Christmas Countdown

Are you ready folks? The most amazing thing is about to happen in a few days. I love this picture as I think of the four candles representing my advent wreath and the window pane looks like a cross. Even my little guy is filled with a sense of anticipation.

Mr. Hoot

Thank you daddy for taking the day off and making my birthday the best day ever! You were so funny and you made my friends laugh! Thank you for getting all the pizza and making the snowy owl coolers for me with ice cream. You are the best daddy ever I love you, Juice

Cake and Ice Cream and Snowy Owl Coolers

Eat Drink and be Hooty

Owl Puzzles and Mr. Hoot

We did puzzles and played a game where Mr. Hoot chased the mice around the house in a game of tag.

Party updates

Girls having fun!

Owls on a Log

Julia made her own birthday cake for today and she made a log roll dessert too!

Interview with a 10 year old

How does it feel to be 10?
Taller and smarter

What is your favorite thing to do?
Talk to my animals

What is one thing you want to do this year?
Go cross country skiing

What is one thing you want to improve upon?
Math

What is your favorite show?
Anything on animal planet

What is your favorite food?
Anything green and crunchy from the fruit and vegetables

Where are you most excited to go on vacation?
Colorado to mountain climb

What is your least favorite activity?
Folding the family's laundry

Who is your favorite saint?
St. Francis

What is one goal you have for 2012?
I want to be able to do my skateboard

What is your favorite quotation?
"God never closes one door without opening another."

Thank you Julia!

Double Digits

Ten years ago today I gave birth to my Julia! I remember it like it was yesterday! She came into this world with her head held up high looking around all wide eyed. She was tenacious and alert. She was very happy and funny as a baby! One thing that has never changed is her unique way of always going against mainstream! She is no typical girl and for that I admire her and value her. She has taught me confidence and passion for my faith. She is my best friend at times, a listening ear, a compassionate soul. Happy Tenth Birthday Kiddo! I love you so very much! Love mommy

Pre Party Mode

Tomorrow is Julia's birthday. She wants an owl theme. I don't mean a cute pink princessy girl theme either. She has requested no pink! She wants brown, orange and turquoise! There will be no silly pin the tail on the donkey games for her! I have been informed when you reach double digits it is more about the experience and less about the "goody bags" and prizes! So we ordered owl pellets to dissect and we are engaging in a mad scientist experiment. The house needs to be decorated, she wants to make two owl cakes, and I have to prepare the backyard for a mouse and owl hunt and search expedition. As a mother of a soon to be 10 year old I don't know what the tween or teen years will bring. I do know I spent many nights over a three year period crying and praying for a child. God certainly blessed me and though a mother has no favorites you never ever forget your bond with your first born child! Here is a sneak peek of tomorrow....

Koppela Christmas

Yummy food
Presents galore!
Koppela Christmas it's how we roll....
Literally this year!
Lots of rolling!

Traditions

The word tradition has become a buzz word in our house...why do we do the advent wreath? Tradition Why do we make cookies? Tradition Why do we go to Christmas eve mass? Tradition
I even recently had my mom tell me she and my dad were looking for an annual tradition for the two of them. I am anxious today to hear how the Siberian orchestra turned out and if that will be their new tradition every year. This morning we are preparing for a very new tradition in our home. In years past we always got together with my side of family right on Christmas day! Unless there was a snow storm or illness we always met up for a once a year meet and greet and catch up. Well with four kids and the distance to travel Tony and I have decided that is not fair anymore to the kids. So we are gathering today. I was surprised to find out how many families do this: celebrate before December 25 and I think in the grand scheme of my chaotic life it will work out for us. The kids get to see family and Tony and I can relax a little bit too! My mother in law summed it up best in a homily she heard recently...Christmas day is not about cookies or family or gifts or shopping it is about the birth of Jesus...seems like we all forget that. So we start this new tradition effective today! I will snap a few shots and post them periodically today but here's my first favorite one....a new tradition I told my Tony he can do weekly. Cleaning the toilets!

Black bottom cookies

Everyone who really knows me is aware that I don't like to cook. Growing up we were a fast paced microwave family. I remember making an apple pie once with my great grandma and my brother. His turned out way better than mine, thus he is the cook and I am not! I try and try for my kids so they at least have the life skills to survive. I do love to bake especially this time of year. Yesterday Blaise wanted to bake cookies. I thought it would be neat to cook in the kitchen with just the boys. So we decided to make oatmeal cookies and he wanted to add crushed peppermint! Hey why not I said. So when we took them out of oven Tony commented that they were a little burnt but good. Well today I discovered that he and Blaise decided to get a second opinion on the cookies. While shopping in a store Tony and Blaise remained in the van. As you can see by the photo at least someone appreciated my black bottom cookies!

Honey do list

Tony is in the mood! A "gee what can i fix or paint or remodel mood"! I imagine this is due to the fact that he has a few days off and wants to take advantage of the time. I asked him to mop the lower level for me as we are preparing the house for a get together tomorrow. It was one simple request but my sweetie noticed the floors needed vacuuming, then the baseboards were in need of painting, the kitchen cupboards needed a wipe down and don't forget to polish the countertops. Mr. Busy bee worked and worked! Best Christmas present ever!

Back in Action

The suspense has been building all week! Can he do it? Will he do it? People have asked me if I seriously took Lego Boys passion away from him. Moms have given me advice for future outbursts in church. I have to say it was a LONG week but when we sat in the pew today I gave him a gentle reminder of what he would earn back. Besides one potty break he did extremely well. He was quiet and for almost 4 what more can I ask for right? Now Benedict....he didn't like idea of mommy walking away to a potty break with big brother and he babbled entire time we were gone. For those of you that know my hubby so well, yes he was totally freaked out and let out a loud "thanks a lot" when I returned. There were a few smiles from others and the first thought that came to my mind was: gee honey maybe I should stick your tv in my closet for a week. If I could fit it in!

Christmas Cards

The greetings are starting to roll in...the kids love seeing what the cards look like and who they are from. We sort of have our favorites and not that we don't LOVE hearing from everyone, so far here are the winners: two cats in Santa suits, a nativity scene, and a little white church! We love hearing from old friends, new friends and even our local insurance agent! Cards are one tradition in an age of technology that I hope never ceases!

Christmas Vacation

Can you hear the squeals of delight? The whoops of joy and the shouts of glee? That would be my munchkins realizing they are on Christmas Vacation! The books were literally packed away and the pencil boxes tucked in the back of the cupboard! I did a little happy dance that we are on track and not behind! I can focus on getting the rest of my cookies made and last minute preparations for Julia's birthday and then Jesus' birthday! Our advent time is bringing us closer as a family as every day the kids wait to see what Holy Hero adventure they will go on. The calendar is almost filled up to the top and the crib is getting filled with straw for baby Jesus!

Simplicity

Amidst all the rushing around before Christmas I am finding solace in the simple things. Every year I try to find one ornament that symbolizes what the kids were into for that particular year. Unfortunately this year we didn't do that and they seemed disappointed by it. Yesterday a box came for the kids all the way from Trout Creek. Great Grandma Koppela and Aunt Sharon had taken the time to really listen to the kids on their last visit. They sent each child a very special ornament. They were so excited to receive an ornament and I was thrilled the tradition would be carried on until next year.