Happy Holidays from all of Us to You

Happy Holidays!

My parents don't do Christmas letters like many people do, mostly because I think they just don't have the time. So, in honor of the tradition most families have of writing out a letter and sending it with family photos for all their friends and families to read, I'm gonna write one here.

Dear Friends of the O Clan,

Steve and Diane are doing well. Both are working hard and playing too. Steve is in a pool league (and his team is actually pretty good). Diane is a pro with knitting needles and has been knitting up a storm since Vi was born.

Let's see... Daughters from the oldest to youngest:

Jen: is still teaching preschool, constantly on the run, just got a new house, happily married, happy mom, happy auntie, loves Iced Caramel Macchiatos.
Kate: has a new job, constantly on the run, happy mom, happy auntie, still cutting hair on the side, loves chai teas (with no water and extra chai)
Hannah: sophomore at UMD, majoring in English Lit and Geography, transferring to the U, happy auntie, works at the preschool on breaks from school, loves gingerbread lattes

Grandbabies:
 Vi: getting big, can sing her ABCs, counts to 10 in English and French, so adorable, makes her auntie smile every time they skype
Kenzie: started at daycare, is getting big, can sit up by herself, had her first Thanksgiving this year, looks just like her mama!

Merry Christmas!
Happy New Years!

-- The O's

Desiderata by Mark Ehrmann

http://www.spirasolaris.ca/desiderata.gif


Silent Night (Click Here)

Letters to Santa

Dear Santa,

This year, I'd like to ask for things that I truly believe are more important than any toys or gifts or material objects. Santa, I ask that this Christmas you remind people of the reason we're here and the reason we celebrate. Remind our families that Christmas isn't about the presents under the tree or who got more than who. Remind our families that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Remind our families that Christmas wouldn't exist without Christ being born.

http://cbsphilly.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/santa-claus.jpg?w=420

Santa, I also ask that on Christmas, you bring families together. There are so many men and women fighting overseas or who are unable to make it home for the holiday season. Bring them home. I want everyone to be as lucky as I am to spend my holidays with my parents, my sisters, my nieces, my grandparents and my uncle. I am so lucky, and I want you to spread that luck to others.

Santa, finally I ask for love. I ask for you to let love blossom in this cold and wintry season. Let love's light shine down so that everyone can feel it's warmth and happiness. Let love embrace the lonely, the sad, the scared, and the content. Let love embrace everyone.

I realize that there are other things, peace, end to hunger, stop to violence that I could ask for too.. but I believe those things are going to take much more than one letter (blogpost) to Santa.

Merry Christmas,
H.Eilene

Playing in the Snow

I want to just say something about Yesterday's Theme... Jingle Bells. I love the sound of bells. Church bells, jingle bells, the bells that the Salvation Army collectors use at their red buckets. I love them. My favorite part of The Polar Express is the part where Santa gives the boy the bells off the reindeer's harnesses. Then, he loses it and then on Christmas morning it's on the tree. Gosh, I love it. It only rings when you believe. See-- I like it not just because I like shiny things, but also because I like the message it teaches us. To believe. Even if it specifically shows in the movie to Believe in Santa. What is so wrong with that? Santa was derived from Saint Nicholas. The Saint who was giving and selfless. I believe in Saint Nicholas. I believe in the beauty of his kindness; I believe that while we are so thankful for what we have, we also need to be selfless and give to others in need.


Soooo today's theme is Playing in the Snow. And I am a little bummed. My plan was to go play in the snow with my roommates and then post pictures and talk about it... buuut the snow storm hasn't hit yet. So.. instead I'm giving you pictures of our trip to Bentleyville last night. And by pictures, I mean 2.

Always,
H.Eilene

Jingle All The Way

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/wp-content/images/jingleBells1.jpg

Christmas Classics

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA-4XQmvxEFKYeYaR4zN5yBmC1susR7cMqQnHvoFIjplXyfYjueCv0ikz9aZbhj3G0iK4-DAC3fY9C-8F1reNRm2QCFBX_N_kpUBXEwjwxU7Va7f_UWLRrp35ITf1rCfh_MmnPO3umX2h/s400/CM8.jpg

http://images3.static-bluray.com/reviews/3371_5.jpg

These are from my 2 favorite classic CARTOON Christmas movies. Can you guess which they're from? The first one is easy...

;) 

-H.Eilene

A Random Interjection from Jane Goodall

This woman is my hero. I love her. I love her work. I love her research.




It's a tad long, but I love it. She brings a voice to the animal kingdom. It amazes me.