The Avid Reader

So happy my kids are such avid readers. The only downside is when the bookshelves are too full and books start spilling out and multiplying all over the house. I think Alex hit an all time record when we removed "nearly 20 books" from his bed this afternoon. No wonder his back hurts in the morning. There's no room in there for him with all of those books.

As if we didn't already have enough books at home, we decided to borrow some from the library. It's always interesting when Alex approaches the librarian to ask about something in the juvenile non-fiction area. I always kind of hold my breath, a little nervous about what might peak his interest. There was the time he was hooked on anything and everything that started with the letter "A". Or this summer when he looked at books about the human body and puberty. Heck he's even picked out books that haven't been checked out in such a long time that they aren't even in the computer system, so we were told to keep them. This week's selection surprised me a bit though. I mean, what 9 year old doesn't want to learn about the Bermuda Triangle? He also picked out a couple more science books, a couple fiction books from a series he really likes and, oh yeah, Fart Powder. Yep, that was the title. I have to keep reminding myself that even though he is a brain, he's still a 9-year old boy.

Family First

Family First, that's the first line on our new set of House Rules. Today we spent the day as a family with the Patriarch of the Cochran Clan. We celebrated my grandfather's 90th Birthday. He is still sharp as a tack and has a wicked sense of humor.

So what do you give someone who is 90? The boys and I decided to make our first pillowcase for project 1 million pillowcases and give it to my grandfather as a present. Now he has something special every night when he goes to sleep to make it feel a little more like home. Happy Birthday Grandpa. We love you.

Family Style

It's December 31st, you and your spouse have been sick for days, but you still have to ring in the New Year somehow. So how do you do it? Family style. That's what we did. 12 Balloons to pop and give us inspiration.

So what did we do?

1. Created a new set of House Rules that are both funny and serious.

2. Wrote and illustrated a funny comic strip as a family. Let's just say it involved our dog, Spencer and some of the unmentionables he likes to eat. Yep, it's gross, but I'm surrounded by boys so what did you expect?

3. Rocked the night with some family-friendly Karoke.

4. Played an LCR card game.

5. Made donuts (gluten free of course). They were yummy.

6. Tried a craft from Pinterest as a family.

7. Played a game called Endango and saved a few animals along the way.

8. Got into our jammies for a relaxing evening.

9. Made some New Years Resolutions and reminisced over 2011. I used the flip to record a Q & A session with the boys. Their answers were hilarious.

10. Watched some funny cartoons. Who doesn't love Looney Tunes?

11. After many worthy suggestions, Max came up with our Family Motto for the year ahead. Keep on Truckin.

12. 12 grapes at midnight, a toast with some bubbly (a 2011 bottle of Welch's finest) and dancing to Party Rock by LMFAO. Oh yeah, and a Silly String fight. My kids think I'm the coolest mom ever.

I'm exhausted. What did you do to ring in the New Year?

Christmas Fun

Untitled Project

Gluten Free Goodies

Baby, it's cold outside. Not much to do on a cold Saturday in Ohio other than bake. Jules Gluten Free Flour is sponsoring a cookie swap on Facebook and I have my eyes on the prize, a shiny new Kitchenaid mixer. So today my family and I were testing out flavor combinations. Our favorite so far is a gluten free peppermint mocha cookie.

After a very long day of baking it's time to kick back and relax with a delicious homemade gluten free pizza and some Christmas specials with my favorite boys. Here's proof that gluten free cooking can be delicious.

Belsnickel Comes For a Visit

When I think of the Christmas Season I often think of my grandparents. My brother and I spent so much time with them as children that most of my childhood memories are filled with little anecdotes from one of them. One of my fondest recollections is hearing the stories about Belsnickel (Nicholas in Furs), a legend created by the Pennsylvania Dutch. According to my grandfather, on December 5th, children would leave their shoes out for Belsnickel. If you had been good, Belsnickel would leave candies and/or nuts, but if you were naughty, Belsnickel would leave a switch or coal. The switch was meant as a warning to behave or else. Fortunately we never received a switch.

What I remember most though was not the candy that we received but the ornate knit Sinterklaas shoes that belonged to my grandparents. They would leave them out both on December 5th and on Christmas Eve. They were red and white and sat out on the rectangular wooden coffee table in my grandparents living room. To me, the sight of them signified the beginning of the Christmas Season. As a tribute to my grandparents, my husband and I have continued this tradition with our own children. So tonight before bed, two little boys will place their shoes beside the fireplace eagerly awaiting the arrival of Belsnickel.

Framily

Framily- A slang term used to describe those people in your life who are more than just friends. While they are of no blood relation, they have come to feel like family. Filling voids that time, distance and circumstance have created.

I come from a very small family with loved ones scattered about. We often go months to years without seeing one another. While it is difficult not to have family around I consider myself extremely lucky. My life is filled with many amazing people whom I would consider framily.

They are my closest confidants. To whom I turn when I need comfort, advice, an ear to bend or a shoulder to cry on. They are surrogate mothers to my children who understand and appreciate my boys needs and wants just like they would their own child. They are cheerleaders when I lack motivation and ministers when I need prayers. Much of who I am today is because of the many roles that they have played in my life.

As we enter into this holiday season I find myself reflecting on all that I have. A beautiful life with two amazing kids and a loving husband. Wonderful friends and a larger than life framily that I am so incredibly grateful for.