O Holy Night!

 ACT ONE

-----------------

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)

         To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.          

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

    Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

ACT TWO

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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

THE END

Credits:

                                                     Joseph:                       Ezra

                                                     Mary:                         Annika

                                                     Donkey:                     Jonathan

                                                     Shepherds:                 Ezra & Annika

                                                     Three Wise Men:       Ezra & Jonathan & Christina      

It doesn't get better than this.

Scuba Santa

Today we took the kids to see Scuba Santa at the aquarium. They loved it.

Santa sure has a lot of time on his hands!

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season 

for

cozying up with Dad 

on the couch

with a book

by the fire

under the glow 

of the lights

from the 

Christmas tree.

Happy Holidays!

Here's a look at our Christmas card for this year. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season! 
*The awesome photos are courtesy of Lisa Webb Photography

making new friends

The kids loved their friends so much in Indiana. We were a little worried about them missing their friends and not finding new ones when we moved. Luckily, just in the few months that we have been here, they have made lots of little friends. Here are most of their friends at Myra's birthday party awhile back. (Notice how protective Ezra is with his sister!):

And with their friend Miles (they decided pants were optional). Miles is ten days older than Annika and he loves to kiss her on the lips! He better watch it! ha ha:

And here is their other little friend Carter (who reminds me sooo much of Dylan!):

They sure have been lucky to find so many good friends! Although Ezra does miss his Indiana friends lots and asks about them from time to time.

life anniversary

Last year on December 9 I sat for three hours in Jonathan's dissertation defense completely in awe while Jonathan was made to answer mind numbing question after mind numbing question. He was quite brave and answered each question with confidence.

Then we waited. After each of the five committee members sufficiently grilled Jonathan they excused themselves to discuss his fate. Jonathan and I and a another friend waited in the hallway with uneasy anticipation.

If he didn't pass, he would not be able to accept the job offer he received earlier that week and have to completely redo his entire dissertation (years worth of work) or he could drop out and go find employment elsewhere.

After a few intense minutes (maybe about 15-- but felt way way longer) the door was opened and his advisor shook his hand and called him Dr! Imagine the relief and joy! After doing the polite thing with the committee members for a little bit and after we took a picture or two we walked down the hall to his office.

Once alone, we both let out a sigh of relief, followed by laughter and we jumped around and hugged and kissed like little kids. We did it! We did it! I think Jonathan was pumped full of adrenaline at this point and needed to get walking. Plus, we suddenly really needed to see our babies- so we walked home hand in hand- instead of catching the bus like we planned to earlier since it was freezing!

The walk home was magical and I will never forget it. It was just starting to get dark-about 5 o'clock. The air was crisp and cold and great big snowflakes just started to fall from the sky. We were giddy and in shock and so excited! The whole world suddenly opened up to us. He passed! He had a job! Could this moment finally have happened after all this time?? It was unbelievable.

We talked about the questions he answered and then about how we would now be gainfully employed and about how our lives would change and then over all those things again. No one but the two of us knew how hard it was to accomplish this goal and no one could be as excited about it as we were. It was a moment truly lived in.

When we got to our apartment, all the shades were up and all the lights were on. We could see the kids inside playing with their friends. They were happy and excited. When we opened the door Ezra called Jon "Dr. Dad!" and ran off laughing.

Happy happy memory.

The peacock and reading

The peacock by Ezra 

chalk on chalkboard 24" X 30"

So it's been a long time since I've posted anything. I guess I've had nothing to report. I still don't but I thought I would record the progress Ezra has been making since I think he's making some breakthroughs and I like to remember these things.

First interesting thing: Ezra drew the above picture on the chalkboard in his room. When I saw it I said "Ezra what did you draw?" (thinking it was a bunch of balloons) and he told me "It's a peacock, Mom!" I was way impressed.

The second thing about Ezra: We have been doing Hooked on Phonics with Ezra for the past few weeks. I was a little hesitant on using this at first for a couple of reasons. The first reason being that they have videos you can view after every lesson. We don't believe that watching shows is an effective way of learning so I was a bit hesitant on using the program when I saw that.

Also, there are a few books included that are specifically chosen to help enforce what the kids are learning... and they really bad! The graphics are horrible (computer animated stuff that usually makes me want to hurl) and the story lines are bad bad bad. I think they were written by seventh graders or maybe someone's 2nd cousin whom they owed a favor. Bad bad bad.

BUT...Ezra is starting to get it! The other day he saw an EXIT sign and sounded it out and read the word. I was so proud! He has also read the following words: zoo, Max, to and Dad. So... he's not reading yet but like I said I feel it's a milestone and I wanted to record it.

And so you know, this is not an endorsement for Hooked on Phonics because like I said, I'm not whole heartedly for it but Ezra and I have been consistently using the program and that's probably all that really matters.

Ezra the protector

We've always hoped that Ezra and Annika would grow to be best friends. To a large extent, they have. The worst part of Ezra's day is Annika's nap time, and Annika finds herself lost if she doesn't know where Ezra is any time of day. Moving to a new place where, for a time, they didn't really know anybody else helped to strengthen their bond.

Today, however, we got a glimpse of Ezra the soothing and protective big brother. I took Annika to nursery while Ezra went to the bathroom with Christina. Annika was not having a very good day, so she was crying a little when I left, but she was more or less contented by the rocking chair and baby doll she was holding. While waiting for Ezra and Christina, I watched from outside as another girl tried to take Annika's doll. Annika, at that point, pretty much lost it. She was crying and holding on to the doll with all her might. Then Ezra returned so we sent him in and asked him to watch over Annika. Ezra walks in, finds his way through the dozen or so kids crowding the door, and heads straight for Annika. Then he does two amazing things: first, he wedges himself between Annika and the girl trying to steal her baby. Then he looks Annika in the eyes, grabs her shoulders with his hands, and starts to comfort her. It was a real moment--hard to describe in words. He was so authoritative. Such a protector. He showed real concern. He then took her by the hand, and walked her through the crowd of kids to a nice little spot where they found a xylophone and played together. By that point, Annika was all smiles.

It was really extraordinary to see his care for his sister. We didn't really have to tell him what to do--he handled it perfectly. And Annika has the utmost trust in him. She knows that he will protect her and not hurt her. They played together for the rest of the time in nursery, having a great time. It was a really sweet moment, seeing Ezra grow into the best big brother Annika could hope to have.

Happy Halloween!

Annika was not doing so well after having missed her nap today.

For Halloween this year Ezra was Franklin the Turtle and Annika was Harriet the Turtle, his little sister. If you are wondering "who the heck is Franklin?" click here. Most people thought they were "Mutant turtles," pretty close, I guess? I made their costumes this year. Every year after Halloween I think "I am going to buy costumes next year. Making them is too much work." And then every time Halloween comes around I think "I can't buy their costumes. I have to make them. It's way cooler." It's a vicious cycle...

We were able to go trick or treating with this little rabbit:

Aren't they cute?

Ezra and Annika couldn't believe their luck when they learned what Halloween was all about. Here's some conversation from tonight:

Ezra: Dad, why are all these people giving me candy?

Dad: Well, because on Halloween you get to dress up in costumes and people give you candy because they think you are cute.

Ezra: Oh. (pause) Dad, I like Halloween!

And some more:

Mom: Annika, your bag looks really heavy. Can I hold it for awhile?

Annika: No! My candy!

So, needless to say, Halloween was a hit around here. Now, what are we going to do with 10 pounds of candy??

The turtles trick-or-treating

Scary photos in honor of Halloween!

In honor of the fact that I have finally attempted (with success!) to use the scanner part of my printer and in honor of Halloween tomorrow, I am uploading some really "scary" photos of me when I was a kid. Now, I realize that I was somewhat of a tomboy when I was a kid, but seriously, I can't believe I walked around like that! Wow. Another funny thing about this photo is that 95% of photos taken of me during my childhood shows me holding one cat or another. Too funny.

Here's another scary photo of me in spandex! Those were all the rage back then. Also, check out my skate or die brothers. Sweet hair! Besides my three brothers, also in this photo is my mom, my best friend Tiffany and her mom.

The pic on the left is of my and my brother Alan taken by my Grandma Childs before school one day, with my cat C.C. (named after C.C. Deville!- from the band Poison- haha) The one on the top is me with my brother Barry and on the bottom is my brothers Casey and Brad. So these photos really aren't that scary but they go along with the others. So there you go. Happy Halloween!

Truffula trees?

The fall is so cool here. The trees are already starting to lose their leaves and turn from an amazing brilliant color to duller, more subdued tones. The branches are more pronounced, etc. but they are still amazing.

Growing up in Wyoming, the seasons were a bit different. There was hot-hot summer. That turned the grass brown. Then you saw a leaf or two fall off the tree. Then it snowed for eight months. Repeat. (Not that I don't love Wyoming, because I do, but it really is like that!)

So, after growing up with two seasons, we have really noticed and appreciated how beautiful fall can be. Which leads me back to my Dr. Seuss thing...

I cannot believe how much these trees remind me of the kids Dr. Seuss wall (which is now 95% done and I suppose I can post a current photo of it here for comparison.) Do you see what I'm talking about?

Pumpkin Patch

This photo was taken of us on the way to the pumpkin patch last week. I love this time of year.

love

For the record can I just state how much I love this little girl? She is so unbelievably sweet, adorable and cuddly. She melts my heart daily, no hourly. Here is my love note to her:

I love how tonight when I was strapping her into her car seat she asked me in her most serious voice "Ann-ita driving the car, yeah?" As if she fully expected me to let her drive.

I love how when I ask her if she is ready to take a nap she will stand up toss all current toys to the floor and yell with excitement "YEAH!!" and run and fling herself onto her bed.

I love how she will state her love to every member of the household at least 20 times a day.

I love that mommy is her favorite person in the whole wide world.

I love that any problem can be resolved by merely mentioning the word "ba-ba."

I love that she can sometimes be a lot of work. I love that Jonathan and I have done (most all) of that work completely by ourselves.

I love that it is my job to teach her all about the birds and bees and all girly things (really I do!)

I love that she has her daddy totally and completely wrapped around her finger.

I love that she has a serious sense of humor. This kid is hilarious! She makes dramas into comedies.

I love that she is mine, mine, mine- for forever.

Throwing the disc.

We've been spending much of our autumn afternoons playing disc golf. Disc golf is a lot like regular golf, except it abandons all the bourgeois elements and keeps all the fun. In other words, it's free and open to everyone. 

It just happens that the greater Cincinnati area is the disc golf mecca of the United States, with 29 courses within 25 minutes of us, including one of the top 3 courses in the world. 

Further, it just happens that a certain little boy in our household happens to own an absolutely perfect disc golf stroke. It's taking everything I have to keep from going Tiger Woods' dad on this kid. I mean, his disc throws are pure poetry. If there was a chance a pro disc golfer could make more than 3000 dollars a year, I'd have Ezra out there every afternoon, throwing discs for 4 hours and crushing his resolve to do anything else with his life. He's that good. 

Look at this follow through on the practice swing

He's also a world-class caddy for daddy's errant throws

Here Ezra's coaching me: "keep your eye on the basket. All the weight should go in your front foot. Try not to look so lame when you throw--this game's supposed to be hip. If you're going to break the sabbath, make it count..."

peas anyone?

The other day Jonathan and I were walking down the sidewalk with the kids when we past by a lady talking on her cell phone. She looked up at us as we past and told us "Excuse me, but I just have to say that you have the cutest family!"

And that was before Ezra put the frozen peas on his eyeballs.

Book of the Week!

This week's book of the week is the wonderful "I am the Dog/I am the Cat" by Donald Hall and Barry Moser. Hall is a great poet who wrote, among other things, "Without," an amazing book that chronicles the death of his wife, the poet Jane Kenyon. I read "Without" when I was in college and I thought it was the best poetry I'd ever read.

More importantly, however, Donald Hall also wrote the book that has remained a favorite for Annika for months and months: "The Ox-Cart Man," another favorite of mine as well. He won the Caldecott Medal for that book. Needless to say, Hall can write.

Barry Moser is a great illustrator who has done a lot of different things, including great etchings adorning the cover of my favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson biography and my favorite Henry David Thoreau biography. He's great.

"I am the Dog/I am the Cat" tells the story of life from the perspective of the dog and the cat. Ezra laughs at this story at least 5 times each time we read it. It's a really simple book, but it has great humor and amazing illustration. I think Hall does a great job getting the personalities of the dog and the cat (and, by extension, the personalities of the people who own dogs and cats). It's funny for kids, funny for adults, and funny the second and third time you read it. Since kids around our place like to read the same book about 15 times in a row every night, this one is a good one to keep around.

So if you're hunting for a hilarious, beautiful, and re-readable kids book, check this one out. You won't be disappointed.

The first chronicle

Welcome to our new and improved blog! 

We've made a name change. (About the name change: when I was a little kid, my brothers used to call me, among other things, "Tink." It sort of stuck as a nickname, hence the name "The Tink Chronicles.")

We've made a few additional changes:

1) Determination. We will update this blog daily. Well, I mean, we'll try...No, we'll do it! You know, if we can...We can! and we will! probably.

2) Comments are now required. We've rigged the blog such that you cannot look at a post without leaving a comment. If you do, your computer will self-destruct.

3) We may add some new and improved features to the blog such as- book reviews, recipes and other surprises. How exciting!

Veggie Burger recipe...finally!

This was the view from our patio this morning.

I'm finally getting around to posting the veggie burger recipe. There are many different ways you can make these. This is how we generally make them but feel free to throw in any other veggies or whatever as the mood hits- just don't add cow because then you wouldn't have a veggie burger anymore. ha ha just kidding...

Veggie Burgers

2 cups (or 14 oz can, drained) well-cooked black beans (or use red beans, chickpeas or lentils instead)

1/2 cup cooked rice (you can omit this)

1 medium onion, quartered

1/2 cup rolled oats

1TB chili powder

salt and pepper

1 egg

1. Toss all ingredients into food processor and pulse until chunky but not pureed, add a little water if necessary. Let mixture rest a minute if you have time.

2. With wet hands, shape into whatever size patties you want. Coat skillet with oil and turn on heat to medium. Add patties and cook until nicely browned on one side (about 5 minutes), turn and cook the other side.

3. Serve on buns with tomato, lettuce, avocado etc...then ENJOY!!

To make a bean and cheese burger:

Add 1/2 to 1 cup grated parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella or the like to the mix (and you can omit the egg if you'd like).

New church clothes

Here's our two cutie pies in the dress and tie that grandma sent us. I heard about a gazzilion compliments on Annika's dress at church today. She did look adorable! Thanks to Grandma for finishing this dress for her! And for making Ezra an orange tie that he will actually wear. He's not too fond of wearing ties. So Happy Sunday and watch out tomorrow for the making of veggie burgers!

veggie burgers...yum

*No cows were harmed in the making of this burger

I think veggie burgers get a bad rap. People say things like "they're not real burgers" or "they don't taste good" or "they're disgusting" or "they're for tree huggers" and things like that but I think they are really really yummy. Jonathan and I have been making our own and those are even yummier. Just so ya know.

A letter to my cousins...

To: Brooke, Kennedi, Trista, Luke and bun

From: Annika

Thank you for my birthday presents!!! You have made me one happy little girl! Not only did I get a package in the mail just for me, but in it contained some of the very things that I try to take from mommy every day but never lets me have.

I love you and I miss you!! Thanks for remembering me!

on measuring up

I walked past Annika's room today and saw her standing alone playing with some toys and singing to herself. On one of her feet was one of my sandals. I stopped what I was doing and watched her. I became acutely aware of how huge my role as her mommy is and will be. I am the person she runs to when she is scared or tired or hungry or lonely or hurt. I am the one she usually wants. Seeing her with my shoe on, I felt very overwhelmed. Would I ever measure up to her expectations of what she thinks I am? Will I make the right choices regarding her well-being in all aspects... emotional-physical-spiritual?

I suddenly felt like giving up. It was all too overwhelming. After all, I can think of so many other relationships that I've screwed up in my lifetime. This seemed too much. I couldn't bare the thought of that happening with this precious little thing.

As I stood there watching her, she glanced at me and yelled "Mommy!" and gave me her biggest grin. She loves me with every fiber of her being. This I know. And she came to me for a reason. So I took a deep breath and with that gained courage to carry on and do the best I can.

P.S. happy birthday to my brother Barry! who I'm sure will never read this, but happy day anyway!

Dr. McKenzie!

This past week school started here and Jonathan officially became a professor, thus fulfilling his childhood dreams (although in his dreams he was at a small liberal arts college in Maine or somewhere like that where it snows a lot, but you know the being a professor part is still the same).

It suits him and he is quite happy!

Welcome to Annika's birthday party...

Here is the birthday girl!

Compared to a year ago: (she's wearing pretty much the same thing)

Annika's best friends were in attendance:

Ezra

Mom

and Dad.

Every princess needs a royal table setting

and a crown (that I totally copied from nienie)

Here was the spread. It was dinner fit for a two year old. (I copied this too)

I think she was excited.

I made Ezra his own party crown so he wouldn't feel left out.

Annika likes her birthdays.

I took a billion photos of her. I just thought she looked so beautiful.

Singing Happy Birthday...

and blowing out the candles. Which she did it all on her own.

I had high hopes for this cake. I thought about Annika's birthday a lot but really didn't prepare much. However, I did spend a lot of time trying to figure out what the perfect cake would be for her, since that is usually the centerpiece of the occasion. I ended up making one from scratch with a recipe that was called The Perfect Chocolate Cake. So although it doesn't look all that great, it tasted really good.

Look how dignified Annika ate her cake this year. It's a little different than last year...

Here she is on her first birthday. She didn't even use her hands. She just dove her face in!

In case you were wondering, Annika got this kitchen set for her birthday. Both of the kids love it a lot.

The end. Until next year.