Tag: Holidays

Santa! He’s set up and ready to go!

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

Santa. Not everyone believes in Santa. Not everyone celebrates Christmas. But, many would say talking about Santa and Christmas now – before Thanksgiving- is way too early. Regardless of one’s belief or my timing, I think we can learn a great deal from the folklore of Santa. He, plumply, embodies giving, loving and caring.

Visiting Santa 2008

Though Santa supposedly resides at the North Pole, I tell you – he lives in the state of Georgia. In fact, the merry, old elf lives less than 5 miles from our house. And, we get excited when we drive by his house during the ‘off season’ and find him working in his garden (always donning a red shirt). In October, after harvesting his garden, Santa begins transforming his home, inside and outside, into a Christmas wonderland.

Charlie, Mrs. Claus and Joe, 2008

Santa and Mrs. Claus have opened their house to their neighbors every year for over 13 years. And by neighbors, I mean anyone who happens to drive by their house. We first heard about our neighborhood Santa at a Christmas party. We were told how this older couple, living off a road we rarely traveled, opened their home to everyone during the Christmas season. Initially, I thought the idea sounded odd. Opening your house to a bunch of strangers? Really? Then, in 2008, we decided to load up the kids and check out this jolly fellow and his wife, Mrs. Claus. Instantly, we were hooked.

This Friday, our family will officially start the 2010 Christmas season by heading to Santa’s house. And, we look forward to visiting him every Friday and Saturday night through Christmas Eve. (We may even go visit him on Sunday nights.) In addition, we will go out of our way to drive by Santa’s during the other nights of the week, just to get a glimpse of all the lights and decorations.

Joe, Santa and Charlie 2009

Having Santa and Mrs. Claus as neighbors gives our boys a different perspective on the man who travels house to house on Christmas Eve, delivering presents. Believing in Santa is easy for Joe and Charlie, in part because because they see where Santa lives, and they see him year-round. But the boys aren’t quite sure how Santa manages the gift giving thing in one night. Though really, neither Joe nor Charlie lose sleep wondering how Santa manages his workload. Nah. Joe and Charlie are too excited about visiting Santa; they don’t get bogged down with the details. Plus, Santa gives them a candy cane every time they visit. Every time! Man, that is the greatest thing ever. Just ask the boys.

We are grateful for Santa and Mrs. Claus, who truly embody the act of giving, loving and caring every year. Regardless of your faith, may you grab hold of the spirit of Santa and Mrs. Claus this holiday season and throughout the new year.

Reality meeting Reality

~ Lenore Diane ~ 1 Comment

First, I finished month-end billing. This matters to you, I know. And, because I have finished month end billing, I feel a weight has been lifted. Woo hoo! Just in time for the weekend. Second, I found the source of my fear and anxiety.

The Log Lodge Bunch and Grandpa Bob

See the picture? This is the Log Lodge Bunch in the Spring of 2007. See the cute kid in front with a green shirt and wearing glasses? Yeah, that kid. That’s my oldest son, Joe. Joe starts kindergarten in August this year. See the the dark haired girl holding a baby? Yeah, that baby is my kid, too. That’s Charlie, who is turning 4 in June. The only kids in the picture that are still part of the Log Lodge crew are Joe and Charlie. The others have moved on to ‘big kid’ school.

I can handle my boys getting older. Truly. I do not have a sense of fear or anxiety with the thought and realization that they are getting older. However, see the lady in the picture? That’s our daycare provider, Suzann. The thought that my boys are getting to the age where they will leave Suzann’s place is making me crazy with fear and anxiety. (I’ll write about Suzann soon. She is an incredible person.)

I have my feet on the ground. Yes, though my head can be found in the clouds frequently throughout the day, I believe I have a pretty good grip of reality. [Oh, keep quiet Peanut Gallery. Thanks.] And, I have been well aware of the fact that my boys will one day go to school. I guess what I failed to grasp was how our life would change drastically once they started school and are dictated by the school calendar.

This morning, the boys and I sat on the couch sipping our soy milk and coffee, while watching Curious George. (Straight black coffee for me, and straight soy milk for the boys.) When he is not working at home, Rob leaves for the office before the kids and I get out of bed. Charlie and I didn’t stumble out of our rooms until 7AM. Joe joined us on the couch around 7:15. And, we sat. We chatted about George and the man in the yellow hat, and we discussed the different ways a person can get dressed. For instance, Charlie likes to get fully undressed and sit a minute before moving forward with dressing. Once ready to get dressed, Charlie likes to put on his socks first, followed by underwear, pants and shirt. While Joe prefers taking one item of clothing off at a time, replacing it with a clean item. For example, he takes his shirt off, and he puts on a clean shirt, etc. We cover some serious issues in the morning.

I enjoy the fact that our weekday mornings move in a slow and casual pace, because where we have to go in the morning does not come with a time constraint. Yes, the boys were going to Suzann’s house; and yes, I needed to go to my boss’ house; but, there was no bell that was going to ring, indicating we were late. Sometimes we have to step up the slow pace due to appointments, but generally speaking – our weekday mornings are similar to weekend mornings: slow, comfortable and casual.

All of this is going to change come August 2010. Joe will have to get up earlier, eat breakfast and head to school before the bell rings. Charlie and I will no longer get to sit with Joe, casually enjoying the morning. We will no longer get to play impromptu games of Hi-Ho Cherry-O or Chutes and Ladders. (OK, so I won’t miss those impromptu games.) We will no longer be able to stumble out of bed at 7AM or 7:15AM. And, in another year, Charlie will be waking up earlier, eating breakfast and making sure he gets to school before the bell rings.

I am going to miss my quiet and casual time with the boys. And, because I work, I will miss the freedom and flexibility with my work hours. I’ve yet to sit and talk about it with my boss, but my availability with regards to work is going to be compromised. Like many working Moms before me, I will now have the responsibility of picking Joe up from school in the middle of my workday. And, come school holiday time, I will have to juggle having Joe home while meeting my paid-gig responsibilities. The short holidays won’t pose a huge problem, but I’m not sure how the whole “Summer break” is going to pan out for us.

Again, I know I am not the first Mom to come to this stage of reality, and I won’t be the last Mom that faces this stage of reality. I also know this is not a huge deal in the scheme of things. Yet, I am a little bummed and overcome with a bit of fear and anxiety for the pending reality. I quite enjoy my current reality, especially the indigo skies and sunflower lined roads. Oh wait. Sorry. I confused my reality with fantasy, or is it I confused my fantasy with reality? Anyway, as I was saying, I love the slow pace of mornings in my house. And, I am sad this reality is coming to an end. However, until my current reality meets my new reality, I will definitely milk the remaining 4 months I have left to sit and enjoy the casual morning time with the boys. [Oh, and I’ll enjoy the cups of coffee, too. Love me some fresh brewed coffee in the morning!]