This past weekend, Lauren was quite the Christmas Elf. She has been working for weeks on handmade goodies for each of us, and had one last gift in mind for Daddy. While he was out on an errand, we pulled out the sewing machine, and tada... he has a bag to take treats to work in. She was a baking fool too. She insists on doing everything... rolling the dough, cutting it, putting it on the cookie sheet, and despite a very tired Momma wanting to go to bed, we were frosting cooled cookies well after bedtime. And truly, is there anything better than dancing by tree light?
These are memory making moments. I hope to hold onto them, year after year, and I hope she does too. Her brother broke my heart the other night. We were talking about gift giving, and how all the gifts currently under the tree are handmade. I asked him what he was making. He asked if I would take him to the store to buy gifts. Again, I said, make something. He said he would rather be given a candy bar than a drawing on a piece of paper. Oh how mad/sad/disappointed that made me. Tell me it is just because he is 13. Tell me he will come back round to appreciate the things we make for each other. Until then, I know she gets it.
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6 comments:
he'll get it... it is a strong cultural message you are bucking - and i applaud you for it... it's a tough age on a good day, and on a challenging day, well you know how it goes...
lauren looks precious... it is inspiring to see the seeds of what will probably be life long passions in the making...
Your blog is like a Song a beautiful Melody for your children Kerry! They are only growing pains but your Son will be fine. Oh my I used to get some nice great presents from my parents, not a ton but some really neat things, and I would say "is that all there is"? My poor parents. I laugh about it today! I look back and think how could I of said that but kids do. Thankfully we grow up and get better. Its hard to grow up too sometimes. Hang in there you and your husband are fine examples. Marry Christmas Kerry!
It is totally a 13 year old thing - I don't have kids of my own yet, but I teach them, and I really believe it's just a phase they have to go through...they have to buck against family and home to get through to the point where they can appreciate them again. It'll happen though, It always does! And until then you have Lauren :-)
I think it's also a boy thing. The things they're into, a lot of that can't be handmade easily. Perhaps he wants to go somewhere, do something? Maybe he could make a card saying the owner of the card has to do X with him, something like that? Maybe that suggestion might change his mind some.
He'll get it--about the time he leaves for college. Boys are a little slow on the uptake when it comes to stuff like this. But that's not to say he will jump on the train with you even after he 'gets it'. They have their ego to tend to after all.
I've enjoyed reading along on your lovely blog this past year, and looking forward to spending another year with you and your family.
Merry Christmas!
Loved the pictures with Lauren, Kerry. She looks so sweet in the baking picture...and my look how tidy everything is! When we made sugar cookies the other night, it looked like an explosion of cookie cutters mixed with sprinkles! I do think it is a "boy" thing too...not every boy enjoys creating. And a chocolate bar at age 13 is understandable...and I'm not a boy OR 13! :-) You're exposing him to options...he's learning from a great role model.
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