Christmas Pictures

This is just so you can see how much (or little ) they have changed in a year. The top image is 2004's Christmas picture. The bottom is this year's. They don't look that much different...just a bit taller? And Alex has more teeth this year. I love the 2004 picture...look at Ethan's cute smile!! We had a more diificult time this year. The kids just weren't into posing for me. And what is up with Hudson's hair?

I Have the Sweetest Son Ever!

Look at this cute card Hudson made for his friend. The top image is the front, the bottom image is the inside. The picture on the inside was he and his friend dressed as elves. So sweet.

Randomness......

We have had our tree up for a little while, but I just decided I should take a picture of it. Of course this picture isn't great, but you get the idea. Our house is so small we can't have a huge tree, and that is just fine with me. I think we have seven foot ceilings. There is no theme or color scheme- I guess our design is "mostly stuff the kids like" and "I don't care if they break ." I do have a few nice ornaments, but they are very high up on the tree. I buy the kids an ornament each year, and label them, so someday when they leave home they will each have a collection of ornaments to put on their own tree, and THEN I can have a nice, designer tree! My Dad bought us a bunch of Nutcrackers last year, so now we have an instant collection! And the stockings are hung on the apothecary with care...

Other random stuff....

Ethan has started this weird new "obsession"....the bathroom door NEEDS to be closed and the lid on the toilet seat NEEDS to be down. He'll stop whatever he is doing, run into the bathroom and close the potty and then shut the door. Then he'll come out and yell, "I want that door SHUT!" Ok- whatever....

Alex did it again..... she waited until Daddy wasn't around (of course) to ask me if there REALLY was a Santa. Oh... I do not want to get into this again. She's obviously old enough to know the truth, but her reaction to learning about the tooth fairy was so heart breaking, I just couldn't do it again. I said, "What do you believe?" She answered, "I think Santa is real, but I think you do everything." She is a smart, smart girl.

A Letter to My Daughter

Dear Alex,

I want you to know why we ever told you there was such a thing as the Tooth Fairy.

First of all I was surprised and saddened by your reaction to me telling you the truth. I could have lied to you and led you to believe for just a bit longer, but you asked me- begged me really to tell you the TRUTH, so I did. It broke my heart to listen to you crying in the backseat of the van- all alone back there in the dark. I was crying too.

We led you to believe in the tooth fairy not to lie to you, but to help you to believe in magic. That probably sounds silly, but childhood should be full of wonder and awe, in believing the unimaginable was actually possible. If you have an open heart to this when you are a child, maybe you will take some of that with you as you become a young lady and then an adult. Most adults don’t believe in magic. Most adults are cynical. Most adults wouldn’t take time to make a fairy house with their kids. I want you to do that! I want you to wish upon a star. I want you to believe in beauty and love and the possibilities when you have an open heart and mind.
Watching the Nutcracker was magical. It was beautiful. I knew that the Christmas Fairy wasn’t really flying, but for a split second I let myself believe that she was. I watched you with a bit of a sad heart too. You were so angelic and happy- so very happy looking! It was a miracle to me that I could have such a beautiful, graceful daughter who was up on that big stage with everyone watching her. But I was sad too- sad that my baby girl is growing up and experiencing pain and hurt and mistrust. That a tiny bit of your innocence is lost and will never come back- unless you continue to believe in magic.

When we came home from your final performance, I was putting your ballet slippers away and I noticed something. They were covered with sparkles on the bottom. Fairy dust. Theatrical snow. Magic. It brought tears to my eyes.

I love you Alex. I love you more than I can find words for. I’m sorry you were lied to. I hope someday you will understand.

Love, Mommy