Art Work

Milayla and Atticus have always enjoyed artistic activities. I think that's pretty common among children. Watching that love and creativity continue to grow and grow is so much fun. And watching Phineas catch that excitement and join in as well is really great.

On one particular day, the kids had asked to do some colouring with me. So I found some printable colouring sheets and we got to work. I picked some of those intricate pictures that are so popular now so that I could see what the kids would do with them. They loooooooooved them. And it gave them a new perspective on using colors, shapes and patterns in their art. 

The next artwork that Milayla started to create involved lots of use of colors and patterns. Like our family pictures that she made. I love the boys' hair. In her words, "boys hair can only just stick up, it's not like girls hair". 

And her flower pictures are so lovely. All those beautiful colors make me think of some of the gorgeous flower gardens we have seen. And check out the pattern that she used to write her name. She has a serious knack for finding and making patterns.

 The kids found a picture that I drew many years ago (from a postcard) and wanted me to teach them how I did it. So I did just that and walked them through a little step by step lesson. It is of a sail boat on the water with a light house in the background on the hilly land. I love how they turned out. These works are 100% theirs. I drew the steps on my own paper and encouraged them to draw it however they were able to or saw to be the best way. Milayla's is the one with the larger grassy hill. Atticus' is the one with all the light around the lighthouse. I really, really love these.

We have a few learn to draw books at home and pick some other ones up at the library from time to time. On one particular day Atticus asked me if we could find one for a dinosaur. We couldn't, so we found some directions online. I really like the dinosaur that he came up with. And I particularly love the note that he wrote on the back. So, so, so, so, so sweet. And the creative way that he made the 'o' of 'mom' into a little pumpkin is particularly sweet. I love notes from my kiddos.

Meanwhile, Phineas wants in on all the excitement of art as well and will pull up a chair and doodle along with us. I really need to get some pictures of his scribbles because they sure should be showcased as well. I'm glad that we have art that we can do as an activity together. It's always such a lovely time.

Walk to Bethlehem

There is a rather brilliant and well put together event that happens just a little ways off of Montreal island. It is called the Walk to Bethlehem. We nearly went last year, but mixed up the days/times of the event and had our church Christmas party on the same day that we had planned on going. We went to the church christmas party, of course, as Atticus was over-the-moon excited about getting to be a part of a little presentation that the Primary kids were doing at the party (Milayla wasn't in Primary yet last year). 

So we were pretty excited to make it possible to go to the Walk to Bethlehem this year  (we went on the 28th) and even then, we almost didn't go. But we had the time to do it (after rushing home from groceries) and the weather was probably the nicest it was going to be which was considerably warm for Montreal but still felt pretty cold standing out in it. 

And in true fashion to our family - we left it a surprise to the kids, loaded up in the car and headed out. 

The kids had no idea what to expect. It was fun hearing them try to guess what it was as the city drifted further and further behind us. Even after Atticus read the sign upon our arrival, they had no idea what that could mean. And, in full disclosure, we really had no idea what all it entailed either.

I love that the first thing the kids noticed when we stepped out of the car were how many stars we could see. The sky was so clear and so beautifully illuminated with stars. Seeing that was a gift unto itself. I so miss seeing starry skies like that. And I love it when the kids notice the incredible beauty in the world around us. 

We thought we were getting there with ample time to have no wait but apparently arriving 15 minutes after start is too late and we had to wait in line for about an hour to get in (dear future self: arrive BEFORE opening next year). Thankfully, they had a few heat lamps and fires going in the line up because we started freezing pretty darn quickly. They also had some animals in the line which was a lovely way to keep the children's attention. Phineas really wanted to get up close and personal with the goats. It was sweet and reminded me of a couple outings to a goat farm in the Netherlands when Atticus was Phineas' age and he had the same love for goats and even had a goat try to chew his coat. 

I wish that I had snapped some pictures of the actual walk - I didn't - just pictures of the line up and pictures from the room we had hot chocolate afterwards. So, my little description is going to have to suffice. A really fun part was that we ran into some families from church. And, before I go any further, I just have to remark that I was struck with the impression as we were walking to the line up about how lovely it felt to be going to a Christmas event very truly, and exclusively about the Saviour. That little thought made waiting in the line seem like a blessing to see so many other people who wanted to celebrate the Saviour's birth as well. It was pretty unbelievable. 

To give the general idea of the Walk to Bethlehem, you are welcomed into a building (one of many) at the beginning with a group of about 20 people who become your family. It is with this family that you will be journeying to Bethlehem with to pay your taxes. Then you go back out into the cold to journey through different musical and acting scenes to set the scene of what it would have been like for Mary and Joseph to Journey to Bethlehem. We met other families on their journey, ran into King Herod who tried to pay us off to help him find the baby Jesus, had to show our Bethlehem passports to the soldiers, met Mary and Joseph and even their donkey, greeted the Wise men, saw the angels appear to the shepherds, journeyed through market (which easily had the best song of the journey), pay our taxes and finally arrive at the birth place of baby Jesus. We really didn't know what to expect and were just blown away by how much work, effort and talent went into the production. And it is all offered free of cost. Just incredible. 

Now, to the bits about our family journey. Milayla was terrified. As soon as she learned that we would be meeting roman Soldiers it was all too real for her. She knows her scriptures incredibly well, especially the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. So she knows what kind of things those roman soldiers do and she didn't want to be anywhere near them. Even with our assurance that it was all pretend, it just felt all too real for her. And she requested that we not go back there because she wants nothing to do with the roman soldiers ever again. She has the biggest, gentlest heart. We agreed that if she wasn't comfortable with it, we would not return until she was. We took a couple breaks with her so that she would not need to venture near the soldiers which helped a lot. Atticus soaked up every minute and suggested it would make a great family tradition. And Phineas fell asleep in the stroller (I was just happy that he was warm and safe). 

We really didn't anticipate how long the evening would be so when we made it back to the main building for hot chocolate and cookies, the kids were pretty tuckered out. We had enough time to chat a little bit with our friends from church and head for the car. We also saw Phineas' swimming teacher who was part of the production! 

All in all, it was a great evening. Atticus and Milayla shared their favourite parts and Milayla's overall feelings on the event softened as she talked about all the neat things that were part of it. She has since come to us to let us know that she would like to go back next year. 

I'm glad we went and were able to enjoy the evening together. It was so refreshing to have something to attend that was so dedicated to Christ during the Christmas season. It is something that we would like to make into a bit of a tradition for our family. I guess we'll see how they are feeling about those roman soldiers next year though. 

Putting up Christmas decorations

I hope I never, ever forget the look on Phineas' face when he came downstairs from morning nap and saw the tree in the living room, lit up and ready for us to put on decorations yesterday. It was pure excitement. The kids can hardly contain their excitement when we finally get around to putting up the decorations. It's wonderful. 

We turn on Christmas music and get to work. This year we actually got a few strings of lights to put outside as well which was so much fun. 

My parents, with a heaping dose of wisdom, kept all the ornaments that I had made through my childhood or been given. They used to give us a new ornament each year. It is a motley crew of many different ornaments and I love it. And the kids love it. Finding out which ones I made, and seeing all the different ornaments is easily one of the kids' favorite parts about decorating the tree. They seem to really love hearing about when Jason and I were children and it is so great to get to tell them childhood stories. (They are just great to talk to all the time!) I am so glad my parents held on to them and sent them out to us for us to include it in our Christmas traditions here. There was a time when I thought Christmas trees needed to look picture perfect just like the pretty ones in store windows. I was so very wrong. Perfect trees are filled with love and memories. And I am so very glad that I learned I was wrong. Jason's grandmother has pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren adorning her christmas tree. It's a beautiful tree. 

The kids loved finding some of the decorations that they have made over the years as well. Like the handprints we made last year, and the painted ornaments, or the paper ones that they put so much time, effort and thought into making so they could gift them to me. I love that the ornaments tell stories and share memories. From Jason's and my first Christmas (at a medieval christmas market!), to our family pyjama picture, to ornaments we've made with the children and on and on.

The kids loved seeing how much their hands have grown in the last year. And Phineas thought the can of eternal schnee (7 Christmases and STILL producing schnee) was the greatest nose/kaleidoscope. We ended up putting all the decorations on the top half of our tree because Phineas has very curious fingers this year and they aren't always as careful as some of the ornaments require (he is only 15 months after all). Oh, but the excitement and curiosity are so beautiful and fun.

I love our tree. It's filled with memories and will only become more so as the years go by. And I enjoy how the lights look. But when I came home the other night and looked at the shining lights on our house and in the window I had a gentle yet powerful reminder that none of it would matter - the lights, the decorations, the treats and traditions - without my family by my side. It's the time with them that makes this truly magnificent. And it is the love that fills my heart for them that allows the love of Christ to feel more tangible than it would otherwise.

Yes, the ornaments and decorations can be pretty. The sweets can be tasty. But it's the love that weaves itself into every moment and memory made which is where the real treasures lay.

So as this day begins drifting into the building blocks of our memories. I want to remember the smiles and excitement of my children. Their curiosity. Their love for the Saviour and desire to celebrate His birth. I want to remember the cuddles and sweetness. The schnee noses. The twin angels coloured by Milayla just to add some pictures to our walls. Phineas pulling out the vacuum to help clean up the needles. Atticus putting together our Christmas pyramid. How intently the children listen to stories of their Christmases passed along with mine and Jason's. Snuggling on the couch under big blankets to read books and drink eggnogs while we watched the lights glow. And so much more. All so wonderful. All brilliant.

So, as I venture to use this Christmas time to bring myself and my family closer to Christ and closer to one another I will treasure each and every moment. It is all so precious and so valuable. And I constantly feel that my words and pictures fall short of truly showing the love and value of it all. I greatly hope that the love seeps deeply into the hearts and souls of these awesome kids.


****post edit*** didn't want to leave out these cute photos that were on my phone from decorating. Phineas sure gets excited to help with the vacuum. And I love those smiles from Atticus and Milayla.