Orthodox Ornament exchange for the kids

Sophia signed up for the Orthodox Ornament exchange over at Sylvia's site again this year.  She had so much fun doing it last year (both making AND receiving the ornaments) and was really excited about doing it again !  Unfortunately, the kids have both been very sick and we were not able to do a whole lot of preparation and had to leave everything to the last minute (when she was feeling well enough to ENJOY making her gifts).

As an added surprise, her Baba was home from work that day.  He had taken that day off because we were supposed to be taking a long weekend away with the kids, but had to cancel because they were so ill.  He, very willingly, sat at the table with her for several hours while she made her crosses to send to the children!  I didn't think to take a final picture of the finished product after they were wrapped up.  But she was happy with them, she had tons of fun making them, and got to spend some unexpected quality time with her father - and that is wonderful !

She has already started receiving some of the ornaments this week and is SO happy to see what everybody sent.  What a difference a year in age can make....she is actually noticing and appreciating the ornaments as they come.   She is identifying the Icons that some used and asking "how" each was made as well.  She asks me over and over to check the cards and tell her the names of the kids that made them too.  What a great idea - hope we get to do it every year !

Happy St. Nicholas Day !

St. Nicholas

Today we celebrate the Feastday of St. Nicholas.  Last night I cuddled up with my two little ones on the couch and we read the Life of St. Nicholas together.  Before they went to bed, they eagerly put their shoes by the door for St. Nicholas.  Sophia fell asleep singing and humming "Holy Father Nicholas" !  This morning, even though they were up WAY too early because they are not feeling well, Sophia led them running to check their shoes.  In this house (just like last year), St. Nicholas likes to leave some gold chocolate coins and a few Orthodox books !  

May you all have a Blessed Feast Day.  Holy St. Nicholas, intercede to God for us !  

A gift for Demetri

My little boy loves to go to Church.  He used to be quite a challenge...but over the last year or so has really settled down and is a pleasure to take to services.  He LOVES to participate.  At home he initiates prayer throughout the day (meals, morning, etc), loves to chant the hymns he knows, venerates his icons, etc.  When we are in Church, he is no different.  He chants along with the chanters, sometimes even visiting them up at their chanting stands.  He says his prayers, the ones he knows...and mumbles along the ones he doesn't know.  He makes the sign of the Cross (well, almost) and does his metanoia (prostrations)...and he censes.  He ALWAYS censes.  He is always aware of where Father is, what he is doing, where he is moving.  If he can't see him, he asks to move around so he can catch a glimpse of him or we pick him up.  

He would use some of his favorite items as his "censor".  Seen here, he is using his favorite bear.  He uses our prayer ropes, necklaces, keychains, etc.  

But last week, he got the best little gift ever...

smiling and staring at his "censor" saying "just like Father's" !

during Vespers for the Entrance of the Theotokos

leavng the Chapel after Vespers

Consecration of our Church

Our family had the lovely Blessing of attending the Consecration of our Church !  What a great experience and probably one that we will not have the honor of seeing again.  The services started Friday night with the Arrival of the Relics, Procession into the Church and Vespers.  Saturday morning started with the Consecration services and Liturgy.  It was beautiful.  My husband served in the altar and said it was such an honor to witness something so awesome ! My little girl was one of the Myrophores and I was so proud of how well she did !

The relics that were placed in the Altar table were those of St. George, St. Panteleimon, and the Holy Martyrs/Monks of St. Savas Monastery on Mt. Athos.  What Blessings !

Look who's TWO !

So my little man turned 2 this week - and as most parents say ... I can't believe it is going so fast.  We had a great celebration and he had lots of fun.  I cannot lie...we did not put as MUCH preparation and attention into the preparations of this party as we did for Sophia's.  Well, he is only 2....and only cares about eating the cake.  Plus we are still enjoying the wonderful company of my inlaws and prioritize "family time" over going crazy with party planning !  (At least that's our motto now, while he is still too young to argue)!  

Sophia picked out his "sports" theme and helped Mama decorate.  I made him a very lame baseball cake with the help of my mother.  We really had a great time and I am very thankful for my wonderful kids !  

Happy Birthday little man !  

The "big girls" having some fun with Sophia's animal masks !

Wow, this Birthday Boy stuff is VERY tiring ! 

sitting on his new "truck" bean bag seat !

FIRST BIKE ! from Yiayia & Popou

Sweet Potatoes !!!

Our gardening experience continues to grow !  We finally got to pull our sweet potatoes out of the ground. Sophia was thrilled when her Baba took her out to do the dirty work !  We actually got quite a few, but not nearly the amount I thought we would.  We looked into it a little and realized where we made our mistakes.  Our biggest problem was that we didn't give them enough room to grow.  These vines can spread....like crazy !  So whenever we saw a little tendril making it's way out of my neatly-outlined area, we would just lift it and put it back with the bunch.  Actually, as they spread out and grow they continue to root themselves along the way producing more and more potatoes !  At least that's our new understanding.  The ones we did pull were delicious.  A few of them were too tiny to use, we really could have left them underground much longer but we haphazardly YANKED al of the vines above-ground assuming they were all "done" !
We are still getting quite a few peppers of all colors !  Our eggplant was very productive too !  Our biggest failure were the tomatoes - which obviously did not get enough hours of sun every day.

At least we are better prepared for next year !

One lovely blog....

How sweet !  Mat. Anna over at Praying with My Feet gave me a "Lovely Blog" award !  I'm honored if anyone is even reading....getting an award would never even cross my mind !

Allow me to share just a few of the lovely blogs that I follow : 

Praying with My Feet 

Evlogia

Close to Home
Our Little Monkeys

Sibling Revelries

Charming the Birds from the Trees

Krasiva

Leah's Blessings

Orthodox Epsilons

Adventures of an Orthodox Mom

This is certainly not a complete list.... But they are all great blogs !

For those so inclined, here are the (obligation free!) rules to accompany this award:


1.) Post award on your blog
2.) Thank the blogger who sent it to you
3.) Award 15 other bloggers this Lovely award
4.) Tell them all you think their blog is Lovely