December Roundup

Hanukkah, birthdays, Utah, Christmas, etc., etc. It's hard to think that anything else could have happened in a single month, but lots more did:

Meaghan went on a field trip to the Farias School, with which her school has the buddy system. The kids have written to each other, chatted via the Internet, and then finally got to meet.

Camron had his class Holiday party, which included doing a craft, treats, playing games, more treats, doing a book exchange, and then, yup, treats. All the kids loved it - and why wouldn't they? And what parent wouldn't be super excited about picking up their sugar-infused child at the end of the day? Just look at those sweet faces.

Camron took his Tae Kwon Do belt test, working to go from yellow to orange (white-yellow-orange). Despite a uniform debacle, he did great and received his orange belt!

Both kids started basketball with the YMCA. Though both on different teams due to age, both are the Nuggets. Meaghan is like a Mexican jumping bean - a great defender and a great shot. If only she'd go after the ball a bit more. Camron, when he's not concerned with the buzzer - fingers in ears and all as he runs up and down the court - is an expert dribbler and shooter, and goes right after the ball. It's going to be an exciting season!

And though we were a bit under the weather the end of December, we had family here from Kansas City and the kids got to play with their cousin. Besides, swapping germs is part of a kid's routine, right? It's all about building the immunity system - when it's my kids who are sick, anyway, hehe.

And that finishes out December. And the year. And now it's time for a little retrospect and resolutions, because while 2011 was a great year, I think 2012 can be even greater.

Time marches on...

I might have gotten older last month. I try not to think about it because at this point aging hurts. And the last thing one wants to do is admit to the age that her face is looking. I miss the days of getting carded. Long gone are those days. Looo-ooong gone.

But let's just say I did age another year. And let's also say that to celebrate I ate three cupcakes...THREE! (But it was yellow cake with chocolate frosting. And sprinkles! My fave!) And for the further sake of a possible birthday argument, we could also say that I inhaled too many chocolate peanut clusters to count. But hey, it might have been my birthday and I'll eat what I want to...almost guilt-free. Because if you're gonna have a birthday, have it big.

Me as viewed by my child through the lens of his father's phone.

P.S. Photos taken by children are better at my age. The pictures are blurry and it's harder to see the fine lines and wrinkles that are slowly starting to appear on my delicate face. Okay, fine; I may have some major creases and have for awhile. But they're still harder to see in blurry pictures. I hope.

Christmas in Utah

I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am that I get to go home in the summer and winter to visit my family, friends, and to see my home state in all its beauty. Sadly, I didn't get to experience a snowfall like I'd wanted to, but it was still great to be home.

The kids and I had 10 days in Utah (Craig joined us on day 5). To do what? As much as we could!

BYU Basketball Game.
I love college sports and I'm so bummed we haven't done this in the past because we had a ball - and I'm slowly converting the kids to my alma mater. Meaghan even told me that she thinks if BYU and Alabama played against each other, her daddy would cheer for BYU. Oh, the naivety. But I love it! I didn't get pictures, but I did get some videos. Rah, rah, rah!

Also, it looks like Camron will be either a coach or commentator when he's older. He's got lots to say...to the players. He's also got a little to learn about fouls and such.

Camron Lost a Tooth.
And he's looking so grown up. And acting so grown up. Does that come with losing teeth? If so, I'll cement any remaining baby teeth.

Brighton Skiing.
I tried skiing once 20+ years ago under not-so-good circumstances. I didn't like it. But since my spouse wants us to be a skiing family, we put the kids in ski school and Craig gave it his best shot to teach me. Good news is I didn't do too bad and wouldn't mind trying it again. Bad news is Meaghan hated it, I got sick, and then I got grumpy and vowed never again. Good news is Camron LOVED it. L-O-V-E-D it. Guess we'll have to wait and see what our skiing future holds.

Christmas Eve.
A day of cooking, eating out, movies, and tracking Santa. Oh, and opening pajamas. The excitement builds...

Christmas Day.
A day of toys, more toys, candy, more candy, family, more family, and a Christmas feast. Is it no wonder it's a child's favorite holiday?

Opening presents

Dad pretending to pull Camron's other tooth with his thing-a-ma-jig.

Playing pocket bowling.

Helping Grandpa unload his stocking.

Favorite gift. And cheapest.
Lesson learned.

Tubing.
An annual favorite the day after Christmas.

This boy loves an adventure.

Camron pulling the tube alongside his dad.
He can do it himself now, ya know.

Easy ride up the mountain.

One child wants to do it on his own, the other wants to be waited on.
That doesn't sound like either of my children...

Meaghan hanging with her cousins at the lodge.

Family Christmas.
When as many of us Haackes who area able to get together to celebrate and exchange gifts. We always miss those who aren't there.

So what didn't you see? Me getting older - literally. My annual Culley family reunion - loved seeing so many of my own cousins and aunts and uncles. Laser tag - where kids and adults who act like kids have a great time. Down time - because it's necessary.

Merry Christmas

Oh, the intentions of a Christmas post on Christmas Day. Oops. There's nothing like sending out Holiday cards to your family and friends telling them that for the latest and greatest family news and updates to follow along on the blog, and then not, well, blog. But I had the best of intentions. So, Merry Christmas - only 12 days later and into the next year.

But if it were Christmas and I was on the ball, I would have posted the words to the song "Little Drummer Boy" (minus the pa-rum-pum-pum-pums), because this year it was my theme song as to what this giving holiday is all about.

Come, they told me, a newborn King to see.
Our finest gifts we bring to lay before the King.

So to honor Him, when we come.

Little Baby, I am a poor boy, too.
I have no gift to bring that's fit to give the King.
Shall I play for you on my drum?

Mary nodded. The ox and lamb kept time.
I played my drum for Him. I played my best for Him.
Then He smiled at me; me and my drum.

Happy Hanukkah

Amidst this crazy Holiday Season, it's time yet again to pause for, well, another crazy holiday. Eight crazy nights of it. Since Hanukkah falls during the Christmas holiday this year, we decided to celebrate early to keep the two separate and to avoid the even bigger frenzy of gifts and the me, me, me and mine, mine, mine that comes with getting so many gift at one time. And that's just the adults. (Badum-dum!)

So we lit the candles and celebrated last week. I love that Hanukkah is the "holiday of lights" and that it falls at the same time when so many lights are up. Quite ironic, I think. And convenient for me since we celebrate everything at our house.

Lighting the first candle.



Happy Hanukkah, y'all!

Greene Family Camp

Last weekend we participated in a family getaway with a bunch of other families at a summer camp that tries to lure in new kids in by inviting them and their families to spend a weekend there. They're smart; we're impressed.

Let me tell you, this camp wasn't anything like the camp I went to... where I learned to tie knots, start fires, cook over a campfire, and sleep minus heat (other than my own body heat)...and go days without showering cuz there was none. Here we're talking tennis courts, arcade game room, basketball court, rope course, zip line, canoeing, swimming (in a pool, minus the leeches)...and these are just the things I can think of off the top of my head. Oh, and showers - with hot water.

Despite suffering a broken bed the first night (mine), a complete lack of chocolate and TV (I'm spoiled), we had a great time and found some favorites things:

1) Non-prepped meals. As in I didn't have to prep them. Yay!
2) The basketball court.
3) The zip line - even in the cold, even in the dark.
4) The campfire, which included songs. I really liked that.
5) S'mores. If only I'd known there was a hidden stash of chocolate the whole time.

Things we didn't like: the rope course. Meaghan was the first to go and about 20 feet up realized she had no desire to go any further...up or down. Camron saw that and walked away. Back to the basketball court we went.

Exploring the grounds.
And of course picking up feathers, rocks, and anything that may or may not sparkle.

This kid kept track of every basket. And announced each one.
He make around 128 points - here he's announcing 90-something.

Focused on making her shots.

Upward and onward.
At least for the moment.

Stuck and not happy about it.

Getting some consoling from her dad.

Camron donned in the zip line gear.

Meghan zipping.
Mom safely below freaking out.

Camron zipping.
Mom still safely below and still freaking out.

Making candles. And we had fun doing it!
My camp: make fire. New camp: make candles. Huh.

And now I must note that my boy is continuing his quest to grow up. He spent a night in the boys' cabin with his friend. I thought maybe there would be a knock on my door in the middle of the night with a boy ready to come back to his mom...but alas, there was none. He liked sleeping in the boys' cabin with all the boys and the camp counselor. Looks like I was the only one who wasn't ready for that.

Standing in front of the boys' cabin.

It also must be noted that Meaghan was at her most gleeful self when she was hangin' with the big girls, who were gossiping about this and giggling about that. She was in heaven...not that you can tell or anything.

Gettin' the story.

There's a camp for parents, too... right? With lots of chocolate, I hope.