Eve, or there wouldn't be a Christmas at our house.  And the demonstration of that was my taking what few gifts were under the tree, putting them in a large garbage bag, and taking them out to the trash!  I meant business and they knew it.


But here is the BEAUTIFUL thing that happened.  They spent this past week focused entirely on what they were going to give to each member of the family on Christmas Eve.  I know the motivation started out as a means to earning back Christmas. But it really turned in to a week of each of them thinking about what others would like and what they could do to fill those wants.  There wasn't much talk of "me, me, me" during the week, but rather a real feeling of giving and love.


So last night, with thirty {well, thirty one actually.  We had one additional wrapped gift holding a picture of the Savior and some scripture to read about his life as the greatest of gifts} thoughtful small gifts under our tree, we began our Christmas Eve celebration.  After acting out the Nativity, we each handed out our personal gifts to each other.  And I was so impressed with the things the kids came up with.  

{Just a sample}

From Jack and Josh to Mom and Dad:  A hand-made pop up book entitled The Year without Christmas

From Josh to Emmie:  A hand-carved and painted dolphin

From Olivia to Dad:  A framed poem

From Emmie to Mom:  A organization box for office supplies

It was seriously the best thing about this Christmas.  The kids really are great and thoughtful and I love them so much.  They really felt the spirit of Christmas with this activity.  And with how much I am about traditions in this family, this is definitely a keeper.  Christmas will not be the same from now on without beginning with the gifts of love we give each other.


Merry Christmas All!  How grateful I am for the supernal gift of our Savior who made it possible for us to make it home! 

A Couple Funny Things

My kids have said a couple things lately that have been laugh-out-loud funny to me.

Last week, while celebrating Kris's birthday with a little Chinese food, Jack dug into his fortune cookie.  After reading his fortune--{something like}You will find your way out of the maze of life--he looked up eagerly and asked, "Did it work?  Am I in a maze?"  {I guess we all have a different idea of the power of fortune cookies.}

A couple nights ago, while reading a Christmas story about a cow named Abigail, Olivia stopped the story to say, "I can't imagine a cow named Abigail."  To which Josh chimed in, "What? Abigail is THE cow name of the world." {Isn't it obvious? :-)}

What's in a Tradition?

Last year I was so excited to go as a family to cut down our own Christmas tree for the first time ever.  It was going to be a new Tolman family Christmas tradition. So imagine my surprise when, as I announced our plan to go cut our tree this year, all the kids complained that they didn't want to go.

The reason?  Because it wasn't our tradition.  Emmie particularly waxed nostalgic for our poor old Christmas tree that she missed desperately last year with the addition of our live tree.  So out came the dusty Christmas tree box from the garage to bring back our old tradition.  

You should have seen how funny the kids were as they shaped our artificial tree.  They were having a great time remembering years past when we set it up together.  Emmie was thrilled that she was tall enough this year to open up the taller branches.  And they equally loved looking at the eclectic array of ornaments, many with their names on the bottom, that they have received, one at a time, over the years of their lifetimes.  {Jack was bugged that he had fewer than Josh--not liking that he has been on this earth a shorter time than Josh.  He wants the count to even out.}

I guess it really isn't about the type of tree we set up.  It's more about creating memories with our kids that will last a life time.  That is a great thing about this time of year.

What other traditions are we continuing?

**Reading one of our favorite Christmas stories together each night.  So far we have revisited {on the dates they were read}:

1st--Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect

2nd--The Elves and the Shoemaker

3rd--Shall I Knit You a Hat?

4th--The Race of the Birkebeiners

5th--The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomy

We look forward to reading many more before the season is over.

**Putting up the Nativity story, one figure at a time, on our advent calendar.  You would be surprised at how much fighting goes on with this tradition to make sure everyone gets an equal amount of turns hanging up a figure.  Josh even wants his turn!

Watching our favorite Christmas movies together.  Love this shot of Dad and his girls watching the Grinch.

Still looking forward to baking for the neighbors, singing carols {by ourselves and along with our Christmas CDs}, delivering secret santa gifts, playing in the snow {if we have to have snow, we at least want it before Christmas so we can enjoy the spirit of the season together.  Will it ever come?  We sure hope so--just not on my concert day next Saturday!}, drinking lots of hot chocolate, watching the mail each day for Christmas cards {hint, hint}, and just enjoying the spirit of the Christmas season together.

What are your favorite traditions?  Here's to a great season full of the true meaning of Christmas!

Happy Birthday to the Greatest Man I Know!

{And that's saying a lot!}

A couple days ago Kris celebrated his 42nd birthday.  How I love this man!

Here are 42 reasons {a few among many} why I love him so much!

1.  He loves to cook meals at the end of his work day!

2.  He tells me he loves me at least 10 times a day.

3.  He is a great father to our children.

4.  He looks distinguished and oh-so-handsome with his salt-and-pepper hair.

5.  He is meek.

6.  He is strong.

7.  He has a solid testimony of atonement of Jesus Christ.

8.  He is fun to talk to.

9.  He sends me random love emails.

10.  He faithful honors the priesthood he holds.

11. He serves others.

12. He provides for all our needs and many of our wants.

13.  He is my best friend.

14.  He takes me on dates.

15.  He lets me control the checkbook.

16.  He never raises his voice to me.

17.  He takes his kids on one-on-one dates.

18.  He is kind.

19.  He brings me flowers.

20.  He supports my crazy obsessions.

21.  He tells me I'm beautiful--even when I am obviously not.

22.  He does the dishes.

23.  He cleans the house.

24.  He is a great example.

25.  He is humble.

26.  He laughs at my jokes.

27.  He shares my brain--often making the same comments at the same time.

28.  He doesn't care what car he drives so I can drive the car I like to drive.

29.  He takes me on adventures.

30.  He helps me with geography--which I am terrible at--by taking me places.

31. He is a romantic.

32.  He is practical.

33.  He likes to cuddle.

34.  He willingly watches chick flicks with me.

35.  He teaches his children principles of the gospel.

36.  He shares his light.

37.  He studies his scriptures daily.

38.  He likes to hold my hand.

39.  He works hard at his job and church callings.

40.  He shares my values and beliefs.

41.  He plans for our retirement.

42.  He loves me despite all my weaknesses. 

I Love You Kris.  Happy Birthday!

Yikes! I've Lost a Month

Where did this last month go?  It's that busy time of year again, and I have fallen behind in my posts.  Here's the recap.

November was a busy month, mostly because, in addition to gearing up for my concert, we decided to trek home for Thanksgiving--something only attempted one other time during all our married years away.  It was going to be great.  We would take the kids out of school early so we could have a full week at home.  We would see family members we haven't seen in over a year.  We would enjoy the blessings of spending the Thanksgiving holiday with loved ones and lots of yummy food.

BUT...

the weather had other ideas.  We have had such a mild fall here in the midwest that I really wasn't too concerned about the drive home across Wyoming.  Kris, on the other hand, kept my enthusiasm in check with little reminders that we would go IF the weather was good.

We watched the forecast like a hawk the week before our trip.  Things weren't looking good.  But we were going!  We continued with our plans as the forecast got worse and worse.

Friday night came.  We delivered the fish to some friends to fishsit for us.  We  packed all our duffle bags (prep day is my least favorite day of any trip) into the car.  All our stuff + Christmas gifts = sitting room only.  But we were ready.

Then I walked in the house (about 9:30 pm) to see Kris sitting on the couch looking very concerned.  He had just checked the weather one last time and things didn't look good.

After some discussion and some heartfelt prayer between the two of us, we decided it was wise to not travel--at least on Saturday.  So we brought the excited kids down to break the news that at least for Saturday the trip was off.  We still held out hope that the storm might break and we could make it on Sunday.  Of course they were sad, but we all tried to exercise faith that it would work out.

Over the next day and a half the weather reports got worse and worse.  During one prayer Kris and I both felt very distinctly that we should just stay home for this Thanksgiving and not risk our family's safety for a quick trip home.  We talked to the kids at length about following impressions from the Holy Ghost, especially when it's not what we were hoping for.  After a good discussion, they felt OK about staying here and enjoying some good family time with just our little family.  I was really proud of them for their attitude.

And in the end, we were so glad we followed the promptings we received.  The weather out west was TERRIBLE all week.  My mom called every day to tell us how glad she was we decided not to come.  And we ended up having a great week together {we kept the kids out of school anyway}.  Here are the highlights.

**Kris, Jack, and Josh went "modeling"--Jack's way of describing their trip to Hobby Lobby to pick out some models to work on together.

**The girls and I went to a pottery place so they could paint.

**We went bowling during school hours.

**Some kind friends took pity on us and invited us to Thanksgiving at their home so I didn't have to cook the whole meal.

**We saw Tangled as a family and loved it.

**Kris got to spend Saturday {rather than driving us back to Iowa} watching Ohio State beat Michigan and BYU come oh-so-close against Utah.

We were sad at first, but it was the right call in the end.  We had great weather all week and we were safe and warm!

All the Festivities!

We crammed all the other Halloween festivities into this Beggar's Night (this year we are thankful for this midwest tradition of trick-or-treating on the night before Halloween as tomorrow is Sunday).

A little carving!

Awesome costumes thanks to Grandma's handiwork!

Festive dinner of mummies, monsters, and fingers--looked great, but the kids decided they would like the mummies better with homemade rolls rather than the kind in a tube.  OK, I won't cheat it next year!

Josh and I manned the fire and candy while Dad and kids hit the neighborhood. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time!

Yesterday

Yesterday was a full day.  Olivia spent the day at the Show Choir clinic with about a million other girls (but not Emmie who chose not to attend this year and then wished she had when she saw all her friends there at the performance) and about 10 boys.

Then we headed to the church for the trunk or treat.

And then Jack lost his first tooth ever and Josh lost his second to last tooth ever (we hope) on the same night.  The tooth fairy only visited one of them. :-)

A Star is Born

I'm a little slow in getting this posted, but Emmie did a great job on her 6th grade play last week.  Here are some of the pics.

Jumping on the Pumpkin Patch Bandwagon

Yesterday, we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.  After our adventure to Howell's last year, we thought we would give it another try this year to see what it's like when it's open.  Since we had an early out yesterday, Kris took the afternoon off and we set out.

We discovered that it is a great pumpkin patch for younger families.  But Josh was a little bored (or it could have been just exhausted--he's pretty tired all the time these days!  Way early mornings, full days, and late nights.)  And, just like last year, we didn't find any pumpkins in the field that were good so I (being the frugal mom I am) talked the kids into picking out their pumpkins at the store instead of in the farm's little shop--which was way more expensive.

So while we had a good time, I think we will head back to Timberpine next year.  We haven't been there for a couple years, but the kids really like it best.  It has fun things to do for the little kids, yummy food, and the big kids enjoy the disc golf course around the nursery.  I hope they still have all that stuff next year when we go back.

Happy Fall!

Is It Monday Yet?

We had a crazy weekend at our house.

Friday:

*Spent all day (with Kris) in the yard, garden, and garage getting things ready for winter

*Got Josh to high school to work concession stand at game

*Set up for the Primary program

*Celebrated a friend's birthday

*Picked up Josh

Saturday:

*Reported to the high school at 6:00 A!M! for a four-hour shift volunteering for the state band competition

*Raced to church for Primary program practice

*Kris reported to the high school for his 1-5 shift at band

*Dropped Josh off at high school at 2:00 for his performance

*Got the grocery shopping done

*Back to the school to watch Josh perform

*Raced home to clean the house for Sunday's activities

*Out the door to a high priest group party

*Back to the high school (10:00 pm) for Josh's second performance of the day

Sunday:

*Primary Program in Sacrament meeting

*Played the piano in Primary

*Did sharing time in Primary

*Home to make dessert for the evening

*Had frozen pizza for dinner--Olivia said, "Well, this is a weird Sunday dinner!"

*Hosted Bishop's youth discussion at our house (which Kris presented)

*Choir rehearsal from 6:30-9:00

PHEW!! With the crazy weekend we had, I am so glad it's finally Monday morning.  I need a break! How was your weekend?

[And thanks to our awesome kids who had a pretty boring weekend while we were running around like crazy.  We'll make it up to you, I promise.  The pumpkin patch is next on the list!]

And the Performances Continue!

This past weekend has been full of performances for our family.

Friday night, Olivia performed a dance with the high school dance team at the JV football game as part of a dance clinic she attended.  She really had a great time.

Then Josh performed with the marching band at the varsity game (something he does at every home game).  Then Saturday was band, band, band.  He had to leave the house at 8:00 a.m. for an all-day band competition.  They performed at 2:30 p.m. and then 9:15 p.m., in two separate competitions, not arriving home until about 1 a.m.  They did a great job.  He wasn't sure if he was going to like the whole marching band thing.  He did it ONLY because it is required to participate in jazz band.  But now that he has done it a while, I have to say I think it is a great thing.  I think it is really teaching him some valuable lessons and giving him a great experience as he starts high school.  I think we will be continuing.  It's a pretty big deal here in the midwest.

Next, Emmie is slated to perform in her first school play next week.  She has been practicing a couple days a week for the last month.  She is really excited.

Now we just have to see what Jack will do to entertain us. :)

Get Your Groove On!

Remember this card from my birthday last year? It's still true. I still love to dance once a week at the Y and my kids are still totally embarrassed. It is one of those classes that is more fun than work; and it makes me feel not quite the old mom that I really am.

So a couple weeks ago our local TV station came in to video our class for a special segment they call "Work Out of the Week." And last night our story aired.

Check out this video. I'm the one in the front with the pink shirt and pig tails (if you couldn't recognize me).

And the Winner Is. . .

Congratulations Karen! Be watching for your fun book in the mail. Thanks all for leaving comments.

And watch for the next drawing sometime next month. Have a great Day!

I Don't Know What's Worse!

I Don't know what's worse--

Finding out that the way Emmie's middle school celebrates Homecoming week is by having "80s Day" {am I seriously old enough to have children having theme days based on my. . . um . . . glory days?}

Or discovering that the place she gets her inspiration is my photo album from jr. high. {Gotta love it! That's all I have to say!}