How many times can you ride the Polar Express?

Just for fun I took the boys to a "Polar Express Pajama Party" at Borders a couple weekends ago. When we went that day, Corbin decided he wanted to have a Polar Express party with his friends when school got out for Christmas. Last week we had a Christmas party at church and guess what the theme was? Corbin's class has been keeping track of the books they read this month by putting them on a train which will end with a celebratory Polar Express party next Tuesday. Hope you got the memo for this year's party theme. Oh well, I don't care. In fact, we love it. I love celebrating the season. And it doesn't matter the theme, it's fun! So in case you are still trying to plan a party, take notes . . .

Pass out candy canes and read the story.

Make some sort of craft that has to do with the story. (this is a reindeer door-hangar, in case you couldn't tell)

Pass out hot chocolate and cookies (it helps if it is from Seattle's Best Coffee Co.), while the kids watch the movie.

Pass out a bell for every child to take home.Happy kids = Successful party. We actually really had fun. I highly recommend doing or going to a Polar Express party this month.

a date which will live in infamy

Is it easy for me to remember the day Pearl Harbor was attacked because it is my grandma's birthday, or is it easy for me to remember her birthday because it is Pearl Harbor Day? Either way, once again the day has come and gone, only this year was a bit different as this was the first time I thought of the day and remembered my grandma in the past tense. Last year, we celebrated her 90th birthday. This year we celebrated her life when she passed away on August 5th. I was proud to be counted among her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and to hear all of the wonderful stories about her life and those she had affected. I learned I was more like her than I thought - she, too, had defied her parents as a teenager and she, too, prefered to eat out than to cook. No more excuses - it's in my genes, nothing I can do to change it.I clearly remember my Grandma sharing with me her memories of Dec 7, 1941. By some strange coincidence, once when Russ and I went to visit her, the movie entitled Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck was just opening. We briefly mentioned that we wanted to go see it and thought that it might be something of interest to her. No. (thinking back, that only makes sense). She said that she had her own memories of that day and didn't need Hollywood to show her what had happened.

She was working as a nurse in the army posted stateside. They got word that the United States had been attacked. She was working in a hospital on the northwest coast and a blackout had been ordered. They worked treating patients and fearing the worst for the entire night. The next day they heard news and realized the war had taken a drastic turn. And of course, it would be the most memorable birthday she would ever have.

I am grateful for the legacy that my grandmother left. I am grateful for her love of this country and for her devotion to God. I am thankful for the family that she raised and for the love that we will share with each into the eternities because she brought us and kept us together.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

And that we did. Thanksgiving with the Jensen Fam . . .

Look at those mischievous little Indians (Native Americans)

We ate and ate lots of food, of course.
Colton didn't eat much else after he discovered the jello

Making turkey cupcakes, or rather - cupcakes that look like turkeys

You can't have Thanksgiving without Thanksgiving Bingo.

We even got to play outside!

We missed Daddy while he was at work, but we sure had a fun day with our family!

The Pilgrims and the Native Americans

Why does it seem like that is such a mouthful? It is just so much easier to say the pilgrims and the indians. Yet, in every other instance when I say "Indians", I would most likely be referring to someone from India. Anyway, on my last turn to host preschool, we learned about these two aforementioned peoples (since it was the day before Thanksgiving). We had a house-full since school was out - which meant that Corbin was home and the little boy I watch twice a week brought his big sister with him. So it was quite the party, but I think it turned out really fun.

Here's what we learned:

The pilgrims came over in their crowded boat.
They met Native Americans who liked to make feathered headbands and papersack vests.

They also liked to run around outside like wild Indians

And after all that they sat down and ate a cornucopia of goodness.

Finally! . . .Did I tell you?

Sorry for the graphic nature of this picture. I know some people don't like to see where their food comes from. But yes, my husband is a hunter (sorry to all you animal activists out there), and after several years of nothing - we will finally have meat in our freezer again.

And don't worry, none of it goes to waste! We make sure to throw it out for the animals to gnaw on. ;)

Merry Tossmas

Just a little something to ponder on Black Friday. . .

(Don't forget to pause the music at the bottom)

Wanna know who supports CHRISTmas and who just wants your "holiday" money? Click here for the American Family Associations's Naughty and Nice list for Christmas Shopping.