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.

Christmas Carols

The visit with senior shut ins was one of the best experiences by far this season. The girls sang their hearts out and then served them punch and treats. They sat with them and chatted them up a bit. I am not sure who received the most joy...the seniors or the moms watching their girls interact with these women and men.

Joy to the World

The little flowers girl club is studying the virtue of joy and mirthfulness this month. The medal activity is one that brings tears to my eyes. They are going to visit Millside Manor in town. It is an assisted living senior center. They are all going to bring a plate of cookies and some joyful carols will be sung! My boys will be bringing flowers to present to the lovely seniors! It makes me miss my grandmother a lot though! She is far away now and it seems like the visits are not as often as when she lived closer. My girls love old people and they will surely adopt one today and bring some joy to their life!

Holiday Party

Kit, Jess, and Jenny promptly arrived at the party to visions of lavish food, games, and a snowman craft. All the dolls had a lovely time and I think the girls did too!

Doll Party

Julia and Emerson have been invited to an American girl doll party! They have made some outfits for their dolls and are really excited to have some fun and do some crafts. This is second year for the annual doll party and you can feel the excitement in the air. We decided the dolls needed an escort so Blaise was happy to dress up his favorite tiger Ben as a chaperone.

Keep the C in Christmas

On Sunday we had family movie night! It was julia's turn to pick a flick and she chose "Keep the C in Christmas" it was centered in a small town in Alaska and the town was battling one man to put up a nativity set on public property. Throughout this movie they kept saying keep the Christ in Christmas. I didn't know then what impact the movie would make on Emerson until yesterday. All day I found her telling people Merry Christmas. At walmart getting detergent, at library getting books she wrote a note to the librarian, and she even made a card for an unbelieving relative that she wishes me to mail. I don't ever push, force or nag the kids to do certain things so when they do it sometimes takes me by surprise! I asked her last night why she kept doing this and she said maybe if enough people believed they would spread the word to those in Alaska that don't believe! Lol! Her innocent concern does make me think though!
Merry Christmas!

Santa shuffle

Oh it was so funny to see the look on the kids faces when Santa showed up to ballet! They were practicing their positions when he came in. He danced with Emerson and she got to sit with him! What I find so funny is she has "visited" with four separate santas so far and each time she asks for the same thing...a dog!

Monday funday?

I was supposed to go for an annual exam today but my dad wasn't feeling well and I didn't want to expose kiddies to the germs so we cancelled appt. And I thought we would have a catch up day! Turns out my gram went in to hospital last night over leg injury. You never know what life brings. We are surprisingly way ahead in school so we took a break. The girls wanted to spend some time at library and they have costumes to work on for an upcoming doll party hosted by one of julia's friends. The big event is coming tonight. Santa is coming to Emerson's ballet class. I have been told he has stinky feet so he is leaving his boots on! Everyone is giggling all day about this and Blaise is thrilled to see another man dance!

Foot fetish

My guy has found his feet tonight! He was sitting on my lap facing me barefoot! He looked down and noticed his wiggly toes and before you knew it he was on a mission. It was truly open mouth insert foot kind of mission. Whenever any of the babies have discovered their feet I start to do some fun tactile things with them! Cooked cold spaghetti noodles under the bouncer and mashing up jello in the toes or soft feathers and scratchy paper are all fun things we stick under the little bare feet during play time! I am going to have to keep an eye in this one because twice today he assumed the crawling position and lunged forward! Yes for those of you that notice the laundry is still a work in progress and we have put on the spider man tee now!

Superhero

After a rough night I decided to keep it light today. Due to a pending doctor appointment tomorrow I am having the kiddies do the main curriculum today. This is beauty of homeschooling you can plan it around your family schedule. What I failed to remember is I had another pile of laundry waiting. In an effort to be mindful of wants and needs I have minimally been purchasing Benedict's clothes! Well big boy did a number on me and we are out of long sleeve onesies! Oh no! Thankfully I had been given some super cool t shirts for future use! He had his choice this morning batman, spider man or Thomas the train! You can see what he chose now he just needs his Robin and I need to go shopping! (that sounds more fun than laundry anyways). Oh and in case you wondered the legos are still in my closet and will remain there for a bit! I will keep you posted on that one!