Sign of the times...

Gwen (and by default, I) just finished her "Holiday Traditions Report".  A report in which she could choose to tell about a family tradition or one from a specific country.  Gwen chose the Korean New Year celebration, as it has finally sunk in that she's half Korean. ;)

Now, what was really interesting was how the project was completed.  When it was time for Gwen to research this part of her "heritage", I got her onto Wikipedia, so they could give her their best representation of the country and how they hailed their biggest annual celebration.

After she wrote down her "favorite facts" from her research, we then looked on youtube to find out how they actually pronounce "sae hae bok mani badeseayo" ("Happy New Year"; the children say this to the elders and in return get moolah-which I'm pretty sure is the real reason why Gwen chose this tradition over let's say, our family decorating our tree and watching Elf the weekend after Thanksgiving ;) and what a "deep bow" actually looked like.  It was actually pretty crazy to be able to watch and listen to someone say the phrase, pause it and then try to repeat it ourselves until we could actually say the phrase.  We then did the same thing w/ how to properly bow as a Korean.

As we were doing our research, I told Gwen how different it was for me to do research when I was a kid.  How we used things called "encyclopedias" ("like Wikipedia, but just in the form of a series of books"), but that we couldn't just look things up on videos to find out how to say or do certain things, we would just have to try to read about it and do our best to figure it out on our own.

She looked at me, with real empathy (and a little disbelief as I think I just gained about 50 years in her eyes) and said, "Woah.  That's really sad".

Sad?  To me, not really, although it would have made school sooo much easier (and probably a little more fun).  But more like crazy, as I realized exactly how much our children's world has advanced.

But, I for one, am thankful for that "progress".

As thanks to technology (and Carpatina dolls ;),

we now have a hanbok and shoes (traditional Korean garb) for Gwen's oral report.

And I was able to look up the ingredients for caprese salad (while at the grocery store)

and order our fav white elephant gift of all time...

at the push of a button.

Merry Christmas to me! ;)

Irony

It's beginning to look like a lot like Christmas in the Garate home. :)

Paper chains have been made...

... and countdowns have begun.

Even Ty pulled his own weight and made his own.

Bannisters have been properly decorated,

some including the holiday favorite, "cherry bombs". ;)

The tree and the mantel have been given their holiday looks.

(even though I hung my "less than favorite" stockings,

unless of course you own the same ones,

then I think they're beautiful ;)

So, what's missing?

The sweet, smiling mother who has the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies wafting through the air as her children dance down the stairs for a snack.

Instead, my children had a fairly less green version of the Grinch tonight.  

I just find it slightly ironic (and more than a little embarrassing),

that while I have taken care of most of the Christmas details,

tonight I failed to include Christmas cheer.

And why the lack of joviality?

Christmas Cards

(yeah, you know what I'm talking about.

Actually only if you're not the people who sent the beautiful cards I've already received)

But tomorrow is a new day.

A day in which, my beloved children, I promise it will feel every bit like Christmas.

(and not just because the cards will have been ordered ;)

Giving Thanks...

I found myself feeling thankful for so much this December evening. 

Thankful for my little family of 5.

And for a hubby who works so hard to provide for us in so many ways. 

Thankful for the friends and family that we have been blessed with.

And for the spontaneous game days and meals that we can enjoy together. 

Thankful for the little things that we get to enjoy everyday...

like kids cuddled up in our laps as they gently wiggle that tooth until it can no longer hang on.

And thankful for the time we were able to spend w/ loved ones this past Thanksgiving...

even though we didn't get to spend enough time, and in some cases, any time :( w/ all the family and friends we were hoping to see, but we are still so thankful for you all!!!

♥♥♥

This year we were able to spend some time with the dear Naimo family.

 They were such good sports.

Such as playing lots of games, like "What am I?" and "friendly" poker.

And probably the most competitive, cut throat, entertaining game of Zingo... ever? ;)

And what about that really windy day at the beach?

The windy day that the kids somehow forgot was windy at all...

 Yeah, it was windy. ;)

 The dads who were probably the best sports of all. ;)

This little visit also included a very delicious "Parents Only" dinner w/ the Leamans

(who I'm pretty sure have some of the most beautiful girls in the world ;) 

but we were so busy not taking care of any little ones that we didn't get a pic.

We love you Naimos and look forward to playing again soon!

We also spent some time with Nana and lots of cousins.

Such as bustin' a few moves to good ol' Just Dance.

Alright, I guess I'll give it a try... ;)

Nana enjoying the traditional making of the Thanksgiving dinner rolls w/ the kids.

Yep, everyone got down and dirty.

Including Kennedy, even though she doesn't look like it. ;)

Good times, good times.

 And where were the parents?

Oh, just gettin' their groove on. ;)

And now I have one more thing to add to my "Thankful List".

The fact that I'm no longer sore. ;)

Oh and that we now get to dive into Christmas!! :)