An Anderson Christmas

 

Normally, Christmas would have been spent with my side of the family.  This particular Christmas was spent in San Bernardino at my children's father Mike's sister Sarah's home.  After gifts were opened and trash was thrown away, they pulled out Guitar Hero and Karaoke, and the kids, along with their Aunt Sarah played games.  

Feeling Festive

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day / Their old familiar carols play." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 

 I felt really bad.; We haven't had a pretty tree in a while. My son Christopher still believes in Santa and we must always have a tree for Santa to put the gifts under. To me, this tree isn't as pretty as I wanted it to be. 

My first complaint is that it's so small. The ornaments were bought in haste, and they were cheap...and they certainly look cheap. This year, I have really been scouring Pinterest and I am in love with minimalist home decor, particularly the color white. It definitely does not look good to me for Christmas. I still like red, gold, and green...and silver bells. 

All that matters is that Christopher is happy with our Christmas tree. And he wanted to take a picture to show me how he's the same size as the tree. 

 After choosing to display the Christmas cards and putting up a tiny faux tree, thus, I took my youngest child, Christopher, for a walk around the neighborhood. We really enjoyed looking at all the holiday lights on everyone's homes and yards. He loved how festive the neighborhood was.

Christmas Shows and Cocoa

I saw a family-friendly event was available for tonight via Facebook.  I was excited so I reminded my whole family we were going to it. 

I dragged my kids' father, Mike, out to a Christmas show.  He really didn't want to go, but I wanted to have a lasting memory with my family.  My daughter is always trying to go with her friends and party.  My older son is always cooped up in his bedroom, playing video games. My youngest son is always excited about doing things and going places outside of the house.

I really wanted my kids to experience a more meaningful Christmas show than the concert we attended.  This one was more religious.  My kids seemed to enjoy themselves, even though it felt like I was pulling teeth out of the older two and their dad.  The Christmas show ended with hot chocolate.  I also ran into my childhood friend, Natascha, but did not get a photo.

November Decorating

 I was in the Christmas spirit and began decorating right after my birthday.  We didn't have much, but I made do with what we had and what I could afford.  The only thing Christmasy about our place was one corner of the kitchen counter.  The kids will be a little pleased with the dollar store junkfood...it's all for them. That cookie jar is actually rather expensive, though, and really needed a cleaning, as it was dusty.

My kid's father, Mike, got off the living room floor among all his music equipment that I was trying to clean (it was cluttering the living room). Everything is dusted, rearranged and less cluttered. Thankfully! While patiently waiting for him to move, I hung up a Christmas curtain in the kitchen.  

November 2007

 I took my children to donate canned goods to the less fortunate.  Afterward, we watched a Christmas concert and got to see "snow."  It was fake, but everyone had fun.  It was definitely, something special I wanted my children to experience by giving and also to see a Christmas concert.  I wanted them to be around the joy of Christmas, and it was definitely a joyous evening.  I love my kids so very much.

Christmas Pictures 2011

Sienna and Me

Kalib and Me

Me and Chris

All of us, this would be the winner for the christmas cards I'm mailing out.

Our Christmas pictures for 2011 came out great.  It took numerous tries because the kids kept making faces or weren't looking at the camera, but we finally got great photos.