Looking for Christmas Magic!

Sarah and Drew wish you all find the magic of the Christmas Season.

Photo by their mother, Kelli, used without permission -- SORRY KELLI!
I mean, doesn't that look like a Rockwell picture? It's amazing what a iPhone camera and some filters will do.

Auntie Advent: The Final Chapter

I was almost through all the Auntie Advent packages and realized I had no idea how to reciprocally THANK the kids.

Until I realized I couldn't, so I should just say Thank You in a series of ways that was as spread out as their gifts.

So late one night, I spent time printing out the following message and addressing one envelope for each letter, symbol and piece of punctuation, and filling it with little treats. The next morning I started the staggered mailing process

The kids were supposed to color in the letters and unscramble the following message:

15 envelopes later, I think everything finally got there, because I go this message earlier last week.

THANK YOU Christina, because I know you had the most to do with it.

Auntie Advent Day 12

On the 12th day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me, 

proof that the best gift, love, is free. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We love you!

Dang. I love you too kiddos!

Auntie Advent Day 11

Twas the night before Christmas (and Day 11) of Auntie Advent, 

so my true loves sent a recipe sprinkled with heart. 

Our favorite sugar cookies

we wish we could share with you

Since we can't, the recipe

will just have to DO!

Auntie Advent Day 10

On the Tenth Day of Auntie Advent my true loves sent to me, 

seasonal spicy smells and a light for my way. 

'Tis the Season 

For YUMMY Smells!

Auntie Advent Day 9

On the Night Day of Auntie Advent, 

my true loves continue to warm my heart and keep me afloat. 

Everyone know that

Hot COCO is oh so sweet!

So we decided to sent you this special treat!

Auntie Advent Day 8

On the Eighth Day of Auntie Advent, my trues loves brought to me

a wish for a holiday that is germ free. 

 

We are wishing for your to have a 

MERRY XMAS

and a germ free 

NEW YEAR!

(And it's a NEW YORK one too!)

Auntie Advent Day 7

On the Seventh Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

some warmth and comfort for my frozen fingers. 

Just like your toes 

we don't want your fingers FROZE!

Auntie Advent Day 6

On the Sixth Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent their 

camera-shy auntie an old-timey photo album filled with shared memories. 

Pictures of us will just have to do.

We owe you some hugs the next time we see you!

Auntie Advent Day 5

On the Fifth Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

some warmth and comfort for frozen toes. 

We don't want your toes to be FROZE!

Auntie Advent Day 4

On the Fourth Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent spicy treats for a cowgirl.

http://cowgirlchocolates.com

Here is a treat to make your day complete!

Auntie Advent Day 3

On the Third Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

a magical potion for my bah-humbug blues. 

Here is some lotion. 

It can be your special POTION!

Auntie Advent Day 2

On the Second Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me 

snowflakes enough for a blizzard. 

Snowflakes falling all around -

in your apartment

on the ground.

P.S. Christina 'clued' me in about the clues on the reverse of the notes

Auntie Advent Day 1

On the First Day of Auntie Advent, my true loves sent to me

adorable artwork for my Attic door. 

What's in the Box?

I think my delightful nieces and nephew in Idaho sent me an Auntie Advent. I have instructions to "open before Christmas" from Christina.

Which is SUPER COOL - because Aunties like presents too.

It Is! It IS an Advent box. I can't wait to open things.

Jaime Just Grew Up! Happy 1st Birthday!

Somewhere in the rush of the last year, I may have not given the birth of Ms. Jaime its due. Which is very bad of this auntie.

Happy First Birthday, Ms. Jaime!

The most recent addition to the Idaho Branch of the Tree turns a whole year old today. Wow did that year zoom by.

Look at this little peanut with her mom and siblings back in December 2014.

Fast forward almost a whole gestation cycle later, and I got to see her chubby smiling face IN PERSON back in August 2015. She didn't quite know what do to with me (and why would she?), but her mom has figured out the trick to get all those great shots that Grumpa has been sharing with me, like the ones above.

And even though Mom was her favorite person, she's kinda of okay with her poppa too.

The older kids love her too - in their sibling-esque ways, 

and there's not a family resemblance at all or anything.

In August she wasn't quite mobile yet, so you could put her down and she'd play. 

Maybe roll over, and definitely rock,

but to get around, she had the best transportation mode of all figured out.

What a smiley little one. Another water baby for the family.

My visit was too short, and she just keeps growing, developing, and investigating.

Per Christina's SM accounts (thanks Grumpa):

 

Look at this face! She even held still long enough for me to get a few pictures in. This little lady is EVERYWHERE!

 It has happened- Jaime has been out as long as she was in: 9 months. It sure is racing by. Love my little princess!

 This little trouble maker is so pleased with herself that she finally found the pantry door open so she could investigate.

  10 months old!

Lucky shot by Grandmary of Grumpa and the youngest 

Pretty Kitties for Halloween 2015

 At 11 months, quoth her mom:

This little lady is so fun and hard all at once. She is into everything but has so much personality. Love her.

 (Sorry Jaime. There has to be the obligatory baby bath shot somewhere.)

Thanks, Grumpa, for sharing Birthday Celebration photos:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIME! Hope you enjoyed tasting the books!

Post-script to her birthday:
By mid-December, Grumpa shared this one from the gang, with the quote:

This little one has decided now that she was 1, she would take off and start looking and acting all big.

Also, apparently the winter rolls around in Idaho and now the little monkey is out playing with her sibs in the snow.

I don't WANT to wait a year to see her, but the way schedules are looking, it may be. I need to make a Skype appointment here soon.

~my August photos by iTouch; rest courtesy of Jaime's folks via SM, except one by Grandmary

Back to School 2015: Family Edition

I am in denial that it is fall. It is 90 degrees outside. I was so in the thick of things from the spring and summer that I didn't really register those two seasons, not to mention those important life-milestones.

Like Nathan's May graduation from pre-school.  Whoops!

Congratulations Nathan Buddy!

(Unimpressed girl is unimpressed.)

But now that the school calendar has flipped, the big kids in Idaho are off to school.

Quoth Christina on September 1st:

Off to school for these three! Amber is going into 4th grade, Elle 2nd, and Nathan Kindergarten. 

Wow, my kids are growing up.

Sadly, on September 4th, the bane of parental planning struck. School germs. (sad trombones)

Quoth Christina: Well that didn't take long! School germs are the worst. After 3 days at school Nathan is home today sick.

 

Momma is also learning what its like with not so many helpers around. Grumpa reported that Christina said she was not sure what she was going to do without Elle around to help, now that school was starting.

Meanwhile, down in Nevada, Drew started 5th grade in mid-August.

OUCH!

(The kids in New York barely started this week, and some don't start until next.)

 With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once.

Beethoven on Deck

Where are we on transporter technology? Because not only would I live elsewhere (like near a beach/water) and not have to worry about my commute, and be closer to the nieces and nephews, I would be able to attend the activities my extended circle of "honorary" nieces and nephews.

Today in St. Chuck, Kari's Krew is performing Beethoven on the Deck as the Catalpa Trio of chamber musicians.

I am BUMMED I can't be there. Those girlies are so lucky -- for a variety of reasons.

I came to chamber music at the end of my formal training. Things were different when I taking lessons. It was more about solo tracks, and not what is now known formally as "Collaborative Piano" - chamber music, training on how to be a equal chamber music partner, and even training on how to be a 'real' chorus, ballet, or rehearsal pianist for theatricals. I picked up a lot on the "job" at church and high schoo chorus/pitl, but there was a lot I didn't know. I know for a fact that some orchestral directors had negative things to say about my playing when I worked with instrumentalists, but they didn't know that *I* didn't know what to do. I was working with what I knew - and the fact that I was highly uncomfortable? (Well, that's another story.) When I played for vocal auditions at UCONN for some regional competitions or auditions, some of those adjudicators and coaches were kind enough to give me some feedback, in the middle of the singers' auditions. (Sorry!) It wasn't until I got to college when I REALLY got chamber instructions - and I have to thank my fellow TRIO NON SACRA* cohorts, Jane and Kristin, for putting up with me -- and Dr. B, Dr. C, and Dr. LaM.

TRIO NON SACRA 4EVAH!

Thanks to social media, I can get glimpses of what the girlies are up to as part of their youth symphony orchestra and in rehearsal. (Not to mention have actual SM interactions with them and now play I spy with parental units. (BECAUSE I MISS THEM. NOT IN A CREEPER WAY!)

My parents are like a @timbuk2 ad! #swag pic.twitter.com/ePSgWYm9Gl

— Stella (@StellaChilds) July 3, 2015

Representing #EYSO last day of Swedish Days! #stringworks http://t.co/HEk60MGPl4 thanks for hosting The Catalpa Trio. pic.twitter.com/EQZfa889sQ

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) June 28, 2015

@EYSO Fall Camp volunteers. pic.twitter.com/otseFzGx5P

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) August 29, 2015

@kristins4kids last week @gpmf so grown up! pic.twitter.com/LzOvo2I55k

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) July 13, 2015

Thanks to WQXR's swag from Opening Night -- Beethoven's Ode to Joy - I sent along my love and a semi-permanent reminder that I am there in spirit, if not body.

Break a leg, girlies! Have FUN!

Beethoven on the deck with the #catalpatrio pic.twitter.com/WzMF3DIEPI

— Kari Childs (@karimamasaywhat) August 22, 2015

Catalpa Trio play Beethoven on the deck at 3pm #obeythoven pic.twitter.com/vJ91LxNUHH

— noel childs (@noelchilds) August 22, 2015

*Unholy Trio

Update: Kute Kids 'Kaus - Idaho Crew

With thanks to Grumpa for grabbing these off the sib's social media, so I can collect them and share all at once:

May 2015

Quoth Christina: Finally got the fire pit out for the summer! The kids actually ate the s'mores this year.

June 2015

Visiting Utah to hang out with their cousins from Heber and maternal grandparents

A rarity in our family, but not in others, a gathering of the maternal family tree and branches

Quoth Christina: Fun times at the science center today!

 Pool time!

 Quoth Christina: They wanted to all sleep together!

July 2015

Quoth Grumpa? Christina?: Dad is away to cheese head paddlesports convention so mice will play.

Splash pad fun times

Quoth Christina: We had a great time bowling today! 

We were even lucky enough to have Grandpa Ben and Grandma Virginia with us too!

  Quoth Grumpa: Christina posted the following pictures from their day at the park and lake Friday. 

J took a day off work and headed the family off for a day together.

Quoth Christina: We had a beautiful day playing in Coeur D’Alene.

It's been 1 year, 5 months, a few weeks, and a handful of days since I've seen this crew in person. 

In two days I will FINALLY be on my way to see them.

I can't wait. But I am SO SO SO tired!

Festival Fatigue is real.