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{this moment}* – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Happy Weekend…..
*Inspired by Soule Mama
The Yule Lads have started coming to our house. Another tradition. Every year, starting on December 12th, the Yule Lads begin to arrive. We love the little guys.
Each night, we read about the Yule Lad who is coming that night…we get out the little statue….and then the children leave a shoe in their window.
So far, we’ve been visited by Stekkjarstaur, who likes sheep, Giljagaur, who steals milk, and Stufur…who is the little short guy.
In our house, they are all very friendly, and they leave little gifts for good children. (If you are bad, they leave you a rotten potato!) Sometimes the Yule Lads do slightly mischievous things, like drink our milk and leave the empty container on the floor!
We haven’t talked too much about Gryla, the Yule Lads mother, or the Yule Cat, because they are a bit too scary. If you are interested in learning more about the Yule Lads, there are a few good websites..but I love the book that we have entitled The Yule Lads by Brian Pilkington….the illustrations are wonderful!
Another Christmas tradition, in our family, is visiting Santa. After Tuesday was born, for the first seven years, we went to the same place and there was the same Santa! He had a real beard….but wasn’t too friendly..but it was neat that he was the same Santa . We were so disappointed when there was a different Santa…..with a fake beard the next year. I don’t like the Santas with fake beards. So, this year I called different places asking if their Santa had a real beard or a fake beard…they must get that question a lot…..because they didn’t seem to think it was strange.
I also don’t like it when they won’t let you bring in your own camera..that really bugs me. Anyway, we found a local farmers market that had a wonderful Santa..and it was free (He was on a tractor, which was sort of funny). You just had to bring your own camera. There was no line and the kids had time to actually “talk” to Santa….a rarity. He was so friendly and patient. River was so nervous and almost couldn’t get any words out..it was adorable.
This is Tuesday with Santa when she was a few days old. The Santa was so nervous to hold her. Here are some other past Santa shots…..
It is Embrace the Camera Thursday and today’s photos are Tuesday, Quinn and I……last night we went to our first concert..all together….I went with Tuesday to the Lilith Fair this summer..but this is the first time the three of us went to a concert together.
As an early Christmas present…we hopped on the high speed line and then walked to the concert center. It was Jingle Ball 2010……with Script, Selena Gomez, Charisse, Train, Flo Rida, Adam Lambert and Justin Bieber…..Bruno Mars was supposed to play, but he was sick..so Flo Rida took his place and Jesse McCartney played for about 15 seconds.
There was a lot of screaming and we had a lot of fun! When Justin Bieber came out…the crowd went CRAZY!
Everyone was very tired this morning..but they dragged themselves out of bed and made it to school on time! Oh, and did I mention…..we were in the last row!!!!
Another Christmas tradition around here is getting out the Christmas books…and books are a big deal around here. We used to have everyone pick out a Christmas book to buy every year..but then we just got too many books.
Everyone has their favorite book and loves to be the first one to read it…..especially to River…oh, and to the cat.
I try to tell River that she has to read every book at least once..but before we start re-reading them. That doesn’t always stick!
So this month…I think I might be talking a lot about our Christmas traditions…I’ve done it a bit in the past..but it might be more this year..so be warned.
One of our first traditions is getting out our advent calendar. My mom gave this to us years ago and I love it because it is reusable. I also love it because it challenges me to get gifts that are small enough that they fit into these little tiny drawers..which usually means candy or small amounts of change…which is a good thing..because to me the advent calendar is about little tiny things…..(okay..the first day I cheated…I put a little note in the drawer that said to look somewhere else..I got snowman candy bars and they wouldn’t fit in the drawer…but I couldn’t resist..they were delicious…white and dark chocolate with pepermint pieces!!)
We try to do the advent calendar first thing in the morning…when things aren’t too crazy…but River doesn’t always cooperate. She likes to sleep in..and Tuesday and Quinn have to be off early for school. So, we will either do it first thing in the morning…or right after school. If we end up not doing it in the morning, it drives River crazy. She spends the whole day asking why Tuesday and Quinn aren’t home from school yet!!
It is Embrace the Camera time…..better late than never…I didn’t get this post up til late!…oh well…..I so rarely get a shot with me and all my children..I thought it would be fun to do a photo booth style shot….so here it is..I love the site Laphotocabine.com. It is a lot of fun…try it out!
Well..today Tuesday had to get two teeth pulled…..they just wouldn’t fall out and the orthodontist said we had waited long enough…..so today was the day. Her last two baby teeth…so this evening will be the last time the Tooth Fairy visits her..so sad…….I wonder what she’ll bring……
So, I wanted to participate in Embrace the Camera with Emily over at her blog, 3 boys and a little lady….and I wanted to take photos with my three children…I can’t tell you if I have ever taken photos with just me and my three children…how sad is that?? Well, River instantly decided she wanted no part of it…..so Quinn and Tuesday and I took a bunch of photos..we had so much fun..and then at the end…River joined us..though she was still a bit grumpy.
We had so much fun taking all the photos..and it was great to get some good ones of just me and Tuesday and then me and Quinn and then the three of us….and then River…..
We took a million photos..I had a hard time picking out my favorites!!
We had a great Halloween weekend…the weather was perfect! We carved some pumpkins (and threw some pumpkin guts around….), perfected our costumes..and did lots of trick or treating!
I hope you had a great Halloween!
