The Holidays Are Contagious

Posted on January 3rd, 2008

During the holidays, it’s normal to feel some amount of nausea. It can stem from anxiety, stress, or actually eating some fruitcake. However, with children in the house, there’s always another possible cause.
A virus!
That’s been the experience this year in the Hughes household. The first one to come down with a particularly nasty five-day strain [...]

Christmas Reminds You of How Old You Are…

Posted on December 26th, 2007

Because you start seeing children who used to love Fisher Price go crazy over iPod accessories. I remember when my nephew Richard would argue with me over whether it was “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas.” It wasn’t really an argument because he was only three, but in his mind, everything else was “Happy:” “Happy Easter,” [...]

Kids Unimpressed by Christmas…

Posted on December 26th, 2007

Remember how you couldn’t sleep Christmas Eve? The excitement and curiosity was almost too much. Dawn would barely crack before you were hitting the stairs at top speed, rushing to surprises wrapped in bows and colors.
I watched a home video of my niece and nephews this Christmas morning. My sister had to wake the kids [...]

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Posted on December 26th, 2007

Now that Christmas is over it is time to think about recycling what you don’t want.
One big issue is Christmas trees. Many people have opted for an alternative, or a rooted version, but for those who have not (over 30,000 million in North America), what is the best thing to do with a Christmas tree [...]

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree…

Posted on December 25th, 2007

It’s 7p.m here in Ohio and my Christmas is coming to a close. My family has partied to the point that 7p.m. feels like 3a.m.!
We celebrated Christmas early in our own home in Columbus because we were going to my family’s home on Christmas Eve for the big family gift exchange. Then it was family [...]

Stress, holidays, and twins: Simple tips to make the holidays easier.

Posted on December 25th, 2007

Presents, chocolate, ham, turkey, giving, friends and family–add some holiday stress. Now stir in a new pair of twins and agitate.
The holidays are not only a fantastic time to get together with everyone and eat some really good food. It is also a time that parents, especially new parents of twins, might feel [...]

Santa’s in Trinadad according to the Santa Tracker

Posted on December 24th, 2007

Oooooh I know it’s late, but I just found out that Santa is in Trinidad! Where is he going next? Visit Norad’s Santa Tracker to find out!

73 Ideas to Spend Time With Your Family at Christmas

Posted on December 24th, 2007

73 Ideas to Spend Time With Your Family at Christmas

Christmas is about so much more than presents and parties, and yet, each year, that is the focus that we as a society place on it. Christmas has become a stress for some, and financial hardship for others. Where there used to be a holiday, to celebrate Family, we have some how lost touch with our roots, and a meaningful soulful Christmas. Following is a list of of Ideas that cost little or no money, that you can do with your family this Christmas for a more meaningful Christmas.

Multicultural Christmas: fun and confusing

Posted on December 24th, 2007

Twelve years in Europe and I never really paid much attention about the European way of celebrating Christmas – until I had kids! And then I realized that despite the similarities in traditions (Christmas trees, carols, and gift-giving) on both sides of the Atlantic, there are actually some big differences that makes the Christmas season [...]

Secret Santa gives family $2,000

Posted on December 24th, 2007

A Nebraska family got the ultimate Secret Santa present, $2000. Bill Bradley, a construction worker, received a box at work Friday that contained an envelope full of money. It came from Santa with no other return address information.
Instead of getting $20 each for Christmas, the Bradleys four children and one grandchild will now [...]